Camera upgrade for mama B

[dizmo]

For my mothers Christmas present this year I've decided to get her a camera. I've gotten her a camera every few years, and now that she has a cell phone, I feel I can step up from the pocketable point and shoots she's been using to something more substantial. I'm leaning more towards the A5100, as it seems a little simpler to use, and I don't think she'd benefit from the A6000 other than the higher speed shooting.

Her current camera is a Canon ELPH 530 HS.

 

Wants:

• Preferably a large sensor, 4/3's is ok but APS-C is greatly preferred.
• Compact body, easy to hold. My mom's a small lady.
• Ideally I'd like to have a high shooting rate.
• Simple to use controls/menus.
• Full size SD card.
• 4k video recording isn't needed, but would be a nice plus.

Cameras I'm considering:

• Sony A5100
• Sony A6000
  Honestly it'll probably be this one, as I've found better deals on this than the A5100.

 

I thought of the Olympus E-M10 Mark II but it only has a micro 4/3's sensor, and it seems a little much in terms of controls. Has a much sexier look to it though.

Have I missed any contenders? I'd love to hear your guys suggestions.

[cc143]

If she's not that into video at all look at a fuji x-t10 as well, other than that, the a6000 is probably your best bet, although the menu system and interfaces are appauling on that thing. Also, its battery life is pretty bad, so maybe pick up a couple of 3rd party ones, although the same applies for the fuji, maybe to a lesser extent though. 

 

Fuji has a cheaper and better glass selection. 

 

The lumix G7 is also pretty well priced, although I wouldn't go for it due to the smaller sensor. I think APS-C is a good place to be. 

 

What's your budget? any chance of fitting an xt20 in there? 

[dizmo]

44 minutes ago, cc143 said:

If she's not that into video at all look at a fuji x-t10 as well, other than that, the a6000 is probably your best bet, although the menu system and interfaces are appauling on that thing. Also, its battery life is pretty bad, so maybe pick up a couple of 3rd party ones, although the same applies for the fuji, maybe to a lesser extent though. 

 

Fuji has a cheaper and better glass selection. 

 

The lumix G7 is also pretty well priced, although I wouldn't go for it due to the smaller sensor. I think APS-C is a good place to be. 

 

What's your budget? any chance of fitting an xt20 in there? 

I'd like to have decent video be an option, as I imagine she'll get into that as my sisters kids get older.

The XT10/20 looks a little too complicated for what I was thinking.

Haha, yeah RavPower makes a good dual battery charger so I'd grab one of those if I get the Sony.

 

Glass selection isn't important, it's not something that she'd get into.

 

Budget isn't too relevant as I'd search for deals on whatever camera is suggested, but let's say the camera would retail up to $1,200 USD for older ones and less for newer ones as they'll be harder to find.

[cc143]

4 hours ago, dizmo said:

I'd like to have decent video be an option, as I imagine she'll get into that as my sisters kids get older.

The XT10/20 looks a little too complicated for what I was thinking.

Haha, yeah RavPower makes a good dual battery charger so I'd grab one of those if I get the Sony.

 

Glass selection isn't important, it's not something that she'd get into.

 

Budget isn't too relevant as I'd search for deals on whatever camera is suggested, but let's say the camera would retail up to $1,200 USD for older ones and less for newer ones as they'll be harder to find.

You say that, but because the xt20 is laid out in front of you instead of looking through menus and because exposure functions in the Fuji system are laid out in tactile dials etc. it is actually easier to understand and use. I routinely teach kids I work with (11-15) about photography, and it is just much easier with the xt10 because everything is laid out in front of you, you don't have to assign it to a fn button or look through a menu. With a dslr that is much harder. 

 

I think your budget would probably fit an xt20 with an 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS, don't go dor the 16-50mm, the 18-55mm is much better. 

[Mihle]

On 30/04/2018 at 4:36 AM, dizmo said:

I'd like to have decent video be an option, as I imagine she'll get into that as my sisters kids get older.

The XT10/20 looks a little too complicated for what I was thinking.

