Cameranoobie
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As you all know I bought my FZ1K back in March of this year and I love the camera. Though my uses for this camera has changed since I first bought it (I initially bought it as my all in one for pics AND video), but not long after I got the FZ1K I got myself a Sony 4K action cam and that pretty much replaced my FZ1K for my video needs. Wider angle, much more portable, no IS motor sound in the audio, weathersealed (this is a big feature for me because I record most of my video in dusty environments with dirt and dust in the air at all times). So since I got my action cam, I've pretty much never used my FZ1K anymore for video.
As much as I love the FZ1K, there have been times where I do miss the low light ability that an APSC can work in. I also miss being able to use prime lenses and get 1.8 aperture. I love taking portraits and I just found (even though the FZ1K still suits my needs), that the FZ1K isn't a very practical camera for portraits. So over the past couple weeks I considered picking up a DSLR again and seeing if I want to go back to APSC.
Anyways fast forwarding, as you all know last week I picked up a Nikon D5500 with 18-140 and 50mm 1.8G prime. It costed me $1310CDN + tax and I have 15 days to test it out to see how I like it compared to my FZ1K. This is the only DSLR that interests me because of the size. The body is noticably smaller than the FZ1K and is the lightest and smalest DSLR to date.
I will admit, this past summer there was a couple times where I was using my work cameras (GH4's) in my leisure time and I was shooting with a wide angle lens and at the time, I did wish that i could put a wide angle lens on the FZ1K and also I did wish the FZ1K had a touchscreen (Im a huge fan of touch UIs). This was back in August and was the first time that really made me ask myself if I wanted an SLR again.
So tomorrow will be day 11 with the camera and I have to say that I love this camera. Could this replace my FZ1K? I would say yes, but there would be some compromises that I would need to make. The two biggest is 1) the 400mm zoom (I lose 200mm from the 18-140mm Nikon lens (but it's 200m with a 1.5 crop), and 2) the EVF (Nikon's is nowhere as good but I have been getting used to it and it's not so bad today as it first was). I would also miss other stuff like focus peaking, the leveler, zebra etc.
The big and unknown question is whether I can live without these compromises or if I would miss them. I wish I could put these two cameras together, it would be the perfect combo.
So you ask me, why do I feel I have to give up the FZ1K if I love it that much? Well for a few reasons.
1) Because (as much as I would love to have both), I don't want two cameras, especially of two different makes, two vastly different UI's, etc. I will not progress nearly as well learning two cameras with two vastly different UI's.
2) I don't use cameras enough to justify owning both. Plus for me, it's just not money well spent. I went the two camera route before and when I have more than one camera, I don't make the most out of either as I don't want to get accustomed to two cameras. I just want to get used to one, and master it. I make better progress that way.
3) Initially, I didn't think it would be an issue but I don't want to lug around two cameras everywhere I go. At first, I thought it would be no big deal, but it is. I would also have to get a new bag, one that can fit two, plus extra lenses and etc. I went to the store yesterday to take a look at them and they are vastly bigger than my current Lowepro sling bag. And they aren't cheap at $100+. So I only want to carry around one camera with my tiny action cam.
I want some advice on which camera you guys would keep and why? I have until Wed to decide if I am going to keep the NIkon D5500 or return it.
Nikon D5500 with 18-140 and 50mm 1.8G = $1310CDN plus tax.
FZ1K = (still regular $999CDN here right now), but I got it for $700CDN brand new in March.
All I know is, i would be happy with either camera as my sole and main camera, it's just the matter of which camera I would be MORE happy with.
So I broke it down into Pros and Cons:
D5500:
Pros:
1) APSC, better low light ability, better dynamic range
2) Ability to add new lenses down the road if I please. Though 18-140 and a 50mm prime is what I would stick to for now. I would likely add a wide angle later.
3) Touch UI (huge fan of) and bit bigger screen.
4) Better battery life (820 shots), won't need two batteries, though I have two batteries for my FZ1K. But honestly the battery life on the D5500 is insane. I just went almost 1 full week on one charge and I still had more than 3/4 battery left.
5) Can use a prime and get bokeh that the FZ1K can't match.
6) More comfy grip and more comfy to hold. Honestly this is the best grip ever on any DSLR Ive ever used.
7) Better build quality
Cons:
1) UI isn't near as good as Panasonics, but I am liking it a lot better today than I did day one. I hated the UI on day one and I will admit, it's got quite the learning curve but I have started to warm up to it. It's quite a dramatic change from a Panasonic and this is why I don't want both cameras.
2) More money, almost double the cost.
3) Lose 200mm at the long end
4) viewfinder isn't near as good as the FZ1K
5) No focus peaking, leveler, zebra.
6) No 4K video, but this isn't a big deal to me as my action cam is my go to video device.
FZ1K:
Pros:
1) Almost half the price of D5500 with two lenses
2) 200mm more range
3) 4K video with 1200mm zoom (when including digital).
4) Better UI
5) Can possibly match the Nikon in the 200-400mm range for image quality.
6) Bit more features, zebra, leveller, etc.
7) Has a much better spot for the drive mode. I much prefer a dial over a button.
