Sony RX100III and RX1RII camera for expeditions

This tiny camera is a gem.  I used this for my Broad Peak expedition and Everest 2017.  I needed something that I could carry to a summit, and it had to have a viewfinder (in this case a pop-up viewfinder).

One of the most difficult question a mountaineer has is…what camera do I carry for a summit 

You do have to carry something to capture the event.  This is because you need proof:

1)    If you haven’t captured a picture of yourself on a summit, then how do you prove that you made it?

2)     Even if you claim to reach the top, there are a lot of people that will question the legitimacy.  Was it the true summit?  You need to prove the surroundings as well.  This was particularly true when the 2015 and 2016 Manaslu summits were put into question.  Lucky I had the correct photos with my Sherpa and other mountaineers that proved that the 2015 summit that our group were in was valid, but rumours are that the following 2016 groups were short of the true summit.  I would be devastated if that happened to me.

3)     Video on the summit is a very good way to substantiate the summit attempt.

Now, nobody likes carrying a DLSR up a mountain.  It’s just plain heavy and cumbersome.  Even my Sony A7R and A7RII, which were small cameras by respective size, were still too large for me to carry to a summit.  I gave it to my Sherpa to carry instead J -he likes cameras and technology…he is a GoPro junkie.  But if you make the summit, it is a once in a lifetime experience and you truly want to capture that image the best you can.  It is unlikely that you would ever return to the same summit. 

Something like a GoPro is very handy for videos, but they simply suck for photos.  When you blow that sucker up onto a 42” TV (or larger) then it doesn’t look good.  So what to carry?

Sony RX100III (for above base camp)

Photo grabbed from internet

Well, I have been using the Sony RX100III.  I think it is are pretty great.  The new model (V) is pretty expensive.  The reason I have chosen this camera for my ‘above base camp’ use are:

a)    They are small in physical size and thus easy to fit into a spare pocket in a down suit.  If you can easily access the camera then you are more inclined to take more pictures and videos on your summit attempt.  If the camera is left in the bag then it is a pain in the butt to retrieve it and take a picture.

b)    It takes very good pictures and videos.  Not as good as a full frame (FF) camera but it is always a trade-off with physical size and weight.

c)     Has a pop-up viewfinder that is very handy in bright sunny conditions.

d)    Same batteries as Sony RX1RII which means less recharging gear or different batteries to be carried.

Sony RX1RII (for base camp and below)

Photo grabbed from internet

e)    Uses the same batteries as my Sony RX100III camera.  This means no need to carry different batteries and charging gear. 

f)     The Sony RX1RII is still a tad too big to carry up higher.  With its fixed lens its shape makes pocketing difficult and not practicable in big down gear.

g)    It is good for general trekking as it can fit into a large Gore-Tex pocket if required.

h)    Takes absolutely gorgeous pictures.

i)      It is small and lightweight for a full frame camera.  Smallest and lightest you can get for a FF camera.

j)      Simple built-in 35mm lens so no need to mess around with other lenses.  With its excellent 42MP sensor, you just take any picture and you can crop it without much loss in quality.

There are heaps of online reviews on these cameras, so check them out if this is what you are looking for.

As for me, I am always trying to learn to travel lighter, but still live comfortably for 50 days+.  This means removing a lot of luxuries.  Mountaineering expeditions always dictate carrying a lot of gear, and minimising comforts is the only way to drop the overall weight.  Dropping your camera gear weight (and dumping all the lenses and accessories) is one sure fire way to reduce your overall carry.

A camera is a great way to capture the memories, and when you look back at the old pictures on your computer or TV (as nobody will be printing them in the future), you want your images to be as sharp as they can be…even if your memory is not.