Buying first proper camera

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McMatt

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#237703 14-Jun-2018 09:58

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

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#2036385 14-Jun-2018 10:19

Have a look at Sony A6000; it's got one of the fastest autofocus speed of all mirrorless cameras.

Lens-wise, the selection is also plenty there

I had one, which I take when I travel; couldn't be happier with it

https://www.harveynorman.co.nz/cameras/digital-slrs/sony-alpha-a6000-with-e-pz-16-50mm-lens.html

Oblivian

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#2036387 14-Jun-2018 10:21

Remember Apple engaged both quality sensor makers and lens/optics to get where they are.

To do so on a larger normal camera format = $$$$$$$+++

Lenses are an investment. Bodies are replaced/updated regularly. Get a big body with a super cheap kit lens (not all kit lenses are bad), you soon regret it. Likewise spend thousands on lenses and keep older model bodies and you feel sad too :) Wallet hurt all around - currently at that point with my L series kit and classic 7D sensor.

Others will step in here with better ideas no doubt. But the low end price scale is likely better to get a micro 4/3 format/compact zoom or one of the Mirrorless range. Similar to the mid Panasonics. Small, usable, good output

Oblivian

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#2036388 14-Jun-2018 10:24

And for (reasonably) flat/biasless with some science thrown in, Dpreview is still a good resource for real examples and user comments of most the types

https://www.dpreview.com/products/cameras

timmmay

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#2036390 14-Jun-2018 10:31

Your requirements are very wide. Do you want a big DSLR with lots of lenses, a better phone, a mirrorless camera, or a compact camera? What's your budget?

Sony RX100 is a good pocket sized camera that's versatile and capable, and will do better photos than any phone. Shoot jpeg and it does the processing for you, or shoot RAW and do it yourself. Phones tend to do a lot of processing automatically, and you can do more easily with apps like Snapseed.

Oblivian

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#2036391 14-Jun-2018 10:34

timmmay:

Your requirements are very wide. Do you want a big DSLR with lots of lenses, a better phone, a mirrorless camera, or a compact camera? What's your budget?

Sony RX100 is a good pocket sized camera that's versatile and capable, and will do better photos than any phone. Shoot jpeg and it does the processing for you, or shoot RAW and do it yourself. Phones tend to do a lot of processing automatically, and you can do more easily with apps like Snapseed.

(says Sub $1K)

I took a stab that automatically puts it in the PnS/Compact range bordering small SLR

shk292

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#2036392 14-Jun-2018 10:34

In my experience, picture quality especially for indoor shots is greatly influenced by sensor size - ie larger is better. A larger sensor also allows you to control depth of field which is essential for photographing people.

So, you should be looking at a camera with at least Micro 4/3 or APS-C sensor. I have a Panasonic Lumix G6 which has been a huge step up from a succession of compact digital cameras, and is a bit smaller than most DSLRs. You can get its successor (G7) for less than $1k, and there are plenty of similar models from the other big manufacturers

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McMatt

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#2036397 14-Jun-2018 10:38

Thanks for the comments so far guys - lots for me to look into!

timmmay - sub $1k, and I don't want a better phone. I mentioned the iPhone X because the photos on it were great, and I'd love to be able to take quality photos like I saw the iPhone produce, but didn't want to spend $2k. Being a camera newbie, I'm not sure whether the iPhone X has a legitimately amazing camera which is worth $2k, or whether the same quality results can be taken on a $1k camera without the Apple logo.

rb99

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#2036399 14-Jun-2018 10:40

Also find A6000 to be good. Quite compact with the kit lens as well.

If you don't mind a bit bigger Nikon D5600 also pretty good and access to lots of Nikon lenses its a bit expensive at JB Hifi at the moment https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/cameras/dslr/nikon/nikon-d5600-dslr-with-af-p-dx-18-55mm-vr-lens/328027/ but have twice seen it for about $870 this year at JB.

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#2036401 14-Jun-2018 10:44

Please don't anyone recommend this guy a dslr. Whatever you do, don't get a dslr as your first camera unless you want to spend your life on learning photography. They are too complicated for the average user or someone who won't be getting lessons on photography.

Oblivian

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#2036422 14-Jun-2018 10:50

Batman: Please don't anyone recommend this guy a dslr. Whatever you do, don't get a dslr as your first camera unless you want to spend your life on learning photography. They are too complicated for the average user or someone who won't be getting lessons on photography.

Not sure how you can say that when most compacts have the exact same functions and dials now bar the need to change lenses and more control in menu navigation due lack of similar touch screens

Oh look, same things as on the top of my 7D. Except I can fish through menus for the other settings (like on a compact) or push a button to quickselect.

https://www.sony.co.nz/image/6407870de1aedf0cba1cea6f6d7a30ad?fmt=pjpeg&wid=1014&hei=396&bgcolor=F1F5F9&bgc=F1F5F9

I have the option to use 'auto' and press shutter. Just like a compact and not need to learn the other functions although they exist on both.

shk292

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#2036431 14-Jun-2018 11:03

Oblivian:

Not sure how you can say that when most compacts have the exact same functions and dials now bar the need to change lenses and more control in menu navigation due lack of similar touch screens

Oh look, same things as on the top of my 7D. Except I can fish through menus for the other settings (like on a compact) or push a button to quickselect.

https://www.sony.co.nz/image/6407870de1aedf0cba1cea6f6d7a30ad?fmt=pjpeg&wid=1014&hei=396&bgcolor=F1F5F9&bgc=F1F5F9

I have the option to use 'auto' and press shutter. Just like a compact and not need to learn the other functions although they exist on both.

Agreed - for instance the Lumix range all have an "iA" intelligent auto button - you can leave that selected and touch nothing else apart from the zoom ring and shutter button, and still get the benefits of a quality camera. Then, as you gain confidence you can exploit more capabilities.

One advantage of the DSLR/mirrorless format is ergonomics - more space for controls that you can use without looking at them. So it's easy to use exposure compensation or adjust depth of field without delving into menus or even taking your eye from the viewfinder.

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McMatt

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#2036433 14-Jun-2018 11:05

Since Lumix has been mentioned - whats the general feeling towards them in 2018? I had one (similar to the FT30) back in about 2012 and was impressed with it at the time.

mudguard

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#2036435 14-Jun-2018 11:09

Sony RX100 III? Less than a grand, the newer models (they've just released the VI) may bring the price down slightly. I have the IV, you can leave it in auto and be happy.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/CAMSNY1113/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-RX100-III-Digital-Camera---201

Or as others have suggested, there are a lot of options, comes down physical size I suppose.

rb99

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#2036444 14-Jun-2018 11:24

Hope your better at making decisions than wot I am. From the first post you'd probably be better going for something compact with a big sensor and a bit of zoom, hence Sony RX whatever. Fits in pockets OK.

OK maybe A6000 and kit lens, fits in somewhat bigger pockets and can do interchangeable lenses.

Bigger stuff probably isn't needed. But then maybe you decide you're suddenly going to get into macro, or birding, or astrophotography or something so you need / want some big fancy lens.

I could prevaricate for months with this kind of stuff...

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Oblivian

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#2036453 14-Jun-2018 11:34

Similarly consider usage and portability down the line if considering future travel and so forth.

In the past I've taken my SLR and at least 2 lenses away. It's large, cludgy (can be an additional 4-6Kg of bulk) and although awesome professional results I'm abandoning it this time around (and I'm off to the islands!) and lamenting over not owning an equal modern compact.

There are areas dedicated to helping the travelling photographer make decisions in that respect.

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