Camera on RS Tour

Why both? If you like your Sony, bring it. The suggested packing list is just a suggestion, after all.

Well, I like to have more than one camera in case one breaks. A pocket camera is handy for that.

I love taking photographs and minored in photography once upon a time. The first time I went to Europe I took my SLR and a pocket camera. While a loved the range and flexibility it was a pain to deal with the larger camera in restaurants, on trains, etc. plus I don't like to carry a lot when I'm touring. I used a good quality pocket camera more, and I was pleased with my photos. The second time I took the same pocket camera and my mini IPad. The IPad made it easy to post photos on Facebook to family back home. On my next trip I will once again take my iPad but will buy an even better pocket camera.

My phone is my backup camera. Urge is a very strong word. I can't recall them ever saying anything about cameras or caring. No, not a mistake, just added weight.

If photography is your passion, bring whatever you want. In 20 years of touring Europe I've gone from SLR with attendant lenses, to a pocket camera to an iPhone 6S. I like seeing Europe through my eyes rather than a camera as I get older and find the iPhone pictures good enough.

The Sony (which I own also) and a pocket camera (of which I have several) make a great combination. On the "Best of Scandinavia Tour," it will be helpful to have the wide angle on the Sony for the fantastic landscapes. Nothing wrong with phone cameras or iPads, but just the laws of physics indicate they cannot take the quality of picture that a dedicated camera can (however, if the quality of a phone is okay with you, use it. Some people even think phone pictures are "good.") Myself, I prefer taking a "good" camera and a pocket when I travel. As photography is a hobby I can see and appreciate the qualities and flexibility of better cameras. Take what seems right to you. Frankly, I have traveled enough that I take only a few "excess" things that make my trip better for me (and when I leave them behind I miss them.) Two cameras make total sense to me and I take them whenever possible. (ps I did take 2 when I went on the Best of Scandinavia Tour.)

If your willing to carry it all around and you don't mind then by all means bring it. If there are days that you don't want to bring it, then bring your pocket camera too. I would bring both. I have not been on this tour but have been to Norway and the scenery is amazing! So I would bring it because your going to need it for the zooms lens. There will be plenty of things and places and scenery and water and boats and hiking to take photos of and you will kick yourself that you don't have your camera. You can bring whatever you like as long as you are willing to carry it and just make sure you take care of it and don't leave it anywhere. They worry because once you leave a restaurant or hotel or wherever you can't go back to get it. They are on a time frame.

Have a great time!

I only carry a small digital camera. My sister really loves photography and has a really nice SLR. However, she thought about only bringing her small point and shoot digital. I told her that she definitely wanted to bring her fancy camera. She carried a Pacsafe camera bag that doubled as her purse and medicine bag. She was in heaven. She took a lot of beautiful pictures. I think she would have been bummed if she had left her nice camera at home.

Where does RS urge tour members to bring a pocket camera? I think you are probably reading too much into the advice. If you'd prefer a larger camera then bring it,

I agree with Laura. You may be taking the advice too literally, and I suspect this is more a "suggestion" than a rule.

I've been on eight RS tours and always taken a DSLR without any problems. I also pack a P&S for backup or for more "snapshot" type photos. I can attest that it's absolutely a good idea to have a backup camera, as I've had my primary camera fail during trips.

Keep in mind though - if you bring it, you'll be carrying it. There are no Porters on RS tours!

Thanks for all the helpful posts. This is a wonderful community. I want to focus mainly on the experience and secondarily return with some nice images of a part of the world I have wanted to see for some time. If I recall correctly RS uses some variant of the RX100. I was probably taking his comments too literally. What's right for RS may not be right for me as long as I don't go overboard on size and weight. Thank you all.

I just returned from the Barcelona and Madrid tour. I took over 3000 pictures with my iPhone 7 plus. They are fabulous, actually better than the pictures I have ever taken with a point and shoot camera.

Is there any other way to take advice, but literally? RS made a recommendation, not a requirement.

I agree with the above. Take which ever camera you prefer and can tolerate lugging.

My only contrary advice is to eschew the backup camera to save the weight. For me, electronics are my heaviest items so i try to eliminate any unnecessary device. Some nights there are not enough outlets to charge our phones, camera, tablet and netbook. I can think of other more important items which i could backup, e.g. eyeglasses, shoes, extra pair of underwear or socks. Why carry and worry about an extra camera which can be stolen or lost? But if you are a serious photog, carry a DSLR and extra lenses or a tripod, what's another point and shoot? In the end, it is up to you.

We went on the RS Best of Scandinavia tour last year and loved it! My husband brought his DSLR and a few others had theirs as well. We probably travel with more devices than most people.

Have a great trip!

I agree with Ray. I travel with my DSLR, but I also use my iPod. I always have a camera with me and sometimes use both. iPod obviously works best for immediate online photographs, but uploaded to light room at home shows it takes pretty good backup photographs. I have often pondered adding my husband's NikonCoolpix...but I just don't like it well enough. Take both cameras! There might be times you think you don't need a camera so your P&S camera will work on those occasions, just in case. However, for someone who loves scenery, to have beautiful scenery and not have a good camera is a shame and a partial waste of the entire experience, IMO. Take both. Lighten up somewhere else, if you need to do so.

It is always good to have a backup camera. On the last night of the tour, my camera accidentally fell into the toilet. Fortunately the camera was in a case and I was able to salvage the SIM card, but not the camera. I had my iPhone camera as a backup and I always made sure I shot similar shots with it as I did with my digital camera.

Bring the camera you are most comfortable with --- the Sony RX10. Getting a new camera without adequate time to learn to use it before a trip is a recipe for frustration.