Need some help headed to Hawaii

Quite a bit has changed since I bought my Panasonic GF1 :-O. Been trying to do some research the last week to see what fits my price range. I started with a budget of $250 and somehow talked myself into $500 (used market). Not a lot of money I know, but these days it seems you get quite a bit in these Rebels.

Looking for a body that is user friendly that takes both wide contrasting landscape shots, family pics,and good video for vacations and such. This I'm sure has more to do with the lens but gotta start somewhere.

After having watched many youtube vids there seems to not be a huge discerning difference between the t2i,t3i,t4i,and t5i but more conveniences. I do like the stereo mic onboard starting with the t4i as well as the touch screen so I'm leaning on this or the t5i.

However I've found various t2i and t3i bodies and kits locally on CL for $200-$300. I'm torn between going this route and getting more of an all purpose lens that does all the above. Or getting a lightly used t5i that comes with an 18-135 STM that is local for $525 (this seems to get rave reviews).

Any help or advice on lens' that fit my needs is appreciated.

leftcoast -

We have a member named Digirame that shoots with a t2i and a t3i with excellent results.  He posts in the "Show Your Snaps" threads in this forum, for example the one for this week:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4159614

His shots will give you a great idea about what can be done with those cameras.

I used to have the t2i, currently have the t4i and the t5i.  I really liked the t2i - easy to use and produced very nice pictures.  I'd rate the t4i and the t5i as marginally better.  I was very surprised how much I use the touch screen to change settings.  It's much quicker than using buttons to move through the choices.  I don't use Live View much, so the flippy screen is not a big plus for me.  It is nice if you want to shoot from a low or high viewpoint where you can't look through the viewfinder.  I'm finding I'm getting too old to lay on the ground for shots, but I can still bend over and look at the flippy screen in Live View.

Also, the t4i and the t5i have improved focusing over the t2i and the t3i.  Not that the t2i and t3i are bad by any means, but the t4i and t5i are quicker to lock focus for me.

I realize this doesn't give you an answer.  With the budget you noted, I don't think you can go wrong with a t4i or a t5i.  I also don't think you can go wrong with a t2i or t3i and spending more on lenses.

Happy shooting with whichever choice you make!!

leftcoast wrote:

Quite a bit has changed since I bought my Panasonic GF1 :-O. Been trying to do some research the last week to see what fits my price range. I started with a budget of $250 and somehow talked myself into $500 (used market). Not a lot of money I know, but these days it seems you get quite a bit in these Rebels.

Looking for a body that is user friendly that takes both wide contrasting landscape shots, family pics,and good video for vacations and such. This I'm sure has more to do with the lens but gotta start somewhere.

After having watched many youtube vids there seems to not be a huge discerning difference between the t2i,t3i,t4i,and t5i but more conveniences. I do like the stereo mic onboard starting with the t4i as well as the touch screen so I'm leaning on this or the t5i.

However I've found various t2i and t3i bodies and kits locally on CL for $200-$300. I'm torn between going this route and getting more of an all purpose lens that does all the above. Or getting a lightly used t5i that comes with an 18-135 STM that is local for $525 (this seems to get rave reviews).

Any help or advice on lens' that fit my needs is appreciated.

If you look at the Canon Direct Store, you can get a refurb T6i with 18-55mm and 55-250mm for $559.99.

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/eos-rebel-t6i-ef-s-18-55mm-is-stm-lens-kit-with-ef-s-55-250mm-f-4-56-is-stm-lens-refurbished

It's a little above your $500 budget, but you're getting a warranty, 2 lenses and their refurbs are basically like buying brand new. I've bought 2 lenses and a camera body as refurbs from Canon and have not had any issues.