If you didn't have a DSLR...

Leica M9, but that supposes I have no budget constraints and. I'm willing to give up shooting sports.

For less budget I'd get a 4:3 sensor camera from Panasonic. The NEX bodies are tempting but the lens choices are too sparse.

JeffreyG wrote in post #15519263
Leica M9, but that supposes I have no budget constraints and. I'm willing to give up shooting sports.

For less budget I'd get a 4:3 sensor camera from Panasonic. The NEX bodies are tempting but the lens choices are too sparse.

I half considered the NEX 7, but I was a bit disappointed in the AF of my wife's 5N.

The RX1 is tempting but $2700 seems steep and I'd never get close to that if I decided to sell it used.

x100s may be the one if good reviews start coming out.

Reconsider. Get a good-quality point and shoot or four-thirds camera and enjoy it when needed.

Nothing will compare to the fast auto-focus and response of the DSLR. It hasn't happened yet and probably never will.

I've been there and ditched the DSLR a couple time. Each time I ended up coming back to a big camera. Just the way it is.

Point and shoots are great, and can get just as good of results as a DSLR in the right conditions and in the right hands, but there are times when no point and shoot can handle what a DSLR can.

Every photographer should have both. All manual-ability, of course (not that it's necessary to avoid auto, but it's essential to have control when needed).

SCMedic wrote in post #15517562
If you didn't have a DSLR...What would you buy/carry?

A 12 gauge for small game and waterfowl, and a .270 rifle for deer.

If I couldn't photograph wildlife effectively, with DSLR quality images and big supertelephoto lenses, I would probably cut way, way down on doing photography and take up hunting again.

I've got a RD-1, R-D1s, Bessa R3A, and a micro 4/3 for the times when I'm not using my Dslrs.

Definitely a Sony Nex 7 for me. Id get one now if I could afford it.

JeffreyG wrote in post #15519263
Leica M9, but that supposes I have no budget constraints and. I'm willing to give up shooting sports.

For less budget I'd get a 4:3 sensor camera from Panasonic. The NEX bodies are tempting but the lens choices are too sparse.

Supposedly Sony will have 20 lenses out for the nex cameras by the end of the year. Cant post a link, cant remember where I read that at. Think it might of been at dpreview.

The 6 and 5R seem to have significantly better low light performance. The 7 was originally high on my list.

BenjaminJ wrote in post #15524762
Supposedly Sony will have 20 lenses out for the nex cameras by the end of the year. Cant post a link, cant remember where I read that at. Think it might of been at dpreview.

Wow. Do you remember if any of them are going to be long enough for bird photography - say, 600mm or above?

Tom Reichner wrote in post #15524793
Wow. Do you remember if any of them are going to be long enough for bird photography - say, 600mm or above?

Im sorry, I have no idea.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #15524793
Wow. Do you remember if any of them are going to be long enough for bird photography - say, 600mm or above?

You can use any SLR older or DSLR lens you already have on Sony Nex by using the right adapter. This is the reason for my to buy one, just to bring back FD lens into active life.

I'm thinking of picking up the 7 or 6 NEX and the Canon adapter. Maybe hanging onto my 35L. What other lenses are must-haves for the NEX system?

I would probably have something out of the Panasonic lineup. I just like them for some reason.

I initially got Nex-3 but soon got into Nex-5K for many better features. 6 or 7 are too expensive at this time.
My 800mm F5.6 FD or 600mmF4.5 FD shine for bird shooting of course off tripod. 300mm F2.8 is perfect for hand held. Any of the smaller lenses fit well including Canon or Nikon 50mm F1.2 or wide angles.
Why I went for Sony and not Panasonic, Olympus or likewise (BTW Canon M was not out at that time)? Well this is suggestion I received from Guru of lens conversion that is Ed Mika himself. He believes the next best thing to his system of conversion is to use Sony Nex with adapter to vitalize older lenses.

Oh BTW Nex and 16mm pancake are really small in size, compare to other AF lenses, if that is a consideration factor and that prim lens shines.