Help on picking a camera

[saporiti]

Hey guys,

I used to be kind of an amateur photographer back in the day Was used to shoot with 2 cameras (both borrowed from friends): Fuji X100 and a Canon 600D with 18-85, 70-300 and 50mm.

Now I'm planning on getting myself a camera for christmas, since I miss being that amateur photographer and I only have my iphone for teh pics

However I really need some help picking a camera:

I don't have a big budget. I haven't even decided if I want to get a DSLR, or an advanced compact, or even a mirrorless. Let's say I have around 500€ to 600€ (at least that's my initial budget). If I went for DSLR/Mirrorless I'll have to spare money to get more lenses later in my life.

About my types of photography: Street photography, travel photography, arquitecture photograpy, portraits, fashion photography... that's it I guess.


Sooo.... I really like the Fujifilm X20. However I don't know if it's worth the money. I can get it for something like 400€ to 500€.

I like the idea of having a smaller camera like the X20. That would mean I could take it everywhere with me, which means being always ready for a photo in every location. If I'm getting a DSLR, for example, that would make it different. I can't carry a DSLR everyday.

I don't consider cameras like the NEX-5 or the RX100, because I demand a viewfinder.

When it comes to DSLR's, the models I consider are the cheapest (but the body is the least important thing I guess): Canon 1100D, Canon 600D, Canon 100D, Nikon D3100, Nikon D3200, Nikon D5100...

Most of them are bundled with a 18-55 IS or VR lens. I would rather go for a bundle with a 18-105 VR or 18-135 IS lens, since I actually don't see myself using longer distance...

To sum up, I would say that when it comes to DSLR's, a 1-100'ds and a 50mm or 35mme would make a good starter kit.

At last... Mirrorless, or hybrid cameras. I like the Fuji's collection: However they all run out of my budget apart from X-M1, X-A1... But they don't have viewfinders. And lenses are usually a lot more expensive.

You can see how messy my head is about the camera picking situation

Would really apreciate some help!

 

[Apple fanboy]

Hey guys,

I used to be kind of an amateur photographer back in the day Was used to shoot with 2 cameras (both borrowed from friends): Fuji X100 and a Canon 600D with 18-85, 70-300 and 50mm.

Now I'm planning on getting myself a camera for christmas, since I miss being that amateur photographer and I only have my iphone for teh pics

However I really need some help picking a camera:

I don't have a big budget. I haven't even decided if I want to get a DSLR, or an advanced compact, or even a mirrorless. Let's say I have around 500€ to 600€ (at least that's my initial budget). If I went for DSLR/Mirrorless I'll have to spare money to get more lenses later in my life.

About my types of photography: Street photography, travel photography, arquitecture photograpy, portraits, fashion photography... that's it I guess.


Sooo.... I really like the Fujifilm X20. However I don't know if it's worth the money. I can get it for something like 400€ to 500€.

I like the idea of having a smaller camera like the X20. That would mean I could take it everywhere with me, which means being always ready for a photo in every location. If I'm getting a DSLR, for example, that would make it different. I can't carry a DSLR everyday.

I don't consider cameras like the NEX-5 or the RX100, because I demand a viewfinder.

When it comes to DSLR's, the models I consider are the cheapest (but the body is the least important thing I guess): Canon 1100D, Canon 600D, Canon 100D, Nikon D3100, Nikon D3200, Nikon D5100...

Most of them are bundled with a 18-55 IS or VR lens. I would rather go for a bundle with a 18-105 VR or 18-135 IS lens, since I actually don't see myself using longer distance...

To sum up, I would say that when it comes to DSLR's, a 1-100'ds and a 50mm or 35mme would make a good starter kit.

At last... Mirrorless, or hybrid cameras. I like the Fuji's collection: However they all run out of my budget apart from X-M1, X-A1... But they don't have viewfinders. And lenses are usually a lot more expensive.

You can see how messy my head is about the camera picking situation

Would really apreciate some help!

I can't comment on the smaller cameras, but I got myself a D3200 with 18-55mm kit lens in June and have been enjoying it immensely. They aren't that big really if you get a small bag. I prefer the range of settings with a DSLR over other options. dpreview have lots of good camera reviews and you can compare models. Once you have done that see if you can get along to a proper camera shop for some hands on fiddling. Another option is to consider second hand. Many camera shops buy and sell old gear.

 

[glenthompson]

I have a Nex-7 which is out of your price range. I agree with you on the viewfinder, I wouldn't have bought a Nex without one. The Nex-6 is cheaper but may still be out of your range.

 

[saporiti]

Hey guys,

Thank you for your replies.

About the NEX 7 and 6, they're both out of my price range, that's true. I really like the NEX6 actually, but here it's too expensive for what it offers.

 

[El Cabong]

If you require a viewfinder, the X20 is probably your best bet. A Canon G series might also fit the bill.

 

[ChrisA]

If you are on a budget go for a used dSLR. Good usable SLR bodies sell for under $200. I'm still shooting with a Nikon D200. Some of my lenses are manual focus from when I used my F2.

Eventually I will upgrade only because I want to get more into video and want better video quality and the ability to do shallow focus that I can't do with my camcorder. But for still photos, the technology is mature enough now that that last generation body, is pretty good. You will do better with w lower priced body and more money on a lens. The Nikon 18-55 VR is very good (unlike Canon's 18-55) but I can see why you'd prefer the 18-105. (the 18-105 is on my shopping list to replace my 18-70 non-VR.)

Buy a new body if you want to into video but older ones are fine for stills.

As for small mirror less cameras. I don't see the point if you have an SLR. Yes you might want a smaller camera but the mirror less camera is not that much smaller. Your second camera needs to fit inside a pocket.

 

[themumu]

If you are on a budget go for a used dSLR. Good usable SLR bodies sell for under $200. I'm still shooting with a Nikon D200. Some of my lenses are manual focus from when I used my F2.

Eventually I will upgrade only because I want to get more into video and want better video quality and the ability to do shallow focus that I can't do with my camcorder. But for still photos, the technology is mature enough now that that last generation body, is pretty good. You will do better with w lower priced body and more money on a lens. The Nikon 18-55 VR is very good (unlike Canon's 18-55) but I can see why you'd prefer the 18-105. (the 18-105 is on my shopping list to replace my 18-70 non-VR.)

Buy a new body if you want to into video but older ones are fine for stills.

As for small mirror less cameras. I don't see the point if you have an SLR. Yes you might want a smaller camera but the mirror less camera is not that much smaller. Your second camera needs to fit inside a pocket.

+1 on pretty much everything.

Used DSLRs offer a very good value, with size being their only downside. There is no complete cure for that, mirrorless cameras are more portable, but even then, if you get something with interchangeable lenses, it's still going to bulk up over time as you get more lenses. I switched to an X100s for my "serious photographer" mode, but I still don't carry it all the time unless I'm away from home in a different city / country. Either way, it's not within the 500€ budget.

The only thing I do carry with me all the time is the iPhone, and with that, I doubt there is much point in any dedicated pocketable camera. It can take very good photos if you approach it seriously and actually try. If that's not geeky enough, I'm afraid I'm going to write you a prescription for a camera like D80. Something like this looks like a decent price for a very complete package:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Nikon-D80-Ca...pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item3f2c9ed6b9&_uhb=1

Although if buying things separately, I'd probably opt for a lens with vibration reduction.