my iPhone 6 v. Fujifilm s9100 v. Sony a5000

[zachlegomaniac]

Hi Everyone,

I want to take some decent family pictures, and maybe learn my way around a DSLR a little bit. I also have a blog, and always include pictures taken with my 6 (although the main thrust of the blog focuses on the written content).

I have an iPhone 6 and an old (2006 - based on a quick search) Fujifilm s9100.

In your opinion(s) should I keep shooting with my iPhone 6, learn this hand-me-down Fujifilm DSLR, or get a new DSLR and learn my way around that?

My cousin has a Sony a5000, and loves it. It's $400 on Amazon right now, and that's pretty much my limit.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks,

ZLM

 

[steveh552]

The iPhone takes good photos but I would suggest a new DSLR, not a film one. i say that because film is getting costly and the cost of processing photos is no longer cost permissive. If you buy a DSLR you can view your images, edit them as you see fit with paid or free software and take all you want. Keep a budget for a memory card as well. Look at Nikon and Canon as well, much more support for those out there.

 

[Fishrrman]

Are you sure the a5000 will be what you want?

I ask because it doesn't have a viewfinder.

I could be challenged on this by others in the forum, but I wouldn't recommend ANY camera UNLESS it has a viewfinder of some sort (either optical or digital).

I have a SONY a58 which is in your price range. Granted, it's not a top-end Nikon, Canon or SONY, but it's quite a decent camera for the money spent...

 

[leighonigar]

What is it you take photos of? Any examples? What would you like to be able to do that you cannot now?

 

[paolo-]

What kind of pictures do you take? The s9100 will probably be similar in quality as the iPhone but give you zoom capabilities.

The a5000 would be a nice step up. If you don't mind going used, the Sony nex 5 range could be quite good and in your budget - maybe leave you some money for useful accessories like a tripod, reflectors, maybe a lens. If you get lucky, you might find an nex 6 which has a viewfinder in your price range. If you don't mind going with larger DSLR style bodies, you can get very decent used gear quite cheap.

Ultimately, good pictures are about good subjects, good lighting and good composition, gear and image quality are just a means to an end.

 

[mofunk]

If you want to start with shooting photography buy yourself a DSLR.

For around $400-500 you can get a Canon T5 or Nikon D3300. I mentioned those because you have more lenses to chose from. The Canon has better video quality.

Or you can find something used in a previous model for around that price too. Nikon D90 or Canon SL1

 

[xStep]

Your Fujifilm S9100 Digital camera would be a good place to start to learn. It will allow you to learn the relationships between ISO, shutter speed and aperture. You may also learn how the different zoom settings can alter a shots perspective. You'll also find out if you're a point & shoot type of photographer or one who likes and is willing to take more control. You may even be able to dive in and learn about RAW imaging.

 

[Meister]

For around $400-500 you can get a Canon T5 or Nikon D3300. I mentioned those because you have more lenses to chose from. The Canon has better video quality.

I would strongly dispute that.
But you are right that a d3300 is an amazing bang for the buck.

 

[acearchie]

I would strongly dispute that.

How come?

 

[Meister]

How come?

Because it is not true.

 

[acearchie]

Because it is not true.

Ouch.

I feel we're getting onto something quite subjective but what are the categoric facts?

I'm not sure that the T5 is in Europe but OP could easily afford a 600D if his budget allows for a D3300.

 

[Meister]

Ouch.

I feel we're getting onto something quite subjective but what are the categoric facts?

I'm not sure that the T5 is in Europe but OP could easily afford a 600D if his budget allows for a D3300.

Yes, but the D3300 is the much better bang for the buck for most folks.
The IQ for stills is vastly superior on the D3300 and so is the straight out of cam video.

The 600d's advantages would be magic lantern, which is quite the pain in the ass for most folks and the superb canon lenses, but Nikon has good lenses, too.

 

[acearchie]

Yes, but the D3300 is the much better bang for the buck for most folks.
The IQ for stills is vastly superior on the D3300 and so is the straight out of cam video.

The 600d's advantages would be magic lantern, which is quite the pain in the ass for most folks and the superb canon lenses, but Nikon has good lenses, too.

Even straight out of camera I would suggest that the Canon is still superior. Nikon video is not that intuitive and quality has never held up to the Canon (IMO) even though the Canon isn't so great.

I agree with stills that on paper the Nikon wins, I personally prefer the menu and layout on Canon and believe that with a entry/mid-level DSLR this difference is negligible!

 

[Meister]

I agree with stills that on paper the Nikon wins, I personally prefer the menu and layout on Canon and believe that with a entry/mid-level DSLR this difference is negligible!

On paper Nikon wins by a large margin! At base iso the D3300 is better than the 5d mark III.
Unless you are shooting jpeg, IQ is scientifically measurable and it just needs to be said that Nikon is very clearly superior in that regard.

I am of course not talking about the layout, that is subjective.
Video quality also seems subjective, but Nikon appears much clearer with more DR.

