Best DSLR/Mirrorless Camera - 2021/22

[SarlechS]

Hi Guys,

I’ve always wanted to get into photography and with Black Friday / Cyber Monday coming up I feel now is a good time to pull the trigger on one

For someone who is a novice with the aim to getting to an amateur level when it comes to photography what should I be looking for?

I understand canon and Nikon dominate this market but I really like the tech that comes with the mirrorless Sony Alphas. I’m also swaying more towards full frame over crop sensors if I’m going to the trouble of spending £1000-1500 I don’t see the point of not going FF? Or am I wrong here?

I’ll really be using the camera at weddings / family events and maybe holidays

Are there any big models coming soon over the next few months?

Appreciate this is an open question but really looking for some guidance from you keen photographers on PH

Thanks in advance

[Whoozit]

Lots of questions there, which is great!

FF over crop has two main benefits i) better low light capability (albeit increasingly marginal for most uses) ii) shallower depth of field. Both of those benefit from having more open apertures ( the lower f/ number) in the lens.

Surprise #1 - for FF, you'll need to spend 50-100% of the price of the camera per lens, for the best quality low aperture lenses.

Surprise #2 - they'll be heavy....

Surprise #3 - for sharing online images, composition, colour and contrast make a bigger difference than shallow depth of field. And megapixels only make a real difference if you're printing to more than 30 inches wide OR doing extreme shadows recovery in processing - which can be countered by exposure bracketing and blending.

Sorry if this is confusing. Best thing to do? Head into a local camera store if you have one, and pick up a few cameras+lenses in your price bracket and pick one that feels right in your hand.

[djsmith74]

I think you're going to struggle to get a mirrorless FF setup for your budget. As the previous poster has mentioned, FF cameras need decent lenses to get the best out of the sensor, and decent FF lenses are not cheap at all.

For what you're going to use it for, I would be looking at Micro 4/3 mirrorless cameras, or even crop sensor mirrorless cameras - look at Olympus, Panasonic, Fuji. I've been shooting with an Olympus setup for around 9 years now, and haven't regretted making the move from my DSLR set-up.

Once you know what you want, and if buying 2nd hand isn't an issue, then have a look at MPB for decent 2nd hand gear - I've bought several lenses from them without issue. Or even look at DigitalRev for grey imports, which are usually much cheaper than UK prices, even in Black Friday sales, which aren't always that cheap.

[Lynchie999]

... a used A7iii and a "budget" sony prime lens would be your best bet....

[SarlechS]

Appreciate the help on this guys, i would consider a 3:4/ 16:9 crop sensor if there isn't much different between a crop and full frame. The stuff i see on flickr looks much better when i see the full frame cameras

If you guys think an FF is a pointless purchase and i'm better off honing my skills before moving from crop to full then i'd definitely consider that. I was looking at it from the lens of i'm paying £1200-1500 for a crop sensor why not pay a bit more and future proof myself?

I really like the Sony A7 but all the forums/ articles I've read are pointing me towards the Nikon/Canons but i'm not sure if that's because the purist don't really rate the Sony's.

The last few weddings I've been to are mostly shooting with high end Sony's now...

edit...what do you guys make of this

https://youtu.be/moi5tG8TAUY

Edited by SarlechS on Thursday 18th November 16:51

[rampageturke]

SarlechS said:

Hi Guys,

I’ve always wanted to get into photography and with Black Friday / Cyber Monday coming up I feel now is a good time to pull the trigger on one

For someone who is a novice with the aim to getting to an amateur level when it comes to photography what should I be looking for?

I understand canon and Nikon dominate this market but I really like the tech that comes with the mirrorless Sony Alphas. I’m also swaying more towards full frame over crop sensors if I’m going to the trouble of spending £1000-1500 I don’t see the point of not going FF? Or am I wrong here?

I’ll really be using the camera at weddings / family events and maybe holidays

Are there any big models coming soon over the next few months?

Appreciate this is an open question but really looking for some guidance from you keen photographers on PH

Thanks in advance

I'm a sony APSC shooter. There's nothing on the horizon yet that will replace the current a6100/6400/6600. The APSC scene for sony has gotten some good rejuvenation the last year and a bit from some great 3rd party lenses coming out, most notably two very capable f2.8 zooms. There is also the trio of Sigma primes for APSC which are a no-brainer and amazing image quality. The 3rd party support for lenses is what brought me over to sony, as well as their AF tech, which these days has almost been matched by Canon and Nikon are catching up.

