I think I finally want to buy my own camera. I usually used my dad’s Nikon but let’s just say I’m more comfortable having my own. I’m no photographer but I might learn a thing or two and this might just become a nice hobby for when I’m bored and just walk around town. Can you guys help me pick a good starting camera? Nothing too fancy…I remember Canon used to be all the rage but I’m guessing times have changed since 2016. Anyway, any input or advice you can give is appreciated so I might start planning the buy. Thanks!
My advice is set a clear budget and try the cameras in your hand.
Additionally, keep in mind that lenses are for the most part more important than the camera body and almost all manufacturers have you locked in with their proprietary mount (Canon and Nikon mainly). Others don’t have cheap bodies to begin with, so it’s good to know the whole lineups early on as switching systems takes money and work.
If you buy used, get gear from reliable sources.
From your goals, Fujifilm could fit the bill well, although I have no experience with their products: no sell up to full frame gear, sufficient manual controls and a very wide product palette (they have some gimmicky film simulation modes but you can just ignore them). They make mirrorless since a long time, so you should find used cameras.
Canon has really nice low end cameras and lenses, but if you think you are going to upgrade some starting gear, the jump to high end lenses is crazy.
Sony has expensive bodies but cheaper older ones can get you in the ecosystem: huge amount of third party offerings (mainly Chinese cheap lenses, which are getting better and better). Not so beginner friendly but anyone can learn.
Nikon is solid and priced competitively, not much to say.
Panasonic is interesting, but still focus more on video than stills.
Micro-Four-Thirds is struggling of late, I wouldn’t recommend buying new gear for this system. Used Olympus cameras can be awesome though, very small (the sensor too…)
I see. Thanks for the comprehensive bird’s eye view! I’ll research all of these so I can get a sense of the offerings
Good luck :) just steer clear of the Canon R100, good sensor for the price but everything else is a joke! R50 is a good camera but it blows past your budget.
An additional advice of mine would be not to bother with kit lenses, they pretty much ruin the beginner experience in my opinion by crippling any creative experimentation (at least it was like that some 10 years ago). A brighter (=low F number) prime (not zoom, fixed focal length) might make for a more compelling experience.
To add to that, think of it this way. Camera bodies (sensors, electronics, etc) are advancing rapidly. But glass (lenses) is glass. If you buy a beautiful lens today, it will be a beautiful lens in 5 years.
Pick a camera system, buy a nice prime lens to start with, if you like it, upgrade your camera body in a few years to take full advantage of the lens.
I personally shoot Fuji. Only consider the X line of cameras. The GFX is insanely expensive. I’m looking on EBay, and I see a used Fuji X-T10 for $400. I don’t know much about the X-T10, but I bet it’s more than enough to get you started.
But honestly, I bet you’re money will go further if you stick to Canon or Nikon.