Best products from r/Cameras
We found 125 comments on r/Cameras discussing the most recommended products. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 695 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. Canon PowerShot S110 12MP Digital Camera with 3-Inch LCD (Black)
- Built-in WiFi for Image Transfer to Social Sites, PC, IOS and Android Devices
- 5x Optical Zoom with 24mm Wide-Angle Lens
- 1080p Full HD Video With a Dedicated Movie Button
- High-speed AF, High-speed Burst HQ for a maximum of 10 frames
Features:
2. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras
- F mount lens/DX format. Picture angle with Nikon DX format 44 degree
- 52.5 millimeter (35-millimeter equivalent). Rear focusing; Manual focus override
- Aperture range: F/1.8 to 22; Dimensions(approx.) 70 x 52.5 millimeter
- Silent wave motor AF system. Accepts filter type is screw on. Lens construction: 8 elements in 6 groups
- Compatible formats is dx and fx in dx crop mode. Maximum reproduction ratio: 0.16x
- Lens not zoomable
Features:
3. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
- 50 millimeter focal length and maximum aperture of f/1.8
- Great for portraits, action, and nighttime photography; Angle of view (horizontal, vertical, diagonal): 40º, 27º,46º
- Minimum focusing distance of 1.15 feet (0.35 meter) and a maximum magnification of 0.21x
- Stepping motor (STM) delivers near silent, continuous move Servo AF for movies and smooth AF for stills
- 80 millimetre effective focal length on APS C cameras, 50 millimetre on full frame cameras. Lens construction: 6 elements in 5 groups
Features:
4. Nikon D3300 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with Auto Focus-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II Zoom Lens (Black)
24.2 MP CMOS DX format sensor5 frames per second continuous shooting11 AF points with 3d trackingISO 100 12800 (expandable to 25600)1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps) hd video (mpeg 4/h.264/MOV).the d3300's 11 point autofocus system locks onto your subjects as soon as they enter the frame and stays with ...
5. Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3MP SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) w/16-50mm Power Zoom Lens
- Advanced 24.2MP back Illuminated 35 millimeter full frame image sensor
- ISO 100 25600 (expandable to 51200). Lens compatibility: Sony E mount lenses
- Hybrid AF with 179 point focal plane phase detection and 25 contrast detect points
- Up to 11 FPS continuous shooting. Battery Life (Still Images): Up to 360 shots. Metering type:1200-zone evaluative metering
- 3 inch tilting LCD with 921,000 dots. Viewfinder Type: 0.39 in type electronic viewfinder (color)
- In the box: Rechargeable Battery NP FW50; Shoulder strap; Eyepiece cup; Micro USB cable
- Anti-dust system: Charge protection coating on optical filter and ultrasonic vibration mechanism
Features:
6. Sony RX100 20.2 MP Premium Compact Digital Camera w/ 1-inch sensor, 28-100mm ZEISS zoom lens, 3” LCD
- Approximately 20.1 megapixels , Exmor CMOS Sensor, 28-100mm equivalent F/18-49 lens, ISO 125-6400 Expandable ISO 80, 100, and 25,600, 3-Inch LCD screen with 12M dots
- Operating temperature:Approx. 0°C to 40°C (32F° to 104F°).1080p video, Steady-Shot image stabilization,Rear control dial and customizable front control ring
- Burst Mode (shots)-Approx10 fps,(VGA) Moving Image Size -640x480 30fps Approx3Mbps. Flash range:ISO Auto: approximately 0.3 meter to 17.1 meter (W), approximately 0.55 meter to 6.3 meter (T)
- Bright F18 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens with 36x zoom, Full HD 1080/60p video with manual control and dual record, ,Ultra-slim, sophisticated aluminum body. Extensive features in a sleek camera
- Dimension: 1016 mm x 581 mm x 359 mm, Weight: 213g (75 oz). Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV, 1/3 EV step
- 20.2 MP Exmor"CMOS sensor - extreme low-light shots
- Bright F1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens with 3.6x zoom
- Full HD 1080/60p video with manual control and dual record, 101.6 mm x 58.1 mm x 35.9 mm, 213g (7.5 oz.)
- 3-Inch Xtra Fine LCD display with bright whites & true blacks
- Ultra-slim, sophisticated aluminum body
Features:
7. Canon EOS Rebel T5i EF-S 18-55 IS STM Kit
18 MP APS-C CMOS sensor5 FPS continuous shooting,Dimensions (W x H x D):Approx. 5.2 x 3.9 x 3.1 in;Approx. 133.1 x 99.8 x 78.8mm9 point AF system, all cross typeISO 100-12800 (expandable to 25600)1080 (30, 25, 24 fps) and 720 (60, 50 fps) HD video (29min limit, H.264 format)3" articulating touch pan...
8. Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras
Note : Autofocus system is compatible with select Nikon DSLRs that support D-type lenses, and offers quick and precise focusing performance. Autofocus is not supported by DSLRs lacking an autofocus motor, such as the D3000-series, D5000-series, D40, D40X, and D60, where the lens may be used with man...
9. Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone with Rycote Lyre Shock Mount
- Compact microphone designed to improve the audio quality of your videos - only 80 millimeter (3") long and 42gm (1.5 ounce)
- No battery required (powered by camera plug-in power - min 3V)
- Includes Rycote lyre shock mount and deluxe furry windshield
- Please note: for new iphones you need to purchase an adapter as iphone requires a 1/8th Jack
Features:
10. Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens
EF S ultra wide zoom lens. Drive System Lead screw and rack system driven by stepping motorClosest Focusing Distance: 0.72 feet. / 0.22 meterStepping motor for noise free video shootingOptical image stabilizerFocal Length and Maximum Aperture: 10 18 millimeter,1:4.5 5.6
11. Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Lens
- Wide angle lens for Canon APS C cameras (equivalent to 38 millimeter on a full frame camera)
- Focal length & maximum aperture: 24 millimeter 1:2.8, maximum magnification of x0.27
- Slimmest and lightest lens of the EF S series
- Circular aperture (7 blades) delivers beautiful, soft backgrounds
- Full time manual focus allows manual focus adjustment while in One Shot AF mode
- Minimum focusing distance of 0.16 meters /0.5 feet
- This product is compatible with all non full frame Canon EOS digital SLRs
Features:
12. Sony RX100 II 20.2 MP Premium Compact Digital Camera w/ 1-inch Sensor, MI (Multi-Interface) Shoe and tilt LCD Screen (DSCRX100M2/B)
20.2 MP 1"-type Exmor R CMOS sensor. 28-100mm equivalent F/1.8-4.9 lens.Continuous shooting up to 10 FPS. ISO 160-12800, expandable ISO 100, 125, and 25,600.. 1080 60p/24p HD video with full exposure control (MPEG-4/AVCHD)3.0 inch tiltable TFT LCD with 1,229,000 dotsRaw/JPEG/ Raw+JPEG. Optical zoo...
13. Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon Digital SLR Cameras (Model A09E)
- 28-75mm autofocus zoom lens with f/2.8 maximum aperture
- Focal Length : 28-75 mm, Minimum focusing distance of 13 inches, rotation-type zoom
- Designed to meet performance characteristics of digital SLR cameras
- Smaller and lighter than most fast zoom lenses; weighs 18 ounces
- Measures 2.9 inches in diameter and 3.6 inches long; 6-year warranty
Features:
14. Panasonic LUMIX GX85 4K Digital Camera, 12-32mm and 45-150mm Lens Bundle, 16 Megapixel Mirrorless Camera Kit, 5 Axis In-Body Dual Image Stabilization, 3-Inch Tilt and Touch LCD, DMC-GX85WK (Black)
Fine Detail Performance:16 megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor with no low pass filter resulting in a near 10 percent boost in fine detail resolving power over existing 16 megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensorsMirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera Kit: With two super compact lenses 12 32mm F3.5 5.6 and...
15. Canon EOS 1200D Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 III Lens - International Version (No Warranty)
Record life's special moments with high quality photos and moviesCapture detail and ambience, even in dark conditionsEasy to use with Feature Guide and EOS Companion appScene Intelligent Auto picks camera settings, making great photography easyTell your story with Full HD movies and Video Snapshot m...
16. Nikon D3300 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II Zoom Lens (Black) (Renewed)
- Includes all original accessories plus a 90 day warranty
- 24.2 MP CMOS DX-format sensor, 5 frames per second continuous shooting
- 11 AF points with 3D tracking, ISO 100-12800 (expandable to 25600)
- 3 inch LCD with 921,000 dots, Expeed 4 processing
Features:
17. Rode VideoMic Pro Compact VMP Shotgun Microphone
Broadcast recording quality condenser microphoneCompact design (only 150mm/6 inches length)Ultra lightweight (only 85g/3oz)9 volt battery powered, with up to 70 hours battery life (alkaline)Integrated shock mounting
18. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED Vibration Reduction Zoom Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras - (New)
- It includes LC-67 67mm snap-on front lens cap , LF-1 rear lens cap , HB-32 Bayonet lens hood, CL-1018 Flexible lens pouch and maximum reproduction ratio is 1/5
- Vibration Reduction is engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens and enables handheld shooting at up to 3 shutter speeds slower than normal.
- Aspherical lens element virtually eliminates coma and other types of lens aberration, further improving image integrity.
- Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC) enhances light transmission and offers superior color consistency and reduced flare.
- Close focusing to 1.48 feet - Creative close-up photography is possible throughout the entire zoom range.
Features:
19. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens - Fixed (Discontinued by Manufacturer)
- 50mm focal length, Minimum focus distance : 0.45m/17.72 inch
- 80mm equivalent focal length on Canon APS-C cameras
- F1.8 maximum aperture; F22 minimum
- Micromotor-type AF motor without full-time manual focusing
- 52mm filters
- Lens not zoomable
Features:
20. Panasonic Lumix G7 4K Digital Camera, with Lumix G VARIO 14-42mm Mega O.I.S. Lens, 16 Megapixel Mirrorless Camera, 3-Inch LCD, DMC-G7KK (Black)
- Professional photo and video: Performance: 16 megapixel micro four thirds sensor with no low pass filter to confidently capture sharp images with a high dynamic range and artifact free performance; Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11b/g/n, 2412 MHz, 2462 MHz (1 11 ch), Wi Fi / WPA / WPA2, Infrastructure mode
- 4K video Capture: 4K QFHD video recording (3840 x 2160) with 3 unique 4K ultra HD video pause and save 4K photo modes extracts individual high resolution Photos from 4K ultra HD video filmed at 30 frames per second to capture split second moments
- Intuitive Controls: Easily control aperture and shutter settings with the front and rear dials while making White balance and ISO adjustments on the fly; Assign favorite settings to any of the six function buttons (six on body, five on menu)
- High Resolution Viewfinder and LCD Display: High resolution (2,360K dot) OLED live view finder and rear touch Enabled 3 inch tilt/swivel LCD display (1,040 dot) are clear even in bright sunlight. Diagonal Angle of View: 75°(W)29°(T)
- Connectivity and Ports: 3.5 millimeter external mic port, 2.5 millimeter remote port, USB 2.0 and micro HDMI Type D; Compatible with newer BUS Class UHS I/UHS II SDXC/SDHC SD cards capable of storing high resolution 4K videos
Features:
First of all I'm going to start by saying that these cameras have different sensor sizes, namely APS-C, Micro Four Thirds and 1inch sizes. There are advantages and disadvantages to either ones but In general these are the main characteristics:
APS-C sensors - medium to large-sized lenses, slightly long minimal focusing distance (around 0.5m with a normal focal range lens), shallower depth-of-field (more blurred backgrounds in pictures)
Micro Four Thirds sensors - small sized lenses, very short minimal focusing distances (20/30cm with normal focal range lenses), more depth-of-field than ASP-C (less blurred backgrounds in pictures)
(I'll talk about the 1inch sensor further below)
There are other differences that vary on a camera by camera basis but those are the most important things for you to keep in mind. I will mention for each of the examples you gave the sensor size and some of the characteristics of each camera system as briefly as I can.
> Canon 750DKIS 24MP Digital SLR Camera (with 18-55mm IS STM Lens $764
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> Canon EOS 700D 18MP Digital SLR Camera (Twin IS Lens Kit) 18-55mm STM & 55-250mm STM Twin Lens K $849
APS-C sensor cameras - both of them will offer relatively similar performance. The 700D deal with two lenses is a nice one, but it's only useful if you like to shoot telephoto pictures (pictures of things that are very far away from you). I would prefer to get the 750 because the sensor is slightly better and it has wireless, so it is a bit more future-proof and better performing. For the price difference between the 750D and the 700D you could buy one of the many budget lenses for the system that offer surprisingly good results. I recommend the Canon 50mm f1.8 which will give you very beautiful results with shallow depth of field: https://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-STM-Lens/dp/B00X8MRBCW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469622115&sr=8-1&keywords=canon+50mm+f1.8
Olympus OM-D E-M10 MKII Compact System Camera with 14-42mm EZ Lens 764
Micro Four Thirds - a very small but well-performing camera that is just an all-round good package. It has better image stabilization than the Canon built into the body. What that means is that for most situations you practically don't need a tripod. If you want a camera that is capable of giving you very good image quality but still be small and compact enough to carry around without much hassle, this is a good option. Most of the lens options aren't as cheap as the ones for the Canon systems, however Sigma makes a few lenses that are very affordable and high quality so I recommend checking those out if you are on a tight budget.