Haha, yeah RavPower makes a good dual battery charger so I'd grab one of those if I get the Sony.

 

Glass selection isn't important, it's not something that she'd get into.

 

Budget isn't too relevant as I'd search for deals on whatever camera is suggested, but let's say the camera would retail up to $1,200 USD for older ones and less for newer ones as they'll be harder to find.

Are she using it in full auto?

[dizmo]

On 4/30/2018 at 12:47 AM, cc143 said:

You say that, but because the xt20 is laid out in front of you instead of looking through menus and because exposure functions in the Fuji system are laid out in tactile dials etc. it is actually easier to understand and use. I routinely teach kids I work with (11-15) about photography, and it is just much easier with the xt10 because everything is laid out in front of you, you don't have to assign it to a fn button or look through a menu. With a dslr that is much harder. 

 

I think your budget would probably fit an xt20 with an 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS, don't go dor the 16-50mm, the 18-55mm is much better. 

What are your thoughts on the Olympus E-M10 Mark 2?

It's only micro 4/3, but it has the same set up as the XT20 and is about a 1/5 - 1/4 of the price of the XT20, but I don't really see it being 5x the camera.

It's gotten a pretty good review from DPRreview.

6 hours ago, Mihle said:

Are she using it in full auto?

I would imagine so, but who knows; she might get further into it.

[cc143]

30 minutes ago, dizmo said:

What are your thoughts on the Olympus E-M10 Mark 2?

It's only micro 4/3, but it has the same set up as the XT20 and is about a 1/5 - 1/4 of the price of the XT20, but I don't really see it being 5x the camera.

It's gotten a pretty good review from DPRreview.

I would imagine so, but who knows; she might get further into it.

Is it really that much of a difference? I mean given the x-t20 should be about $1000 with the 18-55 that means you got an em10mk2 for $250? If you did then sure, that's a great deal. 

 

My objection is with the sensor personally, I wouldn't go for something smaller than aps-c unless it had significant size advantages or some other specialist reason. I do think the fuji will end up being easier to use, but other than that, the m10mk2 is fine I guess. The x-t20 would probably be the ideal choice, but the olympus should work. There's also a more extensive lens system I think. 

[dizmo]

2 minutes ago, cc143 said:

Is it really that much of a difference? I mean given the x-t20 should be about $1000 with the 18-55 that means you got an em10mk2 for $250? If you did then sure, that's a great deal. 

 

My objection is with the sensor personally, I wouldn't go for something smaller than aps-c unless it had significant size advantages or some other specialist reason. I do think the fuji will end up being easier to use, but other than that, the m10mk2 is fine I guess. The x-t20 would probably be the ideal choice, but the olympus should work. There's also a more extensive lens system I think. 

It's an older camera, so they can be found very cheap. One of the local camera shops has a couple for about that, and I've seen some new ones go through quite cheap on eBay as well. They just released the MK3, so more will pop up as we get closer to Christmas.

 

I thought that too, but a lot of professionals use micro 4/3 so I'm not sure if it'll really make that much of an impact?

Lens ecosystems don't really matter.

[cc143]

2 minutes ago, dizmo said:

It's an older camera, so they can be found very cheap. One of the local camera shops has a couple for about that, and I've seen some new ones go through quite cheap on eBay as well. They just released the MK3, so more will pop up as we get closer to Christmas.

 

I thought that too, but a lot of professionals use micro 4/3 so I'm not sure if it'll really make that much of an impact?

Lens ecosystems don't really matter.

Well the a lot of professionals use it may not be the best arguments when talking about every day individuals. A pro will quickly realise the limitations of their equipment and take them in mind when using it, altering their workflow accordingly or pick equipment that fits their workflow in the first place. 

 

For instance, if you are a pro and know your camera performs okay in certain sorts of lighting up to 3200 ISO you shoot up to 3200 ISO, if you set the camera in auto it might decide well hang on a minute, I can go up to 25600, why not just do that and shoot at 1/250th instead of 1/30th. 

 

I've never edited or shot m4/3 cameras, so I'm not an expert by any stretch, but it might be something to consider.