What camera to buy?

[shemeld_135]

Originally Posted by jmg

All the DSLR canons have an LCD screen.

But you have to snap the photo b4 you see what it turns out to be right? That was my understanding but I'm a noob

[jlo0109]

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

I've never had a camera other than my cell phone. I see awesome pics here which I'm sure were taken with a DSLR but upon checking the prices of DSLRs they are way too high as I'm no professional photographer.

So what camera would you recommend for someone like me who likes to take photos occasionally but with a decent quality.

I like how some shots have the car in focus and the background blurred out, don't know what camera or what effect does that but please keep that in mind in your recommendation.

Thanks

Hey buddy. DSLRs are indeed great cameras especially when you're looking to step up your game from the norm, but often there are many point-and-shoot cameras that are just as powerful as DSLRs; if not, better.

If you're looking for something that allows you to freelance and just enjoy taking pictures wherever you go, I would highly recommend the Sony A7r.

There are too many features with this camera, but one main thing that offsets this gem from the other is the ability to take pictures in extreme dark environment. This is especially crucial for beginners as most of them have limited knowledge of how to manually work the camera to compensate the lighting situation. The Sony A7r would essentially allow you to take pictures ANYWHERE, in short. From your daily blogging photos to timelapse of milky way. This is THE camera.

I have shot with many cameras from 5D MarkII, MkIII, 1D, 60D, 70D MkII. I gotta say for everyday use, you can't beat what this little gem can do.

Good luck!

[rouxeny]

Originally Posted by jmg

All the DSLR canons have an LCD screen.

And they have a little hole you can put your eye up to, and magically see what you're going to take a photo of!

[shemeld_135]

Originally Posted by rouxeny

And they have a little hole you can put your eye up to, and magically see what you're going to take a photo of!

of course lol but from my understanding the effects you set on camera you cant see on the photo until you take in on the dslr..but mirros less i can for example see the aperture on the screen before taking the pic.

[P1]

I personally have a Canon 5D Mark III and a Sony A5000. The 5D Mark III, coupled with L lenses, takes gorgeous photos. If I want a pro quality look and feel photograph, this is what I grab.

However, it's large and heavy. When I'm by myself, it's not an issue. But I have a kid, and when he wants to be picked up or I have to push his pram, the 5D gets in the way.

So I picked up the Sony A5000 and although it's nearly at the same level of the 5D, it takes wonderful photos.

Having both gives me the best of both worlds.

The A7R is a lovely camera, but I'd still have to put it in the "bulky" category in the fact that it gets in the way. That's why I chose the A5000.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by shemeld_135

of course lol but from my understanding the effects you set on camera you cant see on the photo until you take in on the dslr..but mirros less i can for example see the aperture on the screen before taking the pic.

You can do this on a DSLR. Use live view and then hold down this button:



I use it all the time.

[rouxeny]

Originally Posted by jmg

You can do this on a DSLR. Use live view and then hold down this button:



I use it all the time.

You don't even need live view. Just look through the eyepiece and push the button. The aperture on the lens stops down from maximum to whatever you've set it for, and you can see a DOF preview. Admittedly, its often fairly dark, depending on what f-stop you're at.

[byroncheung]

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

I like how some shots have the car in focus and the background blurred out, don't know what camera or what effect does that but please keep that in mind in your recommendation.
Thanks

There are several ways to get the "blur"...

For things that are moving, you can do "panning" : https://digital-photography-school.c...ooting-action/ . For beginner it's easier with a camera with good autofocus.

For things that are static, it's easier with camera with larger sensor, longer lens, and larger aperture.

These days some phone with dual cameras (e.g. iphone 7+) can simulate that effect, but from my experience the tech is still new and result is typically not so great yet.

Either way it point to DSLR. I'll just get the cheapest nikon/canon entry model DSLR with kit lens, it will be plenty of a camera for you to grow into for several years... Mirrorless are also getting good these days, but if price is your concern, you tend to get more of camera for the cost with DSLR compared to mirrorless. With mirrorless you are paying extra for a slightly smaller camera, a little more easy to carry around, but it's not like it will be able to fit in your pocket anyway. So again with cost in mind, i'd rather take a DSLR...

