Yet Another Camera Advice Thread

[BoredErica]

Hi,

 

I'm thinking of getting a camera under $500. Right now my two contenders are the Nikon D3300 and the Sony A5100. They have the same sensor. 

 

I'll be taking pictures of stuff indoors mostly - GPUs, headphones, computer builds (where some parts inside the case won't be lit up well), along with the occasional shot of a person. No shots of anything that's moving really fast. I don't think I'll need wicked zoom.

 

The two things I'm thinking about are: low-light photography and video. I believe mirrorless cameras like the A5100 generally have better video quality? I have a Logitech c920 as a webcam. In the event that I ever decide to do a Youtube video of myself, would the A5100 be an upgrade? I can't hook up a mic directly to it though, I'd have to record my audio separately with like, Audacity.

 

And low light picture taking. My phone camera is not any of those flagship phones, and I really can't see shit when the lighting isn't immaculate. (No, seriously. I should take some photos for you guys just so you can see just how potato cameras can get...) I'd like to be able to take a picture of my case without 50 lights shining into it to see what's going on in there. Would the D3300 have better low light pictures? I dunno if that makes any sense considering the two cameras use the same sensor. Same sensor means the two cameras would have similar image quality? I guess it could differ due to different stock lenses.

 

I know little about photography but I don't think it would be a problem to learn how to do things manually and to shoot raw. On the other hand, the A5100 is smaller and lighter.

 

They are the same price used on Amazon right now, for like $390. What about lenses? Should I bother with an aftermarket one?

 

Thanks

[ShadowCaptain]

SNIP

 

Both are great camreas, A5100 is better for video, its smaller and lighter, the Nikon is better for stills better control, more lenses etc

 

Video features and samples for the 5100

 

[BoredErica]

Both are great camreas, A5100 is better for video, its smaller and lighter, the Nikon is better for stills better control, more lenses etc

 

Video features and samples for the 5100

 

That's a pretty informative video, thanks. I think I'm leaning towards the A5100. Smaller, better video, and low light photography isn't compromised.

[ShadowCaptain]

That's a pretty informative video, thanks. I think I'm leaning towards the A5100. Smaller, better video, and low light photography isn't compromised.

 

yeah limitations are no mic input jack (although i recommend an external recorder anyway), no flash hot shoe, limited lens ranges (getting better, and you can use awesome legacy glass like old manual canon FD flass), less battery life too

[BoredErica]

yeah limitations are no mic input jack (although i recommend an external recorder anyway), no flash hot shoe, limited lens ranges (getting better, and you can use awesome legacy glass like old manual canon FD flass), less battery life too

Nah, that battery life is not a problem to me at all.

 

The last camera I had (not counting my cell phone) used AA batteries and USB 1.1. I had to deal with that kind of battery.  :wacko:

 

No mic input jack - For a Youtube video I can just hook the Yeti up to my computer and Audacity, that should be fine.

 

What about aftermarket lenses though? Should I bother?

[ShadowCaptain]

Nah, that battery life is not a problem to me at all.

The last camera I had (not counting my cell phone) used AA batteries and USB 1.1. I had to deal with that kind of battery.  :wacko:

No mic input jack - For a Youtube video I can just hook the Yeti up to my computer and Audacity, that should be fine.

What about aftermarket lenses though? Should I bother?

 

You can get cheap 3rd party batteries, I use them for my Sony A7

 

You can if you are filming at your PC yes, if you get an external mic you can get a zoom H1 and record externally (better sound quality too)

 

Lenses, 100% yes, lenses are 10x more important than the camera, but it should come with  a kit lens, you can work out lenses later depending on budget

[BoredErica]

You can get cheap 3rd party batteries, I use them for my Sony A7

 

You can if you are filming at your PC yes, if you get an external mic you can get a zoom H1 and record externally (better sound quality too)

 

Lenses, 100% yes, lenses are 10x more important than the camera, but it should come with  a kit lens, you can work out lenses later depending on budget

What SD card should I get? I read that class 10 is probably enough.. The camera does 1080p 60fps at 50MB/s bitrate. 

 

EDIT:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Class-Memory-SF32UY2-TQ/dp/B00X13ZZGM

 

This looks fine, the title itself says up to 75MB/s.

EDIT:

Read that max speed is not the same as sustained writes like that of video taking.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Transcend-Speed-Class-Memory-TS32GSDHC10U1E/dp/B008CVHLT2

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X1404T4

 

Does it matter which one I get?

[ShadowCaptain]

What SD card should I get? I read that class 10 is probably enough.. The camera does 1080p 60fps at 50MB/s bitrate. 

 

if it helps I use these in my sony A7 and I primarily shoot video http://www.amazon.com/Transcend-Speed-UHS-3-Memory-TS64GSDU3/dp/B00J3KA814/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1437118777&sr=1-2&keywords=transcend+64gb&pebp=1437118794397&perid=1G866T7CPHF827WTZ24T

 

Super good price  size and speed, my friend also uses them in his nikon d800 fine too