MrSMW

Helped keep the budget down by around $50.
More money for donuts.

Ricoh GR3x would be my pick of today’s crop.
Not too tiny but still pretty small, 40mm equivalent fast enough lens.

The only other problem I have with these smaller cameras and Sony is a prime example, is low quality rear screens. I think you need to get to A7RV before you get a half decent screen with a Sony?!
My eyesight is not what it once was and when I got my S5ii which is 1.84 million dot, I was disappointed, mainly because I had been spoiled by my S1H rear screen which is 2.1 I think.
Doesn't sound much, but in reality, it's pretty huge.
Another reason why I have switched from S5ii to Zf for stills is the larger and far better clarity of the 3.2 inch, 2.1 that the Nikon has. Pity it's not a tilt and is a flippy, but it is what it is...
I can put the two side by side right now (keeping one of my S5ii's for video) and the difference is appreciable.
I had the ZV1 and didn't really get on with it, nor the RX100V I had prior to that, - just too small and light.
I guess I just prefer a bit of chunk in my hands which is probably why I prefer bodies of around the OM-1/XH2/Zf/X Pro2/S5ii/FX30 size & weight, albeit, not with large zooms which for me, anything above about 900g, ideally needs a battery grip.
Pretty much nailed it down going forward now to:
S1H with Lumix 70-200mm f4 on sticks but waiting to see what the next Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 is going to be. If they can get it in under 1kg, I'll go for it. If it's over 1kg, I can't see any point in trading. It only has 2 jobs to do; record full length ceremonies and full length speeches and in between/after, goes to sleep in a corner.
S5ii with the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 lens. The 'Art' lenses are supposed to be a little sharper and if this was a photo unit, then maybe I'd be looking elsewhere but for video work, IMO, it is superb. Relatively compact, barely extends much when zoomed out and if shooting in S35 mode, is like having a 40-105mm. I have always liked my S5ii's for video work but just nit got on with them for stills/hybrid work so for now, separated my kit into 2 systems; stills and video.
I could easily flip both of the above two around in their roles of static and roaming units and though the S1H has a nicer output, it makes more sense to use the S5ii in the run & gun role, plus the S1H has the bigger battery AND the battery pack, so something like 4 times the duration whereas anything over about 40 mins gets tricky with the S5ii...
For stills, we don't care what I am using do we? 😉 A pair of Nikons and 3 prime lenses, enough said other than I will be and already am using them like slightly larger fixed lens compacts which is my preferred method of shooting stills. Glad to be rid of the zoom approach I was using all this year! No more 2.8kg unit! 1.4kg is my heaviest new friend!

1.5x APSC crops and then there is the clear zoom crop?
Turns any prime into a zoom.

1.5x APSC crops and then there is the clear zoom crop?
Turns any prime into a zoom.

Not much in it…
X100v vs LX100ii vs Sony A7CR with full frame 61mp sensor and massive ability to crop in camera or post.
Plus the ability to switch out that pancake walkabout lens for anything that takes your fancy.
Pound for Pound performance, I’d take the 61mp full frame sensor every single time.

Gratuitous very tenuous link to post, but just for ‘proof’, my daughters little story on IG…
 

It is.
Around a decade or so back, I was what is known as skinny fat, ie, very little muscle tone but a surplus of fat around my middle.
I never exercised, had developed asthma, smoked and drank (but not heavily) and it was a gradual erosion/accumulation more than anything.
I decided to do something about it around the time of my 40th birthday.
I’m 53 in a few weeks and never been in better condition and actually have a fitness competition (Hyrox) that I have traveled to Ireland for from France, in a couple of hours.
Why mention this?
Fatigue, or reduction of from being in shape.
And not just the physical, but the mental which is unseen but contributes.
But I still have trouble getting to sleep after an intense 15+ hour day because despite downing tools, I’m still buzzing.
The next day though…and I can never lie in and catch up no matter how late I went to bed or how tired I am, by lunchtime, wiped out and can easily grab another 1-2 hours early afternoon, but it’s not until the day after the day after I feel recovered, so never take back to back jobs anymore.
No way I could be working the way I have been for the last few years one to two decades ago and I guess another factor why when other photographers or videographers ask me how I do what I do, part of that answer is level of fitness.
But as with all these things, it is only a part of a greater whole.
2.8kg unsupported in and out of your hands all day though is a bit nuts which is why it has to go!

