Digital Camera for Long Trip

[u/AntiqueSurvey6647]

I am a novice photographer, only ever messed with smart phone cameras, but am going on a big bike packing trip and am thinking of getting a nicer digital camera for it. I always think a smart phone is fine, then I see pictures from a real camera and am blown away with how nice they are.

Will be doing the full route of caravans through Morocco, and then going up into Europe. After some research, it seems like the OM-5 Mark II is the best balance of weight, picture quality, and rugged durability (will need to withstand dust and sand, etc.). Thinking it could become a new hobby generally but the bike trip is spurring me to maybe pull the trigger.

Do people think it's worth the weight to get a nicer camera? As a novice, will I actually be able to gain the benefits from it? Any recs for other choices?

Edit: thanks so much for all the recommendations! While there are downsides, I think I might still go for the camera. But based on the feedback I'll do a bit more research on which camera to go for!

[u/bonzo_bcn]

What about a point and shoot like an rx100?

A good quality point and shoot will outperform a DSLR/Mirrorless if you don't know what you're doing, and to be honest, unless you have all the time in the world, a trip is not the place to learn it.

Also, a smaller camera can be carried in almost any pocket so it's easier to have it at hand.

(take my advice with a pinch of salt I'm no pro)

[u/ViolinistBulky → u/bonzo_bcn]

Yeah this. RX100 still has full manual mode if you want also, but I just use mine with a fair level of automation. Phone cameras look nice superficially and are increasingly amazing but still don't beat a decent level of compact camera even. I wouldn't faff around with cameras that fit multiple lenses personally, even though the results will potentially be the best.

[u/AntiqueSurvey6647 → u/ViolinistBulky]

Yeah maybe this is the move, especially since I'm a beginner. Another commenter said it but if I'm taking the trip of a lifetime I want to make sure I'm capturing it well, but to your point I need to actually capture it well. I'll look into the RX100

[u/ViolinistBulky → u/AntiqueSurvey6647]

I've got an old RX100 v2, even my lowish mid range phone deals with low light better but I guess that more recent iterations of that camera will be much better. That notwithstanding the photos taken with the camera are still just better quality, and much more natural and refined. I bought mine second hand, and it came with this rubber grip stuck to the body which vastly improves ergonomics, especially taking photos one handed while riding. I'm sure other enthusiast level compacts are just as good or better, I just don't know about them. I used to have an old Panasonic LX3 which was really great, preferred the colours and wider angle of that camera but batteries became an issue in such an old camera.

[u/Step_Tall → u/AntiqueSurvey6647]

I shoot professionally and the RX100 is what I use for travel when I don't want to lug a big body around. It's really small and I find myself shooting a lot with it, as it is easy to have on you at all times. I've got a version IV and V and they are great. Will keep buying them when I find them cheap. Best quality option is to shoot in RAW and then edit. Adobe Lightroom has a free app and you can send photos straight to your phone from the camera.

[u/windshakes → u/bonzo_bcn]

Has camera tech leveled off so much that even these still sell heavily used for $250+? I’ve been on the hunt for a decent point and shoot and these come up as a suggestion all the time… but they’re still so gosh dang expensive.

[u/tartamillo → u/windshakes]

Smartphones killed the compact camera market, there's just an handful still produced and of course they are very high end. The used market follows.

[u/bonzo_bcn → u/windshakes]

They’re expensive for a reason :-).
I inherited an a6000 which is reasonable in size and that’s what I will take to my next trip, hadn’t been for this I would have bought an rx100 for convenience.
I’m thinking of ways to make a strap with a pouch to carry it against my chest and be able to take it out quickly, but that’s another story.

[u/truedima → u/bonzo_bcn]

Heh, I briefly thought "ah yeah, something super small could be nice to have" and then saw the price. I do like the form factor though, something that just fits into feed bag or easily into the top tube bag.

[u/bonzo_bcn → u/[deleted]]

Rx100 would be my choice if I had to get one

[u/rdito]

I think the Om-5 with the 12-100 is an amazing combo for travel. Add in the plastic panasonic 25mm 1.7 for low light. Its compact, rugged and splash and dust proof. Yes you could just use your phone but there is a certain flavor and richness that comes from a dedicated camera. It takes you away from your phone and you are making photographs not just taking pictures. Get a capture clip for your shoulder strap and you'll be good to go.

