Unread postby KevinBarrett » Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:41 pm
For me, the essence of the perfect CSC would be an NEX6 or NEX7 with one of its wide or normal prime lenses on, 16, 20, 24, or 35. The NEX-5 and NEX-3, with their more compact bodies, are paradoxically more conspicuous in a crowd, especially with the shiny 18-55mm kit lens (it always looks like somebody is pouring out a soda can on their front). With the larger bodies and smaller lens, it looks more like a traditional film camera and doesn't draw so much attention. I should note that I don't have a CSC, but this is just what I've observed.
I'm not drawn to bridge cameras at all, so I can't comment there.
The perfect compact camera is one that fits in your pocket, doesn't encourage a lot of fuss, and doesn't make you keep track of a lens cap. If that means it's JPG only, and doesn't even reward a lot of fuss, then so be it. I personally have an HX9V, a WX150, and a Panasonic TS3. Of these, I like the interface of the WX150 the most, and the IQ of the HX9V the most. If I'm carrying one of these compact its because I don't want to give too much thought to my photography, or don't want others to think I am.
The perfect SLT/DSLR is one that uses the system of lenses you most desire, and offers the most dynamic range. This doesn't put APS-C cameras in the same category as FF cameras--they have different lens systems. Let me explain. A 50/1.4 is a fast normal lens on a FF camera, and a fast portrait lens on an APS-C camera. Also, the APS-C camera will get wider AF coverage in this "portrait" lens, than the FF camera gets from its "normal" lens. For me these ideals would be the A77 or A99, since they have the highest dynamic range in the Alpha system and offer good articulated screens to help you work around their bulk. They also have very fast shutters with quick 1/250th sync speeds and 1/8000 minimum exposures. If you're going to commit to the bulk of an SLR architecture, might as well get the features that are, right now, exclusive to them.