Help Picking out camera

[matt9013]

Hello, I have decided to buy a camera. I mainly want this camera for nature shots, wildlife, family pictures etc. I had decided on the Canon Rebel T5 DSLR which looked really good and I can get some great bundles on.

I have recently been looking into some mirrorless ones from Sony and they also seem good and a bit cheaper than the Rebel T5. I am liking the Sony Alpha a5000

What would you guys recommend getting for what I want? I also have an iMac but no photo software and doubt I would do much editing besides playing around with it in Photos.

Thanks

 

[simonsi]

TBH how a camera works for you is probably more important than the tech specs - I'd siggest you go to a store and handle some examples and see how the different flavours of ergonomics works for you between the different brands and models...

 

[matt9013]

TBH how a camera works for you is probably more important than the tech specs - I'd siggest you go to a store and handle some examples and see how the different flavours of ergonomics works for you between the different brands and models...

I've held both. The T5 more than the Sony but still can't decide. I like the DSLR but not sure how long it would be before the size and weight start to make it a pain to take quick shots. While on the other hand the mirrorless one seems kinda small and more pocket size.

 

[Fishrrman]

If you're considering a SONY mirrorless, I would advise you to get one with a viewfinder as well as the LCD display.

Can make all the difference when using in bright sunlight...

 

[Alexander B.]

If you are considering mirrorless take a look at olympus micro four thirds system. Much larger lens choice, more compact.

 

[kenoh]

From my experience, they are both going to be great cameras for what you need right now.

I started with a Canon DSLR a few years ago. Few upgrades done but ultimately the size meant I never really took it anywhere so it kept a close orbit to the house.

I changed to mirrorless almost 2 years ago and get more use from my camera now as I take it with me more often.

I went the Sony route.

I agree with getting one with a viewfinder as you will likely want that.

Question is down to you and whether you are going to get bitten by the bug. If you are then you may want to think about what else you are going to want to photograph and think lens choices first. Bodies age and need upgraded much more frequently than lenses so choose based on availability of lenses for you.

As this is your first one, neither of them are a bad choice so just go with your gut and enjoy it. Take pictures, see what aspects mean most to you and then that will guide you.

I think the micro four thirds is a good suggestion too.

You are going to struggle as there is no wrong answer here. Lots of right answers but I am afraid you are going to need to work out the correct answer for you.

Sorry not much help

 

[0970373]

+1 on the Olympus M43 line. I love my OMD-EM5 and used so much more then my Canon 7D these days. It's much easier to travel with as the package is so compact & light. Taking it with me every day with a pancake lens is a joy. As @Alexander B. said, the lens choice is wonderful and if you ever wanted to get a 2nd body, the lenses also fit the Panasonic m43 line as they have the same mount. The OMD-EM series is one of the few mirrorless cameras that has a built in view finder. Did I mention that they are also weather sealed?

 

[JohnDS]

A number of people in our camera club have switched from DSLR's to Olympus cameras because of the size and weight issues and seem to be quite happy with them and are getting great pictures. I am told that Fuji is very good to, but I suspect more expensive.

I am still a Canon DSLR user myself, though. I friend of mine who was a long time Sony user has recently switched to Canon after two very bad experiences with Sony repair here in Canada.

 

[matt9013]

A number of people in our camera club have switched from DSLR's to Olympus cameras because of the size and weight issues and seem to be quite happy with them and are getting great pictures. I am told that Fuji is very good to, but I suspect more expensive.

I am still a Canon DSLR user myself, though. I friend of mine who was a long time Sony user has recently switched to Canon after two very bad experiences with Sony repair here in Canada.

Yeah, I've been reading that Sony cameras can be expensive to fix and that customer services/repair services are pretty poor.

 

[shaunp]

Go to a store try all the major brands, Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, etc and see what you prefer - at this point ignore the sales guy and his deals, it's all about ergonomics and how the camera feels to you.

