If you could have only one camera, which one would it be?

Jack Aubrey · Sep 30, 2016

Hello everyone,

If you could buy only one camera+lens, with $2k tops, which one would it be?

Consider prioritizing image quality, ease of use, future proof, and rugged features. This would be your first serious camera and it should last you a couple of years, adding lenses within that time.

A few options:

- Fuji x-t2

- canon EOS m5

- Nikon D610

- Sony Alpha a7ii

- Sony Alpha a6300

Cheers!

a_c_skinner · Sep 30, 2016

Probably one of the small Fuji bodies with the 18-50 zoom.

KCook · Sep 30, 2016

Well, the question is which would "you" have, so I get to dump most of your requirements and substitute my own. Future proof is a silly requirement, unless you are headed for Pentax. I expect everybody else to still be around in the future. Rugged features I don't need, I always carry a camera bag.

I could be tempted by the Canon EOS M5 and the Fuji X-T2. I would add the Olympus PEN-F and the Panasonic G80/85.

Top full frame lenses are expensive, which would eliminate the Nikon D610 and Sony a7ii for me.

I'm not a fan of the lenses offered for the Sony a6300, Sony fans love 'em.

Ask 20 photographers and expect 20 different answers!!!

Kelly Cook

Jacques Cornell · Sep 30, 2016

Jack Aubrey said:
Hello everyone,

If you could buy only one camera+lens, with $2k tops, which one would it be?

Consider prioritizing image quality, ease of use, future proof, and rugged features. This would be your first serious camera and it should last you a couple of years, adding lenses within that time.

A few options:

- Fuji x-t2

- canon EOS m5

- Nikon D610

- Sony Alpha a7ii

- Sony Alpha a6300

Cheers!

None of the above. I switched from Canon to MFT 3 years ago and love the system. I'd prolly have to choose a GX8 with 12-35/2.8. In reality, I shoot so many different things that I have three bodies and seven lenses, would be loathe to give up any of them, and expect to buy more lenses in the near future.

Chriz2469 · Sep 30, 2016

Jack Aubrey said:
Hello everyone,

If you could buy only one camera+lens, with $2k tops, which one would it be?

Consider prioritizing image quality, ease of use, future proof, and rugged features. This would be your first serious camera and it should last you a couple of years, adding lenses within that time.

A few options:

- Fuji x-t2

- canon EOS m5

- Nikon D610

- Sony Alpha a7ii

- Sony Alpha a6300

Cheers!

I'd go with a D7200 and Sigma 18-35mm Art. Later add on a telephoto zoom, maybe round out with a couple primes and then just take awesome photos.

Tariag · Sep 30, 2016

I'm not a big fan of FF, and I don't recommend it for a beginner as it requires more skills (and budget) than MFT/APS-C to get mastered.

Staying with sub-FF cameras, there a lot of very good bodies available today, but beside personal taste (handling, controls, menus...) the main difference between one brand and another is the lens offering. Keep in mind that Canon, Nikon and Sony see APC-C as a bait to push people toward their (very profitable) FF range, and as such there are very few premium lenses developped especially for APS-C.

This said, my favourite cameras today within this price range are:

-Olympus EM1 (I not II). Reasonably small and light, amazing IBIS. Price has dropped a lot so within your price limit you can get a 12-40 f/2.8 lens, plus a prime or a tele zoom. You may consider EM5 II also.

-Fuji X-T2. Great body, lots of manual controls, amazing IQ in RAW and jpeg. Problem is lack of IS on most lenses, and their best glass (like 16-55 f/2.8) is big and expensive. The lens offering of Fuji is the point that made me NOT choose the X system. It performs well but it doesn't fit my needs.

-Sony A77 II. I love that camera despite its main drawbacks are size & weight, and again the lens offering. Very few APS-C lenses by Sony, must rely mostly on Tamron and Sigma. But if weight isn't an issue, add the nice 16-50 f/2.8 and you have an amazingly versatile system with very good IQ in RAW (I don't like Sony's jpegs).
I'm not a big fan of Sony's E and FE systems, I just can't get used to their handling.

-Canon 80D. Even if the M5 is a very interesting body, I just can't recommend entering in a system with such a poor lens offering and unnown future. 80D is the safe choice by the Big Red, add either the new 18-135 or the good old 17-55 f/2.8 and you are ready for a rather bulky but enjoyable shooting experience, and you should have money left for a prime or other accessories.

Those were the 4 bodies I was hesitating for lately (my budget was similar to yours). I ended by Olympus because I had a good feeling with the EM1 and I am confident with the future of MFT (which offers a unique combination of compact AND high end lenses).

Alphoid · Oct 3, 2016

Sony RX100IV.

Or possibly one of the smaller Olympus OM-D models.

A7RII, I'd also consider, if not for the budget limit. A useful A7RII setup is $5k-$10k.

Jack Aubrey · Oct 3, 2016

I want to know what experienced photographers look for in a camera and which one they prefer and why. I only listed a few requirements and cameras to be taken into consideration, if possible.

The truth is that I don't really have any specific requirements myself, aside from quality photos and portability (travel photography). I have the time and money to invest, but too many cameras make it difficult.

Thanks

KCook · Oct 3, 2016

Jack Aubrey said:
I want to know what experienced photographers look for in a camera and which one they prefer and why. I only listed a few requirements and cameras to be taken into consideration, if possible.

The truth is that I don't really have any specific requirements myself, aside from quality photos and portability (travel photography). I have the time and money to invest, but too many cameras make it difficult.

Fair enough

Different photographers certainly have different priorities. I look for lens quality, lens range, costs, weight, JPG results, control layout, and good looks. There is plenty of room for conflict in that list!

