Reddit mentions of Sony Alpha a5000 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm OSS Lens (Black)

Awesome, I'll be heading to Kyoto as parter of a larger Asia trip this May and am looking into some mirrorless camera options. If you don't mind...do you have any thoughts on those? Seem to be compact and some of them closer to my price point of $300 or under.

These are some options I have lined up.

Samsung NX300

Sony Alpha a5000

[Olympus PEN E-PL6] (http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-E-PL6-Digital-Camera-14-42mm/dp/B00VNW5ALS/ref=sr_1_9?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1453632628&sr=1-9&keywords=mirrorless+camera)

Thanks for your initial response, no worries if you don't have time for my questions.

I like the other users idea of taking her to a camera store to try out some different type of cameras to see what she likes best in terms of feel and weight. I'm a mirrorless guy, so I'm going to recommend the Sony A5000, it's $350 new on Amazon with kit lens, and she can purchase cheap $12 adapters to use any old lens if she wants to experiment. Check our /r/sonyalpha if you end up going down the sony route if you have any questions.

Some you might want to look into. All are probably available for less if you shop around, especially the superceded advanced compacts.

1. Advanced Compacts

Both of these offer a reasonable amount of zoom and puts out images that gets fairly close to a DSLR, but are more portable - and in the case of the Sony, actually pocketable. Both of these are last year's model since the current machines go for around $800.

Smallest, not DSLR quality but very good, near-miraculous for the size: Sony RX100 Mark II

Quite big actually but definitely smaller than a DSLR, DSLR-like handling characteristics and pretty close image quality: Canon G1X


2. Compact interchangeable lens

Offers DSLR-class image quality in a much more compact package, but with the loss of optical viewfinder and easy manual controllability. The Sony has a DSLR sensor so offers better image quality, but is a larger package all around. The Panasonic delivers slightly inferior images but with much better portability, since the lenses are a lot smaller as well - not just the body. Micro 4/3rds also has a very healthy lens ecosystem. The Sony, adequate.

Small: Sony A5000

Smaller: Panasonic DMC-GF6


3. DSLR / DSLR-class

You'd be looking at a DSLR for full manual control over the camera, and to this end because they have more physical controls, bigger batteries and are designed to mount bigger lenses etc - they are bigger. It may not be what you want slung around your neck all the time, but these are probably the best class of cameras to learn 'serious' photography on due to the accessibility of the controls.

The Olympus is actually more of an overgrown compact interchangeable-lens given advanced features & controls - think of it as a mini-DSLR. The T5i is a pretty standard low-intermediate DSLR with all the features you'd normally expect a DSLR to have.

Regular: Canon Rebel T5i

Small: Olympus E-M10

If you never intend to buy / change lenses out quite a lot, categories 2 & 3 will probably be a waste of time.

Maybe one of the lower end Sony E-mount cameras?
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Mirrorless-Digital-Camera-16-50mm/dp/B00HNJWU3G

I've taken photos with a Sony NEX-3N, but the built in flash alone didn't quite cut it in dark areas.

goo.gl/vPnqge

Is your moon criteria because you want to be able to zoom really far or that you feel only decent cameras can do that? I ask because if you don't need a long reach you could put more money toward a better camera/lens that's shorter.

If you don't need long reach and want a small camera a used RX100 will give you great quality for stills and video for under $400. You mention travel so I think for walking around it's great. It's a fixed lens though so you can't get more out of it down the line.

If you're thinking of it more like an investment and you'll grow into it over time you'll probably want to go with an ILC (interchangeable lens camera). Mirrorless will be smaller DSLR will be bigger. Just know that you're buying into a whole ecosystem because because lenses aren't swapable between brands. There are adapters but generally you lose things like auto focus unless you pay big bucks for an adapter.

For DSLR a used Nikon D3300 or Canon T6 is under $400. For mirrorless a used Sony a5000. There's also the micro 4/3's mirrorless systems but someone else would have to chime in for recommendations as I have no experience w/ them.

I should note that all my specific recommendations don't have a ton of reach (can't get far subjects). But what you save on that gets you incredible quality if you take the time to learn. Also w/ the ILC cameras you could get a telephoto lens in the future. You could get a cheaper body and get a kit that has 2 lenses one of which is a telephoto - used Nikon D3100 Kit or used Canon T5 kit for right at $400. You have to swap lens to go long. If you really want that zoom for cheaper or smaller overall size probably look at choices in this article.