Once you have done this, I would ignore the bundles for the most part as cheap lenses are just that, cheap (i.e. very poor) lenses and it is the lens that makes ALL the difference, so don't blow all of your budget on the camera body. To be honest I would just get a 50mm f/1.8 lens to begin with - don't get any zoom lenses. These 50mm lenses are sharp, good value and you will probably keep it longer than the camera body. Once you have a bit more experience then get a zoom lens, or not, depending upon your needs but avoid the cheep zooms that cover a massive range as to be blunt they are crap.

 

[matt9013]

Will do. I've played around with the Rebel T5 a few times and liked what I saw with that. Haven't had a chance to play around with the Sony a5000 yet though.

Do mirrorless cameras have a lot of lense options or is it mostly dependent on the brand. It seems the Canon has a lot of different options for me while the Sony has a few.

 

[robgendreau]

Will do. I've played around with the Rebel T5 a few times and liked what I saw with that. Haven't had a chance to play around with the Sony a5000 yet though.

Do mirrorless cameras have a lot of lense options or is it mostly dependent on the brand. It seems the Canon has a lot of different options for me while the Sony has a few.

Canon and Nikon make a lot of lenses, which are actually more important in some ways than the camera itself.

Olympus M43 and Panasonic M43 use the same Micro Four Thirds lens mounts, so their lenses are interchangeable. In addition, because of the form factor of M43 they can use most Canon and Nikon lenses as well with adapters, if you don't mind losing auto focus and going manual.

And Pentax cameras have a huge range of lenses as well.

Sony's are great, but they probably can't match those in selection. But that being said, it doesn't matter if the brand you want has the lens you want. I'd suggest you visit sites where photographers hang out, especially those who take the kinds of pics you'll be taking. What works outdoors for say birds isn't necessarily gonna be the best in the studio, although there is, of course, overlap.

 

[MCAsan]

We lover our Olympus E-M1 micro four thirds systems. I watched a few of Janson Lanier videos about his conversion from Nikon to Sony. I kept wanting to ask him....why don't your Sony bodies have a touch screen on the back? That is one area where Sony is not advanced at all.

 

[willentrekin]

I've been using Sony mirrorless cameras this year and love them. I started when I found a crazy deal on an NEX5, but then upgraded to a refurbished a6000 to bring on a trip. Totally love the a6000, and will echo the comments regarding a viewfinder; makes all the difference in bright sunlight.

Of course, you'll also want a good lens. I've been using an 18-200, which covers me in pretty much every condition even if it's only a 3.5 or something. I have a couple of 1.8 lenses, but they're less versatile and I like being able to zoom.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Basically as others have said, you can't really go wrong with any of the brands mentioned on here.
Just get what works for you and not what the salesman makes the most commission on.
Also your choice of glass maters a lot more then your body. What do you want to shoot? That's what will help you decide. A nifty 50 won't be much good for wildlife.
But then I wouldn't recommend going out and buying a 500mm before you know what to do with it!
If you can, try before you buy with lens rentals.

 

[JDDavis]

There's also this puppy....

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/COOLPIX-P900.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...olpix_p900_digital_camera.html#customerReview

It's been getting a lot of good reviews and when you think about the extremes that family snaps and wildlife can require in lenses then maybe it would work.

A couple of good questions are...Do I want/need to have multiple lenses and do I want to have manual control of my cameras settings? If yes then a DSLR, mirrorless, or M43 system. If not then maybe something like the P900 (though you can control settings on it as well). Like Kenoh said...do you think you'll be bitten by the bug? Are you interested in photography as maybe a long term hobby or more?

Lately I've met tons of parents struggling with DSLRs. They wanted to take better pics of their kids at sporting or school events or on vacation so somebody sold them a CANIKON with the kit lenses. They are always frustrated that it takes "worse pics than my iPhone". What they really wanted was an automatic camera with a bigger zoom and better low light capability...not to have to learn what all the buttons and wheels do. It's not to say that learning to use interchangeable lens systems with manual settings is difficult it's just about knowing what you really want the camera to do an not allowing the salesman to upsell you.

