Best All Round performance camera?

chris1012

It seems my 2 options are the Sony RX100 or the Nikon D5100.

Looking to use the camera on holidays and capture shots of scenic places especially at night in low or no light areas.

At the moment we are used to the simple point and shoot method of taking photos however if we need to change our ways to get the best from our new camera, then we are ready to make that change.

We hope to purchase the camera in the next 24-48 hours as were off on holiday on Tuesday.

Thanks

fenlander_uk

Take your old camera on holiday!
You need to research this issue more - start by reading the reviews on DPReview, which will be more informed than most comments here.
One of the cameras you mention is a DSLR, the other is a compact. If you haven't reached the point of deciding between these 2 fundamentally different types of camera you are unlikely to make an good choice in such a short space of time AND become familiar enough with the new camera to get the best out of it so soon after purchase.

Norman_Castle

Any reason for the new thread?

chris1012

I knew the fundamental differences between the 2 but the major need for the new camera is the night shots. My current camera just can't deal with low lighting at all so I regardless need to make the purchase.

I understand I need to research more to get the most from the camera but out of the 2 or similar, which would you advise for overall functionally especially for night shots?

Johnmcl7

They are two very different cameras so it's difficult to give a good comparison as a lot of it is going to depend on how you use the camera.

The most flexible camera and the best in low light of the two is easily the Nikon D5100 (or pretty much any other DSLR), its sensor is much larger than that in the RX100 and you have the option of wide aperture prime lenses like the 35mmm F1.8G and the 50mm F1.8G which both work fine on the d5100 and are great for low light and shallow depth of field shots (where the subject is sharp and the background is blurry).

The RX100's sensor is smaller than the D5100 but of course the body is much smaller, the D5100 won't fit in any pocket (needs at least a shoulder bag) while the very small RX100 will slip into a roomy trouser pocket or easily a jacket pocket. You can't change lens but at the wide angle it is a very fast F1.8 which makes up partially for the sensor size difference to the D5100 when used with the 18-55mm kit lens.

Another obvious option which is a balance between the two is something like the Sony NEX-5N, it's a compact mirrorless camera but it uses the same large APS-C sensor as the one in the D5100. It also has the option of a fast prime lens with the 50mm F1.8 which as an added bonus (and unusually for a prime lens) it has image stabilisation which can help further in low light. Its video mode is also better than the D5100 as it and its lenses were designed with video in mind whereas the D5100 and DSLRs were not. It's also aimed at beginners so it has a lot of automatic modes and help tips. However while the body is small, the lenses aren't that compact so it won't slip in a pocket like the RX100 does. I think it's worth mentioning though.

Personally I wouldn't be buying a camera immediately before going on holiday as I need time to get familiar with a camera before actually using it as I don't want to be fiddling with settings or ending up with poor shots because I don't know the camera. The problem with bigger sensors is that while they give you better image quality, they can also punish you more for mistakes so for some people initially starting with them they find their initial results are disappointing until they get to grips with the camera. Also some people understandably do not like the bulk of a DSLR and end up not using it as they don't want to carry it around with them and it's intrusive to use which is fair enough.

I do have an RX100 and after trying a variety of pocket cameras over the years it's by far my favourite as Sony have done an incredible job packing in such a large sensor into a very small, compact body. This is the camera I always carry around with me to shoot whatever unexpected comes up. However my main camera is still a DSLR (a Nikon D700, had one of the best sensors available in its day) as it's a blisteringly quick camera and the low light ability with a fast lens is remarkable.