[olbond]

Yeap, DSLRs are pretty pricey. When I was picking my camera, I was looking for something digital above 18 Mpixels, that was working well with my shaking hands. After some good research, I decided on Sony W800 as it came out on top for its price and performance according to some reputable resources like gurureviewclub.com . Never regretted my choice

[John SC]

Fuji and Canon both make cameras that look like miniature SLRs and take excellent pictures - look at the Canon PowerShot SX530 or Fujifilm FinePix S9900W, both around $400 and will do better than a SLR for someone without previous skills.

[Dusk Ride]

so basically my day to day camera would be a GoPro Hero 5 (https://amzn.to/2KEz8SC) I use to for videography and photos sometimes, it is great and bang for the buck!

[EALm4]

A Hero 5 cant compete in the same league as a mirrorless or DSLR lol

For OP's budget the Canon M series seem to be hot right now for sub 1k. I have a M6 and use EF lenses on it with a Viltrox adapter. Only wish there was a speedbooster/focal reducer so I could remove a bit of the crop factor.

That or flat out invest in a Sony mirrorless. Buy once cry once...or maybe a few times.

[rezadue]

Pick up a used Fuji XT-1

[StevenRoque]

Lol, go with iPhone X for better picture resolution.

[tcphoto]

I make a living shooting and $500 is not much of a budget. I would buy the cleanest used Canon G Series you can find. I have a G15 that I take on trips and it produces nice images but I'm not sure if it will give you the bokeh you're after.

[MeghanGordon]

My first camera was Nikon. Then I realized that the main characteristics for cameras are video quality, contrast, sharpness and many other indicators for which you should choose a camera.
With the advent of new camera technology has become very much and they are all different! To understand what to choose - you need to understand what it will be used for.
For very beautiful videos with landscapes, etc. I prefer drones. They are very convenient, compact, fast, easy to operate. You can make a video with landscapes and yourself! And the battery charge is quite large, so I advise you to look https://besttechexpert.guide/best-drone-camera/ and choose the right one for yourself.

[floridaorange]

Nikon 750 is tough to beat for the value. However that may be out of your price range.

As someone else mentioned the Canon T3i is a great starter camera. I started with the T3i, moved to the 7d, then 7d mark ii then Nikon D750.

You can follow my work on instagram at www.instagram.com/jcstuartphoto

Happy shooting!
JC

[Ali Shiralian]

My wife is into photography and a big Nikon fan, thousands have been spent on lenses lol. She just picked this one up as her other more expensive ones are bulky and heavy. I must say I'm impressed by the pictures of my cars she takes.


https://goo.gl/images/FDD3Dq

[bimmerboyE92]

I suggest staying away from DSLRs or the new mirror-less interchangeable lens cameras.

My first “enthusiast” camera was a LUMIX FZ10. It did everything you are describing and more! Way beyond what you’ll ever need. It has a kinda fast f2.8 lens (for dark situations and blur effect), lots of zoom, and enough manual functionality to satisfy what you are talking about. I think the FZ series is up to FZ80 now. I now have a Canon 5D and more money in lenses than mods to my car... but guess what? My photos don’t look any better and I don’t bring it with me as often. Grant it, camera phones are so convenient.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by shemeld_135

I picked up Sony a6000 mirrorless with 50mm f1.8 lens after debating DSLR or mirrorless.

Reasons;

Deciding Pros: Smaller, LCD screen that shows what the pic will look like b4 takeing it

Major con: battery sucks ass

Do your own research.. but from what I gathered the decision is place on preference.

A mirrorless beginners kit will be more expensive than a dslr kit; however, if you can afford it, start with the superior technology of mirrorless. Don't get heavily invested in a technology that's at the cusp of death.

With Sony, start with E-mount lenses, so you've got upward adaptability, if you get deeper into the hobby.

Dave