New camera for holidays

[Lord Vile]

Looking for a camera to use on holidays instead of my phone camera and don’t want to buy a dud. Womdering if the Fujifilm XF10 is a good option, if there’s anything better for the same price or cheaper or if going to a non compact like a XA5/XA20(Fuji again) would be worth it. I don’t mind carrying a camera bag I have a backpack at all times anyway. Budget is £400 but looking for value I’m not interested in editing anything at all or delving into a bajillion settings though given time I wouldn’t mind learning about setting the camera for different situations. Good presets would be nice. Old cheap Sony I got 5 years ago is on its way out. 

[GDRRiley]

XA5 or m100 or m200 are good options and are more flexible. The canons have a faster and better auto focus system. M200 is well rated as a great entry level camera.

the XF10 doesn't zoom physically so you do get a faster F stop meaning more light and shallower depth of fields but you can't change lenses.

 

[Lord Vile]

3 hours ago, GDRRiley said:

XA5 or m100 or m200 are good options and are more flexible. The canons have a faster and better auto focus system. M200 is well rated as a great entry level camera.

the XF10 doesn't zoom physically so you do get a faster F stop meaning more light and shallower depth of fields but you can't change lenses.

 

Can I ask what’s better about the M200 vs the XA5 for the £100 extra? 

[GDRRiley]

1 hour ago, Lord Vile said:

Can I ask what’s better about the M200 vs the XA5 for the £100 extra? 

the m200 has a much better autofocus. Canon has a different color style. while there isn't that many lenses for EF-m it does have the most common fixed and some nice all around zooms like 18-150 and 18-200. The X mount has more lenses but most are a lot more money.

 

the 18-135 for the fuji is 900 vs 18-150 or 18-200 is 500$ from canon and tamron.

 

let me know if you need a more simple explanation, cameras can be confusing.

[kklokreach]

The canons and the fuji's are both good options, what are you primarily looking to use it for? If it's JUST the holidays and memories, to be honest.... your smartphone camera is probably good enough (I say this with 2 dslr bodies and multiple canon L lenses) - they are targeted for the everyday use cases and unless you really try and pixel peep or do a full on studio shoot (which isn't exactly everyday shooting anymore) you probably won't notice the difference. In fact most kit lenses (the lenses that come bundled with the camera) are either the same or actually inferior to most smartphone camera these days if the circumstances are the same (ie. not trying to shoot wildlife with a smartphone).

 

BUT if you really want to try and up your gear and try get into the hobby (because let's face it an actual camera is just more fun to shoot with) I'd highly recommend the used market. The secret to buying camera gear is to always prioritize the lenses over the camera body itself. Like I said since you want a better lens than your smartphone I would suggest putting more of your budget towards the lenses. Also how much experience/knowledge of photography do you have and how much do you want to delve into it? (Perfectly fine if you have 0 knowledge and don't really want to go diving into the rabbit hole, just helps with recommendations).

 

If all you want is just general everyday shooting then I'd highly recommend a slightly older camera like the canon 7D, 60D or the Nikon 5200. Recommended because (1. I'm a canon shooter so I know their line up better, but any brand works 2. While any brand works I personally recommend the popular dslr brands like canikon because they have better 3rd party lens support without having to deal with adapters). These cameras run for about 250ish pounds. The only downside is that they are older so their UI is much clunkier (Think 2010 UI).

 

Paired with that I highly recommend the Sigma 17-50 F2.8 (they come in canon and nikon fit hence why I recommended one of these two brands earlier). This is a fantastic value lens for general everyday purpose (at around ~200 pounds this is a steal for what it can do). If you do nothing else, you should get this lens because it will be perfect for what you can do.

[GDRRiley]

6 minutes ago, kklokreach said:

If all you want is just general everyday shooting then I'd highly recommend a slightly older camera like the canon 7D, 60D or the Nikon 5200. Recommended because (1. I'm a canon shooter so I know their line up better, but any brand works 2. While any brand works I personally recommend the popular dslr brands like canikon because they have better 3rd party lens support without having to deal with adapters). These cameras run for about 250ish pounds. The only downside is that they are older so their UI is much clunkier (Think 2010 UI).

 

Paired with that I highly recommend the Sigma 17-50 F2.8 (they come in canon and nikon fit hence why I recommended one of these two brands earlier). This is a fantastic value lens for general everyday purpose (at around ~200 pounds this is a steal for what it can do). If you do nothing else, you should get this lens because it will be perfect for what you can do.

the issue with those bodys (my GF has a 60D) is they are big and heavy. Canon, Sony, fijifilm, Panasonic all make good cameras.

canon hasn't changed their UI much from a 60D to the t5 or sl2.

