Camera Recommendation

I've got the A6400 and 18-135. I'm running numbers on the A7Riv and a range of lenses anticipating an "upgrade.". The A6400 and 18-135 weighs about 2 ounces more than the A7Riv body alone. The A7c and 28-200 costs $1200 some dollars more.

There's a lot to be said for careful considerations of the various alternatives. Just noting that there can be a fair amount of dogmatic posturing and/or second guessing that can add to the confusion or noise level when someone is looking for suggestions. Part of the problem is there are so many good cameras and good reasons for a wide range of choices.
As someone who upgraded from the A6400 and 18-135mm to an A7RIII with the 28-200mm tested and pending purchase:

There's not a lot of comparison. The 18-135mm acts like an F5.3-F8.4 lens for light gathering and background blur, which is a lot slower than the F2.-F5.6 of the Tamron. The Tamron can also resolve 42MP impressively while the 18-135mm works hard to fulfill 24MP.

That being said, the A6400 + 18-135mm is a sweet spot for size and price, which is exacerbated by the lack of an A7IV. The A7C is compromised, and the A7III lacks the A6400's AF.
 
I’m a Canon owner so I’m not well versed with Sony bodies. My daughter is looking for a full frame mirrorless body and a versatile walk around lens. Her budget is around $3,000 with body and lens.
I gave her a couple of Canon options namely the Canon R and the R6. The R6 with a lens though would exceed her budget.

I told her that Sony is a good option. I’m looking please for a recommendation with Sony within her budget.

She shoots for fun, family, vacations, scenery.

Thank you,

Pete

**I could put this on the “Camera, Lens and System Buying Advice" forum but thought I would start from the Sony forum.
If your daughter wants a hybrid option(photos + video) then a7c + Sony FE 24-105mm.

If the priority is on photo - then a7c/a7iii + Tamron 28-200 mm
 
Two big things to consider: will she ever want to use the camera for selfies, or for vlogging where she is on camera, filming herself? Either one means she needs a rear LCD with the ability to face forward. (Unless she buys a separate portable monitor, and most people don't want the complexity or expense). Any fully-articulated screen such as on the Fuji X-S10 will face forward, but many tilt screens will not (for instance, I think (but am not sure) that the Sony A6400 allows that, but the better (in some respects) A6600 does not).
Thanks for the tip. That is something I need to ask her.
The A6600 can absolutely flip up. This raises a good point: confirm important considerations with your own sleuthing before using them for buying decisions.

190829-sony-a6600-launch-specs-4.jpg
Thanks very much. As I noted in my earlier post, I wasn't sure about whether the rear LCD on the A6400 and A6600 could face forward.. Still not sure where my erroneous info came from, maybe I was thinking about the previous generation. And you are absolutely correct that a buyer should personally verify any important capabilities. Reasonable certainty should be as close as a user manual download. I'd expect that to be correct, doubly-so if some months have passed since its release.
 
I’m a Canon owner so I’m not well versed with Sony bodies. My daughter is looking for a full frame mirrorless body and a versatile walk around lens. Her budget is around $3,000 with body and lens.
I gave her a couple of Canon options namely the Canon R and the R6. The R6 with a lens though would exceed her budget.

I told her that Sony is a good option. I’m looking please for a recommendation with Sony within her budget.

She shoots for fun, family, vacations, scenery.

Thank you,

Pete

**I could put this on the “Camera, Lens and System Buying Advice" forum but thought I would start from the Sony forum.
 
I’m a Canon owner so I’m not well versed with Sony bodies. My daughter is looking for a full frame mirrorless body and a versatile walk around lens. Her budget is around $3,000 with body and lens.
I gave her a couple of Canon options namely the Canon R and the R6. The R6 with a lens though would exceed her budget.

I told her that Sony is a good option. I’m looking please for a recommendation with Sony within her budget.

She shoots for fun, family, vacations, scenery.

Thank you,

Pete

**I could put this on the “Camera, Lens and System Buying Advice" forum but thought I would start from the Sony forum.
https://www.dpreview.com/buying-guides
Eh the buying guides are generally woefully out of date. I've noticed a lag of years between lenses being released and making it into the guides.
 