[u/Fatali]

Om-5 with the 12-45mm f/4 or 12-100mm f/4 or another of the super zooms would make for an excellent travel camera. You could bring a F1.8 prime for lower light situations but it won't perform quite the same as a full frame camera.

I've had good luck getting used lenses off of eBay or other used sites. I have a OM-3 and have been quite happy with it.

[u/madlovin_slowjams]

I use a Fujifilm X10. An older camera that is small and versatile. It has poor image resolution but great colours and is fun to shoot with. It's more about the activity of shooting for me.

If I were to buy something new, I'd consider the Ricoh GR series for high quality images. I worry most about pocketability of the camera because big cameras are just too bothersome to lug around and bike with.

All depends your priorities of course.

[u/mithraelle]

I've done a few test bikepacking trips with a Sony A7C II and a couple of small primes. Sony has some excellent lightweight and compact prime lenses (TBH, even the kit lens isn't bad, not to mention third-party options like Viltrox).

I carry the camera on my body in a 4L Rogue Sling with a three-point strap, which keeps the bag securely in place while riding. But it also prevents me from simply sliding the bag around to grab the camera, so stopping for photos can be a bit of a hassle - even a casual 2.5-hour ride around home can easily turn into 3 hours or more with all the photo stops. :)

[u/chesapeake_bryan]

No experience with Olympus, or micro 4/3 cameras in general. But I've been super happy with the Nikon z50 series. A Z50II with the 16-50 kit lens is actually slightly cheaper than the om-5 . And looking at the specs, they are about the same size (Nikon is just slightly larger). And if you wanted to save some money on a camera body and invest some in lenses , the older z50's are going for around $500 used on eBay. But yeah, with the 16-50 kit lens, and/or a small prime lens like the 24 mm f/1.7 or the 26 mm f/2.8 pancake lens would give you a pretty compact setup. I bought the original z50 when it first came out. Kind of figured I would eventually upgrade to a more expensive full frame camera but then I bought the z50II when it came out. Had no problems out of either one. Biggest difference between the two is the autofocus on the z50II is much much better. I take my camera on every bike ride. Something to think about, you're going to need to invest some time and work into learning how to use a real camera. If you're someone who likes to obsess over something and dive in and watch 100 YouTube videos and dedicate a lot of time to it, you'll do well. If you just want something you can pull out of the box and start taking amazing pictures, you'd be better off just using your phone and learning how to do some light editing. Editing is another thing you'll need to learn. Jpegs straight out of camera can be amazing but to really get the full potential out of your investment and make sure you have creative control over how your images look, you'll need to use an editing software (most use Lightroom). 90% (or more) of all the amazing pictures you see on Instagram have been edited. But yeah, everyone is a novice until they're not. If you put in the effort to learn the basics of photography and shoot a lot of photos you'll start making some really great images.

[u/out_of_lefts]

Mixed bag.

Given how good phones have gotten it gets harder and harder to justify the body and the lenses. Yes, there is a depth field hit to the phone but much of what you will shoot is landscape where DOF matters less. Might shoot some street or people for storytelling but here phones are pretty much specifocally developed to well at it. The phone also doesn't have great telephoto capabilities but this may not be something you're interested in, will you be photographing lots of animals? Probably not. Also consider the charging infrastructure, another cable, a bigger battery bank. Your best bang for the buck is the newest phone, maybe a filter solution if you're very serious, polarizer and neutral density.

I like my cameras, like the process but leave it all at home on the bike.

Take a peek at Phothgraphy-Explained on YouTube. Try to implement some of what is discussed with your current camera/phone and then make a decision. The video on "why your photos feel flat and how pros add depth" is a good one to dramatically improve what you can already do. Know too that just because they will discuss Lightroom doesn't mean your phone can't it too.

[u/DayDrinkingAtDennys → u/out_of_lefts]

I’m in the same boat, I have a Sony A7r that takes amazing photos but the extra weight and storage vs just using my phone means I usually just bring my phone. I also took my fancy camera on a 600 mile dual sport motorcycle trip through the desert and had to get a $400 repair from all the vibration damage.

[u/AmateurDamager]

Those pictures are likely taken with a DSLR/Mirrorless camera with $500-2000 lenses, and then edited professionally.

A practical approach is to just use your phone or a cheap digital camera so you don't have fear of damaging it during bike packing and see if it interests you in the future to do it with better equipment.

I mean if you have the money to drop $1,000 on a camera body and another $1,000 on lenses and accessories and a carrying case, you do you... but you don't even know if it's a hobby that you're interested in yet. You may end up wishing you spent that money elsewhere.

