I get asked this question a lot. And I realized today that I have been giving enough of the same answer that maybe I should post the information and point people toward it. Maybe it will be helpful to people who haven't asked.
First, a few caveats:
- One, just about everyone has heard or read the aphorism "the best camera is the one you have with you." It may be hoary, but it is absolutely true. If you care about making images, and it bugs you that they always get dumbed down on Facebook and Instagram, then you should consider carefully what you think you will carry with you. An iPhone X takes nice pictures, with reasonably deep resolution. You can buy accessory lens kits from Moment that are actually high quality, and you could take pics all over the world, upscale them, and 99% of the world would be unable to discern they were taken with a phone camera. I love taking pictures with my iPhone, and because it is always with me, some of my otherwise-never-would-have-gotten-pics were taken with my iPhone. If you already have a good-to-excellent phone camera, ask yourself: "Why do i want more?"
- Digital cameras are consumer technology devices. That means they are subject to the same :"what-you-just-bought-is-already-obsolete" cycle as televisions, phones, computers, and even cars. If it's important to you to have the latest and greatest, cameras will drive you crazy.
- For the most part, I don't use my cameras to shoot video. If that's your interest, check any of the various photography sites on line, or even Amazon or B+H Photo. FWIW, I shoot medium format with Phase One cameras and lenses, and Cambo technical cameras, and Rodenstock and Schneider lenses. I've tried Alpa, but prefer Cambo, especially for field landscape work, and because of their ease of use. When I shoot with the Cambo cameras, I use the Phase One backs. For full frame 35mm form, I use Nikon bodies (810 and 850) and a variety of Zeiss, Sigma, and Nikon lenses. Candidly though, ever since I took up medium format photography, I have hardly used my Nikons. I also shoot with the two Sony cameras discussed below, and use my iPhone X all the time.
- Your images are about you. There are pros using and getting paid for images taken with 10 to 50 year old cameras. They are being paid for their skill, not their equipment. Contrary to what some people say, I actually think better equipment can help you become a better photographer. But in reality, that's only because you really want to become one.
Having said all that, here are my recommendations as of March 15, 2018:
- If what you want is a pocketable point & shoot (P&S), my recommendation is whichever Sony RX-100 V/VI/VII you can find that provides the lens zoom and aperture range you desire. I've owned all three, and I stuck with the VII. I believe this line has been discontinued, but there really isn't another camera quite like it.. It's not cheap at about $1000, but It is small, solid and well-made, and it will take excellent pictures for years. Fits easily in a pocket or purse.
- If you wants something a little more substantial, that handles, looks and behaves like a “real” camera, but doesn’t require lens changing, I highly recommend the<a href="https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1368989-REG" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> </a><a href="https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1368989-REG">DSC-RX10 IV</a>. Known as a "bridge camera," it ain’t cheap (about $1700), but it will do just about anything a full DSLR kit will do. Sadly, this camera has also been discontinued.I have one arriving this week. I am going to try it out as a “speed kit,” to carry when I want good pics but don’t want to carry a full rig, when light weight is paramount, etc. I plan to try it when I go to the slot canyons in Arizona next month, and if I decide to keep it, will probably take it to Bora Bora and almost certainly to Africa. [Update: this camera did everything I wanted in slot canyons and in Africa; if I wasn't such a gear slut, I would likely never use anything else.]
- If you are interested in a DSLR rig, I would recommend any of the Nikons or (again) a Sony mirrorless system. Check <a href="https://shotkit.com/best-camera-under-500/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this excellent article overview</a> of various options starting at under $500: I've owned Nikon, Sony, and Canon DSLR/SLR systems. Nikon's ergonomics and menu systems are unrivaled by the other two [but a far cry from either Hasselblad or Phase One].
If there is a downside to the Sony cameras, I would say it is their menu system. It’s the weakness of all the Japanese cameras, but Sony has made a low art of it. Takes some time to explore and understand the menus. The upside is that this shortcoming has spawned a third party book industry, and <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1937986667/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1">some of them</a> are very good.
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