Buying first proper camera

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#2038353 15-Jun-2018 15:32

Something to keep in mind that the X100 series is fixed focal length with no interchangeable lenses - they're incredible cameras but maybe not best suited towards a novice (who probably is after a zoom).

My vote is for the A6000 (but I'm a relentless Alpha fanboy)

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#2038366 15-Jun-2018 15:54

Technofreak:

I have a Canon Powershot SX720HS. https://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/compacts/canon_sx720hs

While it doesn't have the sensor size of some of the other cameras mentioned it is a very capable camera. It's less than half the price of some of the other cameras mentioned.

I bought it because of the huge zoom it has (40 X). With much of the subject matter I shoot, getting up close isn't always an option so the zoom comes into it's own. At full zoom a tripod is necessary, but for many shots you won't need full zoom.

It's a good size, fits into your pocket. It can be charged of a USB charger using a standard USB cable.

Technically it might not match some of the other compact cameras that have been mentioned but for it's price it is a very good camera.

I have an earlier Canon Powershot SX30 IS, which is getting a bit long in the tooth now and is not as compact as the SX720HS described above, but I've been very happy with it as it allows zoomed in shots at good quality, without the need for bulky zoom lenses or the need to swap lenses.

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#2038726 16-Jun-2018 17:30

Your $1000 budget can buy you a pretty sweet (non-pro/enthusiast) camera.

A real camera can often produce images that blow away smartphone images. (generally in more difficult photographic situations.). That said, a well lit scene, where both the subject and background are desired to be in focus, a smartphone can hold it's own (as long as you don't zoom into individual pixel level.).

First thing to note is that smartphones often deliberately process the image in a way to make colors etc more rich than in real life. Camera's generally aim a faithful representation of the real word. If you want to over-saturate images, you can do so in software (on a smartphone or computer).

Regarding what camera, to buy, you budget allows for three major options, and are able to take much better images than a smartphone if you use it right.

High end compact point and shoot:

Market leader in this space seems to be the sony RX100 series. You budget allows for a series III New, or a series IV used (perhaps) (there is one on facebook marketplace for $900 in tauranga, and one with a $999 reserve with lots of accessories on trademe).

There are lots of other options in this space. Note that a few of the more impressive cameras in this space have prime (non-zoom) lenses, and perhaps more suited to an enthusiast with multiple cameras.

Mirrorless (APS-C / Micro four thirds).

Basically do nearly everything that a DSLR can (except have the viewfinder look optically through the lens), in a more compact body. Sony seems to be the market leader in this space, but I didn't like their skin tone rendering when I was camera shopping.

If I was buying one I would get a canon M50 (about $1200 new) as I already have cannon stuff. That said there are a significant number of serious entuhist photographers that love the Micro four thirds system (even when compared to their expensive full frame DSLR's).

Your budget will allow you to take your pick of the entry level one's of these from most of the main brands.

If you get more into photography, you can add a fast prime (allows for blued backgrounds), or ultra-wide lens to your kit, and add some more photographic flexibility

DSLR (APS-C)

Looks like a professional camera (just smaller, pros generally use "Full frame" camera's), obviously bulky to carry around.

Canon / Nikon are the dominant players here. I went the cannon way, and got a 800D with a kit lens for $999 after cash back from a pbtech sale. (have since spent far more than that on a sweet kit (lenses, tripod, flash, etc).

If you are worried about depreciation, these seem to depreciate less (lots of photography students looking for a decent used camera).

Technofreak

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#2038852 16-Jun-2018 20:51

allan:

Technofreak:

I have a Canon Powershot SX720HS. https://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/compacts/canon_sx720hs

While it doesn't have the sensor size of some of the other cameras mentioned it is a very capable camera. It's less than half the price of some of the other cameras mentioned.

I bought it because of the huge zoom it has (40 X). With much of the subject matter I shoot, getting up close isn't always an option so the zoom comes into it's own. At full zoom a tripod is necessary, but for many shots you won't need full zoom.

It's a good size, fits into your pocket. It can be charged of a USB charger using a standard USB cable.

Technically it might not match some of the other compact cameras that have been mentioned but for it's price it is a very good camera.

I have an earlier Canon Powershot SX30 IS, which is getting a bit long in the tooth now and is not as compact as the SX720HS described above, but I've been very happy with it as it allows zoomed in shots at good quality, without the need for bulky zoom lenses or the need to swap lenses.

I don't think the OP will be disappointed with one of these cameras. Excellent point and shoot with, in the case of the SX720HS, fully automatic modes or the option to go fully manual. Excellent video as well.

I've got an SLR with a couple of lenses which I almost never use. It's a very nice camera to use but it's a pain carrying around a bulky camera and lenses unless you're really into your photography. I used to do that but not any more. I can get pretty much all I need now with a camera that fits in my pocket Because it fit's in my pocket I have it with me more often and I use it much more, unlike the SLR with wasn't always at hand when you might want to take a photo.

One of the big advantages of the phone camera is you generally always have it with you. If you want to upgrade from a phone camera it's my guess you'll be used to having a camera with you all the time so I think a compact like the SX720HS is something that will likely work best.

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McMatt

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#2039124 17-Jun-2018 14:59

I'm liking the sounds of the Canon Powershot SX720HS - and the price

I should have mentioned I currently have a Canon SX170 IS, but I've found it's indoor / low light shots to be grainy and poor quality. Is the Canon Powershot SX720HS a reasonable step up in quality of photos from the SX170IS?

Technofreak

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#2039160 17-Jun-2018 16:45

McMatt:

I'm liking the sounds of the Canon Powershot SX720HS - and the price

I should have mentioned I currently have a Canon SX170 IS, but I've found it's indoor / low light shots to be grainy and poor quality. Is the Canon Powershot SX720HS a reasonable step up in quality of photos from the SX170IS?