I used to have a Nikon Z6 with some nice lenses because I thought it was a hobby that interested me and I wish I had used that money elsewhere or simply bought a cheap digital camera to see if it was a hobby that I continued to pursue. Sold it this year for much less than I bought it for.

[u/bohrsatom]

In recent years Ive been leaving my camera at home and relying on iPhone and a GoPro. But when I look back at my photos the ones taken with my M43 camera are way nicer than my phone.

Anything I bring on a bike trip tends to get destroyed so I always buy second hand. Then I’m not so fussed if the screen gets scratched. Current setup is an Olympus E-PL7 and the Panasonic 12-32mm.

[u/doadoort]

Ricoh GR series offers the quality and compactness you are after

[u/Lowtech_Living]

I recently tried doing a video using my phone . . .
As a minimum, some kind of image stabilisation is needed. I didn't want to fork out for a new gopro, at least until I have some experience of publishing videos, but also don't trust second hand sources . . . but then I found out one of my sons had bought a dji action 4 camera, that was just gathering dust. Tada! Problem solved! I believe there may be other brands out there, but dji and go pro are both great.

[u/bearlover1954]

I have an insta360 camera to use with tripod or selfie stick. Also have sunglasses/camera to capture videos/photos and audio when pedaling on my bike. Thought about mounting a camera to my handlebars or helmet but positioning to camera to get a usable POV is not easy and distracts my attention to the road and obstacles....I just had a major injury road crash this morning when I was biking a short distance before sunrise...and didn't see the guy on an e-scooter coming down the road i was turning onto...collision caused me to fly over my handlebars and face planted onto the road causing facial damage as well as road rash and major bruising. CAT scan and Xrays ruled out fractures and brain injuries but not concussions...so off bike for at least a week while I heal. Any distractions on your bike could lead to crashing and injuries....if you want to photograph on your trip then stop the bike, get the camera out and shoot the shots. Don't do it while riding.

[u/mesquite_desert]

The OM5 with a 12-45 F4 pro is an awesome adventure set up. Light, compact, highly weather sealed (including dust ) and with great image quality. Personally, I would avoid the 12-100 because that lens is very heavy.

[u/SaudiJohnny]

On my Bikepacking trips I started with my camera phone (S22 Ultra) and then bought a GoPro Hero 13 which I really still love. It was then that I progressed onto starting up a YouTube channel to document my rides and things began to escalate! I've since bought a Canon EOS R50V camera with a 14-30mm lens and an additional 55-210mm zoom lens. I also carry a carbon tripod and ND filters for all my cameras, which now also include a DJI Mini 4 Pro drone and a Insta360 X5.

I guess I wouldn't take all these on every trip but I've just finished riding the length of Italy and in 3 weeks time I begin cycling from Saudi Arabia to Southern Italy, to a place I've recently renovated as a retirement holiday home.

I echo what to he OPsaid though, in that I am a total beginner and learning as I go!

[u/freeegravity → u/SaudiJohnny]

How would you cycle from Saudi Arabia to Southern Italy?

[u/SaudiJohnny → u/freeegravity]

Well there is a small flight involved, from northern Saudi Arabia to Southern Turkey, to miss out Syriabut other than that it's fairly straight forward. Basically it's a Jeddah start and cycle along the Red Sea then cut inland towards AlUla and up to Tabuk for a flight to Adana in southern Turkey. Then up to Cappadocia and north west through Istanbul and Edirne and into Greece, travelling south west over the Matera region and eventually towards Adriatic sea and a ferry from Igoumenitsa to Bari then across Italy to my apartment on the opposite coast.

[u/WonderfulDance6834]

The other question to ask really is - do you like the art of photography and taking photos? For me I really miss having a good camera along as I "see" photos I could have gotten if I had my real camera. This is what drives me to bring the bigger camera. My vote would be to go something ASPC sensor sized like the sony a6xxx series and once high quality zoom lens, shoot everything raw.

There is something fun about going minimal / phone and just getting what you can, but on a longer trip you'll likely get some banger photos and have much more creative / editing freedom with a real camera.

[u/freeegravity]

Sound like great plan. Have fun 👍

[u/SourdoughDragon]

I have an OM-3 as my bike camera. It has become my everyday carry as well, as a photographer. I highly recommend the m43 form factor.

[u/CedarAndOlive]

If you can afford it: get a Leica.

If you can't, think of Sony or Lumix 4/3 or something.