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Category Archives: Travel

Travel Photography: Sony RX100 Mark 7 VS iPhone

8 / 12 / 238 / 12 / 23

I recently bought a new camera; a premium compact camera from Sony. I’m on a mission to find a small pocket-size camera that can outperform my iPhone AND take photos as good as a professional DSLR camera (or almost as good as).

After some research my choice fell on the Sony RX100 Mark 7. Even though I shoot mostly Canon for my photography work I’ve also used Sony many times in the past and I’ve always been a fan of their cameras. So my expectations were high.

Sunset in Skagen, Denmark. Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
Sunset in Skagen, Denmark by Christina Greve. iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the iPhone Photo Editor.

I read some good reviews, and saw some YouTube videos before making my final decision to buy. I was super impressed for all the technology and features this tiny point & shoot camera had. This might be the perfect camera for me, I thought.

As I’ve mentioned earlier in this blog post, I dream of a camera that is light-weight, shoot fantastic images on automode, focus fast and snap sharp pictures.

Skagen. Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the iPhone Photo Editor.

I have no aspirations of carrying a heavy DSLR around when I’m not doing professional photography work, and I don’t really want to tweak manual controls when I’m out on hikes, walking the dogs or just shooting for fun. I want a good compact camera to take on occasional travels, something for snapshots and everyday memories – yet, I still want the images to be better than my iPhone photos.

Since the Sony RX100 Mark 7 is a premium compact camera the price is also premium and cost about $1300 USD. But I decided that if it can do the job as my second camera it’s worth every penny. So I placed my order and waited with excitement.

Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.

The camera landed on my doorstep a few days before a weekend trip to Skagen in the North of Denmark. It was the perfect chance to first get to know the camera and then go and test it out in the field.

I spend two full days getting to know the camera, and with all the things this camera can do, I honestly felt it wasn’t enough to know ALL of it. But I knew enough to give it a good test drive.

The first couple of photos I took while getting to know the camera was disappointing. So I kept practicing, watching hours of tutorials on this specific camera, reading the manual and try different settings. I just did’t seem to “click” with the camera. It felt like a bad date; like the camera and I were two far apart in personality to connect on a deeper level.

Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.

I was sure it was ME that was doing something wrong, and not the camera. So I stayed positive and took it with me on my trip.

I could easily fit the Sony RX100 Mark 7 into my small handbag along with my iPhone, so it was no problem carrying it with me all day. Which was exactly what I wanted.

Every time I took a photo, I made sure to photograph it first with the Sony RX100 Mark 7 and then with my iPhone 13 Pro. I tried to get the photos as similar as possible shooting just on auto mode.

Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.

When I got back to the hotel after a day out and about in beautiful Skagen, I was eager to transfer my Sony RX100 Mark 7 photos to my phone to compare. But I was not pleased with the result. When I zoomed in the photos looked grainy and pixelated – way too much than what they should be for a $1300 USD camera.

My first thought was that it must be something with the transfer. Maybe the quality was reduced when they uploaded to my phone? Maybe it would be better when I got the files on my computer?

Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the iPhone Photo Editor.

But when I got home and saw the pictures on my computer screen the result was the same. In many of the photos the focus was so bad I couldn’t use the photos. So what you see in this post are a hand-picked selection out of almost 200 images from my trip.

As I began to edit the photos and compare them to my iPhone snapshots my heart sank. For most of the images the iPhone had outperformed the Sony RX100 Mark 7. I even had to put more effort into edit the photos to get them closer to looking like the iPhone photos.

It was only with the flower photos that the Sony RX100 Mark 7 was performing better, in these close up shots the Sony was much better as you’ll see in the photos below. But in all the other photos the iPhone did just as good or even better.

Sunflower by Christina Greve. Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the iPhone Photo Editor.

In that moment, I knew I had to send the Sony RX100 Mark 7 back. It’s the first time in my 14 years as a photographer that I’ve sent a camera back because the image quality wasn’t good enough! There’s no good reason to pay for a premium compact camera if it doesn’t perform way better than the iPhone camera, right!

I also couldn’t help comparing the Sony RX100 Mark 7 to the way older Canon 7GX which I review in this post. Considering the fact that the Canon 7GX cost only half the price of the Sony it performs better, and it’s more user friendly too. So that leaves me a bit confused to WHY the Sony RX100 Mark 7 cost as much as it does.

Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.

One feature that I really missed was the option to operate the settings and shoot directly from a touch screen. Though the Sony does have a screen, it doesn’t have a touch screen. The only thing you can activate on the screen is the focus which was not always perfect.

So that brings me back to the dating metaphor. Sometimes a camera is just not a great fit for you and your personality. And though the Sony RX100 Mark 7 wasn’t right for me, somebody else might love it. It wasn’t the relationship I was looking for, so I’ll keep searching for the next small compact camera to fall in love with. Until then I’ll stick to my iPhone.

