NOOB camera buying advise needed, please.

The Canon T7 does not have a self-cleaning sensor. I would consider a used one with that feature like with the Canon SL1 (100D) or Canon T3i (600D) etc. (if a low price is important for you). Find one with low shutter clicks. I've bought many new and used cameras on Ebay from reputable sellers and they have always been fine. Also consider a used Canon 18-135mm lens, so that swapping lenses is minimized. I recommend using a hood with each of the lenses. They are inexpensive and can reduce damage to the front of the lens. Also if it's raining lightly (and an umbrella is used) the hood can reduce the chance that a few rain drops will get on the lens too.

For video a person cannot use a DSLR's viewfinder (because of the mirror). You must use the LCD screen. Consequently I bought two Canon M50 mirrorless cameras and lenses for video. For me that was better because I could keep the camera more steady with the electronic view finder (EVF). I haven't used them enough yet...I just got them...creating video is new for me. You might want to post this question on the Digital Video Talk forum.

I should mention that when I used the Canon T3i (600D) for video I had to use Canon's software to view it (if I remember correctly). When I took video with my Canon T7i (800D) camera, I could view it immediately on Windows Explorer without any special software. I liked using the Canon T7i (800D) camera better for video but I shook it too much when using the LCD screen and when I went to shut the video off. I have to practice taking more video with my Canon M50 cameras. Video is a whole new adventure, much different than taking still pictures. It's fun and very popular; that's why I'm spending more time learning about it. I haven't gotten a stick for it that Youtubers use, but that might be an option to keep the video more steady for things up close. I think the EVF will be better for things like outdoor games...we shall see.

Also...I keep thinking of new things...for video consider something like a large 128GB memory card that is designed for video.  Battery life could be a problem...get another backup battery...that's what I did.

PaulEck wrote:

Looking for buying advice on a camera please, here is what I'm trying to achieve. I've been out of the camera world for a while so not sure what's best.

• My 13 year old son started a digital photography/video editing class and want to get him something nice he can use.
• My daughter's soccer coach told me I need to start videoing each game to send to college coaches. I've seen people with a fancy looking camera (it's green) that follows a specific player, my daughter is a goal keeper so don't think that is necessary for me. I have a tripod already I can use and thinking can just leave it pointing at the goal.
• Use my existing lenses - I own a Rebel XT
• Get it from a store today for a tournament this weekend (live in US - Atlanta), so probably Best Buy

Wonder if the T7 DSLR may do for job OR do I need 4k (more for zooming into the action during editing - rather than caring about 4K), if so would the EOS Rebel SL3 would be better (but is it $250 better for what I need?).

The SL3 isn't in stock though so wouldn't get today unless other places people have any recommendations in Atlanta)

Thanks in advance

Paul

I suggest looking at an M50 with a kit lens. Mirrorless is the future of photography and this will give your son an advantage to hone his photography and video skills. The M50 will shoot 4k video with a heavy 2.7 crop but this might work to your advantage when videoing your daughter from a distance since it makes the 15-45mm kit lens a 40-122mm zoom. The 4k video you send the coaches will be very clear.

Older lenses that do not have STM focusing are terrible to use for video. The focus is very jerky and the lenses make a lot of noise that is picked up in the audio recordings. The EF-M 14-45mm STM kit lens that comes with the M50 is very good for video shooting. Many newer cameras come with STM lenses but the nice thing about the M50's kit lens is it provides a FF equivalent range of 24-72mm which is an incredibly useful range for an APS-C camera. Canon's DSLRs start with a 29mm effective range and the 5mm advantage of the M50's kit lens makes a big difference for wide angle shooting.

Also, the M50 has an EVF that can be used for shooting video. This isn't the case with a DSLR. The auto focus of the M50 is much more capable than that found on a DSLR and it has a much higher burst rate for shooting stills. Additionally, the M50 can use all your current lenses you use on your XT with a EF to EF-M adapter. Third party adapters are very affordable ($25-$30) and work just as well as Canon much more expensive adapter.

To sum up, if you are going to buy a new camera I think it makes sense to get one that will serve you well into the future and give you many of the advantages of what mirrorless cameras provide. If you are still using a XT then the additional cost of buying a M50 is much more reasonable in the long term since you use a camera for so many years.

Oldpanda wrote:

You may want to consider buying from keh.com. They are in Smyrna and sell very good used equipment that will save $$$ and allow local pickup as well. They have a very good reputation on these forums and their stuff comes with a 180 day warranty as well.

The downside with KEH (and I have experience with them) is that they do NOT list a cameras shutter count and refuse to do so. A few years ago I bought a used D7000 from them which they listed as excellent. It looked ok, but not excellent, and had 48,000 clicks on it. I sent it back. I've moved to MPB for any used camera or lens and with my two dslr camera purchases with listed shutter count, they have been perfect. Buying a used camera without knowing shutter count is like buying a used car and not knowing the mileage.