That said if you're going to stay on auto mode all the time my recommendations are probably not worth the price premium since you won't get the most out of it. Save some bucks and get a point and shoot that's easier to travel with and you're more likely to take out and use. I will say the quality gap between camera phones and point and shoots is pretty minimal these days. You probably need to spend $300-$400 for the significant jump in quality.

Yes. https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Mirrorless-Digital-Camera-16-50mm/dp/B00HNJWU3G/ref=sr_1_4?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1467316479&sr=1-4&keywords=sony+a5000 and this https://www.amazon.com/Camdive®-Waterproof-Underwater-Housing-16-50mm/dp/B013OX0UY0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467316508&sr=8-1&keywords=sony+a5000+underwater+housing for $600 roughly.... Solid camera and housing and I bet you can get better deals than this, I didn't even tr to look and am from UK too.

Personally I would look at sonys a5000 or if you have extra money sony a6000 but thats what i would go for http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HNJWU3G/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1449013555&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=sony+a5000&dpPl=1&dpID=41JrglfjFGL&ref=plSrch

/u/Aquamanz - I agree with /u/mrducky108 - this is a great answer.

I would only add that, instead of buying used, you might want to consider a [manufacturer refurbished Panasonic G6 with the 14-42mm kit lens and a 90 day factory warranty for $474.50] (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575034783&toolid=10001&campid=5337235943&customid=&icep_item=231665856619&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg) - about the same price as the [A5000 with the 16-50mm kit lens] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HNJWU3G/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00HNJWU3G&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) - but the G6 has a built-in viewfinder and a mic jack, important features the A5000 lacks.

Here is the image quality the G6 can produce:

Narrative

[I've Got My Fingers Crossed] (http://vimeo.com/78037118)

[BISCUIT // Short film concept] (http://vimeo.com/81339712)

Fashion/Glamor

[Federshooting ("Feathershooting")] (http://vimeo.com/142052368)

Music Video

[Ann Sophie - I Think It's A Love Song] (http://vimeo.com/88584840)

[Coely // My Tomorrow] (http://vimeo.com/84436275)

Documentary

[Just Action - A "Behind The Scenes" Documentary on Jamaican Filmmaking] (http://vimeo.com/97274302)

[Creative Spaces: Kathy Ponce] (http://vimeo.com/73561266)

[Mick Buencamino is RNDV] (http://vimeo.com/87978429)

[Volcom In Color Bangkok 2013] (http://vimeo.com/78507820)

Timelapse

[Mauritius] (http://vimeo.com/107742536)

Slow Motion/Sport

[Leeward] (http://vimeo.com/100512839)

[Wayward] (http://vimeo.com/76503135)

[Przygotowania Stali Gorzów do sezonu 2014r.] (http://vimeo.com/89381266)

The are many more examples in the [Panasonic G6 group] (https://vimeo.com/groups/dmcg6) I moderate over on Vimeo.

It's a pretty good still camera too: https://www.flickr.com/groups/lumix-g6/pool/

In my view, the G6 is the best value-for-money interchangeable lens still/video camera you can buy in this price range.

Hope this is helpful and good luck with your decision!

Newbie here. Looking for a good camera I can also take when I travel. Should I get the Sony Alpha a5000 or Sony DSC-RX100M III?

I was originally oogaling the DSC-RX100/B but the M III has the flip-up display which I want. It's also +$300 more than the /B. This Black Friday Ad shows the /B on sale for $50 off, which is a pretty piss-poor sale. But it shows the Alpha a5000 for $100 off, which is more appealing. Should I grab the a5000 or is the /B or M III much better?

Some of them were my phone, but the better ones (haha) were taken on a Sony a5100. It's compact and good if you're getting into photography a bit to start with. There are many similar cameras around now, but my husband did tons of research and chose this one (I'd need him to give the reasons why, but its been great!)

He gave it to me for my birthday in March 2015 and I've loved it so far...small enough to go in my purse and take out at bars/events...but great for trips and these landscape type photos. Good quality from its auto settings, but numerous capabilities for changing the settings when needed for a more manual experience. And interchangeable lens capabilities. A fun flip screen for selfies. :) And wifi capabilities to send pics straight to your phone/other device for quick sharing! Oh and it takes video.