I can't comment on the difference between both cameras with regards to indoors and low light. I'm pretty happy with what I call low light pictures I've take with the SX720HS. It's not till you zoom the picture a significant amount when viewing the picture afterwards that you can see any grain. I find the biggest limitation in low light is being able to hold the camera steady enough.

Using a tripod I've taken some pretty good shots of the moon using the full extent of the 40X zoom. When you zoom in on the screen you can see the craters in good detail with very little grainyness if any.

The flash does a good job over three or four metres or so.

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#2039189 17-Jun-2018 18:43

Whatever you buy, especially as it looks like you may want it for travel, make sure to get a big memory card and a second battery (and even a third).

The best camera in the world is no use if you are out on a trip, see the shot you want, and discover you are out of juice and/or a full memory card.

Personally, I like Canon. I have had their compact cameras and a (now long in the tooth) 450D DLSR. They have all been nice to use, with good image quality. Apart from my excellent Powershot G3, which died totally after about 6 years of service, they have all been replaced because they were old and obsolete, rather than for quality reasons.

The Canon 800D is an excellent camera for the money.

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Technofreak

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#2039289 17-Jun-2018 21:46

@JimmyH

I agree on having a second battery. However despite deciding I needed a second battery, I have only one battery for the 720 and to date I have not run out of battery. One big advantage is as well as using the traditional charger you can charge it using any USB charger. So long as you have a USB cable and a USB power source you can charge on the go.

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billgates

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#2039762 18-Jun-2018 13:57

I would recommend the Panasonic Lumix GX9. It only launched couple of months ago and it's perfect for travelling light. Combine it with a PL 25mm F1.4 or Lumix 20mm F1.7 pancake lens for a good combo.

Do whatever you want to do man.

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#2041529 21-Jun-2018 09:51

Thanks for the advice everyone! I committed to the Canon Powershot SX720HS. As mentioned (on page one I think) I could spend 6 months researching and deciding, so I thought I'd get the Canon as it was reasonably priced, and if I find I am enjoying using this camera and want to take the next step up, I can explore getting a DSLR (and perhaps some lessons) in the next year or two

Technofreak

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#2041887 21-Jun-2018 19:00

McMatt:

Thanks for the advice everyone! I committed to the Canon Powershot SX720HS. As mentioned (on page one I think) I could spend 6 months researching and deciding, so I thought I'd get the Canon as it was reasonably priced, and if I find I am enjoying using this camera and want to take the next step up, I can explore getting a DSLR (and perhaps some lessons) in the next year or two

I'm sure you'll find it does a good job. I more than happy with mine.

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nunz

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#2041944 21-Jun-2018 19:59

McMatt:

Hi guys,

Newbie here. Earlier this week I used a colleagues iPhone X and was blown away by the quality of the camera photos. I big step up from my iPhone 5c

I can't quite justify close to $2k on buying an iPhone X, but I was wondering if there is any newbie-friendly camera in the sub $1k bracket that would take similar quality photos. I image I could get close to iPhone X quality elsewhere, but without paying the premium of having the Apple logo plastered on it.

Any pointers on the main specs I should be looking for? I won't be taking action shots, mainly outdoor and indoor photos of nature and people.

Cheers,

Matt

Canon EOS Range are great. Full DSLR. 1300D is a good example in the $550 - $700 range

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#2041945 21-Jun-2018 20:01

McMatt:

Thanks for the advice everyone! I committed to the Canon Powershot SX720HS. As mentioned (on page one I think) I could spend 6 months researching and deciding, so I thought I'd get the Canon as it was reasonably priced, and if I find I am enjoying using this camera and want to take the next step up, I can explore getting a DSLR (and perhaps some lessons) in the next year or two

OOps -just saw your reply. We looked at it with our son but skipped to the EOS 1300D - it can run on full auto but also full manual. The lens upgrades made a big difference for us.

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#2042119 22-Jun-2018 08:02

Another A6000 fanboy here.

Should be able to get it with the kitlens for under $1k and when you save up a a few more dollars invest in the 55-200, which can be had for $200 secondhand on a good day. It's a really sharp bit of glass for its price.

i also like that the firmware has been reverse engineered and you can install open-source apps for things like time-lapse, direct upload to Google photos (over wifi), or Synology NAS in my case.

Shame it doesn't have GPS though.

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#2043144 24-Jun-2018 15:31

Peppery: Something to keep in mind that the X100 series is fixed focal length with no interchangeable lenses - they're incredible cameras but maybe not best suited towards a novice (who probably is after a zoom). My vote is for the A6000 (but I'm a relentless Alpha fanboy)

Edit - my bad. The X100T doesn't take interchangeable lenses. The XT-100 is a newer entry camera that does accept lenses.

Again. Like others said since you are talking about the iPhone X. I would stay away from any interchangeable lens camera. If you want a pocket camera maybe the Canon G7(x) or G9(x) it is the same sensor as the more expensive Sony RX100 but may not have 4k video recording. Fits in the pocket.

There is also the Panasonic TZ200 with the 350mm longer lens.

Thing is though it depends on the user. Many people might find carrying any item other than their iPhone cumbersome. I don't know how to answer that. I have a friend who is not into photography but have only shot with a film point and shoot then it was iPhones and then he bought a entry Canon dSLR with 2 lenses. It's been in his wardrobe for some years. I did mention about the premium large sensor compacts but he's not sure if he could be bothered to use that if he has his iPhone. Big sensor compacts will be better than phones with low light. For many even if a dedicated camera is better than an iPhone under a typical day time shot, many might be happy with just their phones.

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