 

[acearchie]

On paper Nikon wins by a large margin! At base iso the D3300 is better than the 5d mark III.
Unless you are shooting jpeg, IQ is scientifically measurable and it just needs to be said that Nikon is very clearly superior in that regard.

I am of course not talking about the layout, that is subjective.
Video quality also seems subjective, but Nikon appears much clearer with more DR.

Point taken but I meant negligible more in terms of what sort of glass people will be putting in front of it (both lens and filters) as well as limited post work.

Of course this isn't true of everyone but as a beginner/starting enthusiast they're unlikely to be able to take advantage of the extra IQ benefits and really be able to use them to their full potential.

 

[Meister]

Point taken but I meant negligible more in terms of what sort of glass people will be putting in front of it (both lens and filters) as well as limited post work.

Of course this isn't true of everyone but as a beginner/starting enthusiast they're unlikely to be able to take advantage of the extra IQ benefits and really be able to use them to their full potential.

Good glass is not expensive. The Nikkor 1.8g series lenses are as good as it gets and reasonabely priced.

Nikon has massive DR and lets you make HDR images out of one raw file.
Recovering highlights and pulling shadows in post is not really rocket science either.

Of course there is advantages to Canon. Mainly the 400mm 5.6 is an amazing bargain. And magic lantern is something us nikon shooters can only dream of.

 

[mofunk]

I would strongly dispute that.
But you are right that a d3300 is an amazing bang for the buck.

I'm a Nikon user and Canon video is better. Plus the majority of their DSLR gives you more controls on video capture. I'm not saying its the best but its better than most Nikons. But you still can shoot video with any of them.

 

[TheDrift-]

Welcome OP to the world of my Canon is better than your Nikon!

I wouldn't worry about it, if you want to learn go buy a cheap DSLR and go out and practice and maybe book a course of too..

Once you know a bit more you'll have a better idea of what sort of camera suits you better..

It took me about 30s to find this picture taken on a 500d (they are going for £150/200ish used on eBay) https://www.flickr.com/photos/fares_al-shammary/16112187739/in/pool-eos_500d/

If you are starting out the limiting factor isn't likely to be your DSLR

 

[acearchie]

It took me about 30s to find this picture taken on a 500d (they are going for £150/200ish used on eBay) https://www.flickr.com/photos/fares_al-shammary/16112187739/in/pool-eos_500d/

Ha apart from the fact it was taken on a 5dii!

 

[TheDrift-]

Ha apart from the fact it was taken on a 5dii!

ha ha my bad was looking at the canon 500d user group on flickr...! Pretty sure you will find some stunning pictures in there tho!

 

[acearchie]

ha ha my bad was looking at the canon 500d user group on flickr...! Pretty sure you will find some stunning pictures in there tho!

You can find stunning pictures on an iphone!

I have a DSLR but am looking into getting a £400 P&S because I know that the best camera is the one you have with you, although if it does has RAW capabilities it helps a bit more!

I might have slightly changed that quote! ha

 

[ggibson913]

I think the Sony a5000 is a much better choice for you. You can go with a DSLR like other posters recommend but the a5000 Mirrorless for most shooters all the camera you will need.

 

[definitive]

a6000 is a nice camera as well...

 

[CausticPuppy]

Hi Everyone,

I want to take some decent family pictures, and maybe learn my way around a DSLR a little bit. I also have a blog, and always include pictures taken with my 6 (although the main thrust of the blog focuses on the written content).

I have an iPhone 6 and an old (2006 - based on a quick search) Fujifilm s9100.

In your opinion(s) should I keep shooting with my iPhone 6, learn this hand-me-down Fujifilm DSLR, or get a new DSLR and learn my way around that?

My cousin has a Sony a5000, and loves it. It's $400 on Amazon right now, and that's pretty much my limit.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks,

ZLM

I think you'll be disappointed by the S9100 image quality; in 2006 it may have been good for a small-sensor camera.
The actual image quality of the iPhone6 will be better, the only caveat is that you can't zoom with an iPhone, and the Fuji at least has the advantage of being able to shoot RAW. Since it's free it might be worth at least tinkering with so long as it has manual controls.

The biggest reason you shouldn't consider the S9100 to learn your way around a DSLR.... is that it's not a DSLR. It's a small-sensor bridge camera that looks like a DSLR.

When you say you want to learn your way around a DSLR, I think you might really mean you just want to learn more about photography. Mirrorless cameras are the future, but if you stick to small sensor cameras like that S9100, you're going to miss out on depth of field.

 

[skaeight]

Consider the NEX-5T. It's same price and it's last year's model, but the the Wirecutter explains why it's a better buy:

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-affordable-mirrorless-camera/

- It's actually a step up from the A5000
- It has a touch screen with a higher resolution
- It has a higher FPS bust mode.

(I may be biased - this is the camera I have).

Consider getting a prime lens too, it makes all the difference:

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/first-sony-e-mount-lenses-to-buy/