I'll still upgrade the X-M1 when X-Pro2 tech trickles down to cheaper bodies for that PDAF. I'm mostly using it with the 27mm for street and casual outing and occasionally paired with my Pentax 15mm.
If you don't want to spend too much just get like a used D90 or something, they're not that expensive and if you get one that was taken care of well you have a decent enough dslr to learn from. You're not really going to learn too much from a simple point and shoot and unless you get a higher end Sony one like the RX100 series it won't even be a step up from you cellphone.
Depending on where you go a Sony RX100 costs about 400 bucks, but that's just the older version. The new version 4, close to a grand. I think others on here could recommend something else though. It's just the only good point and shoot that I know of.
Sounds like you just want a camera that would do all of the work for you.
Yes that makes more sense. I was more thrown off about the comment about you being disappointed by your shots when you get back. I too would like a smaller camera, but I got what I got and learned a lot using it so on that front I can't really complain too much. I mean in the beginning your going to take some crap pictures, shit you'll still take the occasional crap shot till you die, but it's definitely something you have to work at. Yeah just get whatever suits you and have fun.
With that being the case you should take the camera out as much as possible. Should've practiced more before you even went on the trips. Just always keep your expectations in check, be willing to learn and have fun.
Yeah it just requires some patience but improving is part of the fun and agony. I swear my first thousand shots were utter dog shit looking at the old ones now. I've gotten more consistent and even still I'm not perfect. Luckily there are plenty of videos and tutorials you can watch and learn off of. Don't think of it as time wasted, it's more like level grinding than anything else.