It's hard to go wrong with whatever you decide these days. Everything that you and others have mentioned are very capable cameras. You'd enjoy any of them. Just prepare yourself to be bitten by the bug. After that there is little hope of making rational purchase decisions.

 

[iTiki]

Check out the fuji X-T1 OR X-T10. Both are light weight and feature rich. Great selection of lenes as well. I sold my Nikon dslr and nikon glass and have no regrets. Dealing with the bulk and weight of a dslr gets tiresome real fast.

 

[shaunp]

Basically as others have said, you can't really go wrong with any of the brands mentioned on here.
Just get what works for you and not what the salesman makes the most commission on.
Also your choice of glass maters a lot more then your body. What do you want to shoot? That's what will help you decide. A nifty 50 won't be much good for wildlife.
But then I wouldn't recommend going out and buying a 500mm before you know what to do with it!
If you can, try before you buy with lens rentals.

Exactly learn a bit about photography with the nifty 50 and then get the wildlife lens. And if you aren't sure which lens to go for and are perhaps torn between a couple of choices then hire them before you buy. Spend a week with each one and then you will know which one you want.

 

[ocabj]

I bought the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II as my walk around camera. I just don't like carrying my dSLR (Canon 5D Mark III) for just casual photos. I have no problem recommending the Micro Four Thirds format.

http://www.ocabj.net/olympus-om-d-e-m10-mark-ii-review/

 

[matt9013]

After researching and testing out the cameras, I have decided on the Sony alpha a5000. I really like the size of it and think it's a good starting out camera. Picture quality also seems really good on it.

Any suggestions for free editing software for the iMac to get me started into photoshop and editing? Also can I delete iPhoto from my iMac as I will only be using Photos or will that screw something up?

Thanks

 

[kenoh]

After researching and testing out the cameras, I have decided on the Sony alpha a5000. I really like the size of it and think it's a good starting out camera. Picture quality also seems really good on it.

Any suggestions for free editing software for the iMac to get me started into photoshop and editing? Also can I delete iPhoto from my iMac as I will only be using Photos or will that screw something up?

Thanks

Hiya.

Great choice but remember a great picture is more about the flesh and bones pushing the buttons than the brass and glass capturing it.

Editing softwarewise I would say you really want Adobe photo CC for £10 a month.

If this is not where you are on your journey, then Pixelmator (very cheap and very good value) and Gimp. These are great for editing but you need a catalog management system or a DAM as they are called because you are gonna have thousands of files to manage as you get into this.

Lightroom is almost a one stop shop for all of this....

Or, make do with photos on OSX but most people on here hate it so I take their word forit and they know WAY more than me.

Oh... And HDR photos....
Just dont go there...


So.... Welcome to aa rollercoaster world of elation and frustration in equal measures...

 

[simonsi]

Just an idea but if you are re,otely concerned about a DSLR weight then bear in mind:

1. There is a huge difference between models and
2. Much easier with an over-the-shoulder strap such as Black Rapid - I've used one since they came out and highly recommend them (no affiliation).

 

[Apple fanboy]

Just an idea but if you are re,otely concerned about a DSLR weight then bear in mind:

1. There is a huge difference between models and
2. Much easier with an over-the-shoulder strap such as Black Rapid - I've used one since they came out and highly recommend them (no affiliation).

Agree on the black rapid strap. Makes things much easier.

 

[MCAsan]

The only think negative I can think about for Sony mirrorless....not a huge choice in lenses compared to Nikon, Canon, Fuji, or the M43 world. If you see the DxO Mark scores on camera bodies, Sony is the top of the heap these days.

 

[kenoh]

The only think negative I can think about for Sony mirrorless....not a huge choice in lenses compared to Nikon, Canon, Fuji, or the M43 world. If you see the DxO Mark scores on camera bodies, Sony is the top of the heap these days.

Well, I hear you, but as a Sony user, every lens I need is available natively until I need 300mm or longer. The lens choice myth has long since gone away.