> CameraPro FUJIFILM X-T10 Mirrorless Compact System Camera Silver Body Only $597 ($797, Cashback $200) - Do I need to buy a lens still?
APS-C sensor camera - Yes you will need to buy a lens for it. Fuji cameras tend to be slightly more expensive than other cameras that compete with theirs but in terms of "raw" specifications they fall behind in some aspects. Video recording on most Fuji cameras is very poor. Even so, people that shoot phtoos with Fuji cameras love it because they usually have great ways to operate the camera that make them very enjoyable to use and most importantly, I'd argue that they offer the best images out of all APS-C cameras without tweaking them. In the long-run I think Fuji would be the most expensive choice but it would also deliver the most pleasant results. If you want a lens recommendation to start off with I suggest the Fuji 35mm f2.0 https://www.amazon.com/Fujinon-XF35mmF2-R-WR-Black/dp/B016S28I4S/ref=sr_1_33?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1469622522&sr=1-33&keywords=fujifilm+x+lenses . Although Fuji is expensive, it is the camera system I mostly appreciate at the moment, and the one I'd like to own in the future due to its lens selection which offers a lot of very high quality glass and the absolutely gorgeous image quality. Another note is that Fuji's lenses tend to be some of the smallest ones in APS-C lens systems.
Sony Cybershop RX100 or RX100 II? (599 vs 795) -
1inch sensor (the smallest, meaning more depth of field) - these cameras are very compact and actually small enough to be pocketable but they are also the most limited in terms of performance, particularly low light. When I compared an RX100 to my Olympus which has the same sensor as the E-M10 camera you linked, it didn't perform as well in low light both in terms of focusing speed and image quality but in outdoors with decent lighting you can get really excellent results. In my opinion the RX100 is the perfect "secondary camera" if you own an APS-C camera but don't always want to carry around with you, but if you end up going with a Micro Four Thirds camera you don't have as big of a need for a secondary smaller camera.
I hope this is helpful to you, I know it's a long post but I tried to make it as short as I could without entering into small minutia. Let me know if you have any further questions.
They're both pretty great cameras. I am someone who is in a fuji camp that's thinking about moving over to Sony, but that doesn't mean that I would discourage you from taking a serious look at fuji. They're great cameras with fantastic ergonomics and form factors. In many ways they seem to be better sorted than the Sonys - and firmware support from Fuji is nothing short of phenomenal. My own fuji is far more capable now than it was when it was originally released in 2012 (I haven't owned it that long because I always buy used, but the firmware improvements really make older fujis a bargain, and should be a plus for any potential new buyer too). The lens lineup is great, if pricey, and performance is perfectly acceptable - you can take great photos on a fuji. The ergonomics are far superior to Sonys, as far as I understand - everyone bitches about Sony's menu systems.
But as someone who uses a lot of adapted vintage lenses, that full frame sensor (allows use of "dumb" cheap adapters), and in-body image stabilization (just a nice luxury altogether) are pretty amazing. Fuji raw support isn't all that great too, it feels like I'm always struggling in Lightroom a bit - and don't feel like jumping over to Capture One, etc.
Honestly, if I were to dip my feet into photography, and wanted something rugged with a good battery life, I'd get an older prosumer DSLR from Canon or Nikon. That's how I started out, and have zero regrets. They're fucking fantastically sorted, and imo, are better to learn on than mirrorless or entry level DSLRs - and you can get started for very cheap. Then a ways down the road, you'll have a better idea of what you want out of a camera.
My dirt cheap starting kit suggestion - get a used Canon 40D. It was my first real camera, and it's still pretty great. It's bottomed out in price and can be had for less than $150. Or its successors - 50D is like $180, 7D is in the $300s, etc. It's fantastically made, very rugged (magnesium body), weather sealed, can take a thousand shots on a single battery charge (no joke) - awesome for hiking, etc - especially as its big weakness compared to modern cameras is low light performance. Get the pancake lens for it. You now have a great walkaround/hiking/street photography/shooting people indoors kit for under $300. Also, in a year, that A7ii will be a great deal, because the iii is coming out soon.
I fell in love with photography the exact same way! Started with my first iPhone which was a 5s and I was in love hah! Eventually decided to buy a canon rebel T3i. A few photographer friends of mine all suggested this camera and it was a GOOD buy! I had it for at least a year before I upgraded to a canon 7D. To this day I still use the T3i alongside my 7D.
Though the T3i is a discontinued camera you can sill buy it on amazon or eBay for pretty cheap along with a kit lens that will be enough to get you started.
I STRONGLY recommend buying something used! Especially for your first camera. Cameras and lenses hold their value and quality for YEARS so there is usually no worry when buying a body used in good quality. Both my T3i and 7D, along with almost all my lenses including my L series lens I got all used! No problems whatsoever.
This is a Canon Rebel T5i it’s an upgraded version from the T3i, which is discontinued and pretty old at this point. The T5i will be a GREAT starter camera! It’s a little out of your budget brand new but scroll down and click USED to see many other used options all within your budget. Select one that’s “very good” or “like new” and you’ll have no problem! Along with the 18-55mm kit lens that comes with you’ll want to purchase one more lens.. the Canon 50mm f1.8 aka ‘nifty fifty’. This is the suggested first lens purchase by thousands. Literally ask a thousand photographers what’s the first lens you should buy and that’s what they’ll tell you the nifty fifty! And it’s only $125 brand new! (The only lens I’ve bought new), though you can get it cheaper for used.
This is a phenomenal professional grade starter DSLR that will last you years! And I promise oh won’t be disappointed with it.
Finally you’ll want to invest in an Adobe Lightroom subscription. For $10/Mo you can get both Lightroom and Photoshop. Lightroom will be your hub for organizing photos as well as editing them. The program is super powerful and can be a bit tedious to learn, but follow some YouTube videos and tutorials like some from Anthony Morganti and you will learn quick! I’ve watched almost all of his videos (there’s hundreds) and every video I learn something new!
Best of luck to you and I’m excited for you to get started in such a great hobby!
edit: oh BTW! Once you get a DSLR you will have total control over all settings in your camera, which you probably didn’t have before on your phone. So the first step with a DSLR is learning how Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO interact with each other. This is how you can get those awesome short depth of field shots you mentioned with the background blurry and bokeh’d. this is a great video to help understand the “focus triangle” and learn how those 3 settings interact with each other! That’s also another great tutorial YouTube channel so I suggest subscribing to them and watching some other of their videos as well.
another edit: btw the 750D you mentioned is a newer version of the T5i. 750D is called the T6i in America, also another great option! I didn’t suggest it because it’s a bit out of tour budget but again I’m sure you can find it used in your budget! If the T6i fits your budget then definitely opt for that option as it’s newer and has a few more features upgraded features, but the T5i is great as well!
no, an iphone can not do this.
