New Camera ? (1 Viewer)

JeanLuc

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There is a massive difference between a good quality dslr/mirrorless camera and a compact or phone camera and that is the size of the sensor. If you are serious about photography you should always use a camera with a decent size sensor. It matters not just how many pixels Apple or Samsung manage to squeeze onto a phone camera sensor it is too small for serious photographs. If you wanted something small and light that can still take brilliant pictures you can buy an Olympus EP1 second-hand off eBay for not a lot of money if you can live without a viewfinder. They are capable of stunning photos.
Agreed, up to a point. I think it mostly depends on what results you are looking for, or actually need. This comparison by Ken Rockwell is worth reading, particularly the final section titled ‘recommendations’
https://kenrockwell.com/tech/comparisons/2015-11-02-apple-canon-fuji-sony/index.htm
 

two

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There is a massive difference between a good quality dslr/mirrorless camera and a compact or phone camera and that is the size of the sensor. If you are serious about photography you should always use a camera with a decent size sensor. It matters not just how many pixels Apple or Samsung manage to squeeze onto a phone camera sensor it is too small for serious photographs. If you wanted something small and light that can still take brilliant pictures you can buy an Olympus EP1 second-hand off eBay for not a lot of money if you can live without a viewfinder. They are capable of stunning photos.
I think I still have one of those (Olympus EP1) with a bundle of attachments, including optical viewfinder. Excellent lens and camera, just about pocketable.
 

Mack100

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As said earlier it all depends on your budget. If you only want to take snaps (and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that) then it’s pointless spending a shedload when there are loads of budget kits that will be more than satisfactory and as also said modern smart phones have brilliant cameras.
If on the other hand you’re a fanatic like me then you will spend whatever it takes but then I suffer from what photographers call GAS........Gear Acquisition Syndrome :X3::X3:

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Langtoftlad

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IMHO one should work backwards when deciding camera gear... ie what do you want to do with the results?

If you want to make (expensive) large prints to be framed & hung on the wall, then a high end DSLR with premium lenses is the way to go.

If you want to enter competitions or sell your images where your images will be closely inspected & critically judged, then again high end.

But if your photos are just to be viewed on a tablet screen or pc monitor, then a digital compact or even one of the better phone cameras is all you need.

If you want to get into the hobby, tweak, buy gadgets & lenses, learn specialist techniques, then again a fully featured DSLR but if you want to always have your camera with you then compact or phone.

One thing I've learned is that a larger sensor can make up, to a certain extent, for a restricted zoom as you can crop more effectively.

So start with what you want to do with the end result & that'll inform what gear you need.
 

faraway

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Spend less on the camera and more on a good lens or three depending on what type of photos you want (macro, zoom, wide angle etc)

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Unless you like weight training I would avoid DSLR cameras if you enjoy walking long distances and want to take your camera.

I ditched my Canon 5d and 7d a couple of years ago along with the superb but heavy L lenses and switched to a Fujifilm mirrorless camera system.

If you want the flexibility of interchangeable lenses the previous XT1 or current XT2
offer a slightly more compact system. There are also a number of other Fujifilm models that are available XT20, XT3, XPro 2 etc.

However, if you enjoy wildlife photography and want a long lens you are not going to be able to avoid more weight. It’s simple science the longer the lens the more elements it contains. If I use my XT2 with 100-400mm plus 1.5x converter attached and battery grip if feels heavy, not as heavy as the Canon equivalent, but still heavy.
Fujifilm does offer lighter alternatives like the XF 55-200 but it won’t have the reach of the big 100-400mm.

You could look at Olympus or Panasonic they offer similar solutions in a micro four thirds lens mount and have a huge number of excellent lenses that work on both cameras.

There are a number of advantages to mirrorless cameras, you can use old M42 mount lenses from the film days with adapters. These can be picked up very cheaply and offer some amazing quality glass at a fraction of today’s prices. Also focus peaking on mirrorless cameras make it very easy to use these old lenses and nail the focus very easily.

At the end of the day the best camera is the one you have with you at the time.
 

bfb

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Hi All. I would like to put in my two penny worth in. I have been an avid and knowledgeable photographer for over 50 years. I personally use a Nikon D800 and regularly blow to A2 size. That's just me though. Canon Nikon Sony Mirror-less are all good cameras but for your requirements you would be better off with an interchangeable lens camera. But remember the old adage by Henry Weston, "No man is as good as the simplest camera". In other words don't get stuck in the "Best Camera snobbery debate". It can become very expensive. I do a lot of portraiture and parachuting photography but am very flexible so I plump for a few lenses which cover all my needs. Used lenses are in abundance and if you can't afford the camera you would like remember the used option. Above all enjoy.:D
 
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If you like your Lumix but want a bit more functionality ( tilting screen, viewfinder, RAW shooting and a huge zoom length) look at the Panasonic Lumix TZ90. I bought one just before our trip to France last month and I am really pleased with the results

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bfb

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I use a Canon 1D DSLR mainly with a Canon 70-200 L f2.8 is usm lens and the quality of the photos is great but it is heavy and with 3 other lenses, a multiplier adaptor, flashes (2), filters, reflectors, remote control; tripod etc. It’s a fair bit of heavy kit to carry so you really need to WANT to do it. It’s also costly so again, you really need to want to do it.
I have a Nikon D800 plus three lenses, a Hassleblad with two lenses, a Sinar 5x4 inch monorail Camera with 3 lenses, A Gitzo tripod and a benbo tripod. Wondered why my shoulder needs replacing or is that because of age. But the motorhome takes all of this with ease and wherever I go I use the camera for the job in hand so don't worry to much unless the motorhome gets nicked. Just leave the wife inside. Nobody argues with the Rottweiller (pun intended).:eek:o_O:)
 

Allanm

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.................