It does not have a viewfinder, which is hard/not great for some types of photography.

)

> I wish I could find something just like the Sony Alpha a5000 (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HNJWU3G) with one.

NEX6/a6000/a6300/a6500 are that with an electronic viewfinder, at least.

Mirrorless with an optical viewfinder (through the lens, at least) doesn't work, that's the whole point of getting rid of the mirror :)

A fuji XPro1 or X100 series has a hybrid optical style viewfinder, somewhat more like a rangefinder.

Thanks for the thoughts MinkOWar! I'm a bit overwhelmed by the options. The more I look the more I think that an optical viewfinder is also a must as this will likely be used in very sunny environments. I wish I could find something just like the Sony Alpha a5000 (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HNJWU3G) with one. Considering the Olympus OM-D E-M10 maybe if I can find one? Looks a bit bulkier though, and my bigger issue then is how to pick an intro lens with it?

EDIT:

Maybe the Canon EOS Rebel T6 Digital SLR Camera Kit (https://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-Camera-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B01CO2JPYS) would be a decent choice? Don't love the look of it but that's getting picky.

Go buy this Sony A6000 lens kit, like right now, this crazy deal is going to expire today and covers all your needs but wildlife. You would need a telephoto lens for that anyway regardless of camera. The flip out screen on it is great.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HNJWU3G/ref=twister_B00Q7GLIWU?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Also get this Sigma 30mm lens, it's great for low light and will really make your photos look pro. All of this is just $600!
http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-30mm-f2-8-Lens-Sony/dp/B00BQXL5CM/ref=sr_1_3?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1449614798&sr=1-3&keywords=Sigma+30mm

Hey guys,


This is a rather beginner question as I have no idea about cameras. I have been using Sony a5000 (https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Mirrorless-Digital-Camera-16-50mm/dp/B00HNJWU3G) for almost 2 years now taking a lot of photos. I like it but it presents a problem when shooting wildlife or most specifically birds. I somehow ended up liking to take pictures of birds during bird watching so I need something that can help me accomplish this. Need to be able to zoom enough and take good quality pictures without having to go too close. Also would be nice if I can take pictures of birds while in flight.

​

A friend of mine who knows about photography, camera and lenses told me that I need a telephoto zoom lens. He started explaining things about how I can go about making a decision but he used quite a few words I was not familiar with so I kind of lost him in the way.


He ended up suggesting to start with this lens: https://www.amazon.de/Sony-SEL-70300G-Tele-Zoom-Objektiv-Vollformat/dp/B01DLMD7DK which should fit my camera and see how that works for me and the photos I want to take.


The question I would like to ask is if this lens makes sense for my purposes. Are there any other alternatives I should consider? Also ... is photography geat this expensive normally? I was quite shocked to see the price tag.

When I was in the market for my first "nice" camera without breaking the bank six months ago, the consensus seemed to be that the Sony NEX-3N is the best value in the under-$500 range. Having owned that camera since then, I can say it was worth every penny. With an APS-C sensor (same size as the pricier entry-level dSLRs) and a decent kit lens, I think camera takes pretty respectable pictures (here's one of my favorites, with a bit of RAW editing) and offers as much manual control as you want.

The low price comes at the expense of a few features found on more expensive cameras, perhaps most notably a viewfinder and hot shoe, though this has never really bothered me. I can tell that I'm going to enjoy these sorts of features when I'm willing to spend more on a camera, but in the meantime, I'm satisfied with the control and image quality I have now.

I know Sony has been revamping/replacing the NEX line recently—Amazon reports that the NEX-3N has been upgraded to the a5000, which offers a few more features for a bit more money—so it'd certainly worth doing some research to find the version that fits your budget and your needs. At any rate, I think the Sony mirrorless cameras fit the bill quite well in this price range.

I'm having trouble choosing the correct camera for me. I am a student who travels a lot and want something powerful, yet portable. My choices so far:

-Sony DSC RX100 MI
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DSC-RX100-Sensor-Digital-Camera/dp/B00889ST2G/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1411839797&sr=1-1&keywords=dsc-rx100

-Sony DSC HX300/B
http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00BEHRQB4/switctrave08-20

-Sony alpha a5000
http://www.amazon.ca/Sony-Alpha-Interchangeable-Camera-16-50mm/dp/B00HNJWU3G/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

Which one should I get?
Thank you in advance!