Happy beautiful day lovelies.

Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.
Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.
Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.
Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
Sony RX100 Mark 7 & Processed with Lightroom Desktop.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.
iPhone 13 Pro Camera & Processed with the VSCO App.

Top 5 Must-Have Gear For Travel Photography

8 / 3 / 228 / 3 / 22
Top 5 Must-Have Gear For Travel Photography

I love to travel light. If I can keep it simple and fit everything I need in one small bag, I prefer that to carrying unnecessary clothes and photography equipment around.

The trick is to plan carefully, consider your destination, and bring no more than the essentials to make the most of your trip. It’s tempting just to take photos with a mobile phone because we always have it with us, and it takes pretty decent pictures. But if you want to take your travel photography a little more seriously, it’s time to bring out the big camera.

Over the years, I’ve sold many of my photos to travel magazines, and I don’t think I would have been able to do that if I’d taken them with my iPhone. Most of the time, I’ll photograph a scene both with my iPhone camera as well as with my Canon camera. It gives me flexibility, and I can edit and post photos on the go. Then when I come back home, I’ll put some effort into editing the larger photo files I took with my big camera.

CHRISTINA GREVE

I walk a lot when I travel. Most often, I get up just before sunrise and try to capture the scenery before the tourists, and the locals wake up and fill the streets and beaches. The morning light is also my favorite light. But I keep exploring, walking, and taking pictures during the day – despite the challenges that can arise from places getting crowded or strong sunlight. Sometimes those factors can add something interesting to a photo.

Besides the camera gear I recommend to you in this post, my number one priority is always some good sneakers or hiking shoes that I can walk in all day long. Some comfortable clothes that I can move in and that I don’t need to iron. I might bring a pretty blouse or a dress for going out in the evening, but the less I pack, the more space I have for my photography gear.

None of the things I mention in this post are sponsored. I don’t receive any products or money from recommending it. It’s just pure love from using and working with these items for years.

Here’s the TOP 5 essential gear to take with you if you want to travel light.

#1: Crossbody Camera Strap

Top 5 Must-Have Gear For Travel Photography

The crossbody camera strap (or “sling” as it’s also called) is just as important as good walking shoes. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to walk with my camera from early morning to late afternoon. It’s much more comfortable to wear than the original straps that come with your camera when you buy it.

Venice, Italy by Christina Greve

Carrying your camera this way makes bringing even the heaviest lenses easy. You can also shift the way you carry it, so the weight is either on the front or the back. It’s an excellent option if you normally get tired from walking with the camera.

I just use a plain black strap, but you can find them in many different styles. A quick search on ETSY, and you’ll find some nice ones handmade in leather.

#2: Mini Tripod

Top 5 Must-Have Gear For Travel Photography

When traveling and walking a lot, I don’t particularly like carrying a large tripod, so I usually shoot handheld. But there are situations where a tripod is a good help, and this is where the mini tripod comes in.

I personally use a Gorilla tripod like the one you see in the photo above. With a tripod, I can lower my shutter speed without getting camera shake. The Gorilla tripod also works as a selfie stick. I can take photos with myself in the frame or use it with my iPhone to get super sharp images.

Another advantage of the Gorilla tripod is that I can attach it to something high up or shoot from a very low angle. It’s super flexible and can be fixed onto almost anything. And if I do video, I will attach the camera to it and hold it as a stick because it reduces shaking from hand movements.

#3: Optical Viewfinder

The optical viewfinder is properly my most used photography accessory. Honestly, it would be hard for me to do my job as a photographer without it!

Top 5 Must-Have Gear For Travel Photography

The viewfinder is like a little black box with a magnifying glass, and you hold it up against the LCD screen on the camera. It blocks out all light so you can see what’s going on on your camera’s LCD screen. With a magnification of 200%, I can also check if my main subject is in focus and if everything is sharp enough.

I was first introduced to the optical viewfinder ten years ago when my sister, who’s also a photographer, gave it to me as a birthday present. When I first got it, I couldn’t really see the benefits it provided. My sister used it a lot because she often shot fashion outdoors in bright daylight. And because it can be hard to see your photos on the back of your camera in strong sunlight, the viewfinder was a helpful tool for her.

But I never got used to it, and for years it was just collecting dust until about two years ago. With age, I started using reading glasses, and in the end, I began having trouble seeing my photography work clearly when I was out photographing. So I dusted off the viewfinder, and today I use it for all my photography work. Every photo gets checked whether I work inside or outside.

So for travel photography, the optical viewfinder can be your best friend to block out all light, see details clearly and get the focus right.

If you decide to invest in a viewfinder, make sure you get one that fits your camera model. You can get it here https://kinotehnik.com/lcdvf/ (not sponsored).