Kelly

James Larsen · Oct 3, 2016

I'd get a Nikon D500.

sirhawkeye64 · Oct 4, 2016

Jack Aubrey said:
Hello everyone,

If you could buy only one camera+lens, with $2k tops, which one would it be?

Consider prioritizing image quality, ease of use, future proof, and rugged features. This would be your first serious camera and it should last you a couple of years, adding lenses within that time.

A few options:

- Fuji x-t2

- canon EOS m5

- Nikon D610

- Sony Alpha a7ii

- Sony Alpha a6300

Cheers!

If i Had to chose from your list, the D610 would be my ideal choice of the ones listed.

Aside from the list, I would say the D750 as the low-light performance of the D750 is excellent (beating the D810 in some cases). It has its flaws obviously, but for the pro-sumer / hobby market (and even some pros use it) it's a great body. But from the list, I'd pick up the D610 for the image quality and overall quality and features.

James Larsen · Oct 4, 2016

James Larsen said:
I'd get a Nikon D500.

sirhawkeye64 · Oct 4, 2016

James Larsen said:
James Larsen said:

I'd get a Nikon D500.

Click to expand...

James Larsen · Oct 4, 2016

sirhawkeye64 said:
James Larsen said:

James Larsen said:

I'd get a Nikon D500.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

sirhawkeye64 · Oct 4, 2016

James Larsen said:
sirhawkeye64 said:

James Larsen said:

James Larsen said:

I'd get a Nikon D500.

--
I love Nature & Wildlife Photography, along with Cinematography.
http://jameslarsenphoto.weebly.com/

Click to expand...

On Second thought, maybe a 7DII, or a 5D4. I'd be torn between those two.

--
I love Nature & Wildlife Photography, along with Cinematography.
http://jameslarsenphoto.weebly.com/

Click to expand...

OK so now we get to pick ones not on the list....OK, I'd go with the Nikon D750. The D610 would be my second choice I guess (from the list). The D500 looks appealing too, but I'd have to buy all new glass for it.

Click to expand...

I didn't know we had to pick one on the list in the first place...I thought we could pick any one

--
I love Nature & Wildlife Photography, along with Cinematography.
http://jameslarsenphoto.weebly.com/

It says a few options, so OK. And My D750 (and to an extent, the D610) would probably top out the $2k limit (if the l limit is supposed to include body and glass over time). If that's the case, then I'd say probably a cheaper body (not sure which one exactly, maybe the a6300) and some good glass. But if we're just talking $2k for the body only, then D610 or D750 for sure.

tonybelding · Oct 7, 2016

If I were going to have a single, do-everything, go-everywhere system, I think something in the Micro Four Thirds format would probably be the best compromise. There's a good lens ecosystem for it, and the format strikes a good balance between size, efficiency and performance.

However, here are a few more variables for you to mull over. . .

We've got to the point in technology where it's not advancing as rapidly as before, and there are great used cameras a few years old on eBay or KEH. A sound strategy might be to look at whatever got good reviews here on DPReview two or three years ago. If it was good then, it's good now.

I do generally favor mirrorless cameras. However, I recently used a Pentax K-S2 for a while, and its excellent optical viewfinder was much more pleasant (than an EVF) to use outdoors in the sunlight. The price was good, the lens catalog is good, image quality was good, and they have a reputation for ruggedness too. I did have to go through autofocus lens calibration with it, which was a bit of nuisance that mirrorless cameras don't generally suffer from.

I personally have ended up with both a Pentax Q7 and a Sony Alpha A7 here -- two very different cameras, neither of which I would be entirely happy with if it were the only one I owned, and yet I feel they complement one another nicely.

Jacques Cornell · Oct 7, 2016

Jacques Cornell said:
Jack Aubrey said:

Hello everyone,

If you could buy only one camera+lens, with $2k tops, which one would it be?

Consider prioritizing image quality, ease of use, future proof, and rugged features. This would be your first serious camera and it should last you a couple of years, adding lenses within that time.

A few options:

- Fuji x-t2

- canon EOS m5

- Nikon D610

- Sony Alpha a7ii

- Sony Alpha a6300

Cheers!

Click to expand...

None of the above. I switched from Canon to MFT 3 years ago and love the system. I'd prolly have to choose a GX8 with 12-35/2.8. In reality, I shoot so many different things that I have three bodies and seven lenses, would be loathe to give up any of them, and expect to buy more lenses in the near future.

Make that a G85 instead of GX8. It's got better IBIS and a gentle (90% less shock) shutter.

captainkeyboard · Aug 15, 2018

I'd go back to my Kodak Brownie Hawkeye

Chriz2469 · Aug 15, 2018

Jack Aubrey said:
Hello everyone,

If you could buy only one camera+lens, with $2k tops, which one would it be?

Consider prioritizing image quality, ease of use, future proof, and rugged features. This would be your first serious camera and it should last you a couple of years, adding lenses within that time.

A few options:

- Fuji x-t2

- canon EOS m5

- Nikon D610

- Sony Alpha a7ii

- Sony Alpha a6300

Cheers!

Honestly, I would get a used d750 for around 1100-1200 from FredMiranda and then a prime of preferred focal length or a Tamron 24-70 g1 for around 600. Best image quality and ease of use.

Edit: I didn’t realize this was an old thread raised from the dead. Oops.

kiwi2 · Aug 15, 2018

Jack Aubrey said:
I want to know what experienced photographers look for in a camera and which one they prefer and why. I only listed a few requirements and cameras to be taken into consideration, if possible.

I look for low noise and sharp lenses. At a price point.

Am more into landscapes than sports, so fast AF not as important to me.

If you could have only one camera, which one would it be?

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