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Advice on one camera and one lens to start

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IainA

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I am looking for a new camera and hopefully someone can give me some advice. It's more confusing these days with three different sensor formats and DSLR or mirrorless. I don't have a camera at the moment; sold my Olympus just when Covid hit and didn’t bother buying a new one until things started opening up again.

I have around $1500/£1500 max budget to start me off with a camera and one lens; I can buy more lenses later. The subjects I mainly shoot are travel/cities (when we can travel again), family and railway (basically landscapes with a train in them). I have only occasionally used wider than 24mm and never longer than 200mm.

I have no brand loyalty but I've owned or used Nikon and Canon DSLRs (film and digital) and one mirrorless Olympus EM5 II experience (couldn’t get on with the small size). The mirrorless cameras I've held always seem too small, but not tried them all, even though I don't have large hands. I prefer a substantial grip that fits all my fingers. I'm not a beginner.

I don't print much but do occasionally publish photo books, so kind of 8x12/A4 size would be the largest I need to print. Spec wise I don't need eye autofocus or any other fancy tech as I grew up with single point AF and recompose and still predominantly use that method – maybe I don’t trust my cameras! I tend to switch a lot between single shot and continuous drive for rail photos so having that as either a separate dial or quick change function without menu diving would be helpful. I don't do video other than the occasional family stuff. I don't do low light, almost exclusively shooting outdoors in good light so high ISO isn't needed. Looking at my photos over the last few years, everything is below ISO 1600 and most 800 or less. Apart from the family portrait stuff, I shoot mainly around f8 as need everything in focus for the rail photos and most of the travel stuff, only the portraits are wide open. I mainly use Aperture Priority or Manual.

Any thoughts on some good camera/lens options please? Not used though as prefer a new camera. Thank you.
 
IainA said:
I am looking for a new camera and hopefully someone can give me some advice. It's more confusing these days with three different sensor formats and DSLR or mirrorless. I don't have a camera at the moment; sold my Olympus just when Covid hit and didn’t bother buying a new one until things started opening up again.

I have around $1500/£1500 max budget to start me off with a camera and one lens; I can buy more lenses later. The subjects I mainly shoot are travel/cities (when we can travel again), family and railway (basically landscapes with a train in them). I have only occasionally used wider than 24mm and never longer than 200mm.

I have no brand loyalty but I've owned or used Nikon and Canon DSLRs (film and digital) and one mirrorless Olympus EM5 II experience (couldn’t get on with the small size). The mirrorless cameras I've held always seem too small, but not tried them all, even though I don't have large hands. I prefer a substantial grip that fits all my fingers. I'm not a beginner.

I don't print much but do occasionally publish photo books, so kind of 8x12/A4 size would be the largest I need to print. Spec wise I don't need eye autofocus or any other fancy tech as I grew up with single point AF and recompose and still predominantly use that method – maybe I don’t trust my cameras! I tend to switch a lot between single shot and continuous drive for rail photos so having that as either a separate dial or quick change function without menu diving would be helpful. I don't do video other than the occasional family stuff. I don't do low light, almost exclusively shooting outdoors in good light so high ISO isn't needed. Looking at my photos over the last few years, everything is below ISO 1600 and most 800 or less. Apart from the family portrait stuff, I shoot mainly around f8 as need everything in focus for the rail photos and most of the travel stuff, only the portraits are wide open. I mainly use Aperture Priority or Manual.

Any thoughts on some good camera/lens options please? Not used though as prefer a new camera. Thank you.
Click to expand...
It sounds like almost any recent mirrorless, bridge or SLR format camera could handle the technical requirements [e.g. no extreme low light/fast action combination required]

How the camera fits in your hand is by definition subjective - difficult for someone else to recommend anything other than what they like.

What do you have for local camera stores? Since your decision is driven primarily by feel you will need some hands on time [and eye to the viewfinder time].
 
dlevitt said:
IainA said:
I am looking for a new camera and hopefully someone can give me some advice. It's more confusing these days with three different sensor formats and DSLR or mirrorless. I don't have a camera at the moment; sold my Olympus just when Covid hit and didn’t bother buying a new one until things started opening up again.

I have around $1500/£1500 max budget to start me off with a camera and one lens; I can buy more lenses later. The subjects I mainly shoot are travel/cities (when we can travel again), family and railway (basically landscapes with a train in them). I have only occasionally used wider than 24mm and never longer than 200mm.

I have no brand loyalty but I've owned or used Nikon and Canon DSLRs (film and digital) and one mirrorless Olympus EM5 II experience (couldn’t get on with the small size). The mirrorless cameras I've held always seem too small, but not tried them all, even though I don't have large hands. I prefer a substantial grip that fits all my fingers. I
Click to expand...
It sounds like almost any recent mirrorless, bridge or SLR format camera could handle the technical requirements [e.g. no extreme low light/fast action combination required]

How the camera fits in your hand is by definition subjective - difficult for someone else to recommend anything other than what they like.

What do you have for local camera stores? Since your decision is driven primarily by feel you will need some hands on time [and eye to the viewfinder time].
Click to expand...
No camera stores anywhere near me unfortunately. I know how it feels in the hand I s subjective but was more looking for ideas. It needs to be interchangeable lens though. Mirrorless seem too small (and more expensive) so maybe I’ve talked myself into a DSLR but is that the right choice in 2021 …. It was a much easier decision 5 years ago.
 
I was quite happy with the Sony A6400. Some people don't like the Sony menu approach but the camera has several customizable features, a Function Menu that is pretty well set up by default to lead to a range of features without going through the menus, etc. One of which is the drive mode so easily addressed if desiring a change. I used mostly the 18-135. It covers 27-202,5 in ff angle of view terms. I used it with a SmallRig L bracket which adds a little to the grip. The A6400 and 18-135 are kitted together at $1300.



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I'm not sure what to suggest in the FF realm. The A7Rii is rather long in the tooth but about $1200 now with the Tamron 28-200/2.8-5.6 at $650 (sale) might be of some interest. The A7iii is speedier and 24 mp. Not quite current but not replaced yet either, It's $1700 new now.

There are quite a few cameras out there that could work for you.
 
Thanks for your thoughts and for sharing the great UP steam photo.

I think my final choice will likely be APSC due to my budget so one of the Sony cameras may work. What is the viewfinder like? Does the lens you mention balance okay on the small camera.
 
I think i's a very comfortable pair, especially with the L bracket which enhances the grip some. I typically went with my little finger under the right side of the camera although I could go with all fingers on a little tight. I think Sony and Fuji have the best established aps-c mirror-less families I haven't used it or tried it much but I think the Nikon Z50 is interesting, ergonomically more like their dslr family and the two kit lens price seems reasonable. They've just released a new "traditional" design body and I think a lens or two are coming with it or soon after.

Nikon wasn't there when I added mirror-less (to get smaller and lighter than my dslr kit) but since then, Nikon and Canon have been entering the mirror-less field and have limited aps-c offerings so far. Fuji is worth considering.

Dslr systems would tend to be bigger and heavier than the mirror-less but with your interests, I don't think you "need" mirror-less. Unlike their newer mirror-less systems, there is a pretty broad range of lenses available for the dslrs from Nikon and Canon.
 
Aside the grip, do you have some size/weight requirements? From your description Nikon Z5 with 24-200 came on my mind. But as already mentioned, your requirements are not high, so basically every modern camera with bigger sensor should do the job. If smaller size is better for you, I like my combo Sony A6400 with 18-135, which I can carry in my belt bag. But probably a no-go for you because of small grip.
 
Thanks for all the replies, very helpful.

I'd like to to be light but comfortable and balanced. I'll try and get somewhere to have a look at the suggestions.
 
Get a Nikon D850. Best DSLR ever!
 
IainA said:
No camera stores anywhere near me unfortunately. I know how it feels in the hand I s subjective but was more looking for ideas. It needs to be interchangeable lens though. Mirrorless seem too small (and more expensive) so maybe I’ve talked myself into a DSLR but is that the right choice in 2021 …. It was a much easier decision 5 years ago.
Click to expand...
It's easy to guess ergonomics if you look at the size of the camera, and a top view will show the grip's depth.

Fuji X-S10, Nikon Z5 (their aps-c has no lenses), Sony a6600 have the best grips of the bunch, it's apparent just by looking at them.

However, it is possible from the height that a pinky will end up under the body.

Consider avaible separate grips but not too much; when using large lenses they might interfere, so it's better to just go with a body that has a good grip (found out the hard way with my a6400 + Tamron 17-70 f2.8).

Imo, any choice should be based around the lenses you intend to buy now and later, and their prices.

The thing about the ML/DSLR thing, is that once you take away the romantic side of the OVF, there is no logical or practical reason to chose a DSLR today (except the price/performance ratio you might get buying used).

Some can't get over it and I understand that it's hard to teach new tricks to an old dog, but honestly there isn't anything about an EVF that will compromise your real world ability to shoot, in my experience it's quite the opposite.
 
Might want to look at the Canon RP with 24-105mm kit lens. It lists for $1299 in US. There is also a great 24-240mm lens for longer reach, but it would be a little over your budget until some sales roll around (Black Friday maybe).
 
IainA said:
I have no brand loyalty but I've owned or used Nikon and Canon DSLRs (film and digital) and one mirrorless Olympus EM5 II experience (couldn’t get on with the small size). The mirrorless cameras I've held always seem too small, but not tried them all, even though I don't have large hands. I prefer a substantial grip that fits all my fingers. I'm not a beginner.
Click to expand...
Since you don't have any camera stores close by I was thinking this website could be helpful in your search. I populated it with some randomly selected cameras. There are some icons above to select top/front/back views (side views are limited) and a zoom slider.

What I miss from DSLR-sized bodies is the multitude of dedicated buttons & switches. Mirrorless bodies are smaller so there's just no room for all those goodies. They do have a variety of programmable buttons/rings/dials that you can assign your favorite functions.
 
lehill said:
IainA said:
I have no brand loyalty but I've owned or used Nikon and Canon DSLRs (film and digital) and one mirrorless Olympus EM5 II experience (couldn’t get on with the small size). The mirrorless cameras I've held always seem too small, but not tried them all, even though I don't have large hands. I prefer a substantial grip that fits all my fingers. I'm not a beginner.
Click to expand...
Since you don't have any camera stores close by I was thinking this website could be helpful in your search. I populated it with some randomly selected cameras. There are some icons above to select top/front/back views (side views are limited) and a zoom slider.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that, really useful.
lehill said:
What I miss from DSLR-sized bodies is the multitude of dedicated buttons & switches. Mirrorless bodies are smaller so there's just no room for all those goodies. They do have a variety of programmable buttons/rings/dials that you can assign your favorite functions.
Click to expand...
Yes, I missed all that too when I had the Olympus. I only really want to use menus for system setup not general use.
 
Thanks for everyone’s suggestions and advice.

Looking at options based on suggestions, budget and what may fit ergonomically, I may have narrowed it down to the following:

Panasonic G9 with 12-60 f2.8-4

Sony A6600 with 18-135 f3.5-5.6

Canon RP with 24-105 f4

Nikon Z5 with 24-200 Z f4-6.3 (may be too much for my budget though)

Nikon D7500 with Tamron 35-150 f2.8-4

Canon 90D with Tamron 35-150 f2.8-4

Any thoughts on these from an IQ point of view?

Thanks.
 
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