Bridge Camera vs DSLR: Canon SX60 vs Rebel T5

[JerTheGeek]

Hello everybody,
I am thinking of buying a camera for Christmas as an upgrade from my Canon SX510. I'm considering the Canon SX60 or the Canon Rebel T5. I use my camera for YT videos and some photography as well. I'm mainly looking for better image quality and additional features that would be helpful, not really looking to get too advanced into photography, although I wouldn't mind learning more about it. I'd like to spend only around $300 for a refurb, either of these are within this range.
The SX60 would provide me with 60fps video, a flip out screen which is huge for video, and a much better zoom range, not to mention a more convenient, portable body.
The T5 would give me manual focus, but none of the features I mentioned above. My big question is, will the T5 provide much better image quality than the SX60, in which case would it be better to go for it cause of that, or would the SX60 and its features be a better buy for me?
Thanks,
JerTheGeek

 

[ChrisA]

You do not say HOW and WHERE you shoot video. Is this used indoors on a tripod, close ups through a microscope, Do you shoot birds in flight. Interviews, scripted drama? It's really hard to get suggestions knowing only the distribution channel is You Tube and nothing else.

If you care about video quality and your shots are all indoors and you have time to set up the #1 thing you can do is LIGHTING. If you can get enough light on the subject them even a small sensor camera can make some very clean video. But if you are outdoors shooting wildlife near dawn or dusk, light is not under your control then you want the SLR and a good lens.

If you buy the Canon SLR then you also have to select a lens. This is one of the best reasons to buy an SLR, you get to select a lens that is best for each shot. It you have the SLR it is best for set-up shots in the studio as the controls are not well placed for grab and go style videos. You will need a microphone of an external audio recorder

Look into getting an entry level VIDEO CAMERA like the Canon VIXIA HF R700. It costs less then just one decent lens for the SLR and, given enough light makes good quality footage. You will have money left over for microphones and lights

When I say "light" I mean something like using two larger size soft boxes.

See, there are many options and no one can know what will work for you because we don't know what you are shooting

 

[JerTheGeek]

Sorry, forgot to mention what I'll be shooting. For YouTube, I do tech videos, so reviews and unboxings and stuff. I do shoot on a tripod indoors at a desk for unboxings, occasionally I shoot indoors and film myself in a room that's fairly well lit I'd say. However when I do reviews, I mainly shoot outdoors. Whenever I do any sort of stills photography, it's pretty much always outside.

 

[ChrisA]

If you are doing table top video the #1 thing you might want to get is a set if of cheap lights like these (Google found this one) https://www.amazon.com/Softbox-Lighting-Flourescent-lightstand-Fancier/dp/B003Y2W22A
Place them as close as possible to the product. Just out of the camera's line of sight

Even that $200 VIXIA camera with good lights and a tripod will outperform a misused SLR

What the SLR is good for is (1) low light situations, capturing action with still pictures and and importantly the ability to use a fast f/1.4 prime lens and get very shallow depth of field images. But you don't get these things with the list 18-55 kit lens. The SLR is great because you can always have the best lens on for the situation and the controls are perfect for action still. but very poor for video.

I have both, a small video camera and a bunch of Nikon SLR gear. You can do professional level video with an SLR but it is NOT a one-man operation, you can't use autofocus (because of the motor noise)

 

[Apple fanboy]

If you are doing table top video the #1 thing you might want to get is a set if of cheap lights like these (Google found this one) https://www.amazon.com/Softbox-Lighting-Flourescent-lightstand-Fancier/dp/B003Y2W22A
Place them as close as possible to the product. Just out of the camera's line of sight

Even that $200 VIXIA camera with good lights and a tripod will outperform a misused SLR

What the SLR is good for is (1) low light situations, capturing action with still pictures and and importantly the ability to use a fast f/1.4 prime lens and get very shallow depth of field images. But you don't get these things with the list 18-55 kit lens. The SLR is great because you can always have the best lens on for the situation and the controls are perfect for action still. but very poor for video.

I have both, a small video camera and a bunch of Nikon SLR gear. You can do professional level video with an SLR but it is NOT a one-man operation, you can't use autofocus (because of the motor noise)

Don't forget sound quality. Number one thing most people get wrong on YouTube is poor quality sound. Get it off camera.

 

[ChrisA]

Don't forget sound quality. Number one thing most people get wrong on YouTube is poor quality sound. Get it off camera.

Yes. 100% true. There is nothing that say "amateurish" than poor audio quality and it is easy to fix, just ge the microphone close to the source of the sound.

What we are saying is that better lights AND better sound will have a MUCH more noticeable impact then buying a new camera. But beginners ALWAYS think of cameras. Look even the OP here talks about buying an SLR body (the T5) but did not even mention the need a lens to fit on the T5. Beginners are always "camera centric" where as the professions think about lighting composition and sound and talent scripts and story and they know that the exact brand of camera is not that big of a deal.

As a You Tuber, with a tiny budget you likely should spend at least as much on audio and lights as on the camera. So if you have only $500, spend less than $250 on the camera and lens and the balance on lights and audio gear. Same if you have a $1000 budget, no more than 50% on the cameras and lenses

 

[Sunny1990]

Sorry, forgot to mention what I'll be shooting. For YouTube, I do tech videos, so reviews and unboxings and stuff. I do shoot on a tripod indoors at a desk for unboxings, occasionally I shoot indoors and film myself in a room that's fairly well lit I'd say. However when I do reviews, I mainly shoot outdoors. Whenever I do any sort of stills photography, it's pretty much always outside.

@JerTheGeek what is your YouTube channel name

 

[Apple fanboy]

@JerTheGeek what is your YouTube channel name

It's in his signature.
https://m.youtube.com/c/jerthegeek

 

[The Bad Guy]

OP needs to invest in lighting, not cameras.