 

I'd almost say grab the 17-70 f2.8-f4 as it gives a little bit bigger range. I do love the flexibility though of a 18-1XX

[kklokreach]

16 minutes ago, GDRRiley said:

the issue with those bodys (my GF has a 60D) is they are big and heavy. Canon, Sony, fijifilm, Panasonic all make good cameras.

canon hasn't changed their UI much from a 60D to the t5 or sl2.

 

I'd almost say grab the 17-70 f2.8-f4 as it gives a little bit bigger range. I do love the flexibility though of a 18-1XX

Ooo good point, yes I forgot to ask what form factor would you like? (Also yes it does NOT matter what camera you get, they all make good cameras). Just beware that, like all things, for the smaller form factor options like the sony's, fuji's, or canon's mirrorless options with a more modern UI and creature comforts like a touchscreen they will cost more, so keep that in mind.

 

The longer zooms do offer better flexibility, so if that is important to you, then consider a longer zoom like those^^. But the 17-50 f2.8 will be the best "your smartphone but better" option.

[GDRRiley]

2 minutes ago, kklokreach said:

Ooo good point, yes I forgot to ask what form factor would you like? (Also yes it does NOT matter what camera you get, they all make good cameras).

 

The longer zooms do offer better flexibility, so if that is important to you, then consider a longer zoom like those^^. But the 17-50 f2.8 will be the best "your smartphone but better" option.

its been all small stuff so maybe compact DSLRs like the sl2/sl3 but more likely mirroless.

[Lord Vile]

5 hours ago, GDRRiley said:

its been all small stuff so maybe compact DSLRs like the sl2/sl3 but more likely mirroless.

No clue what’s the difference between DSLR and mirrorless is. 
 

5 hours ago, kklokreach said:

Ooo good point, yes I forgot to ask what form factor would you like? (Also yes it does NOT matter what camera you get, they all make good cameras). Just beware that, like all things, for the smaller form factor options like the sony's, fuji's, or canon's mirrorless options with a more modern UI and creature comforts like a touchscreen they will cost more, so keep that in mind.

 

The longer zooms do offer better flexibility, so if that is important to you, then consider a longer zoom like those^^. But the 17-50 f2.8 will be the best "your smartphone but better" option.

Zoom is a main thing I’d like with flexibility and options. Would be using it for holidays like my fiancée wants to go around Europe and with work I can be sent anywhere from Africa to Canada. 
 

Plus I wouldn’t be abject to getting into it as a hobby. I won’t be using my PC as much after the next few months so I kinda need a new hobby.  

[GDRRiley]

33 minutes ago, Lord Vile said:

No clue what’s the difference between DSLR and mirrorless is.

DSLR means there is a mirror that moves to switch from an optical viewfinder to the sensor. mirorless don't have them so they are often smaller.

[Lord Vile]

Just now, GDRRiley said:

DSLR means there is a mirror that moves to switch from an optical viewfinder to the sensor. mirorless don't have them so they are often smaller.

Aaaaah thanks 

[GDRRiley]

Just now, Lord Vile said:

Aaaaah thanks 

welcome. and to add to the confusing some mirrorless have or can be added on viewfinder but are electronic 

[Lord Vile]

Just now, GDRRiley said:

welcome. and to add to the confusing some mirrorless have or can be added on viewfinder but are electronic 

Joys! Think I might be leaning more towards a DSLR or mirrorless vs a compact. 

[GDRRiley]

2 minutes ago, Lord Vile said:

Joys! Think I might be leaning more towards a DSLR or mirrorless vs a compact. 

yeah the big issue with compacts is lack of flexibility and most of the great ones are 1K+

[Lord Vile]

33 minutes ago, GDRRiley said:

yeah the big issue with compacts is lack of flexibility and most of the great ones are 1K+

Just sell my PC and get a camera  Can I ask what are the differences between Canon, Nikon, Sony and Fujifilm? I’m guessing they’ll have their own lens’ and probably won’t be able to use a Sony lens on a Canon for example? 

[GDRRiley]

11 hours ago, Lord Vile said:

Just sell my PC and get a camera  Can I ask what are the differences between Canon, Nikon, Sony and Fujifilm? I’m guessing they’ll have their own lens’ and probably won’t be able to use a Sony lens on a Canon for example? 

lens mounts are different.

canon has 3 current mounts. EF/EF-s RF and EF-M

RF and EF-M can use normal EF/EF-s lenses, all EF-s cameras can use EF with a 1.6x multiplier to the focal range.