Speaking of weight, one of the principle reasons I am shifting some of my kit, - my main unit clocks in at just over 2.8kg 🤪
My targets now are 2 units 1-1.5kg each.
I don’t mind a bit of chunk and heft, but anything over 2.5kg…as just one of 3 units is a bit much on 12+ hour shoots!

Yup, I’d love a FF P&S around 40mm f2 please.
The thing is you can get a small body Sony A7RCii and stick a small fastish lens on it and have basically the same thing but with options…and I think that is part of the problem. The market probably is not big enough. 

Yup, I’d love a FF P&S around 40mm f2 please.
The thing is you can get a small body Sony A7RCii and stick a small fastish lens on it and have basically the same thing but with options…and I think that is part of the problem. The market probably is not big enough. 

I remember it as ‘small sensor cameras full stop’ which was everything sub 4/3rds.
But could be wrong!

They announced officially earlier this year they were moving out of the compact market, so unless they reverse what sounded like a very firm decision…

They announced officially earlier this year they were moving out of the compact market, so unless they reverse what sounded like a very firm decision…

Gratuitous very tenuous link to post, but just for ‘proof’, my daughters little story on IG…
 

Gratuitous very tenuous link to post, but just for ‘proof’, my daughters little story on IG…
 

Gratuitous very tenuous link to post, but just for ‘proof’, my daughters little story on IG…
 

It will depend of course on the individual but for me, for stills, under 1kg is fine but for video, I prefer around 1.5kg as a sweet spot, as I find that is a nice stable platform and not too heavy.
Over 2.5kg is for me getting a bit much. A bit much as in it’s not that heavy per se, but over the course of a long shoot, hanging off your hip (best IMO) or sling (going to feel that one very quickly!) not desirable.
I am currently debating first of all Lumix vs Nikon for video…but that is another topic entirely and not relevant, but whether I go:
A. Hybrid units; 1 static, 1 light (1kg) most of the day, 1 heavy (<2kg) various times but not all day, or,
B. Video and photo units; 1 static video, 1 roaming video (1.5kg), 2x stills (1kg + 1.25kg).
Pros and cons for each and for me to work out but bottom line is I am ‘happy’ to go up to 2.5kg for a single unit, but only if I will not be using it all the time.
On me, either attached or in hand, 2kg max is about the max based on my experience that I would be comfortable with for video and 1.5kg for stills.

It will depend of course on the individual but for me, for stills, under 1kg is fine but for video, I prefer around 1.5kg as a sweet spot, as I find that is a nice stable platform and not too heavy.
Over 2.5kg is for me getting a bit much. A bit much as in it’s not that heavy per se, but over the course of a long shoot, hanging off your hip (best IMO) or sling (going to feel that one very quickly!) not desirable.
I am currently debating first of all Lumix vs Nikon for video…but that is another topic entirely and not relevant, but whether I go:
A. Hybrid units; 1 static, 1 light (1kg) most of the day, 1 heavy (<2kg) various times but not all day, or,
B. Video and photo units; 1 static video, 1 roaming video (1.5kg), 2x stills (1kg + 1.25kg).
Pros and cons for each and for me to work out but bottom line is I am ‘happy’ to go up to 2.5kg for a single unit, but only if I will not be using it all the time.
On me, either attached or in hand, 2kg max is about the max based on my experience that I would be comfortable with for video and 1.5kg for stills.

It is.
Around a decade or so back, I was what is known as skinny fat, ie, very little muscle tone but a surplus of fat around my middle.
I never exercised, had developed asthma, smoked and drank (but not heavily) and it was a gradual erosion/accumulation more than anything.
I decided to do something about it around the time of my 40th birthday.
I’m 53 in a few weeks and never been in better condition and actually have a fitness competition (Hyrox) that I have traveled to Ireland for from France, in a couple of hours.
Why mention this?
Fatigue, or reduction of from being in shape.
And not just the physical, but the mental which is unseen but contributes.
But I still have trouble getting to sleep after an intense 15+ hour day because despite downing tools, I’m still buzzing.
The next day though…and I can never lie in and catch up no matter how late I went to bed or how tired I am, by lunchtime, wiped out and can easily grab another 1-2 hours early afternoon, but it’s not until the day after the day after I feel recovered, so never take back to back jobs anymore.
No way I could be working the way I have been for the last few years one to two decades ago and I guess another factor why when other photographers or videographers ask me how I do what I do, part of that answer is level of fitness.
But as with all these things, it is only a part of a greater whole.
2.8kg unsupported in and out of your hands all day though is a bit nuts which is why it has to go!