There is obviously some background defocus (also called shallow depth of field or "bokeh") and some editing going on (lifted shadows to give it a faded look, also some color correction done). The app VSCO can give you these kinds of effects for free, but you can pretty much do this with any free and easy to use image editor on any device.
You should probably get a small mirrorless camera that is easy to use.
Depending on how much you want to spend and how serious you are about photography, here are some choices.
Fixed Lens Cameras (no interchangeable lenses):
Now some interchangeable lens cameras:
As you can tell: there are a lot of choices.
If you are new to photography and not interested in buying lenses, go with a fixed lens camera like the RX100. You can get the first or second gen version for less than 400$ and its very compact! It should give you similar photos, especially if you zoom all the way in (results in more background defocus, its used to separate the background and the subject).
Here is a link to amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00DM8R866/ref=olp_tab_all
and here are some nice sample images of the RX100:
https://www.flickr.com/search/?sort=interestingness-desc&text=rx100%20portrait
hope this helps!
Get an intro-level DSLR from Nikon (D3200) or Canon (T3) and you'll be fine. The 18-55mm kit lenses are good; you can spend more money to get a longer zoom range, but 1) most people don't need it all and 2) they're bigger and heavier. The 18-55 is perfect for general use. Seriously, these intro cameras are fantastic and you'll love them for family shooting.
I'd also recommend you get one prime (fixed focal length, i.e. not a zoom) lens for low light. For Nikon, get the 35mm f/1.8, or Canon 35mm f/2. These are small, light lenses with a focal length that's perfect for general use. Best of all, they have much faster maximum apertures (they let more light in) for use in low-light conditions. You'll really appreciate this for indoor shooting. In fact, you could use these and completely forgo the kit zoom lens if you like, though most people like the zoom.
Most importantly, you'll need to know a little about how to use them. Just google "how to use dslr" and you'll see loads of articles on that. Modern cameras are great for 'set it and forget it' exposure, so you really don't even need to know how shutter speed, aperture, and ISO work (though it really helps if you do for some shooting). Just set the camera to "P" and go to town. It's probably more important to learn how to use the autofocus system. Namely, learn how to half-depress the shutter so the camera focuses, and then fully depress it to take the shot. If you do this, there will be no 'shutter lag' and you'll have great control over your shots. Most people know this from using a point-and-shoot, but not everyone.
There are a couple of differences. The Sony A5000 is a mirrorless camera whereas the Canon 100D is a DSLR. Therefore the Canon 100D will have a larger form factor. Here's a nice resource for comparison.
In terms of differences between a mirrorless and DSLR, without getting technical, the main one is that generally you are paying a premium for a smaller form factor. DSLRs are generally more rugged, do the same job as a mirrorless, but they are larger and so are their lenses.
Also, the 100D is actually slightly smaller than other DSLRs. A 1200D is slightly larger, has the same features, and is slightly newer (2014 vs 2013) and also a bit cheaper as it's larger. My recommendation for you at your budget of ~$450 is to go the used/refurb route.
For the camera I'd get the Canon 1200D - about $250 used, you can probably find it cheaper in the Black Friday sales. For the lens I might go for something general purpose like the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8. The reason for choosing the Tamron is that it is a zoom lense - covers multiple focal lengths. At the wide end, it's the equivalent of 27mm or 66° horizontal viewing angle. This is pretty standard for the wide end of a zoom lense and will be ok for taking landscapes. If you want a better wide angle lense, consider the 10-18mm Canon f4.5 lense. This lense is slower a f4.5 (i.e. has a smaller aperture - lets in less light), however it has a horizontal viewing angle of 95° - a lot better than 66° before. Take into consideration though that while the Tamorn won't be as wide angled, it will be capable of letting in more light (better at taking the northern lights/night time photography), and will be better at taking portrait photos (you want a larger aperture to get a better blurred background.) Ideally you would get a combination of lenses - such as the Canon 10-18mm and a dedicated portrait lense for awesome background blurs - however this would fall out of your budget. Good luck on finding a camera!
If you're just getting into it, I would consider a camera body that costs $500 USD or less. My own personal recommendation is the Sony A6000. The body and kit lens is small and compact compared to a traditional DSLR like the Canon T6i and performs just as well. It also has the option of being able to mount vintage lenses on it due to it's smaller form factor and the lens mount being closer to the sensor. This means you can get good but cheap manual lenses from back in the day for often times $100 USD or less plus a $18 USD converter mount.
If you have any questions about this camera system (i own the A6000) or in general, please feel free to ask either through comments or pm me. Shameless plug (https://instagram.com/snappedbyandy for example photos)
Also. It sounds like you want to take a lot of landscapes, and for that you want a lens with a low focal length. Now, the kit lens that comes with cameras is nice and all, but if you want some real stunning pictures, you'll get a better quality prime wide-angle lens. "Prime" meaning the lens can't zoom and "wide-angle" meaning you have a wider field of view. Since it doesn't need to move, there's less glass needed, and the quality of the picture is better. Something that's 12mm to 20mm should do the trick. I'll link a personal recommendation below should you choose to go with the A6000.
Again, i want to emphasize to buy used if possible. Especially on lenses. You'll get severe discounts compared to buying something brand new. Typically people take good care of their lenses, and if you can meet the person before buying, a little legwork can save you a bundle of money.
Camera with kit lens (i recommend buying used/refurb locally if possible)
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Mirrorless-Digitial-3-0-Inch-16-50mm/dp/B00I8BICB2/ref=sr_1_5?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1539180473&sr=1-5&keywords=a6000&dpID=41AEqhgdLtL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
Recommended wide angle lens for landscape with the A6000:
https://www.amazon.com/Rokinon-Ultra-Angle-Mount-RK12M/dp/B00JD4TAWI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539180938&sr=8-1&keywords=rokinon+12+e+mount
an example of a good vintage lens:
https://www.amazon.com/Minolta-MD-50mm-Japan-Mount/dp/B008QFXYYU/ref=sr_1_16?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1539180558&sr=1-16&keywords=minolta+rokkor
an example of a converter to convert the mount of a vintage lens to the Sony E-mount
https://www.amazon.com/Fotasy-NEX-VG30-NEX-VG900-NEX-FS100-NEX-FS700/dp/B00E5T5BJW/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1539180630&sr=1-3&keywords=md+to+e+mount&dpID=41RFJ6J3P1L&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
Guy with a dedicated blog to attaching vintage lenses to the Sony E mount system (he uses a Sony A7, which is more expensive, but the A6000 uses the same mount system, so it still all applies):
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/affordable-manual-lenses-for-the-sony-alpha-77r7ii7rii-and-7s/
The problem with that bundle you've linked to is that there' a lot of junk included. The 'lenses' it comes with are actually more like filters you screw onto the front of the 18-55mm lens that the camera comes with. These kinds of add-ons don't provide good quality at all. And the flash and tripod are also not worth speaking of...