But have just ordered a Nikon P900 based on reviews, awesome zoom equivalent to 2000mm, my SX60 has 1365mm and is good enough, hoping for even more detailed bird photos (y)

All for under £500 which will not even buy a body these days (y)

My main camera is a full frame Nikon. It’s heavy, so are the lenses, but images are fantastic.
But, but for everyday use, I bought a Nikon P900 and have to say it is superb. Not too heavy, amazing zoom and really good images.
The only time you will get frustrated with this camera is in low light when it fails to focus, but the answer is, just use when it’s light.
David, your going to love it as I do.
Here’s a shot of a lizard I took a few weeks ago with the P900 at almost full zoom. Amazing really when you think the sensor is tiny.
Image quality here is lower than the original because I had to reduce the resolution to post it here.

6CDFACE6-5B9F-413C-BC60-A26583FA15C1.jpeg
 

Go Humberto!

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To be brutally honest for a moment, it's possible to take stunning photos on any camera made in the last 5 years that cost over about £150 IF you are aware of their limitations.

If you aren't aware of your camera's limitations then there's every chance of you taking a poor image with it (This applies to phone cameras more than any other camera).
If you don't understand what makes a good photograph then there's every chance you won't take one, regardless of how good the camera is.

I switch between 3 cameras generally (1) a Full Frame DSLR with expensive lenses (2) a long-in-the-tooth compact camera that was considered good in its day and fits in my coat pocket (3) My Samsung Galaxy S7 phone

I know the limitations of them all very well so I use them in conditions that suit them (Example - I never use the phone in very dark conditions, it's awful, but it's stunning in good light). Because I use them in conditions to which they are suited I find it hard to tell the resultant images apart (Unless the type of lens I'm using makes it obvious).
It's possible to take awful photos on any of them, I often do in fact, usually because I tried to do something they weren't suited to (Example - Using a phone to capture a small subject in the far distance).

Poor photos are generally the result of the user. It's very rarely the camera's fault.

If I was only allowed 1 camera I'd choose a "Travel Camera" from a big manufacturer.
It would have a minimum 24 - 200mm zoom range, it would fit in a coat pocket and it would have the biggest sensor my budget would allow. Something like a Panasonic Lumix TZ200 with a 24-360mm zoom and 1" sensor (but I can't recommend it as I never tried one).

I'm currently looking to trade one of my full-frame Canons for a Canon M50 mirrorless for video work.

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Steve and Gill

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it's possible to take stunning photos on any camera made in the last 5 years that cost over about £150 IF you are aware of their limitations.

Agree completely - there is a lot to be said for taking a little extra time to pick a good viewpoint and sort out the composition and framing.

sdg
 

Mr Chrysalis

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It’s getting more and more difficult to find 35mm film for my Pentax P30:D
 
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Buying a new camera that you are not happy to walk around with due to its size or weight is a waste of money. Jen and I have been camera club members for many years and are seriously thinking about trading in our Canon 5D's for an upmarket compact now they can produce images of such good quality.
 
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Abacist

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I got into photography because my Dad took to it seriously when he retired. This was pre-digital. He bought Leicas and I bought Canon though he could afford Leica lenses and I could only afford after-market lenses. We both got into developing and printing. I then went medium format with a Bronica 645 set up and Bronica lenses and even did a couple of weddings.

We then went digital with Dad getting Nikon and me getting Canon again but with Sigma lenses. I then upgraded to a 5 megapixel Canon and the Sigma lenses no longer worked other than at their largest aperture with no auto zoom or auto aperture adjustment. I bought some Canon lenses over time but it all sits idle most of the time in a big camera bag.

I now use my iPhone most of the time and a compact Panasonic D-Lux zoom with a Leica lens which I think is 10 megapixels from memory. That's not important because it is more than adequate. It slips easily into a pocket and takes stunning photos.

Cameras are expensive and SLR's with interchangeable lenses and flashguns are especially so and become obsolete very quickly as they are always bringing out new faster better quality models as well as being heavy to lug around. You also find that you never have the right lens on when you need it!

I really should sell my Canon SLR gear!
 
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I traded in my Canon 7D and lenses for a Sony mirrorless system. Camera body is about the size of a compact, and with 3 lenses doesn't weigh much more than Canon with 1 lens attached

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Just bit the bulllet and bought a Panasonic DMC TZ80. Thought great, good pictures and wifi. Then have to go through Panasonic and site via apple passwords etc, My mac book pro logged out for cookies so now unable to down load the pictures. So what is the point of a camera if you cannot see and use. Grrrrrrr. the hdmi socket is smaller than any of the cables I have, so now need to shop for a wee cable.
As wifi is way, way beyond my use of passwords down load up load, side load truck load, ufck load, Progress, not for me, I still like steam trains, and cars I can fix and service myself.
 

Go Humberto!

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Buying a new camera that you are not happy to walk around with due to its size or weight is a waste of money. Jen and I have been camera club members for many years and are seriously thinking about trading in our Canon 5D's for an upmarket compact now they can produce images of such good quality.

I'm selling my (huge) 5D to fund a (tiny) Canon M50. I can buy an adapter to make use of my Canon lenses as well as buy the tiny M series lenses.
It's basically a Canon 80D in a tiny body, and the 80D is a superb camera, good enough for great photos and videos.

I'm getting it mostly for its video capability.
 

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