It is.
Around a decade or so back, I was what is known as skinny fat, ie, very little muscle tone but a surplus of fat around my middle.
I never exercised, had developed asthma, smoked and drank (but not heavily) and it was a gradual erosion/accumulation more than anything.
I decided to do something about it around the time of my 40th birthday.
I’m 53 in a few weeks and never been in better condition and actually have a fitness competition (Hyrox) that I have traveled to Ireland for from France, in a couple of hours.
Why mention this?
Fatigue, or reduction of from being in shape.
And not just the physical, but the mental which is unseen but contributes.
But I still have trouble getting to sleep after an intense 15+ hour day because despite downing tools, I’m still buzzing.
The next day though…and I can never lie in and catch up no matter how late I went to bed or how tired I am, by lunchtime, wiped out and can easily grab another 1-2 hours early afternoon, but it’s not until the day after the day after I feel recovered, so never take back to back jobs anymore.
No way I could be working the way I have been for the last few years one to two decades ago and I guess another factor why when other photographers or videographers ask me how I do what I do, part of that answer is level of fitness.
But as with all these things, it is only a part of a greater whole.
2.8kg unsupported in and out of your hands all day though is a bit nuts which is why it has to go!

It is.
Around a decade or so back, I was what is known as skinny fat, ie, very little muscle tone but a surplus of fat around my middle.
I never exercised, had developed asthma, smoked and drank (but not heavily) and it was a gradual erosion/accumulation more than anything.
I decided to do something about it around the time of my 40th birthday.
I’m 53 in a few weeks and never been in better condition and actually have a fitness competition (Hyrox) that I have traveled to Ireland for from France, in a couple of hours.
Why mention this?
Fatigue, or reduction of from being in shape.
And not just the physical, but the mental which is unseen but contributes.
But I still have trouble getting to sleep after an intense 15+ hour day because despite downing tools, I’m still buzzing.
The next day though…and I can never lie in and catch up no matter how late I went to bed or how tired I am, by lunchtime, wiped out and can easily grab another 1-2 hours early afternoon, but it’s not until the day after the day after I feel recovered, so never take back to back jobs anymore.
No way I could be working the way I have been for the last few years one to two decades ago and I guess another factor why when other photographers or videographers ask me how I do what I do, part of that answer is level of fitness.
But as with all these things, it is only a part of a greater whole.
2.8kg unsupported in and out of your hands all day though is a bit nuts which is why it has to go!

It is.
Around a decade or so back, I was what is known as skinny fat, ie, very little muscle tone but a surplus of fat around my middle.
I never exercised, had developed asthma, smoked and drank (but not heavily) and it was a gradual erosion/accumulation more than anything.
I decided to do something about it around the time of my 40th birthday.
I’m 53 in a few weeks and never been in better condition and actually have a fitness competition (Hyrox) that I have traveled to Ireland for from France, in a couple of hours.
Why mention this?
Fatigue, or reduction of from being in shape.
And not just the physical, but the mental which is unseen but contributes.
But I still have trouble getting to sleep after an intense 15+ hour day because despite downing tools, I’m still buzzing.
The next day though…and I can never lie in and catch up no matter how late I went to bed or how tired I am, by lunchtime, wiped out and can easily grab another 1-2 hours early afternoon, but it’s not until the day after the day after I feel recovered, so never take back to back jobs anymore.
No way I could be working the way I have been for the last few years one to two decades ago and I guess another factor why when other photographers or videographers ask me how I do what I do, part of that answer is level of fitness.
But as with all these things, it is only a part of a greater whole.
2.8kg unsupported in and out of your hands all day though is a bit nuts which is why it has to go!

Speaking of weight, one of the principle reasons I am shifting some of my kit, - my main unit clocks in at just over 2.8kg 🤪
My targets now are 2 units 1-1.5kg each.
I don’t mind a bit of chunk and heft, but anything over 2.5kg…as just one of 3 units is a bit much on 12+ hour shoots!

I don't see your problem, just build strength by carrying around a brick all day when you're at home or running errands.
It's a standard industry strength training practice.
This photo shows a steadicam operator popping down to the shops on his day off: