And, if so, what kind? We’re likely going on a couple of very photogenic trips in next year or so (Yosemite and New Zealand) and I would like to capture better pictures than my iPhone 12mini or old Canon PowerShot X260 HS can do.
Back in the pre-digital era, I used an Pentax K1000 and had 28-55mm and 80-200mm (with 2X extender) lenses. Photography was my hobby.
But the decisions I had to make (other than setting up the shots) were film speed, lens, shutter speed, and aperture, all of which were done manually of course. Now I’ve gotten lazy and generally just use auto focus - I know there are tons of adjustments I can make within both my phone and camera to fine tune photos. I’ve been generally happy, but would like more flexibility for telephoto and low light especially, plus more wow in depth of field etc.
I’ve read that mirrorless SLR’s are the way to go, but also that if you only use auto digital settings you might as well use a phone. I’m willing to learn how to establish settings, but prefer to not have to memorize a manual and make continual changes as I shoot to optimize every shot.
Also I don’t want anything too heavy, and prefer to stay under $1000. A lot of the recommended cameras are all about video and Instagram and such. I really just want to replicate my experience with my old Pentax, but don’t want to go back to film.
I’m not a photo expert but I’m answering because I sound so much like you… I also had a k1000 (asahi pentax, passed down from my father and now given to my daughter, the thing must be 50 years old and indestructible) and could do everything manually and then got lazy with digital.
I got myself a mirrorless canon, I’ll have to check the exact model*, a couple of years ago. I mainly got it because it is smaller than a DSLR and easier to take around for travel. That all is true, and it really does take great photos - better than an iPhone even if you use the auto settings on some things - but I don’t like the delay when you take the picture and probably wouldn’t have bought it if I’d realized how it works in practice. I’d suggest you try one out before buying -it may not be a problem for you. I’m personally thinking about buying a DSLR instead, but now I’ve got the sunk cost problem of the body and lenses that would need an adapter to use on other camera bodies.
LOL on the K1000 being indestructible- I once had a camera store guy tell me you could swing it at a brick wall, knock down the wall, then take a picture of the rubble.
I was looking at this bundle (it was a bit lower when I ran into it.) I figure if I start my research now, maybe something will work out for Black Friday or Cyber Monday. I wish I could still just run into Abt like the old days in Chicagoland.
@Marilyn thats a nice camera, but I think it’s too big for taking on a vacation or for regular carrying around of a camera…even the smaller cameras have decent zoom lenses. Unless you are an avid photographer, I’d think twice about this.
My DD travels a lot. She takes tons of pictures. She is also the master of packing light and this camera you posted would not be something she would even consider. Her little Coolpix has a very decent zoom lens for her purposes.
This was probably taken with her phone or her coolpix. I think it’s a great picture! And let’s just say, she wasn’t that close to this guy!
Very nice - but that camera has the same 12 MP as my iPhone12. It’s got a decent optical zoom (4X) vs the phone’s 2X, but I often crop way down on photos. With 12MP, the focus isn’t always there on the far zoom. Part of the reason we got the old Canon was for the 20X optical zoom; it’s also 12 MP. It actually has worked out very well as a point and shoot digital; I just got lazy when phone cameras got so good.
My kid used an iPhone mini…but her friend had an IPhone 15 (she thinks) and that was used for the gorilla picture above.
I guess it depends on how large a camera thing you want to carry around.
Our son has a full Nikon digital camera set (includes several lenses, filters, etc). He is visiting now…and didn’t bring it…just too bulky. He uses it when he plans to crop or otherwise do things with his pictures…but for his own use, he just uses his phone.
Do you plan to crop and frame any of these pictures you take…or sell them?
I guess what I’m saying is…a nice camera can be great to use. But I personally would not get one for my snapshots.
The one you linked above looks great. I think keeping an eye out for a sale is a good idea.
And I don’t think you got lazy with your picture taking. At all. I think you just changed the way you took pictures, and that’s fine.
My husband loves photography, has a very nice camera/lenses. He takes fabulous photos, but honestly for travels I liked it better when he just had a lesser camera that fit in his pocket. It makes his backpack heavy (not great for a bad back), and there is theft concern.
I have a DSLR that I take with me on daytrips and vacations when I am driving. But for “flying” vacations, the last thing I want to spend time on is lugging my gear around and making sure my gear is safe and secure.
For those situations I have a Canon SX730 point and shoot. It has a 40x optical (not digital) zoom, which is amazing–I will use the camera as a monocular to check out distant objects. It will go beyond 40x but as digital zoom, up to 160x. I believe it has 20 megapixel and many of the features that my Canon DSLR has.
And the best part? It fits easily in my jacket pocket, or in a small case clipped to a belt loop. I find it’s the best of both worlds, high quality and small size. It costs about $350-$400 I believe.
My daughter who also has a DSLR (a Sony) came to the same realization and purchased a good quality point and shoot as well.
Now my wife takes amazing photos with her Samsung Galaxy S22 phone, but has to be careful not to zoom too much, or the image gets pixelated.
The pictures would be for our own pleasure - I would like to think they are more arty than just snapshots. In the past, I’ve put together albums to be printed after extensive editing. Cropping is a big factor for me! I think 90% of casual pictures could be improved by cropping.
That looks promising! I think the 730 is not available new but it looks like the 740 is very much the same. I will keep it on my radar! 40X and 20MP sound amazing for scenic photography.
The cameras on phones are amazing these days, and you don’t need the latest generation to get great pictures. Where an DSLR has an advantage is in the lenses you can use, the flexibility. Honestly I find the phone great for quick pictures, but having a physical camera for me is a different experience.
The point and shoots these days are great cameras and the Cannon ones are particularly good, friend of mine is an experienced journalist/photojournalist and he said they give you amazing results but are also compact and easy to carry.
If you go the DSLR route don’t be afraid to look at Olympus. I have a cousin (well, my cousin’s wife) who is a very well known photographer, and she told me that if she didn’t have sponsorship deals with Nikon or Cannon she would use Olympus equipment. Excellent quality, lighter than the typical Cannon or Nikon equipment and a lot more bang for the buck.
Back when I was heavily into photography, there was a maxim amongst the other photo nuts with tens of thousands of dollars worth of gear:
“The best camera in the world is the one that’s in your hand when you need it.”
Regardless of what you ultimately select, don’t underestimate the importance of portability. Even those photo nuts would have a small cheap point and shoot for when they didn’t want to lug the big glass around.
The body of my M50 is about the same size as/barely larger than a point and shoot, and the lenses are smaller than for a DSLR. That size/portability was a key reason I bought it. I can basically fit the bundle into a normal crossbody small camera bag, or it will easily fit into a backpack if I’m carrying one anyway.
