Some questions and recommend me a decent starter camera

[Syntaxvgm]

My budget is like 200-250 USD, that's not a hard line, I'm flexible, because I really don't know what I can get for that price. 

 

I kind of want a camera. I'm tired of the terrible, shit camera on my moto x. 

I want something decent, and I must say camera are not my thing. Never really cared to research them, and I the lost feeling I have must be what it feels like to buy a computer or something to someone who's not a hardware enthusiast. 

 

What I want-

The ability for in-focus extreme closeups. I take a lot of shots of stuff while I'm fixing it, and I have a lot of stuff I want to start to document and put online. There a third reason I'm not disclosing at the time. I'm tired of autofocus on phones, I want a good manual lens, yet I know as much about lenses as I do about particle physics. Maybe less. 

 

I don't really want smart features, like an android based camera or social features or crap like that if I'm paying extra. I don't know what is common in cameras, but I imagine there's crap like that. I'm ok with having to pull files from an SD card. I almost prefer that anyway. 

 

I want in general something that you use to shoot really good pictures of say a build log. Idk what that entails, and that's not what I'm using it for mostly,  but that sounds about right to me. 

 

Complicated is ok for me. I will learn as I have with everything else. The reason that I know nothing literally about cameras is simply because I've never needed them or had the desire to use them. 

 

I want something with decent video recording. I want to be able to say slap it on a tripod and record something potentially a few hours long without worrying about touching it. I don't know if that's possible with your run of the mill 256GB SD card as I don't know what kind of runtime that will get me, or if that's something that drastically changes based on live compression...is that a thing? Or is it typically raw? that's how confused I am. Is recording directly to a PC or something possible/practical? 

 

Anyway I also would prefer external mic support, but it's not important, that might be asking too much from a cheapo camera. 

 

I don't care about battery life. I don't need it to be mobile. Long as the battery is swap-able. 

 

I would prefer something that can take raw pictures. I don't know if that's normal among low end cameras. All the photo editing I've done (And I've done a surprising amount considering I don't use cameras nor do I know much about them) has been with raw files. I would rather have as many options as possible to clean up a shot after since I'm likely to make mistakes taking them. 

 

So what can I get? Should I look mroe towards the 4-500USD range for stuff like this?

 

Thanks

A complete camera noob. Literally have never bought a camera. Not even a cheap point and shoot. 

And I shit you not I've fixed at least 4 high end cameras. Funny how that works. 

[ZacDaMan72]

For $200-$250, you're not really going to get much. Even the entry model Canon/Nikon DSLR's start around the mid $400's including a lens.

 

For extreme close ups, it depends on the lens.

 

Usually, for recording for extended periods of time, the camera usually automatically stops the video or turns off, don't ask me why...

 

I'd recommend the Canon EOS Rebel T3i or T5. I guess you could go the Nikon way but Canon is better for video.

[Syntaxvgm]

For $200-$250, you're not really going to get much. Even the entry model Canon/Nikon DSLR's start around the mid $400's including a lens.

 

For extreme close ups, it depends on the lens.

 

Usually, for recording for extended periods of time, the camera usually automatically stops the video or turns off, don't ask me why...

 

I'd recommend the Canon EOS Rebel T3i or T5. I guess you could go the Nikon way but Canon is better for video.

So I should probably step up to the 400-500USD range

How do I solve the stop recording problem? Are there external recording options (strait to pc, hard drives, ect)

[ZacDaMan72]

So I should probably step up to the 400-500USD range

How do I solve the stop recording problem? Are there external recording options (strait to pc, hard drives, ect)

Maybe if you plug it to your computer but I don't think so. 

[Sharif]

Maybe if you plug it to your computer but I don't think so. 

That Avatar though  

/Offtopic 

[Sharif]

I am in the same situation  as you and I came to a conclusion to get the Nikon D3200,mainly becasue my dad has bunch of old lens that are compatible with it 

[beavo451]

"Close-up" is more of a function of the lens rather than the camera. A low end dSLR or mirrorless can do what you want it to; but, you also need to learn the photography aspect.

 

Usually, for recording for extended periods of time, the camera usually automatically stops the video or turns off, don't ask me why...

 

 

 

In the past, the sensor would get too hot. Now, it is usually running into file size limitations of the file system.

[Ruostunut kokis]

"Close-up" is more of a function of the lens rather than the camera. A low end dSLR or mirrorless can do what you want it to; but, you also need to learn the photography aspect.

 

 

 

In the past, the sensor would get too hot. Now, it is usually running into file size limitations of the file system.

And could it also be the fact that if a camera can record for longer than 30 minutes, it's officially considered "a video camera"? I dunno, but modern DSLRs, mirrorless cameras and high-end compacts could have the capability of recording longer, but it's dead-set to 30 minutes, flat.

[ShadowCaptain]

SNIP

 

$498, if you can stretch to that $500 budget, can focus very close, has great low light performance, can do that whole dslr depth and feel look, easy to use and cary

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DSC-RX100-Sensor-Digital-Camera/dp/B00889ST2G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425999850&sr=8-1&keywords=rx100

[Mo5]

Would everyone think I'm mad if I'd recommend a Pentax Q ?

[ShadowCaptain]

Would everyone think I'm mad if I'd recommend a Pentax Q ?

 

a little

[Syntaxvgm]

So far it looks as if I better hold off for a higher price range and get a good dslr? 

[Mo5]

So far it looks as if I better hold off for a higher price range and get a good dslr? 

or you can look for used/refurbished deals. Something like this - http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B003ZYF3LO/ref=dp_olp_refurbished?ie=UTF8&condition=refurbished

 

[beavo451]

And could it also be the fact that if a camera can record for longer than 30 minutes, it's officially considered "a video camera"? 

 

Cite your source for this fact.

 

Just for giggles. Say you have a 24Mbps bitrate. 24Mbps x 60 seconds/minute x 30 minutes = 43,200Mb = 5,400MB. Way past the 4GB file size limitation of FAT32.

[Regank]

I was thinking about getting a camera in your price range but I just decided to blow more money than I wanted to and get the Nikon D3300. I LOVE this camera. Mine came with a 18-55mm lens which was okay but I really needed a better one so I got a refurbished 55-300mm lens for $276 which works awesome! If you really want a good DSLR expect to pay more because you will almost have to get a new lens to suit your needs and there are also other costs like flash ad-ons, tripods, bags and cases and other miscellaneous things I hope you find one that you like! 

[Williamchan87]

well cameras have to have a short give or take around 12 minute video mode due to if its longer it cant be considered a camera. you can just buy a lens and get a close up filter to save money.