Good camera for beginner?

[ToeJullar]

It's been quite a while since I took my photography class back in High School, but I've recently enjoyed going out and taking pictures again.  I'm in the market for an entry level or beginner camera to use.

 

My budget is under $450 usd and I don't mind buying secondhand product.  So far I have only really looked at 2 cameras.  The Sony RX100 i and the Canon EOS Rebel T5.

 

I've seen many great reviews on both.  The Sony offers more mobility, whereas the canon will give me a chance to use different lenses and filters.  I mainly plan to use the camera for simple shots and videos of any travels I take (nothing too crazy).  I plan on studying abroad next fall and want to make sure I can document my time with decent photos.

 

Anyone have any recommendations?  If so please leave me some feedback and suggestions.  

[Nineshadow]

You can never go wrong with a Nikon D3200.

[ToeJullar]

I see many 3200 bundles at local stores.  I'll research that as well. =)

[xQubeZx]

If you dont plan on doing to much creative things the RX100 will probably be more suited for you because its smaller and if you dont invest in different lenses the DSLR is well just unessacary big imo.

[ShadowCaptain]

On 12/06/2016 at 7:55 AM, ToeJullar said:

SNIP

RX100 is an amazing travel camera, if you just want simple shots and video, that is uber quality the RX100 is a great choice, its small,light, inconspicuous, and will be allowed in more places when travelling, plus it has manual modes with things like focus peaking so can be used more creatively too

a D3200 or similar would be a great choice for a DSLR if you want to get seriously into it - but you will need a lot more stuff to get a good camera, - new lenses, a decent strap, a good tripod (and video head if you want video or at least a monopod or something) etc etc

[craydawg]

T3i or Die!

 

Just my experience. It's a little dated, great camera though. I think i've seen them around with kit lenses for $399

[ToeJullar]

Thanks for all of the information and opinions guys.  Appreciate it.  I think I may go for an RX100 since I can get a decent employee discount on it at BestBuy.  Also it seems to do everything I'm looking for while being in a small package.  Maybe down the road if I get more serious I'll look into a DSLR. =)

[10degnorth]

Canon is like the Apple of cameras, overpriced and not worth it, I would recommend the Nikon D3300 it will serve you great for years to come. It can also be picked up for fairly cheap on Craigslist and such.

[ShadowCaptain]

6 hours ago, ToeJullar said:

Thanks for all of the information and opinions guys.  Appreciate it.  I think I may go for an RX100 since I can get a decent employee discount on it at BestBuy.  Also it seems to do everything I'm looking for while being in a small package.  Maybe down the road if I get more serious I'll look into a DSLR. =)

Good idea, even as a person who uses DLSRs etc having an RX100 in your pocket is always something useful either as a backup or when a DSLR is OTT (like a party or night out)

[Walker998]

On 14/06/2016 at 4:47 AM, 10degnorth said:

Canon is like the Apple of cameras, overpriced and not worth it, I would recommend the Nikon D3300 it will serve you great for years to come. It can also be picked up for fairly cheap on Craigslist and such.

i'm curious give me reason to think that cannon is over-priced

and i also agree with the nikon d3300, i got it last saturday and besides the noise (all the more to look at photo editing software) is it an awesome entry level.

at least in the uk where it costs £270!

[KuyaJustin]

On 6/14/2016 at 11:47 AM, 10degnorth said:

Canon is like the Apple of cameras, overpriced and not worth it, I would recommend the Nikon D3300 it will serve you great for years to come. It can also be picked up for fairly cheap on Craigslist and such.

Eh not really (for me as a videographer) alot of people told me that Canon is much much more better than Nikon (when it comes to videographer kay so don't hate me)

I got Nikon D5300.

But i'm going to recommend Canon EOS Rebel T5 

[ShadowCaptain]

12 hours ago, KuyaJustin said:

alot of people told me that Canon is much much more better than Nikon (when it comes to videographer kay so don't hate me)

 

Not true tbh the modern Nikons are just as capable and they actually have a 4k camera now and everything

 

this "canon is better for video" is pretty bullshit

 

if anything SONY is best for video

[KuyaJustin]

3 hours ago, ShadowCaptain said:

Not true tbh the modern Nikons are just as capable and they actually have a 4k camera now and everything

 

this "canon is better for video" is pretty bullshit

 

if anything SONY is best for video

I agree that SONY is the best for video, maybe i'm wrong and just the "canon lens" are the best for videography

 

[ShadowCaptain]

3 minutes ago, KuyaJustin said:

I agree that SONY is the best for video, maybe i'm wrong and just the "canon lens" are the best for videography

 

Not really, there is tons of zeiss, samyang cine glass out there etc - normal camera lenses are not really suitable for video - even though a lot of us (including me) use them for that purpose

Canon when the 5dmk2 came out were top of the game with video, but not anymore, Canon are super behind in cameras right now

[ALwin]

49 minutes ago, KuyaJustin said:

snip

 

46 minutes ago, ShadowCaptain said:

snip

You both have to keep in mind "it depends on the amount you are willing to spend", and other factors.

 

Sony might offer a lot of features in the camera for the under-$10,000.00 category of cameras.  Go above $10,000.00 and Sony faces a lot of strong competition.

 

Even in the under $10,000.00 cameras, Sony has some competition because not every person who looks to buy a camera looks at only the in-camera tech and features.  There are many professional DPs who dislike Sony's color science and motion cadence of their cameras and buy Black Magic, RED, Canon, etc..

 

Samyang, Rokinon, etc. make cheap cine lenses.  But stack them up against the expensive Canon, Zeiss, Schneider, Fujinon and those cheap lenses fall apart.

 

Comparatively, Canon's internal All-I and IPB stacks up a lot better than Nikon's internal recording.  It's when using something like an Atomos Shogun/Ninja external recorder via the HDMI out that Nikon (at least in recent years) has come on top.

 

To claim "Sony (or XXX brand) is the best" depends really on each user's perspective.  For me, my FS7 is the "best" because of the following:

• I don't have the budget to buy a $20,000.00+ camera
• I am not filming movies

If I were a millionaire or is planning on filming a movie, I'd probably go for a RED.

[ShadowCaptain]

33 minutes ago, ALwin said:

 

You both have to keep in mind "it depends on the amount you are willing to spend", and other factors.

I was purely talking about like sub 5dmk3 priced cameras and general consumers

 

So like budget DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, etc, stuff that the OP is considering, as im sure he is not in the market for an Arri Alexa and Zeiss master prime