But anyone discounting Sony in the camera game isn't doing so for any genuine reason.

I would also recommend you to look at Fuji cameras as well, very capable APSC line with great out-of-camera JPGs if you don't want to mess with raws. There's some good lenses for Fuji out also.

[TimmyWimmyWoo]

Get a Fuji - an XT4 or similar. I ditched full frame four years ago, mostly for weight considerations, but I’ve used the Fuji system since then for work and love it. The colour, film simulations (which you can apply to raw files in Lightroom) and handling are all brilliant, and the image quality is fantastic. You won’t get the same depth of field but nearly every Fuji lens is fab, and they’re a lot more affordable than first-party FF lenses. Also brilliant for video, which seems to be 80% of my use these days.

I know it’s hard to not be swayed by FF but try a Fuji and see how you like it. They’ve a flagship store in Covent Garden if you’re nearby, but most camera stores stock them.

[Phunk]

TimmyWimmyWoo said:

Get a Fuji - an XT4 or similar. I ditched full frame four years ago, mostly for weight considerations, but I’ve used the Fuji system since then for work and love it. The colour, film simulations (which you can apply to raw files in Lightroom) and handling are all brilliant, and the image quality is fantastic. You won’t get the same depth of field but nearly every Fuji lens is fab, and they’re a lot more affordable than first-party FF lenses. Also brilliant for video, which seems to be 80% of my use these days.

I know it’s hard to not be swayed by FF but try a Fuji and see how you like it. They’ve a flagship store in Covent Garden if you’re nearby, but most camera stores stock them.

Snap, I switched from a full frame Canon 5D to a Fuji XT3.

I haven’t looked back, much lighter, and even the kit lens is excellent quality.

[craig1912]

I switched from FF Sony A7iii to a Fuji X-Pro3. More immersive experience and feels like a “proper” camera.
Most people won’t really notice the difference in IQ between Apsc and FF. lenses for FF are much bigger and heavier.
One of my best photos I had printed 1m wide and that was from an Olympus m4/3 so you really don’t need FF.

[Simpo Two]

craig1912 said:

I switched from FF Sony A7iii to a Fuji X-Pro3. More immersive experience and feels like a “proper” camera.
Most people won’t really notice the difference in IQ between Apsc and FF. lenses for FF are much bigger and heavier.
One of my best photos I had printed 1m wide and that was from an Olympus m4/3 so you really don’t need FF.

There's more to sensor size than how big you can make the prints.

[craig1912]

Simpo Two said:

There's more to sensor size than how big you can make the prints.

I didn’t say there wasn’t. Just pointing out that you can get decent IQ from smaller sensors and FF isn’t a necessity or even desirable for many hobby photographers.

That was actually the mistake I made, “thinking” I wanted/needed FF.

[FunkyGibbon]

Whoozit said:

Best thing to do? Head into a local camera store if you have one, and pick up a few cameras+lenses in your price bracket and pick one that feels right in your hand.

This ^ 100%

I was convinced that I wanted/needed Nikon mirrorless. I went to Wex with the budget and determination to purchase such. However, I spent 4 hours talking to the sales guys about what I want top achieve and I held and played with cameras from all the main brands; Nikon, Fuji, Panasonic, Olympus, Sony.

For me, and it is personal, the Panasonic G9 blew me away. It felt right in my hands, the menus made sense, the autofocus was amazing, as it is M4/3 it is low weight and the lenses were excellent and light.

OK, M4/3 is not ideal for low light, but that is not an issue for me. I much prefer that my 400mm zoom is 800mm FF equivalent and doesn't weigh a ton.

The feel in you hand is very important (IMHO) as that is the key interface you have with the device.

Good luck with your photography journey, you will enjoy it.

FG

[Bumblebee7]

I would look at Micro 4/3's and the Fuji's. I owned an Olympus M4/3 and absolutely loved it, in my infinite wisdom I upgraded to a Sony A7iii and although the image quality is improved I've found myself using it much less due to the size and the lenses are bloody expensive, especially when it's just for hobby use. I'm in for at least £4k worth of kit and lenses and most of the time it just sits in a bag in the corner of the room.

The depth of field is nice on FF but you can still get great DOF with a smaller sensor in the right conditions and with the right lens. And it's much easier to have the right lens when they're so much cheaper on M4/3 or Fuji. If you get a M4/3 I could not recommend the 20mm Panny (40mm equiv) highly enough. Most of my photos were taken with it.