I’m a Canon owner so I’m not well versed with Sony bodies. My daughter is looking for a full frame mirrorless body and a versatile walk around lens. Her budget is around $3,000 with body and lens.
I gave her a couple of Canon options namely the Canon R and the R6. The R6 with a lens though would exceed her budget.

I told her that Sony is a good option. I’m looking please for a recommendation with Sony within her budget.

She shoots for fun, family, vacations, scenery.

Thank you,

Pete

**I could put this on the “Camera, Lens and System Buying Advice" forum but thought I would start from the Sony forum.
A7III or A7C + 28-200mm. Super versatile and way below budget. The 28-200mm is far brighter and sharper than conventional super-zooms, making it perfect for travel.

You could use the rest of the budget to buy a supplemental prime lens of her choice later for portraits/low light. Let her use the zoom first and then decide if she wants say a 35mm f1.8, 65mm F2, 85mm F1.8, etc.
Thank you for the advice. I see the recommendations have the A7iii and A7C in common. When was the A7C announced? I’m not familiar with that body. Good option with the 28-200. Would this be the Tamron?
A7C was announced about 5 months ago. It has better autofocus (but keep in mind that A7III AF is very good) and better video capabilities than the A7III. I pair the Tamron 28-200 with my A7R3, and it's my walk-around lens.
 
I’m a Canon owner so I’m not well versed with Sony bodies. My daughter is looking for a full frame mirrorless body and a versatile walk around lens. Her budget is around $3,000 with body and lens.
I gave her a couple of Canon options namely the Canon R and the R6. The R6 with a lens though would exceed her budget.

I told her that Sony is a good option. I’m looking please for a recommendation with Sony within her budget.

She shoots for fun, family, vacations, scenery.

Thank you,

Pete

**I could put this on the “Camera, Lens and System Buying Advice" forum but thought I would start from the Sony forum.
A7III or A7C + 28-200mm. Super versatile and way below budget. The 28-200mm is far brighter and sharper than conventional super-zooms, making it perfect for travel.

You could use the rest of the budget to buy a supplemental prime lens of her choice later for portraits/low light. Let her use the zoom first and then decide if she wants say a 35mm f1.8, 65mm F2, 85mm F1.8, etc.
Thank you for the advice. I see the recommendations have the A7iii and A7C in common. When was the A7C announced? I’m not familiar with that body. Good option with the 28-200. Would this be the Tamron?
A7C was announced about 5 months ago. It has better autofocus (but keep in mind that A7III AF is very good) and better video capabilities than the A7III. I pair the Tamron 28-200 with my A7R3, and it's my walk-around lens.
The A7C is smaller than the A7III and features a weaker rangefinder EVF, 1 card slot, and weaker physical controls in exchange for size. But it also features the amazing new Sony AF. It's a good option for right-eyed shooters who don't plan on using huge lenses for things like birds.
 
Two big things to consider: will she ever want to use the camera for selfies, or for vlogging where she is on camera, filming herself? Either one means she needs a rear LCD with the ability to face forward. (Unless she buys a separate portable monitor, and most people don't want the complexity or expense). Any fully-articulated screen such as on the Fuji X-S10 will face forward, but many tilt screens will not (for instance, I think (but am not sure) that the Sony A6400 allows that, but the better (in some respects) A6600 does not).
Thanks for the tip. That is something I need to ask her.
The A6600 can absolutely flip up. This raises a good point: confirm important considerations with your own sleuthing before using them for buying decisions.

190829-sony-a6600-launch-specs-4.jpg
I just sent her the image and information on the 6600.
 
For Sony ff, it's hard not to suggest the A7iii or A7c and the Tamron 28-200. Theses are the current 24 mp bodies. The A7iii as noted, is due to be replaced but Sony sometimes is hard to predict as to what and when a "new" body will be or when it arrives. The A7c has the most recent focus system so is a little ahead of the A7iii in that way but is smaller and has some other "compromises" to be smaller.

