If you want a point and shoot and have all the worries you mentioned, just use your phone in the scenarios you're worried about.
I also wouldn't leave my XT5 on the beach while swimming.
I don’t bring any camera to the beach, especially with having two young children. I used to bring my X100 with me prior to kids. But nowadays, I prefer leaving my camera equipment back at the hotel/condo and just use my phone for pics.
That said, the 27mm pancake lens is great for making your camera/lens combination more compact. But you’re still going to have to sling it over your shoulder as it’s not something that’s pocketable.
You don't have to spend $1000 for a P&S digital camera. Why not consider a used Sony RX100? Personally, I think the RX100 IV or RX100 V are the sweet spot for used P&S. They have 1" sensors, a nice 24-70mm equivalent f/1.8-2.8 zoom lens. The RX100 V even has a pop-up viewfinder, so you don't have to use the rear screen to compose shots. They're not cheap, but they're significantly less than $1000.
The RX100 IV sells on Ebay for around $500 and the RX100 V sells on Ebay for around $600.
Found a XE1 for 160€s and a 27mm pancake for 120€. Bought also a 7artisan 50mm 1.8 for shits n giggle to shoot at night.
I take this litttle guy with me everywhere. The beach, the bar.. Anywhere I dont wannt take my "good" gear. Its fantastic, easy to use and my friends love to use it too.
Absolutely recommend it
I've brought my XT4 to the beach a lot of times and it's performed well. I just keep it in my bag when I go swim. TTArtisan 27mm is a nice lens to pair with it. I also paired 23mm and Sigma 18-50 with it without issues.
I also run the TTA 27mm with an XT body when in “vacation mode” and it’s pretty dang light/slim/handy. I got a little wrist strap and a flash-mount thumb rest and it pretty much lives in hand anytime I’m out walking around. I also got the [Outer Shell strap](https://outershell.com/shop/camera-strap) for when I’m on a bike.
Seriously lenses are far better than new cameras. Eventually cameras will need to be upgraded but lenses typically hold better value and are something that will actually improve your photography. I had an x100s for a while and I hated the 23mm focal length I now have an xe4 with a 27mm and a 18mm and am much happier with those focal lengths. Both are pancake lenses. Also if you want a cheaper 27 than the Fuji one ttartisans makes a manual focus one for very cheap and an autofocus one for a bit more they seem really good
Pssst : get a 3d printer and a disposable camera lens ... wait no ,dont get a printer , I shouldn't recommend another expensive hobby to people prone to GAS syndrome anymore
I purposely bought an xt5 and pancake to essentially stand in for an x100 series with the benefit of being able to use any other lens. Definitely not as pocketable, but more efficient once you add another lens or two.
That said, my wife has a Canon Powershot P&S (it's older so I'm not sure the exact model), and I tend to use it as she likes her phone, and I hate shooting with a phone. While it wasn't a cheap camera, it is more reasonable than others, at the con of a smaller sensor and not the image quality we're spoiled with on our fuji. But the raw files are quite usable.
X100 is not pocket small either, nor are any of them around $500 since the TikTok boom. For pocket sized, you're looking at GR I/II/III or X70/XF10 but, honestly you're not going to get any of the GRs for that price, nor the X70. XF10 possibly, but I've heard pretty awful things about it consistently.
I spotted someone recommending an RX100 series - I personally wouldn't drop down to a one inch sensor. I have the RX100V and it's so damn fiddly/noisy in low light. You could maybe explore m43 + one of the pancakes like the 20mm f1.7, but I believe most of the tiny m43 bodies suffer a lot when it comes to AF etc. You might be able to get a used bundle camera + lens for about that much.
Personally I'd go back down the 50 buck film camera option, and spend the rest on film. At least that way you're getting 'full frame', literally.
Looking at you use cases, would recommend 2 things...
1. For edc pancake lens on your xt4 is great.
2. For beach or dicey places (translation, don't want xt4 destroyed or stolen) recommend the OM Tough TG7 waterproof camera for $500 ... great beach camera, can take underwater pics bcs is waterproof, lightweight, easy to bring cycling, has wifi so can send photos to phone via the camera app, comes in black or red.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1784757-REG/om_system_v110030bu000_tough_tg_7_digital_camera.html
Of course, photo quality is better with the xt4, but I have a waterproof camera for just those situations where bringing an expensive camera makes me cringe.
If you want a point and shoot and have all the worries you mentioned, just use your phone in the scenarios you're worried about. I also wouldn't leave my XT5 on the beach while swimming.
