Looking for a smallish Camera.

[Thorium19]

The Sony A5000 maybe? Its really small and take good photos for its price

Yes, I was going to mention this, the A5000, and if you can stretch to it, definitely the A6000, are good CSCs with an APS-C sensor and interchangeable lenses, but aren't bulky. If you want something with a better sensor than the RX100 but isn't as big as the 100d, then the a5000/6000 is the perfect choice.

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Yes, I was going to mention this, the A5000, and if you can stretch to it, definitely the A6000, are good CSCs with an APS-C sensor and interchangeable lenses, but aren't bulky. If you want something with a better sensor than the RX100 but isn't as big as the 100d, then the a5000/6000 is the perfect choice.

 

a5000 looks really nice. The photos also look a little better than the rx100. Is that mostly due to the sensor?

[ALwin]

a5000 looks really nice. The photos also look a little better than the rx100. Is that mostly due to the sensor?

 

No! It's due to the ID10T who stands behind the camera.

 

4 Questions Amateur Photographers Need to Stop Asking — And What They SHOULD Ask Instead

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No! It's due to the ID10T who stands behind the camera.

 

4 Questions Amateur Photographers Need to Stop Asking — And What They SHOULD Ask Instead

 

I mean I understand the difference between a good and bad photo, but the a5000 does look slightly sharper for distances compared to the rx100. Looking from multiple sources. Little less grainy haha.

[ALwin]

I mean I understand the difference between a good and bad photo, but the a5000 does look slightly sharper for distances compared to the rx100. Looking from multiple sources. Little less grainy haha.

The RX100 has a built in lens, the A5000 uses interchangeable lenses.  There are significant differences between a compact all-in-one camera like the RX100 vs the A5000.

 

Now what exactly are you looking for in a camera?  What is your skill level?

 

While this link is to an article that compares a compact camera to a DSLR, a mirrorless camera like the A5000 shares similarities with a DSLR.

http://www.cameralabs.com/features/DSLR_or_compact/should_you_buy_a_DSLR.shtml

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The RX100 has a built in lens, the A5000 uses interchangeable lenses.  There are significant differences between a compact all-in-one camera like the RX100 vs the A5000.

 

Now what exactly are you looking for in a camera?  What is your skill level?

 

My skill level is next to zero I guess you could say. I don't plan on taking professional photos, or uploading these to websites (besides my own personal one). I just want something that is solid, lasts a long time, and takes great photos. I'll be mostly using it for vacations; saving memories and such. See a lizard on the ground? Snap!

[ALwin]

My skill level is next to zero I guess you could say. I don't plan on taking professional photos, or uploading these to websites (besides my own personal one). I just want something that is solid, lasts a long time, and takes great photos. I'll be mostly using it for vacations; saving memories and such. See a lizard on the ground? Snap!

 

Ok you want something simple to use, compact to travel around with and within your budget of $500?

 

Here are my list of recommendations from cheapest to pricier:

1. Canon S120 (I used an older version of this, the S95, professionally)
2. Canon G16 (I now use this as my pocket camera, and some underwater work, again professionally)

While I do own large expensive DSLR and lenses, I sometimes use these types of cameras when I want to travel very light, going out with friends, or any other stuff where carrying a bigger camera might draw unwanted attention.

 

Both these cameras perform much better than cheap $50-200 compact point-n-shoot cameras. They provide some advanced features that you may come to like and use as you learn more about photography.

 

Other cameras you may find interesting, if you want to go the route of having the ability to change lenses. Prices sorted from lowest to highest ($500) and these already come with a kit lens.  You need to figure out if you want to carry something like this which may be slightly larger and heavier than the two Canon cameras I listed above.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Bodies%2fKits_Zoom+Lens+Kits&ci=16158&Ns=p_PRICE_2|0&N=4288586281+4057922429&mxp=500

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Ok you want something simple to use, compact to travel around with and within your budget of $500?

 

Here are my list of recommendations from cheapest to pricier:

1. Canon S120 (I used an older version of this, the S95, professionally)
2. Canon G16 (I now use this as my pocket camera, and some underwater work, again professionally)

While I do own large expensive DSLR and lenses, I sometimes use these types of cameras when I want to travel very light, going out with friends, or any other stuff where carrying a bigger camera might draw unwanted attention.

 

Both these cameras perform much better than cheap $50-200 compact point-n-shoot cameras. They provide some advanced features that you may come to like and use as you learn more about photography.

 

Other cameras you may find interesting, if you want to go the route of having the ability to change lenses. Prices sorted from lowest to highest ($500) and these already come with a kit lens.  You need to figure out if you want to carry something like this which may be slightly larger and heavier than the two Canon cameras I listed above.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Bodies%2fKits_Zoom+Lens+Kits&ci=16158&Ns=p_PRICE_2|0&N=4288586281+4057922429&mxp=500

 

The a5000 just seems like such a good camera for $100 more compared to an s120. I feel like the s120 will become outdated with high resolution displays. 

[ALwin]

The a5000 just seems like such a good camera for $100 more compared to an s120. I feel like the s120 will become outdated with high resolution displays. 

 

A Full HD display is only 2 megapixels, a 4K display is about 8 megapixels.

 

Check out the link to B&H in my last comment, there I am linking other cameras similar to the A5000.

 

EDIT: FYI, buying the A5000 or similar cameras where you can change the lens, for your budget you will get the kit lens at most which is usually 18-55mm, which is not a long focal length or provides long reach.

[ALwin]

Ok right now it's late for me and I have a full workload in the morning. It seems like you are still unsure about a lot of things, why don't we chat tomorrow and I can explain everything you want to know about cameras and photography.

