Help a hobby photog downgrade for disney.. $300 limit..

[paisleybell]

Sooo.. I've asked before about cameras and the a6000 was suggested.. And I regularly drool over it, but it's just too costly right now..
I have a nikon d7000, but it's just too big and clunky for this trip and I only have a 50mm lens..
Being that I love photography, I KNOW I will regret not taking a decent camera and my iphone does NOT suffice..

So... Are there any decent options, that won't totally disappoint a hobby portrait photographer coming from a dslr, in the $2-300 range?
Annnd we leave tomorrow.. So I have to be able to find it at a best buy or target, etc.

Help me please! Thank you!

 

[havoc315]

Sooo.. I've asked before about cameras and the a6000 was suggested.. And I regularly drool over it, but it's just too costly right now..
I have a nikon d7000, but it's just too big and clunky for this trip and I only have a 50mm lens..
Being that I love photography, I KNOW I will regret not taking a decent camera and my iphone does NOT suffice..

So... Are there any decent options, that won't totally disappoint a hobby portrait photographer coming from a dslr, in the $2-300 range?
Annnd we leave tomorrow.. So I have to be able to find it at a best buy or target, etc.

Help me please! Thank you!

Honestly... in terms of image quality and performance, most cameras in that price range will give good smart phone quality, but with some zoom.

Maybe for slightly more... around $400, you can get the original version of the Sony rx100. fast lens when zoomed out. And the sensor is bigger and superior to other p&s cameras, though smaller than your d7000.

 

[paisleybell]

That's listed at $500 at best buy. I was looking at the a5000 a little.. That's currently $449.
I never really thought about it before.. but I could also rent the a6000 and a lens for about $100 for the week..
I just cannot make a decision on this..
I think it's the photographer in me being so afraid that the quality won't be what I'm expecting and then I might as well have just used my phone.. lol

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I think renting would be a good idea. Take it for a spin and see what you think, you know? Also, maybe check your local Craigslist. I see small crop sensor DSLRs and older mirrorless cameras on our CL all the time in your price range.

 

[havoc315]

If paired with a good lens, the quality of the a6000 is the same or better than the d7000. Again, if you use a good lens and effectively post process raw.

 

[fractal]

Rent the A6000, the SEL 16-70mm and the Sony Zeiss 24mm 1.8 if you want to take dark ride photos. It'a also a great walk around lens.

This will give you a good feel for the camera and help you decide if you want to buy it.

 

[havoc315]

I'll just add there is zero reason to own a d7000 and a6000. There is basically nothing that can be done with the d7000, that you can't do with the a6000. It's great to own multiple cameras where they serve different purposes, but in this case, there are really no advantages of the d7000. (or the list of advantages is so small, to be irrelevant for most people).
So you can always sell the d7000 and add it to your budget.

 

[paisleybell]

I'll just add there is zero reason to own a d7000 and a6000. There is basically nothing that can be done with the d7000, that you can't do with the a6000. It's great to own multiple cameras where they serve different purposes, but in this case, there are really no advantages of the d7000. (or the list of advantages is so small, to be irrelevant for most people).
So you can always sell the d7000 and add it to your budget.

This is true, and I've considered this. Buuut... What if I got the a6000.... and liked it a lot.. but end up preferring Nikon's 50mm over Sony's cheap one? And what if I can't sell my d7000 for much?

 

[havoc315]

This is true, and I've considered this. Buuut... What if I got the a6000.... and liked it a lot.. but end up preferring Nikon's 50mm over Sony's cheap one? And what if I can't sell my d7000 for much?

Which Nikon 50mm do you have?
I've owned both the Nikon 50/1.8g and the Sony SEL 50/1.8 -- I think the Sony is slightly better. Not sure what you mean about "cheap one" -- Sony's 50/1.8 actually costs a little more than the Nikon 50/1.8. I got rid of my Nikon 50/1.8 and replaced it with the Tamron 45/1.8, much better lens IMO.

This was with the Sony 50:
DSC01843.jpg by Adam Brown, on Flickr

untitled-26.jpg by Adam Brown, on Flickr

untitled-16.jpg by Adam Brown, on Flickr

Of course, you can always keep your Nikon 50/1.8 and use it on the Sony A6000 with a cheap adapter and with manual focus.

 

[KVH]

Do you have any appetite for buying a refurb direct from the factory? Based on the price range, I would say a Canon G15 or an S110/120. For that price, I don't think you'll find much with better IQ. And yes, I would say buying a Canon refurb is pretty safe.

 

[fractal]

love my Sony Sel 50mm 1.8!

 

[bob100]

Sooo.. I've asked before about cameras and the a6000 was suggested.. And I regularly drool over it, but it's just too costly right now..
I have a nikon d7000, but it's just too big and clunky for this trip and I only have a 50mm lens..
Being that I love photography, I KNOW I will regret not taking a decent camera and my iphone does NOT suffice..
So... Are there any decent options, that won't totally disappoint a hobby portrait photographer coming from a dslr, in the $2-300 range?
Annnd we leave tomorrow.. So I have to be able to find it at a best buy or target, etc.

Help me please! Thank you!

leaving today? looks like you're stuck with your big and clunky DSLR

I like my little $100 mirrorless camera and cheap 50mm 1.8 and 22mm f2 pancake lens
www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

 

[cobright]

Prolly too late to do any good but a used 1st generation eos-my kit from b & h will be close to your budget. It has the eyes and brain of a t4i if not quite all the quickness. I've been thrilled to take it as a walking around camera.