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Camera Suggestions


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#21 Shadyapex

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Posted 13 August 2016 - 03:18 AM

The problem with this question is that there are just too many options to consider. It's a very competitive market and there are tons of cameras that will fill the need. I would focus less on brand and more on considerations like the following.

How big of a camera, and how many lbs of lenses, do you want to carry?

How big do you want to print?

How big is your budget?

If you want to go big and don't mind carrying 20 lbs of kit then get any one of the many DSLR options available, it doesn't really matter as there are thousands of photogs out doing great work with any and all of them.

If you want something more affordable and carry able then consider one of the many fine four thirds or micro four thirds mirrorless cameras. In this category consider your need for an eye level view finder, many great cameras in this category don't have one.  

If you want something that you can have in your pocket all the time consider one of the small sensor cameras. The quality is still great for printing up to a reasonable size and for web pics. Actually the image files from this category are pretty remarkable.

Good luck, and check out dpreview.com for what I consider to be pretty realistic reviews of the many options available.

In short, pick a category of tools and narrow your choices from there. The best option is to have one of each, and a very understanding wife.

"The best camera in the world is the one you have with you." Attribution forgotten. I wouldn't be surprised if someone chimes in. HCB?


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#22 Bombsight

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Posted 13 August 2016 - 05:09 PM

 

 

Yes, the Sony menu system sucks. Actually, they all do. Camera features have gotten very complicated and the manufacturers are terrible at user interface. Assorted manual controls, programmable buttons and touch screens add to the confusion. I eventually found what works for me but everyone is different. 

This is why I like Canon.

Imho, Canon has the most user friendly interface of all manufacturers.


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#23 carld

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Posted 24 October 2016 - 04:56 PM

I now have two cameras.  I started out with the small compact Sony RX-100 iv ($600) and bought the sony lather case ($50).  For almost all cases this camera works great. 

  • 20.1MP 1"-type stacked CMOS sensor
  • F1.8-2.8 24-70mm equivalent Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens
  • Optical image stabilization
  • 1/32000 sec max shutter speed (1/2000 using mechanical shutter)
  • 16 fps continuous shooting (with metering and focus fixed at the first shot)
  • Slow motion video recording up to 1000 fps (960fps in NTSC mode)
  • 4K (UHD) video recording with full sensor readout and bit rates up to 100Mbps
  • Picture Profile modes including S-Log2 gamma setting
  • Dual recording captures 17MP stills while recording up to 1080/30p video
  • Tilting 3" LCD with 1.3m dots
  • Pop-up 2.36m dot OLED electronic viewfinder
  • Built-in ND filter (with Auto mode)
  • Wi-Fi with NFC

You can download photos directly to you phone and Its very small and compact, less than 2 lbs.  You can also download apps. I have the sky app  which mimics a adjustable gradient filter for sunsets and bright sky pictures. 

 

My other camera is the Sony a7s ($1900).  It takes great pictures especially in low light.   Since I already had the sky app it downloaded to the a7s for free. 

  • Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixel
  • Optical Sensor Type Exmor CMOS
  • Optical Sensor Size 23.9 x 35.8mm
  • Wireless Connection NFC (Near Field Communication)
  • Digital Video Format AVCHD, H.264, XAVC S
  • Image Recording Format JPEG, RAW, RAW + JPEG
  • Max Video Resolution 1920 x 1080
  • Interfaces Provided HDMI, USB 2.0, composite video/audio
  • Light Sensitivity ISO 100-409600, ISO 50

II have two lenses for the A7s both of which are bigger  and cost more than the RX-100. 

Sony 16-35mm Vario-Tessar T FE F4 ZA OSS E-Mount Lens $900 on ebay.  Great lens for almost every purpose, except for the wider 16mm and low light performance (which is great) takes almost equivalent  pictures of the RX100.

 

Rokinon 14mm F2.8 Full Frame  Lens for Sony E-Mount $550 from B&H. Great wide angle and low light lens for astrophotography. 

 

I love the a7s but for hiking and all around I use the  RX100.

 

Everyone complains about the Sony menu system but the A7s has lots of buttons and dials all of which are user programmable and since both cameras are Sonys and I never owned a Cannon, the menu system is fine to me.


Edited by carld, 24 October 2016 - 04:58 PM.

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