Any advise on a <gasp> non-Leica system?

[vikasmg]

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[Similar question posted on DP Review]

I have been a Leica user for years and I’m likely to remain so. My wife, who doesn’t see herself as a photo enthusiast, has been using a C-Lux. She actually has a really good eye and I’ve been suggesting that she should use a more capable camera. However she likes to range from wide angle to longish telephoto but absolutely refuses change lenses. So Leica options like the CL are out.

Nikon and Sony both have relatively light cameras with 24-200 or 24-240 lenses (as does Canon) and she thinks one of these may work for her. My question is sure to attract strong opinions but please understand I’m unfamiliar with all three systems and I’m just researching things to make a decision. Here’s the question:

Is either of the three camera/lens combinations better than the other? Reading reviews I get the impression that the Nikon 24-200 lens is better that Sony’s 24-240 and that both are better than Canon’s 24-240. There is also the Tamron lens for the Sony in the mix of course. Sony has a much more extensive lens system so that’s could be an obvious choice but since, for the present, this is likely to see use only as a single camera+lens combination that is not a significant consideration.

I will probably go with a 45m or higher resolution sensor because with some cropping she could effectively have a 300mm reach with a still very good resolution.

Any advise welcome

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[beewee]

I would suggest having her try the different bodies and see what she prefers first. The lens performance will be similar in that none of them will be tack sharp wide open and that’s not the point of such zooms anyway. So in that case, first see what body style suits her preference first.

Edited March 23, 2021 by beewee

[otto.f]

Does she prefer light and compact and still a Leica feeling? Did you overlook Panasonic? The Lumix TZ95 for instance, 24-720mm. 

[Michael Markey]

The first digital camera I bought was a very small , 6mp Panasonic FX3 back in 2006.

I did so because it had a Leica lens and I`d been using Leica Trinovids since the early eighties .

Both camera and binos are still going strong.

The FX3 was initially used for copying mirco fiche records and so has had thousands of shutter actuations yet it still works perfectly.

I would certainly have a look at the Panasonic offerings .

 

Edited March 23, 2021 by Michael Markey

[vikasmg]

2 hours ago, Michael Markey said:

The first digital camera I bought was a very small , 6mp Panasonic FX3 back in 2006.

I did so because it had a Leica lens and I`d been using Leica Trinovids since the early eighties .

Both camera and binos are still going strong.

The FX3 was initially used for copying mirco fiche records and so has had thousands of shutter actuations yet it still works perfectly.

I would certainly have a look at the Panasonic offerings .

 

Yes, I’ve used Panasonic cameras as well in Te past.  But I’m afraid there seems to be no zoom with a wide to telephoto lens like 24-240 for the L mount, though there may be for m 4/3

[vikasmg]

7 hours ago, beewee said:

I would suggest having her try the different bodies and see what she prefers first. The lens performance will be similar in that none of them will be tack sharp wide open and that’s not the point of such zooms anyway. So in that case, first see what body style suits her preference first.

That’s good advice.  In fact we’ve both just had COVID shots so in a couple of weeks we may go and do that.  We’re both pas 65 and she in particular is in a high risk category.

[vikasmg]

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3 hours ago, otto.f said:

Does she prefer light and compact and still a Leica feeling? Did you overlook Panasonic? The Lumix TZ95 for instance, 24-720mm. 

I think we need something with a larger sensor.  The C-Lux already offers a good zoom range.  24-360 in 35mm equivalence.

[vikasmg]

I want to thank everyone for the help. I have now made a purchase.

In the end we weren’t in agreement about going and checking out the cameras in person.  So if anyone is interested in the process here is how the decision was reached:

• The Canon was ruled out because of poor reviews of the lens.  Everything I’ve read so far points to the Nikon lens being better.
• The Sony was was dropped partly because I have not liked the Sony interface too much whenever I’ve tried it and the heavy lens king of cancels out the advantage of the relatively lighter camera.
• In the end it was a choice between the Nikon Z7 II with the 24-200 lens and what I hadn’t considered till someone on DP Review suggested it:  the FujiFilm X-T4 with the 18-135 lens. I’m familiar with FujiFilm from previous use, this particular lens is not one of their best.
• In the end, faced with the options and having narrowed them down to the FujiFilm and Nikon, my dear wife said “Well, if I decide I don’t really want to change to the new camera, which would you like better as an additional camera?”

Left with a generous proposal like that, my choice was not a surprise for me. The Nikon Z7ii with a 24-200 lens has now been ordered. Part of me hopes she hates it 😆. 

Unfortunately the camera is on back-order everywhere but hopefully not for long.

 

Edited March 25, 2021 by vikasmg

[otto.f]

Yeah I thought of the Z7ii too because I like its more neutral colors than those from SL, but I didn’t dare to say because I know so little about all the non-Leica stuff that passes through dpreview. I considered the Z7 when I found my SL a bit heavy/bulky, it will receive Leica lenses well, if I remember correctly . 

Edited March 25, 2021 by otto.f

[vikasmg]

1 hour ago, otto.f said:

it will receive Leica lenses well, if I remember correctly .

I know that it will receive M lenses with an adapter but I’m not sure about L-mount lenses.