Lenses are really important and you're likely to keep them longer than your camera so it's worth looking at the lenses you want and working backwards from there.

[BabySharkDooDooDooDooDooDoo]

Amazon have a great price on the LUMIX S5 with both a 20-60 kit lens and a 50mm 1.8 lens.

it’s £1,599 for the lot

[Derek Smith]

I bought a G7 when it first arrived. My sole reason for going 4/3 was that hanging my full-frame one around my neck all day became a bit of a pain.

Firstly, the weight-saving made a difference. I'm pleased. Further, I use a gimbal and I think a FF would be too much for most people.

However, the camera performance has stunned me, particularly the 4K video. Quite remarkable. While it seems overkill for YouTube videos, it allows a great deal of enlargement. The standard lens is of good quality, especially for the price, although I got mine on offer. I've also got a 100-300 zoom, 200-600 in old money, for motor racing, you know, what was cancelled in lockdown. I've not used it much, except where I've had to move further away for a suitable vantage point. This image is superb. Well chuffed, although many might consider it a bit of a waste of money. It needs a tripod for steadiness, not to mention weight.

I've got a little Panasonic compact that's some 8 years old, taken on holidays, stuck in the glove locker, and used at parties and such. It takes a pounding. It's familiar in the hand. The controls are very similar to the G7, and for a bloke my age the fact I don't have to learn too much new stuff, and don't have to worry which camera I'm using, is a bonus.

I have no criticisms of my G7. The high spec (and price) offerings from Panasonic might have been a better buy, but I've got all I need, and possibly want for now.

[David_M]

djsmith74 said:

For what you're going to use it for, I would be looking at Micro 4/3 mirrorless cameras, or even crop sensor mirrorless cameras - look at Olympus, Panasonic, Fuji.

I agree with the above. Look at Park Cameras used gear for very good prices - I have bought several cameras / lenses from them and they have always been at a good price and very good condition.

[Craikeybaby]

I'm another one that went from full frame (Canon) to a Fuji cropped sensor.

Another thing to consider is that good lenses make a difference - I would rather have a cropped sensor camera with good lenses than a full frame camera with an average lens.

My advice would be to go under budget with a cropped sensor camera and kit lens, and keep some money back for that inevitable next lens purchase. Once you have started getting to grips with the kit you will know what you need from your next lens.

[TimmyWimmyWoo]

Quick snap from my XT4 and the 16-80 kit lens on a work thing last night. It’s a very good choice if you’re flicking between video and stills…

[SarlechS]

you guys have definitely opened up my eyes to going crop with a better lens now....one quick question though and it might be a very silly question so please accept my ignorance. What's the biggest difference between a £1000-1500 camera vs an iPhone 13 Pro Max or something equivalent, I've looked at a lot of comparison videos and pictures and there's a lot of people suggesting there isn't much difference in quality (especially in light environments) is there any truth to this?

That Fuji sure takes some lovely shots!

[Bumblebee7]

SarlechS said:

you guys have definitely opened up my eyes to going crop with a better lens now....one quick question though and it might be a very silly question so please accept my ignorance. What's the biggest difference between a £1000-1500 camera vs an iPhone 13 Pro Max or something equivalent, I've looked at a lot of comparison videos and pictures and there's a lot of people suggesting there isn't much difference in quality (especially in light environments) is there any truth to this?

That Fuji sure takes some lovely shots!

I'm sure the iPhone can take some lovely photos, as I was very impressed with my iPhone 7. The short answer is they'll both take very good photos, you'll find plenty of keen photographers will rely heavily on their phones when out and about for the day as no one is going to carry a camera on the off chance you see something interesting.

That being said you can't defeat physics, this is both in terms of lenses and in terms of sensor size. The larger the sensor the better it will be at gathering light, minimal noise in the images and better DoF. In terms of lenses a small lens just can't replicate the light gathering ability of a larger lens. Same goes for a telephoto lens, they physically need to be big. You can't make a telephoto fit in a pocket.

Most people are perfectly happy with phone photos though and nothing wrong with that. VW Golf is a perfectly good everyday car, but there's others who want a Lotus. Gold wouldn't be preferred choice on a race track (well certainly not a standard model) and likewise you wouldn't want a Lotus for the school run.