I have an aging (2 years old now) flagship smartphone and basically want a camera that’s as decent as the one I already have, but without Google servers getting pinged every time I’m traveling and want to remember where I am - apparently my phone GPS isn’t enough, Google Play Services insist they must get involved.

Some ideal requirements would include:

  • ~3x zoom
  • Solid macro photography
  • Optical image stabilization
  • Functional in low light
  • A sensor at least the same size as my phone’s (1/1.3")
  • Small enough to fit in some pocket
  • GPS tagging
  • A sub-$800 price tag?

I understand this is a huge ask, and that modern cell phones have a pocket dimension that somehow fits this hardware inside of them, but I figured I may as well check.

  • glitching@lemmy.ml
    31·
    9 days ago

    “my foot itches, what’s the best shotgun I can get to blast it off”. this is like problemXY.

    a 2-year old ex-flagship is a beast of a device. how do I know? because I run a 7-year old not-flagship and it’s a beast. you tear google’s shit out and keep using it. you can even keep using GCam with a “yeah-playservices-is-present” faker and then disable GCam’s network access.

    Google is an adversary. start treating it as such.

  • Zwuzelmaus@feddit.org
    2·
    10 days ago

    I like the Olympus OM-D. Their PEN series might be what you want, because it’s rather slim for a real camera. I think there could even be GPS.

    But remember that some physical size is needed to have these optical qualties that a phone cannot have.

  • JayleneSlide@lemmy.world
    2·
    10 days ago

    If you need waterproof, the Olympus TG series has long been my phone camera/de-Googling go-to. It ticks most of your requirements. I love its macro modes and it’s definitely pocketable. Also stands up to a lot of abuse and has a strong market for accessories,

      • JayleneSlide@lemmy.world
        2·
        9 days ago

        noticed that I would end up moving the camera enough for a visible “shake” effect in most pictures I took.

        Whoa, yeah, that would absolutely rule out a TG. Was that occurring even with image stabilization turned on?

  • rodneyck@piefed.socialEnglish
    2·
    10 days ago

    Have you tried one of the custom rom OS’s, like CalyxOS or Graphene? You can use their built in firewall to disconnect Google’s Photo app. It also uses MicroG for google play services and the like, so basically de-googled.