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Ok right now it's late for me and I have a full workload in the morning. It seems like you are still unsure about a lot of things, why don't we chat tomorrow and I can explain everything you want to know about cameras and photography.

 

Yeah there is just a whole lot to consider. Seems like there is a lot of I guess bs in the marketing, and I've just been comparing back and forth. Pentax QS1 seems like a better value. A chat would be great.

[ALwin]

Yeah there is just a whole lot to consider. Seems like there is a lot of I guess bs in the marketing, and I've just been comparing back and forth. Pentax QS1 seems like a better value. A chat would be great.

 

Ok regarding camera sensors, two things you need to understand.  Generally the rule is "larger sensors have better image quality".

• Crop factor
• Field of view

This is your stated requirement: "I just want something that is solid, lasts a long time, and takes great photos. I'll be mostly using it for vacations; saving memories and such. See a lizard on the ground? Snap!"

 

​While I just said that larger sensors tend to be better, there are slight drawbacks that may not be suitable for your requirements.  In digital photography the full frame 35mm sensor has become the industry standard to measure all other sensors against, at least for anything smaller.  I won't get into medium format and large format sensors here.

 

So for you buying a camera like the A5000 or any other camera with a sensor larger than, for example the Canon S120 or G16 I mentioned, while you will certainly get better image quality you will be sacrificing convenience.  Because of the crop factor and narrower field of view of smaller sensors, when using a lens of the same focal length as larger sensor cameras, there is a perception that you are able to zoom in (reach) to a further distance.  Hence with a camera like the Canon G16 the built in lens gives you capability to zoom more than with the basic kit lens of most mirrorless and DSLR cameras (i.e. 18-55mm).

 

In an earlier post I linked you to a list of compact cameras within your budget, in another post I linked you to a list of mirrorless (larger sensor) cameras within your budget.  Personally it doesn't matter to me what camera you buy, however I want you to be aware of what you will be investing in.

 

A camera like the A5000

• ​better image quality
• will require different lenses for different focal length zoom and reach

A camera like the Canon S120 or G16

• built in lenses, due to the crop factor, give you a longer zoom and reach
• but image quality may not be as good

There are many more things you can learn about photography, such as Depth of Field which is also partly determined by sensor size.

 

Try to ignore the megapixel count of cameras.  For your needs, 12MP is basically enough.  You can go higher if you want, but that will require larger memory cards and more storage space on your computer.

 

Finally, go visit a camera store.  Look at the different models they carry, ask the clerks to show you the display models.  Hold them in your hands, consider if you want to carry the weight and size.  Your requirements in a camera are very basic, you are not going to shoot professional looking photos, you are not printing photos for clients, you are not doing a photography website.

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Ok regarding camera sensors, two things you need to understand.  Generally the rule is "larger sensors have better image quality".

• Crop factor
• Field of view

This is your stated requirement: "I just want something that is solid, lasts a long time, and takes great photos. I'll be mostly using it for vacations; saving memories and such. See a lizard on the ground? Snap!"

 

​While I just said that larger sensors tend to be better, there are slight drawbacks that may not be suitable for your requirements.  In digital photography the full frame 35mm sensor has become the industry standard to measure all other sensors against, at least for anything smaller.  I won't get into medium format and large format sensors here.

 

So for you buying a camera like the A5000 or any other camera with a sensor larger than, for example the Canon S120 or G16 I mentioned, while you will certainly get better image quality you will be sacrificing convenience.  Because of the crop factor and narrower field of view of smaller sensors, when using a lens of the same focal length as larger sensor cameras, there is a perception that you are able to zoom in (reach) to a further distance.  Hence with a camera like the Canon G16 the built in lens gives you capability to zoom more than with the basic kit lens of most mirrorless and DSLR cameras (i.e. 18-55mm).

 

In an earlier post I linked you to a list of compact cameras within your budget, in another post I linked you to a list of mirrorless (larger sensor) cameras within your budget.  Personally it doesn't matter to me what camera you buy, however I want you to be aware of what you will be investing in.

 

A camera like the A5000

• ​better image quality
• will require different lenses for different focal length zoom and reach

A camera like the Canon S120 or G16

• built in lenses, due to the crop factor, give you a longer zoom and reach
• but image quality may not be as good

There are many more things you can learn about photography, such as Depth of Field which is also partly determined by sensor size.

 

Try to ignore the megapixel count of cameras.  For your needs, 12MP is basically enough.  You can go higher if you want, but that will require larger memory cards and more storage space on your computer.

 

Finally, go visit a camera store.  Look at the different models they carry, ask the clerks to show you the display models.  Hold them in your hands, consider if you want to carry the weight and size.  Your requirements in a camera are very basic, you are not going to shoot professional looking photos, you are not printing photos for clients, you are not doing a photography website.

 

Thank you very much.  I'll have a good read for later in the day. I'll see if I can find a few camera stores, and hold them since have never held a "professional" camera before. My last camera was a fujifilm finepix 8MP that someone left out in the rain so pictures were always foggy haha. I am leaning to a larger sensor, but we'll see what I think after reading. Thanks!

 

 

Oh one more thing; is image stabilization important for taking pictures of movement, or just for the cameras movement?

[ALwin]

Oh one more thing; is image stabilization important for taking pictures of movement, or just for the cameras movement?

 

Image stabilization is always good to have, but keep in mind that it has limitations.  It will not help you under certain conditions.  Image stabilization is there only to assist you.

 

 

Read these links.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/image-stabilization-when-use-it-and-when-turn-it

 

http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/223/is-digital-camera-image-stabilization-important/

 

http://www.lightstalking.com/a-quick-guide-to-image-stabilization/