Here's an equivalent bundle for the D3300:
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D3300-Professional-Accessory-International/dp/B018UO6KVU/ref=sr_1_6
So all that stuff for $75 on top of the D3300 and 18-55mm lens might not be the worst deal in the world (you need memory cards and a bag obviously) but I'd just skip it myself.
> I'm shopping around for a wide angle that won't force me to sell my first born
Firstly, the 18-55mm 'kit' lens goes pretty wide and is quite flexible for your family snaps too: http://lovethatshot.com/my-kit-lens-why-i-love-it/
Landscapes don't have to be shot with 'ultrawide' lenses but you will need to spend a bit of cash to get such a lens if you want one. This is why I say just get your technique sorted out with the kit lens before spending more. A lot of people also 'stitch' images together (in Photoshop) to recreate a wide-angle effect.
An advantage of Canon is that they offer a great value ultrawide lens for under $300: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-10-18mm-4-5-5-6-Lens/dp/B00K899B9Y/ref=sr_1_1 - you could put than on a T6i/T5i/T4i/T3i etc. and that'd be pretty cool.
But the Nikon does have a superior sensor overall, and the best value ultrawide would be something like this from Sigma: http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-10-20mm-3-5-EX-Nikon/dp/B002D2VSD6/ref=sr_1_3 - so that's about $850 for the camera and two lenses
I'll second /u/Bester2001 and say the S110 is a great camera. It looks like you could get it for $200 right now. If you want to upgrade a bit more, I would pick the Sony RX100 (link: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DSC-RX100-Sensor-Digital-Camera/dp/B00889ST2G/). It's more expensive ($500) but I think it's significantly nicer. It's still pocketable and small so no problems there. The great thing with this camera is you can get really great depth of field pictures. You know when you see pictures and the background is blurry? This camera can help you get some of those shots if you want. All in all, it's a great camera.
You can definitely keep either of these cameras for a few years and they're great for families.
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.
So I don't know anything apart from what I just looked up, so take everything with a grain of salt
https://m.dpreview.com/articles/9076353662/canoneos450d
It was announced in 2008, somewhat old, 12MP is plenty of resolution so I'm sure you could take great images with it still.
Does it have a lens? Something like a 18-55 kit lens?
If you need a lens something like
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00894YP00/ref=psdcmw_173565_t3_B00NI3BZ5K
Or
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NI3BZ5K/ref=pd_aw_sim_421_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=F3A4QFZXYJBJKCK19SXV&dpPl=1&dpID=61-egfIh2BL
Would be solid, inexpensive options that would produce great image quality, plus you could use them with newer Canon APS-C cameras if you upgraded to something like a 7D in the future.
You should be able to mount any EF/EF-S lenses on it, and in general the glass is more important than the camera. But I'd probably buy a more modern version before dropping big $$ on like an 70-200 2.8 L lens or something, if only just for the improvements in usability that come with 9 years of software changes.
But you can start making great images on basically anything.
Hope that helps
I may be biased by making this choice in the past, but I and many others with me agree on a few things:
Having said that, I still believe that with a budget of $500, you'll get the best results with a Nikon D3200-3400 (really doesn't matter which, they all have virtually the same sensor) and a fast prime (35mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.8). Don't bother with the kit lens, it's really not any better than acceptable.
I originally bought the D3300 as a kit, but since I bought my 35mm f/1.8, I simply didn't use the kit lens anymore, so I sold it.
**
Now, I looked around a bit on Amazon, and it seems that such a combination would set you back about $514: Body and 35mm
However, if you're willing to go second hand for the body or lens, you could save a fair chunk, even maybe even upgrade to the D5 series.
Glad I could help!
All the cameras will have a built-in mic but I'd highly recommend getting an external shotgun mic (one that sits on top of the camera). They're not that expensive and the quality difference is super worth it. One thing to note though is that some camera's don't have an external mic jack so make sure your camera has that.
[This one](https://www.amazon.com/Rode-VideoMicro-Compact-Camera-Microphone/dp/B015R0IQGW/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=rode+shotgun&qid=1569370736&sr=8-10) is pretty popular and not that expensive. You could also check eBay to get a better deal on one.
One word Awesom. A great deal thr Nikon D7000 is one of the best DSLRs on the market even with the 7100 just out now there are benefits to the 7100 and the newer Canon 70D (most notably being improved HD Video capabilities and improved auto focus) but for a first time DSLR purchase at that price it's hard to beat. If you can afford another lenses get this a $200 35mm 1.8 apature lense : http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001S2PPT0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1418869917&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40 it is a Fast wide angle lens perfect for portraits and general purpose shooting esp if you want that cool blurry background look and great low light pictures. And build up from there with a good 600-800$ with VR also known as image stabilization.
Being realistic with you're budget, I don't think you can get a camera that fits all your wants. What fits your bill would be a Canon 5DMkIII or a Sony a7II but those cost thousands for just the body. But to try to give you some suggestions, try looking at the D3300 (amazon link) $400 on sale. It takes good photos and the kit lens bundled has VR/OIS/IS. My next recommendation would be a Fuji X30 (amazon link). Its small and light plus the lens that comes with it is really good on paper. I'm not familiar with Canon, Sony, Olympus' line up so try to search for those brand cameras within the same price point.
Now things to keep in mind with my two suggestions.
Conclusion. Both are great for your level and needs (albeit no 4K video). Personally for a beginner I really recommend the Nikon one since it has an interchangeable lens system which you can build as you progress in your passion.
Actually, yes I really like the camera. I've taken some pretty awesome pictures with it. We bought it so we could take photos of my kid after they were born and it was worth every penny spent. We've bought a few lenses for it. If you think she might like doing any portraits you might want to pick up a 50mm lens to play around with too. You can spend thousands on lenses, but for amature photogrophy this one would be a fine addition for that.
I'm sure someone will more knowledge than myself may have more to say about it, but I personally love the camera.
this Sony a6000 Is super portable and the kit lens it comes with is a good little medium zoom. So for travel photography it is in my opinion the best at the price range, its damn near pocket able. it also has built in wifi which is great for quick uploading to social media if you want. The image quality superb. The auto focus is some of the best around, and at 11fps you shouldn't have to worry about missing a shot due to missing focus.
A mirrorless camera with a wide angle lens is probably what you want. You can get something like a Sony a6000 Body and a Rokinon/Samyang 12mm f/2. You could also use a kit 16-50 lens instead of buying the separate body and lens kit link
The a6000 is pretty good with low light (although a full frame camera is almost always better, but more expensive). The camera has decent wifi functionalities. A smartphone app allows you to transfer the images and/or control the camera like a remote.
You can save more money if you buy the body and then get used lenses, which is great for mirror less cameras.
I picked up a Panasonic GX-85 kit with two lenses this past June for $500 USD and have been very pleased with it. The GX-85 is a 16mp Mirrorless micro 4/3 that is compact takes good pictures and also does very good at taking video (both 4k and 1080p). Look it up on DPReview (they are a good source of info on cameras in general).
This isn't the latest model, but it does have a lot of bang for the buck. If you do choose to order it definitely get some spare batteries and a charger (it does in-camera charging but doesn't come with a charger, any you can get spare aftermarket batteries and chargers for pretty cheap), - The spare batteries are pretty much a "Must" for any mirrorless camera as they tend to not have the greatest battery life.
Just looked on Amazon - here is an example of price: https://www.amazon.com/PANASONIC-12-32mm-45-150mm-Stabilization-DMC-GX85WK/dp/B079VDF7ZG/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=lumix+gx-85&qid=1574777069&s=electronics&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sr=1-6
All manufacturers make a "budget" 50mm. Pentax is the best for my money, then Canon, but the Nikon one is DEFINITELY better than this, and it's not that much more expensive.
Definitely worth buying over this one - I promise. You're probably only looking at a 40 dollar difference.
https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-NIKKOR-50mm-1-8D-Cameras/dp/B00005LEN4/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=nikon+50mm&qid=1563824015&s=gateway&sr=8-6
In that case, you have a few options you could play with. As 2013orBust mentioned, you could conceivably purchase the Blackmagic Cinema Camera (2.5k RAW). You could also pick up a 5dMkII, a Panasonic GH3, or even a Sony a99. However, I would highly recommend investing in a mid-priced DSLR (maybe a 6D, 7D, GH3, something along those lines) and save up the rest for some good primes.
As for audio equipment, the Rhode VideoMic Pro shotgun mic can be attached in the hot shoe and works well. You could also invest in a Zoom H4N, or Tascam DR-100mkII, or Tascam DR-40 (those are just some of the more popular, but there are some other options; my personal favorite is the DR-100mkII).
Head over here and look through the comments to see some awesome recommendations about some other gear you could potentially invest in at different price levels.
EDIT: Mistakenly thought the Blackmagic could only record RAW at 2k, changed that to 2.5k.
One more lens to think about the 24mm f/2.8 EF-S $130.
Like the 10-18 or 10-22 it's EF-S so if you upgrade to full frame later the lens won't be very useful but since it's soo cheap I would still consider it.
The 17-55mm f/2.8 is a pretty good lens but it's $1,000 and EF-S so I wouldn't recommend buying it due to the price and possibility that you could "upgrade" to full frame later.
The Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 is a good EF-S option that would be worth buying.
But you don't need everything right now Start with 2 or 3 of the 3 lenses I initially recommended and grow from there. Watch Reviews on youtube, go to the-digital-picture.com and read reviews.
Thanks for the recommendations! You're probably pretty knowledgeable on my friend's setup, then. Would this be an appropriate 35mm lens? And would this be an appropriate 50mm?
Also, I would like to know what these lenses would be capable of that the 18-105mm would not be able to do. I would assume the zoom levels on the 18-105mm should cover those lower ranges as well. But, like I said, I'm a novice. So I'm assuming a lens that specializes in a range is better in its area than a "jack-of-all-trades" lens?
Might want to look at the Panasonic Gx85. Not the highest quality images at 16mp and M4/3 but looks like it would do pretty good for video and has in-body stabilization and the images should be more than sufficient for most. Its under your budget right now for a two lens kit. It is mirrorless though, which tends to be better for video anyway. https://www.amazon.com/PANASONIC-12-32mm-45-150mm-Stabilization-DMC-GX85WK/dp/B079VDF7ZG/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=panasonic+gx85&qid=1574688778&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sr=8-3
I have a Canon EOS Rebel and love it! I was in the same boat when I bought it as it was my first DSLR, and I found it really easy to learn how to use it and the pictures come out well.
For your budget I would reccomend the t5i over the 600D. It is a little more expensive, but it has video autofocus, shoots faster, better boost ISO, less startup delay, and a touchscreen.
I dont see the prices in pounds, but it falls into your budget.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Rebel-Digital-Camera-18-55mm/dp/B00BW6LWO4/ref=sr_1_10?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1406325712&sr=1-10&keywords=eos+rebel
also, I've found this website to be helpful in selecting a camera: http://wizitapp.com/
HX400V - $468
FZ200 - $447
RX100 2 - $498
Here's an album I took with the HX400V, RX10 and RX100 (1) on Safari for comparison.
If you need something pocketable, don't waste your time looking at anything but an RX100 1 or 2. The only real differences between the two is the ability to wifi connect to your phone and a hot shoe. They will take identical pictures.
If you want something with full range from landscape to portraits and need a full zoom - don't waste your time looking at anything else but the two above. The Canons/Nikons come close but the Zeiss lens on the HX400V is better and the 2.8 aperture on the FZ200 is better.
Good choice. I started out with a Nikon entry level camera and I think it was a good choice.
If you have funds, I'd recommend getting a bag and a spare battery (third-party batteries are usually fine). A second battery is always the first thing I get when I get a new camera; nothing is more frustrating than having to stop shooting because your only battery has died.
Once you get used to the 18-55 kit lens, you might want to pick up a 50mm prime lens http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-NIKKOR-50mm-Focus-Cameras/dp/B00005LEN4/. They're incredible cheap (<$80 on eBay) and the quality is very good. On the D3300 it will be a good lens for portraits.
And don't bother with one of those big accessory bundles, most of the stuff is complete crap. All you need is camera, lens, memory card, 2x battery (one spare) and a battery charger.You'll get all of that - apart form the second battery - in the box you've linked.
Good luck!
Keep in mind that that camera has a very wide lens, so everything you shoot will have a fisheye effect. I personally recommend something like a [Sony RX100 Mk 2](Sony DSCRX100M2/B 20.2 MP Cyber-shot Digital Still Camera (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DM8R866/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wH1yybWV7GDW7) or a similar point and shoot. Obviously for action stuff this is not ideal but the quality will be way better for the vlogs and other normal things. PLUS, that camera takes amazing stills (if you're interested in that).
That price seems too high for a 3300 kit. It's only $450 (US) new. Used, great condition, should be around $300.
https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-1532-18-55mm-3-5-5-6G-Focus-S/dp/B00HQ4W1QE
I'd suggest buying online, factory refurbished, instead, or waiting till you can find it at a better price.
I'd also suggest a "prime" lens, either the 35mm 1.8 or 50mm 1.8, as a lot better way to really learn photography - they take sharper photos in less light with better depth of field, and you learn to zoom with your feet.
Well, there are a bunch of questions to go through before we can narrow it down, though the first and most important is: what is it that you want in a camera that your phone can't provide? Be as specific as you can.
Though if you just want the easy answer, the Panasonic G7 is probably the best all-around interchangeable-lens camera for video and stills below $500.
Hello fellow Michigan(area) Person.... Lake Orion, MI here.
Remember, whichever camp you go with (Sony, Nikon, Canon, Panasonic) For the most part you're going to want to stick with that, so you can move your Lenses (the true investment) among your cameras.
All of these cameras with Shoot RAW.
Canon has the T5i which is in the price range. It has all the manual options available, plus it is very forgiving. 18-55mm Kit will set you back about $650. I borrow the T3i from a friend, it has its moments (Again, I'm not usually using Canons) especially when it came to white balancing. BUT! Shoot Raw and forget about it. I'm sure the T5i has resolved that issue. : http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EOS-Rebel-EF-S-18-55/dp/B00BW6LWO4/ref=sr_1_2?s=photo&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1451374398&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=canon+t5i
If you want Amateur friendly, I would (strongly) suggest the Sony A6000 series for your price range. While not technically a DSLR (its a mirrorless), Above all, they are VERY compact so if you travel a lot, they are just an awesome companion. To me, I feel that it is one of the best travel cameras that are made, given what you get for the footprint. Lacking a GPS, sadly... but one day soon. I have a NEX3 (Older version) that I've shot so many amazing pictures with. Here is the A6000 This comes with a 16-50MM range : http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Mirrorless-Digital-Camera-16-50mm/dp/B00I8BICB2/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1451374561&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=sony+a6000
In the other corner, on the more video side of things (being able to shoot amazing videos)
For 800 I would recommend (as a suggestion) a GH2 kit. Beyond photography, it is a killer video camera (as paraphrased by Philip Bloom). These can be obtained used for the $700 mark on Amazon all day long. This of course is also not technically a DSLR, Micro 4:3.
Depends what your budget is
Sony DSC-RX100 is a great camera and pretty much considered the best non-interchangeable lens camera. This is the older version but still very similar to the newest.
Panasonic LX7K
Panasonic LF1
Nikon P340
these are all considered better cameras
You will also want to look at aperture if possible (Most kit lenses have a 3.5-5.6 aperture anyways). If you can get a kit lense with something lower thats really good. Also you might want to look at focusing distance, especially if you plan on doing macro photography. In addition Optical Image Stabilization (Nikon calls its lenses with Optical Image Stabilization "VR") can help a lot in preventing blurry photos.
For most kit lenses the higher the zoom range the more spread out the aperture is. For example: My 18-105 mm lense dose F3.5 at 18 mm, F4 at 50 mm and F5.6 at 105 mm. The worse 18-55 mm lense does F3.5 at 18 mm and F5.6 at 105 mm. So in some ways the zoom capability does mean better performance as a lense. You want as low a possible aperture as possible.
The kit lense i would recommend is this
(You can also buy it separately). Although I am not sure this particular kit is available in the US (bought it in Germany).
Should you decide to go with the body only and 1-2 lenses separately I would recommend getting a 50 mm prime with something like a F1.8 aperture for portraits as well as a simple zoom lense.
it sounds like it's not the camera you are growing out of, but you are demanding more out of your lenses and the 2 kit lenses are not doing what you want. You'd want to check out the 35mm f1.8 nikkor. it will provide better image fidelity, low light performance and just over all a better image and your camera will feel like an entirely new camera.
I was in your shoes 10 years ago with a nikon d60 and thought the camera was junk, until i got that lens.
Sounds like shes lookingfor this lens --> Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X8MRBCW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_vjsRAb4Y5JWN6
Its an awesome lens, very sharp and a good upgrade from the kit lens.
Get the 50mm f/1.8 lens. It is a great all-purpose lens, especially for portraits. Even a used one is a great deal.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-Camera-Lens/dp/B00007E7JU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1376190000&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=canon+50mm+1.8
When you're ready to buy your first prime, this is the one I would suggest: http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-AF-S-NIKKOR-Focus-Cameras/dp/B001S2PPT0
It's ideal for lower light, portrait or street photography. People seem to gravitate to the 50mm prime, but the slightly wider angle on the 35mm makes it a more practical lens. I rarely take of off the camera.
And extra battery is always wise, and some sort of dedicated bag (I prefer the sling bag style).
I've had a Canon s95 for two years now and it's an amazing camera. It has a shorter battery life that I was used to, but that was solved with a spare battery.
The new model s110 seems to be on the same line, it has auto mode, but also full manual control, plus all the in betweens, AV, TV...
Also, GPS, that you seem to like.
Here it is in Amazon.
If you can spend a little more I'd get a Sony A7 which is full frame or get the lower priced a6000 which would allow room for you to get another lens in addition to the kit lens. Both options will allow you to change lenses which will allow you to upgrade lenses down the road. Full frame is nice but the a6000 is sweet. Also get two spare batteries because they use them quickly and when hiking you may need the extra juice. Get at least a 16 or 32GB memory card and you'll have plenty of room for a bunch of photos and video too.
Edit: In this price range nothing will be rugged but can take being jammed in a pack for a day.
Only the lens of a (D)SLR camera will affect the aperture in any way. If the largest aperture you are achieving is 3.5, I am guessing that you are currently using the kit lens (the lens that came with the camera). To achieve a larger aperture I suggest a prime lens (a lens that only has one focal length = cannot zoom) because the tend to have much bigger maximum aperture. for the d3000 i suggest the 35mm 1:1.8G DX as it is specifically designed for dx cameras like your own, it is about at normal view, and best yet it has a great large aperture.
Thanks everyone!
I picked out these two lenses. If I could only buy one (for portrait, macro, general purpose), which would be the better purchase?
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
https://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-STM-Lens/dp/B00X8MRBCW/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1473359579&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=Canon+ef+lens
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8
https://www.amazon.com/Canon-Telephoto-Autofocus-Multi-Coated-Protective/dp/B00XNNXME2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1473379234&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;keywords=Canon+EF+85mm+f%2F1.8&amp;psc=1
It sounds like you're looking for a quality entry level DSLR. There are many to choose from. Here are a few:
As you can see there are a wide variety of quality cameras and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Any of the above would be excellent starters.
DSLR: Nikon D3300.
Pocketable-smaller: Best Sony RX100 version you can afford. This package comes with two batteries. You will need at least two.
Advantage to a dslr is better pictures (in theory and mostly) disadvantage is size - you won't want to take it out to regular events.
results speak themselves on the 50 f1.8g! https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=50%20f1.8g
if you want to spend a bit more and pick up the 35 f1.8g as well, it's a better general purpose lens to walk around with https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=35%20f1.8g
The feature the Galaxy S6 has over most compact cameras is a wide aperture lens, which lets you see better in the dark and get a shallower depth of field. Part of what allows it to be a wide aperture while also being very compact and relatively affordable is the fact the it's a prime lens, meaning that it only covers a single focal length and thus can't zoom in and out at all. Unfortunately there's very few compact cameras with lenses like this, especially affordable ones, though I suppose you never mentioned a budget so that part may or may not be an issue for you. You may want to consider something like a Ricoh GR II or a Sony RX100.
Thank you for the advice! I wonder if the g25 would be a wiser purchase?
As for sound gear, I was considering this Rode mic.
T5 and Nikon D3300 are both $400 new on Amazon, however the D3300 has substantially better image quality.
Røde do the best in my opinion, this will be enough for what you asking for as long as you aren't an audiophile:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B015R0IQGW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_jQVzyb0Q2900M
Also just check if you really need a microphone, most cameras have fairly reasonable quality now, especially for YouTube and such
I highly, HIGHLY recommend this lens. It is probably the best cheap lens out there. Any half decent DSLR paired with this lens can do some serious work. I don't know many cameras that go for under $500, but I think this lens is a must buy for any beginner hobbyist photographer.
This is the one I mean, but in the "Compare To Similar Items" section, it looks like the are multiple, more expensive, iterations with the same DSC-RX100 model number. Is this one a good buy?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00X409PQS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1498131514&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&amp;keywords=lumix%2Bg7&amp;psc=1&amp;th=1
Just bought this camera myself but in a bundle with lenses because that's what I wanted. Watch some YouTube videos on Panasonic g7 reviews. Might help.
Is this the one?: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1029860-REG/sony_ilce6000l_b_alpha_a6000_mirrorless_digital.html
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Alpha-Mirrorless-Digital-Camera/dp/B00I8BICB2
Is it a good purchase?
technically, you can, it wont look like anything though. The lens is just as important as the sensor, if not more. You can get a pancake lens that will help with portability but that'll be another 200-400 on top of what you have already paid. I would either return your camera or sell it, it doesn't seem to be what you are looking for. The Canon S110 would probably suit your needs.
Thank you so much for your post!
So I'm gonna probably purchase a D3300, what is your opinion on that?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HQ4W1QE/ref=s9_ri_mh_g421_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&amp;pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-2&amp;pf_rd_r=069QWJE79YF9E2QPJFEE&amp;pf_rd_t=30901&amp;pf_rd_p=2053154862&amp;pf_rd_i=3017941&amp;th=0
I wouldn't recommend buying a bundle package. They come with a bunch of cheap crap that you probably won't need or use. Just buy everything separately. Look into buying used to save some money. Also as others suggested, get a prime lens like a 35 or 50.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01N68HTQJ/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&amp;condition=all
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001S2PPT0/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&amp;condition=all
I'll give that a look! Just to be sure, is this one of the line you're talking about?
You can probably get the Sony RX100 M2 used for under $400. I have one as my point and shoot option and I love it.
Sony RX100 is the best quality camera at the lowest price in the smallest size. At US$398, it just barely fits your budget.
I would go for this guy, as I see Megluesta already posted:
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-35mm-1-8G-Digital-Cameras/dp/B001S2PPT0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1375739970&amp;sr=8-2
or if 50mm is more your length:
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-NIKKOR-Digital-Cameras/dp/B004Y1AYAC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1375740078&amp;sr=8-2
Or for a bit more speed and cash:
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Prime-Nikkor-Digital-Cameras/dp/B001GCVA0U/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1375740078&amp;sr=8-5
I've been looking at getting this mic but just haven't pulled the trigger on getting it, or needed it.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004K8WPUQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;colid=1C3WEQOMQC78G&amp;coliid=I3KOLE4UH5M9GA
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00889ST2G/ref=sr_1_2_olp?s=photo&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1479321071&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=rx100&amp;condition=used
Canon S110. It fits exactly what you require. I have the S100 (older model), and it's a beast.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-Digital-Camera-3-Inch/dp/B009B0MYSQ
If you can find another $150, the Canon S120 sells for $450.
For example:
https://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Mirrorless-Camera-16-50mm-Bundle/dp/B01867UND2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=photo&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1523558631&amp;sr=1-1-spons&amp;keywords=a6000&amp;psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Mirrorless-Digitial-3-0-Inch-16-50mm/dp/B00I8BICB2/ref=sr_1_3?s=photo&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1523558631&amp;sr=1-3&amp;keywords=a6000
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Mirrorless-Digitial-3-0-Inch-16-50mm/dp/B00I8BICB2/ref=sr_1_3?s=photo&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1511579559&amp;sr=1-3&amp;keywords=a6000
Canon 18 - 135mm EFS
Canon 10-18mm EF
https://www.amazon.com/Canon-18-135mm-3-5-5-6-Standard-Digital/dp/B002NEGTT2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1491782630&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=canon+18-135
https://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-10-18mm-4-5-5-6-Lens/dp/B00K899B9Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1491784538&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=canon+10+-+18
I'd suggest checking out a sony RX-100 (Mk 1, not 2 or 3): amazon link. You can check ebay for lower prices as well. It's a compact all-around camera that has both landscape and macro modes. However, its 'macro' mode is not as close up as more serious 'macro' cameras (macro == close up photography). Video example of what the Mk2 can do, all of which the Mk1 can do
Thank you very much for the detailed response. I was considering S110 or S120 which is compact and cheaper while it has the same sensor and image processor as the G15/G16 and has many of the features from G15/G16 however I saw online reviews mentioning "lens error" (which seems to be a common problem for S1XX line) among other problems which is why I am not considering it as an option. This might be a non-issue though?
>micro 4/3rds
Sony, Canon and Nikon are the only companies which have authorized stores and service centers in my area. So I will prefer these. Micro four thirds seem to be manufactured by Olympus and Panasonic only. I don't know how they are different from Nex 6.
From your suggestion, I think I should rule out G16 since it isn't pocket-able anyway, costs the same and doesn't offer anything better (or does it?) except for slightly better portability compared to Nex-6.
I would get a uv filter for the time being, a lens pen, a rocket blower, a sturdy enough tripod that has a handle you could use for panning (preferably one that allows for the three legs to collapse down to make the tripod low). And hold back on the 75-300 lens. If you were getting the 75-300 USM version, which costs about $230, you could get a 50mm 1.8 prime for just above $100 and if you could wait, a 24mm 2.8 pancake lens is coming out around thanksgiving time. Only drawback on the 24mm is that it is an ef-s so you can't use it if you upgrade to full frame. [Check it out here] (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EF-S-24mm-2-8-Lens/dp/B00NI3BZ5K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1415036702&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=24mm+2.8)