What is the best camera for new photographers and videographers trying to get into the business?

wranglergamer · February 4, 2021

Hi every one! I am a newish photographer and videographer looking for what camera I should get and maybe this could help others like me out there. So currently I use mostly my drone (mavic air 2) and that is what got me really into this stuff. I started using d-cinelike (a flat color profile) and editing my own in davinci resolve. For photos I use raw most of the time and edit them in Adobe Photoshop, and Light room classic, unless I was just trying to quickly send a photo to my phone then I use regular jpeg. I am starting to get good at this and people have been asking me for shoots, but many want me to use regular cameras as well as drone photos and videos. I have two old cameras I used to use when I wanted to be like Linus and made my own youtube videos lol. I have a canon G7X MKII, and a samsung (lol IK) NX3300 with the kit lens I got years ago. Both these cameras seem to shoot ok photos and I am able to do OK with them, but I want to know what should I do to upgrade. What budget is the lowest I should do to get a better camera then what I have I want to look more professional then taking my g7 point and shoot and I am not a huge fan of the way the photos look from the samsung. Can I spend $500 for a better camera? $600 $800 $1,000? you get the picture. Also if I am adding video in my shoots does it matter if the camera is still only 1080p. I usually shoot 4k with the drone unless I am doing slow motion or something specific.

SO TL/DR is I am looking for the best entry level cameras DSLR / mirrorless of 2020/2021 so far I can get definitely under $1000 and as low as possible

jaslion · February 4, 2021

Best thing for you to do is get a used one from a couple years ago still plenty good. So yeah those best camera of x year lists and then ebay em. Often they come with a bunch of lenses too and really you don't get better for under 1000$ usually.

Radium_Angel · February 4, 2021

17 minutes ago, wranglergamer said:

what camera I should get

The one that feels best in your hands.

If the controls fall in place and everything feels right, you will use the camera far more often, than one that is confusing or oddly sized (I'm looking at you Olympus OM-D EM-5)

Source: I am a professional photographer.

GDRRiley · February 5, 2021

used xt-3 or XE4 body only with a 18-55 F2.8-f4 but both are going to be 1100-1300$
canon SL3 for photos is fine but add on an atomos Ninja V thats again going to be 1100-1300$

used GH4 or GH5

there are some cheap X-T20 on Lens authority

Edited February 5, 2021 by GDRRiley

KenjiS9965 · February 9, 2021

On 2/4/2021 at 3:29 PM, Radium_Angel said:

The one that feels best in your hands.

If the controls fall in place and everything feels right, you will use the camera far more often, than one that is confusing or oddly sized (I'm looking at you Olympus OM-D EM-5)

Source: I am a professional photographer.

This.

Maybe if you really wanna be serious about it I'd consider looking at something from say, Sony or Canon because they're commonly used in the higher end video space, get used to their names for various controls/menu functions and stuff. But overall ergonomics are probably the biggest factor.

an A6000 shouldnt be too expensive last I looked and is still a very solid little camera.

Your money should go primarily to lenses, Not so much the camera body. I'd stick to a mirrorless as opposed to a DSLR because DSLRs are somewhat dying off at this point.