Ok, so I was set on a DSLR and now I'm not to sure. I already ordered a Nikon 5300, but I can return it. Hasn't even shipped yet. Therefore I'm not invested in anything and a complete noob. I wanted to use my camera as a hobby, but maybe later on sell some photos on etsy or something. I usually tend to take pictures with my iphone and now I want something that will be a bit more professional. I've actually been able to sell some iphone shots online so photography has got me interested in it as a way to make some money on the side. I tend to shoot nature, structures, and people who happen to be on the scene. No sports shooting or trying to capture kids/animals as of yet at least. I want what will be best going forward and what will help me advance and learn photography at its full scale. I've been reading mirrorless are practically on the same playing field and will soon edge out the DSLR, but don't believe everything you read right? So this is where I'd like a little help in which direction I should head.
Hi Jong,
What budget are you looking at ?
Before providing any suggestion would like to let you know that-
Photography and the passion for it can grow based on the tools which are available to you. Example- Driving a station wagon doesn't kindle any passion towards driving and preety much more or less everyone settles down to driving like an 80 yold woman. While a muscular or a sports car gives one the rush to try newer things, kindle the passion and help one grow.
This is the same with passion towards photography about creation. When you are equipped with better tools the interest / passion in general proportionality increases.
Bottom line being, if you believe you want to explore and that you would grow into photography. Then its wiser to invest in a system which has the most number of offerings and wide availability of options and support.
At the APSC range would suggest looking at the Canon 70D system, it is good as both a video and still photography.
The mirrorless systems do offer a size advantage. Sony E-Mount Mirrorless offers APSC sized sensor while Panasonic's systems are more Micro 3/4ths which are great for video but not photography.
The major downside with mirrorless APSC sized / FF is Sony'e E Mount systems for which lenses are preety damn expensive. Example a 50mm Sony E-mount lens costs roughly 3-4 times that of a 50mm Canon FF lens !! With a limited range of lens and expensive line up. When I had to choose, I decided to stick on to the DSLR platform.
On the positive front the APSC Sony cameras do offer features like NFC's, Wifi, menu systems which are like the phone etc.
So if you are going to stick with the Kit-lens package then IMO Mirrorless system of Sony is a good choice. Otherwise for an APSC workout would stick with the Canon (pref) or the Nikon range
Simply due to the vast availability of support you can get, the range of used or aftermarket lenses and other equipments.
Overall the weight difference is just about 250 gms, the benefits outweigh Mirrorless as of today in APSC & overall and will remain the same for atleast the next 5 years.
For those who say DSLR's are dead in the next 2 years, consider this 0ver 90% of people are invested in DSLR's. Its not the lens but the entire system which had taken years to build up. Do you believe they would be chucking away all that gear away and re-invest on a systems just cos its a bit smaller & for which there aren't even that many number of accessories to build on.