Circular Polarizing Filter

A filter is a thin piece of glass you can attach to your lens. Polarizing filters are used to decide how much light enters your camera lens. They can reduce unwanted reflections from shiny surfaces such as water or glass and also boost colors providing better contrast. In other words, the filter reduces the amount of light coming into the camera, which helps control the highlights and keeps everything clearer in the final image.

How much of the effect you want can be adjusted simply by rotating the filter. This filter is excellent for landscape and travel photography because it makes the clouds stand out, increases saturation in the landscape, or decreases the reflection of water and windows.

Below you can see a few examples. Notice the color difference in the sky, the contrast/clarity on the house, and the white parasol’s highlights.

40mm F2.8 Pancake Lens

My go-to travel lens is the prime Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 lens on a full frame body. It’s super small, super light, yet razor sharp and fast. This lens has very high image quality for the price and costs about the same as the popular 50mm, but I like the wider angle of 40mm, which makes it perfect for both travel and landscape photography.

That being said, a good travel lens choice is always a high-quality zoom lens that will give you a lot more variety, but because I walk as much as I do, I prefer to carry as little weight as possible. I love the 24-70mm lens for travel photography, but it gets heavy after a few hours of carrying it.

Piemonte by Christina Greve

The 40mm is a fantastic lens, considering how small it is. It’s called a “pancake” since it is very thin, so once it is placed on the camera, you get a very light and portable setup. The widest aperture is f/2.8 so we can get enough light and a nice background bokeh, mainly when we shoot on a full frame camera. You can’t zoom with this lens, so you must zoom with your feet, moving back and forward to get the right frame.

Talking about the focal length, the 40mm on the full frame is shorter than what’s recommended for portraits. But I find it to be great for when you want to include a person or animal in the frame for a more lifestyle-inspired scene in which you include a bit more of the environment around. As long as you avoid going too close up a person, you can capture some captivating portraits and compositions.

I suggest this Canon 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens to all photographers for landscape and travel photography. With a lens this small, there’s no excuse not to have it with you when you’re out exploring!

Liked this post? Pin the photos and share the article with your photography friends. I’ll truly appreciate it.

Got a question for me? Simply connect with me on Instagram @christinagreve.

Top-5-Must-Have-Gear-For-Travel-Photography

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Slow Days at Hotel COMO Castello Del Nero | Tuscany

7 / 5 / 227 / 5 / 22

COMO Castello del Nero is a beautiful and luxurious five-star hotel located amid the rolling hills of the Chianti region, in Tuscany.

I picked this countryside hotel because it was tucked away from all busyness with perfect surroundings for hiking, yoga, and book reading by the pool.

I didn’t leave the property for the four days I stayed there. The hotel had everything I needed for a slow holiday.

I felt like I had it all to myself during the day since most other guests would be out sightseeing. So a perfect location to relax, reload my batteries and reflect on my life and business.

I got up early with the sun. I had the most amazing view over the landscape from my duplex suite and loved watching the morning fog slowly disappear – revealing olive and cypress trees.

I spend my days walking in the area, enjoying the beautiful garden, reading by the pool and getting pampered in the COMO Shambhala spa.

The spa treatments were wonderful – done with care and dedication. I fell in love with their signature Massage oil which had the most amazing scent and I bought some to take home with me. Every time I use the fragrance at home, my mind drifts back to my days in beautiful Tuscany.

The hotel has two restaurants, the lovely Pavilion restaurant, which serves delicious Italian classics such as pizza and pasta throughout the day. I ended up eating all my meals there because the food was so good.

The other restaurant La Torre, is the hotel’s 1 Michelin-starred restaurant. But I’m not so much into fine dining as I like it more casual and simple, so I didn’t taste their food.

Breakfast in the mornings was a spectacular buffet with everything my heart desired of locale produce. I especially loved the fresh raw honey – perhaps the best I ever tasted.

I look forward to returning to Hotel COMO Castello del Nero in the future, as this was such a quiet, elegant and friendly place for a slowdown vacation.

Link to the hotels website >>

COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve
Tuscany landscape
COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve
COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve
COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve
COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve
COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve
COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve
COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve
COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve
COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve
COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve
COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve
COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve
COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve
COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve
COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve
COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve
COMO Castello del Nero, Tuscany by Christina Greve

Discover The Secrets To Beautiful FOOD + STILL LIFE Photography In Just 5 Days

free online photography course

Get your creative juices flowing with my FREE online mini-course. 

Easy to follow tips on styling a scene, working with natural light, getting tack sharp images and much, much more. All my best strategies for capturing beautiful photos – straight to your inbox.

START THE FREE COURSE NOW

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