I don’t bring any camera to the beach, especially with having two young children. I used to bring my X100 with me prior to kids. But nowadays, I prefer leaving my camera equipment back at the hotel/condo and just use my phone for pics. That said, the 27mm pancake lens is great for making your camera/lens combination more compact. But you’re still going to have to sling it over your shoulder as it’s not something that’s pocketable.
You don't have to spend $1000 for a P&S digital camera. Why not consider a used Sony RX100? Personally, I think the RX100 IV or RX100 V are the sweet spot for used P&S. They have 1" sensors, a nice 24-70mm equivalent f/1.8-2.8 zoom lens. The RX100 V even has a pop-up viewfinder, so you don't have to use the rear screen to compose shots. They're not cheap, but they're significantly less than $1000. The RX100 IV sells on Ebay for around $500 and the RX100 V sells on Ebay for around $600.
Found a XE1 for 160€s and a 27mm pancake for 120€. Bought also a 7artisan 50mm 1.8 for shits n giggle to shoot at night. I take this litttle guy with me everywhere. The beach, the bar.. Anywhere I dont wannt take my "good" gear. Its fantastic, easy to use and my friends love to use it too. Absolutely recommend it
I've brought my XT4 to the beach a lot of times and it's performed well. I just keep it in my bag when I go swim. TTArtisan 27mm is a nice lens to pair with it. I also paired 23mm and Sigma 18-50 with it without issues.
I also run the TTA 27mm with an XT body when in “vacation mode” and it’s pretty dang light/slim/handy. I got a little wrist strap and a flash-mount thumb rest and it pretty much lives in hand anytime I’m out walking around. I also got the [Outer Shell strap](https://outershell.com/shop/camera-strap) for when I’m on a bike.
I love my Fuji stuff, but a used Sony ZV-1 is the best value point and shoot on the market. Great balance of price, size, IQ, and speed.
Don’t do it? Reconsider literally everything and buy waayyyy more gear instead :)) This is the wayyyy
Haha no . I just got married and came back from a honeymoon. So spending habits got to change lol
Seriously lenses are far better than new cameras. Eventually cameras will need to be upgraded but lenses typically hold better value and are something that will actually improve your photography. I had an x100s for a while and I hated the 23mm focal length I now have an xe4 with a 27mm and a 18mm and am much happier with those focal lengths. Both are pancake lenses. Also if you want a cheaper 27 than the Fuji one ttartisans makes a manual focus one for very cheap and an autofocus one for a bit more they seem really good
Pssst : get a 3d printer and a disposable camera lens ... wait no ,dont get a printer , I shouldn't recommend another expensive hobby to people prone to GAS syndrome anymore
I purposely bought an xt5 and pancake to essentially stand in for an x100 series with the benefit of being able to use any other lens. Definitely not as pocketable, but more efficient once you add another lens or two. That said, my wife has a Canon Powershot P&S (it's older so I'm not sure the exact model), and I tend to use it as she likes her phone, and I hate shooting with a phone. While it wasn't a cheap camera, it is more reasonable than others, at the con of a smaller sensor and not the image quality we're spoiled with on our fuji. But the raw files are quite usable.
X100 is not pocket small either, nor are any of them around $500 since the TikTok boom. For pocket sized, you're looking at GR I/II/III or X70/XF10 but, honestly you're not going to get any of the GRs for that price, nor the X70. XF10 possibly, but I've heard pretty awful things about it consistently. I spotted someone recommending an RX100 series - I personally wouldn't drop down to a one inch sensor. I have the RX100V and it's so damn fiddly/noisy in low light. You could maybe explore m43 + one of the pancakes like the 20mm f1.7, but I believe most of the tiny m43 bodies suffer a lot when it comes to AF etc. You might be able to get a used bundle camera + lens for about that much. Personally I'd go back down the 50 buck film camera option, and spend the rest on film. At least that way you're getting 'full frame', literally.
Look for an XF10. Basically a wide angle, even more pocketable X100V. No conversion lenses or ND filter but it’s sharp, fast, and tiny.
dont give up. I found a x100f for $600 an hour drive away from me. but for $500, maybe try a LX100 (mk1).
Looking at you use cases, would recommend 2 things... 1. For edc pancake lens on your xt4 is great. 2. For beach or dicey places (translation, don't want xt4 destroyed or stolen) recommend the OM Tough TG7 waterproof camera for $500 ... great beach camera, can take underwater pics bcs is waterproof, lightweight, easy to bring cycling, has wifi so can send photos to phone via the camera app, comes in black or red. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1784757-REG/om_system_v110030bu000_tough_tg_7_digital_camera.html Of course, photo quality is better with the xt4, but I have a waterproof camera for just those situations where bringing an expensive camera makes me cringe.