Help me pick a camera

Anyone really into photography? Going to be taking some big time trips over the next 2 years and would like to come away with some awesome shots. Have been told to spend less on the body and more on the lenses. Any suggestions?

Most of the people on this board are really into photography. And you can get a long list of suggestions --- Clearly you are looking for an interchangeable lens camera, and honestly... they are ALL good. It depends on your budget, your objective needs, your subjective preferences.

I'll just throw out a handful:
I think the best all-around APS-C dSLR for under $1,000 is the Sony A77ii. A lesser known brand for dSLRs (though their mirrorless are becoming very well known), it features great image quality, fully articulated LCD, a very strong auto focus system, a very well built weather sealed body, in body image stabilization. It is the only APS-C dSLR that can shoot 12 fps, and it's the only dSLR under $1,000 that can even shoot over 8 fps. It has a fantastic electronic viewfinder, and it's live view vastly out performed the live view of any other dSLR on the market (because it is EVF/LCD, without a traditional mirror).

The best low-light full frame dSLR at the lowest price: The Canon 6d. $1400 for the body. Low light performance that is near the top of any dSLR. And of course, Canon arguably has the best selection of lenses.

Best general purpose dSLR without breaking the bank: The Nikon D750. $2300. My current camera. Just amazing, incredible low light performance, incredible autofocus system. Incredible Nikon lenses. Fast responsive camera.

Best APS-C mirrorless: From what I've read and seen, the Sony A6000 or the Fuji mirrorless options. They each have their pros and cons, but they each give you dSLR quality and dSLR-like performance.

For a smaller package, Olympus and Panasonic mirrorless have some great options, but I'm less familiar with those.

Then of course, there is a wide range of entry and mid-level APS-C bodies, like the Canon Rebel series, the Nikon D3300, D5500, etc, etc.... Can't really go wrong with any of these cameras, either. Truthfully, they give you the same image quality as high end APS-C (but not as good as full frame). Their bodies just tend to be less well built, less professional-type features, typically the af systems aren't as advanced.

What havoc said! I'd say think about what your budget is, what you will be shooting and what you want to carry with you and then pick accordingly. Go have a look at the cameras in a store and see how they feel to you. If it doesn't feel right because of weight, size, color, whatever - go pick another camera. There isn't just one camera out there that's awesome. There are several!

And when you have picked a camera, go out and practice before you go on your big time trips. Otherwise you may come back disappointed because your shots didn't turn out as awesome as you want them to be. Just having the gear in hand doesn't make an awesome shot. There's more to that than just having "expensive" gear. I know people who take the most awesome shots with their smartphone cameras because they know what makes a great shot.

I hear from a lot of people that they buy expensive DSLR equipment in order to take awesome shots but then are majorly disappointed because their shots are "still as crappy as when I used my phone".

Can you guys explain the difference between APC-C and full frame? Seems like the full frame are more expensive for a reason?

APS-C has a smaller sensor than a full frame. It generally results in a noisier photo than a full frame, so they don't work as nicely in low light.

But because the sensor is "cropped" the same lens on a full frame behaves as a longer lens on a aps-c. Sometimes this is a good thing, but for my purposes it generally drives me crazy.

A full frame sensor is more expensive since the sensor is larger.

You can buy lenses for APS-C that will account for the extra distance. But those lenses don't jump to a full frame very nicely. But full frame lenses work on aps-c--just with a longer magnification. Most pros use a full frame and full frame professional lenses. But the cost difference is tremendous. So figure out your budget and what types of photos you really want to shoot. And how serious you want to be about all of this. Those factors will reply determine the best type of camera for you to buy.

The sensor is the most expensive part of the camera.. And a larger sensor drives the price of the camera up significantly. But a bigger sensor gives better image quality, particularly better low light performance.

Lots to think about. Thanks all!

When you start with any new set up the first thing to look at is of course your budget. Be realistic on the total $$ you want to spend. The next thing you want to look at is lens availability and cost. Who ever suggested you spend more on glass than a body was spot on. If you get into this hobby you will find that bodies come and go however glass can last decades.
While I totally agree with what others have said about FF don't shy away from APS-C. Most of the crop cameras today really are exceptional and noise in most cases can easily be dealt with in post processing.
I'd suggest the 6D for FF if you really want to start out with FF.
If size/weight is the #1 concern then look at the Canon SL1. Add a 17-55 f2.8 IS or Tammy 17-50 (non-OS) and you have a great travel kit with out breaking the bank.
For APS-C there really are numerous choices from nearly every maker and this is where most start as it's cost effective with reliable performance with a user friendly interface.

Happy Shooting!

One of my issues is that I like having myself in my pictures with really cool backgrounds. So ultimately, since I can't shoot myself, I'm in part relying on my travel companion(s) at the time to shoot me in at least some of the shots. I could set it up for them and tell them "Stand here, hold it like this, do exactly this." But that's holding me back a bit..

There are some requirements for awesome photos that may not be obvious. Of course there is the equipment but awesome photos can be had from some P&S (or even a phone) all the way up to a medium format camera. The common factor is the photographer knowing how to get the most from the scene and the light. This includes adjusting the settings and selecting the composition. After the exposure comes the processing, where the digital darkroom takes the image from what the camera captured to something more like what the photographer saw in their mind.

Another requirement is that the camera gets taken along, as in "the best camera is the one you have with you". If it is too large and heavy or too cumbersome to use it will spend a lot of time in the bag or even in the room. For some photographers this means not changing lenses, or small and light, or fully automatic, or many other factors. Some of these can be directly opposed to the goal of getting awesome photos, for instance wanting small and light but wanting great low-light capability or long zoom range. There is a reason some of carry (or used to carry) large and heavy (and expensive) cameras and lenses.

As for lenses, we rarely know what we need until we have spent some time learning our style. In the meantime we buy lenses (and cameras) that do not suit our style then trade them in for others. It is quicker than first finding our style but a lot more expensive. It is also fun, at least until the bills come due.

I say the one thing to invest the most in is the photographer, the equipment is just the tools. Learn as much as possible and the awesome photos will come.