Cons:
1) Bigger than D5500 and not as comfy to hold (though, it's not a huge difference)
2) Can't put a prime lens on it
3) Can't match the bokeh on an APSC
4) The exclusive audio motor hiss in 4K video recording. A big reason why I don't use the FZ1K for video anymore unless its a last resort.
5) Not great in low light or above ISO 1600.
6) Cheaper build quality
As much as I love the FZ1K, there have been times where I do miss the low light ability that an APSC can work in. I also miss being able to use prime lenses and get 1.8 aperture. I love taking portraits and I just found (even though the FZ1K still suits my needs), that the FZ1K isn't a very practical camera for portraits. So over the past couple weeks I considered picking up a DSLR again and seeing if I want to go back to APSC.
Anyways fast forwarding, as you all know last week I picked up a Nikon D5500 with 18-140 and 50mm 1.8G prime. It costed me $1310CDN + tax and I have 15 days to test it out to see how I like it compared to my FZ1K. This is the only DSLR that interests me because of the size. The body is noticably smaller than the FZ1K and is the lightest and smalest DSLR to date.
I will admit, this past summer there was a couple times where I was using my work cameras (GH4's) in my leisure time and I was shooting with a wide angle lens and at the time, I did wish that i could put a wide angle lens on the FZ1K and also I did wish the FZ1K had a touchscreen (Im a huge fan of touch UIs). This was back in August and was the first time that really made me ask myself if I wanted an SLR again.
So tomorrow will be day 11 with the camera and I have to say that I love this camera. Could this replace my FZ1K? I would say yes, but there would be some compromises that I would need to make. The two biggest is 1) the 400mm zoom (I lose 200mm from the 18-140mm Nikon lens (but it's 200m with a 1.5 crop), and 2) the EVF (Nikon's is nowhere as good but I have been getting used to it and it's not so bad today as it first was). I would also miss other stuff like focus peaking, the leveler, zebra etc.
The big and unknown question is whether I can live without these compromises or if I would miss them. I wish I could put these two cameras together, it would be the perfect combo.
So you ask me, why do I feel I have to give up the FZ1K if I love it that much? Well for a few reasons.
1) Because (as much as I would love to have both), I don't want two cameras, especially of two different makes, two vastly different UI's, etc. I will not progress nearly as well learning two cameras with two vastly different UI's.
2) I don't use cameras enough to justify owning both. Plus for me, it's just not money well spent. I went the two camera route before and when I have more than one camera, I don't make the most out of either as I don't want to get accustomed to two cameras. I just want to get used to one, and master it. I make better progress that way.
3) Initially, I didn't think it would be an issue but I don't want to lug around two cameras everywhere I go. At first, I thought it would be no big deal, but it is. I would also have to get a new bag, one that can fit two, plus extra lenses and etc. I went to the store yesterday to take a look at them and they are vastly bigger than my current Lowepro sling bag. And they aren't cheap at $100+. So I only want to carry around one camera with my tiny action cam.
I want some advice on which camera you guys would keep and why? I have until Wed to decide if I am going to keep the NIkon D5500 or return it.
Nikon D5500 with 18-140 and 50mm 1.8G = $1310CDN plus tax.
FZ1K = (still regular $999CDN here right now), but I got it for $700CDN brand new in March.
All I know is, i would be happy with either camera as my sole and main camera, it's just the matter of which camera I would be MORE happy with.
So I broke it down into Pros and Cons:
D5500:
Pros:
1) APSC, better low light ability, better dynamic range
2) Ability to add new lenses down the road if I please. Though 18-140 and a 50mm prime is what I would stick to for now. I would likely add a wide angle later.
3) Touch UI (huge fan of) and bit bigger screen.
4) Better battery life (820 shots), won't need two batteries, though I have two batteries for my FZ1K. But honestly the battery life on the D5500 is insane. I just went almost 1 full week on one charge and I still had more than 3/4 battery left.
5) Can use a prime and get bokeh that the FZ1K can't match.
6) More comfy grip and more comfy to hold. Honestly this is the best grip ever on any DSLR Ive ever used.
7) Better build quality
Cons:
1) UI isn't near as good as Panasonics, but I am liking it a lot better today than I did day one. I hated the UI on day one and I will admit, it's got quite the learning curve but I have started to warm up to it. It's quite a dramatic change from a Panasonic and this is why I don't want both cameras.
2) More money, almost double the cost.
3) Lose 200mm at the long end
4) viewfinder isn't near as good as the FZ1K
5) No focus peaking, leveler, zebra.
6) No 4K video, but this isn't a big deal to me as my action cam is my go to video device.
FZ1K:
Pros:
1) Almost half the price of D5500 with two lenses
2) 200mm more range
3) 4K video with 1200mm zoom (when including digital).
4) Better UI
5) Can possibly match the Nikon in the 200-400mm range for image quality.
6) Bit more features, zebra, leveller, etc.
7) Has a much better spot for the drive mode. I much prefer a dial over a button.
Cons:
1) Bigger than D5500 and not as comfy to hold (though, it's not a huge difference)
2) Can't put a prime lens on it
3) Can't match the bokeh on an APSC
4) The exclusive audio motor hiss in 4K video recording. A big reason why I don't use the FZ1K for video anymore unless its a last resort.
5) Not great in low light or above ISO 1600.
6) Cheaper build quality
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