 

the common one on lots of mirroless and smaller DSLRs is micro four thirds. MFT can use bigger lenses like EF or PL

Sony uses the E mount, Fujifilm uses the X mount.

 

Try more like sell a car, top end DSLRs/ mirroless are 2-5K

[Lord Vile]

12 minutes ago, GDRRiley said:

lens mounts are different.

canon has 3 current mounts. EF/EF-s RF and EF-M

RF and EF-M can use normal EF/EF-s lenses, all EF-s cameras can use EF with a 1.6x multiplier to the focal range.

 

the common one on lots of mirroless and smaller DSLRs is micro four thirds. MFT can use bigger lenses like EF or PL

Sony uses the E mount, Fujifilm uses the X mount.

 

Try more like sell a car, top end DSLRs/ mirroless are 2-5K

Just might have to watch out for which mounts in the future then. Cheers 
 

PC and MacBook then lol? 

[GDRRiley]

9 minutes ago, Lord Vile said:

Just might have to watch out for which mounts in the future then. Cheers 
 

PC and MacBook then lol? 

RF is canons new mount. EF-m is slightly dead. EF is a old mount from 1990s that has kept on living.

 

Camera gear gets crazy expensive buy bodys aren't what break the bank. it is lenses.

[Lord Vile]

11 hours ago, GDRRiley said:

RF is canons new mount. EF-m is slightly dead. EF is a old mount from 1990s that has kept on living.

 

Camera gear gets crazy expensive buy bodys aren't what break the bank. it is lenses.

Yeah I’ve had a quick look on amazon and they’re starting at like £300 up to thousands. Guessing there’s cheaper ones for the different mounts not made by canon etc though? 

[GDRRiley]

19 minutes ago, Lord Vile said:

Yeah I’ve had a quick look on amazon and they’re starting at like £300 up to thousands. Guessing there’s cheaper ones for the different mounts not made by canon etc though? 

canon EF has some cheap glass new. yongonu makes a 35 and 50mm for canon EF that are 90 and 40-50. I own just 4 lens right now.

35 F2, 50 f.18 both by yongonu, 75-300III and 18-135 IS. I tried a 28-135 USM but given it is an EF not an EF-s the crop was too much for a wide on my EF-s body.

I wish I had the USM version of both the canon lenses but I bought them used cheaply. USM is canon's name for a near silent auto focus, which matters for video.

 

big thing with canon is used lenses as even 25 year old lenses work just fine. The 75-300 III go used 50-80USD and the 28-135 was 125 USD. both of those were first made in the late 90s and still work amazing today.

[Lord Vile]

8 minutes ago, GDRRiley said:

canon EF has some cheap glass new. yongonu makes a 35 and 50mm for canon EF that are 90 and 40-50. I own just 4 lens right now.

35 F2, 50 f.18 both by yongonu, 75-300III and 18-135 IS. I tried a 28-135 USM but given it is an EF not an EF-s the crop was too much for a wide on my EF-s body.

I wish I had the USM version of both the canon lenses but I bought them used cheaply. USM is canon's name for a near silent auto focus, which matters for video.

 

big thing with canon is used lenses as even 25 year old lenses work just fine. The 75-300 III go used 50-80USD and the 28-135 was 125 USD. both of those were first made in the late 90s and still work amazing today.

Fair enough so eBay is my friend as always. Don’t think I’m too fussed about video I can always use my phone for that it’s more for photos. 

[GDRRiley]

Just now, Lord Vile said:

Fair enough so eBay is my friend as always. Don’t think I’m too fussed about video I can always use my phone for that it’s more for photos. 

ebay but also look at who are your camera stores from online to physical near you.

here in the US B&H along with adormba offer used with graded quality so you know what you are getting.

[Lord Vile]

46 minutes ago, GDRRiley said:

ebay but also look at who are your camera stores from online to physical near you.

here in the US B&H along with adormba offer used with graded quality so you know what you are getting.

There’s not that many around me to be honest, small town and that. Best I could do is London and that’s a decent train away and I don’t really know where anything is. 

[GDRRiley]

17 minutes ago, Lord Vile said:

There’s not that many around me to be honest, small town and that. Best I could do is London and that’s a decent train away and I don’t really know where anything is. 

Then go online. The 2 places I listed aren’t local but the 2 biggest US distributors. I don’t know for any other part of the world.