The A7R series are higher resolution, pixel count, but unless making larger prints or serious landscaping, etc., you won't get the benefit of the large files, just use up file space, etc. The A7S series are aimed at low light and video. The A9s are speed demons for high rate action, nature, sports, etc.

It's typical of the forum that if one suggests they "want" ff, there will be those who argue strenuously for other sensor sizes. With at least some justification, as sensor sizes go up, so do sizes, weights and prices, generally speaking. OTOH, as sensor sizes go down, so does low light performance (and price to some extent, weight and bulk). OTOH, if ne suggests they want "aps--c" there will be strenuous arguments as to why ff is the only possible choice for a real photographer.

The same sort of discussion surrounds the Tamron 28-200. It is, indeed, a standout lens. There will be those who argue a 24-70/2.8 (and other lenses to supplement it) is the best/only choice. They'll work their way up to the ghastly expensive Sony GM, then the Sigma, at about half the price of the Sony (a tremendous buy!), then the Tamron 28-75/2.8, which is almost as good, perhaps as good optically, then side leaps to the Sony 24-105/4, then to the tremendous usability, focal length range, starts at f2.8, 28-200 which can replace, for many the f2.8 zooms or the 24-105/4. OK, so it's not going to replace the Sony GM lenses but short of having a really definitive need for one of the others, it's a tremendous ly flexible and very reasonably priced lens.
Great help, thanks for the assistance with this.
 
I’m a Canon owner so I’m not well versed with Sony bodies. My daughter is looking for a full frame mirrorless body and a versatile walk around lens. Her budget is around $3,000 with body and lens.
I gave her a couple of Canon options namely the Canon R and the R6. The R6 with a lens though would exceed her budget.

I told her that Sony is a good option. I’m looking please for a recommendation with Sony within her budget.

She shoots for fun, family, vacations, scenery.

Thank you,

Pete

**I could put this on the “Camera, Lens and System Buying Advice" forum but thought I would start from the Sony forum.
If your daughter wants a hybrid option(photos + video) then a7c + Sony FE 24-105mm.
If the priority is on photo - then a7c/a7iii + Tamron 28-200 mm
She would definitely be interested in some video where as myself, zero video. We will look closely at the A7c.
 
I’m a Canon owner so I’m not well versed with Sony bodies. My daughter is looking for a full frame mirrorless body and a versatile walk around lens. Her budget is around $3,000 with body and lens.
I gave her a couple of Canon options namely the Canon R and the R6. The R6 with a lens though would exceed her budget.

I told her that Sony is a good option. I’m looking please for a recommendation with Sony within her budget.

She shoots for fun, family, vacations, scenery.

Thank you,

Pete

**I could put this on the “Camera, Lens and System Buying Advice" forum but thought I would start from the Sony forum.
https://www.dpreview.com/buying-guides
Thanks for the link, I will share with her and she can ask questions with her findings.
 
I’m a Canon owner so I’m not well versed with Sony bodies. My daughter is looking for a full frame mirrorless body and a versatile walk around lens. Her budget is around $3,000 with body and lens.
I gave her a couple of Canon options namely the Canon R and the R6. The R6 with a lens though would exceed her budget.

I told her that Sony is a good option. I’m looking please for a recommendation with Sony within her budget.

She shoots for fun, family, vacations, scenery.

Thank you,

Pete

**I could put this on the “Camera, Lens and System Buying Advice" forum but thought I would start from the Sony forum.
https://www.dpreview.com/buying-guides
Eh the buying guides are generally woefully out of date. I've noticed a lag of years between lenses being released and making it into the guides.
:-O
 
After reading all the great comments and sharing with my daughter she is looking heavily into the A7c. Lens to be determined.

She also likes the Canon R6 and the RF 24-105 lens but that is above what she wants to spend. I really can’t suggest any other Canon for her.
 
I’m a Canon owner so I’m not well versed with Sony bodies. My daughter is looking for a full frame mirrorless body and a versatile walk around lens. Her budget is around $3,000 with body and lens.
I gave her a couple of Canon options namely the Canon R and the R6. The R6 with a lens though would exceed her budget.

I told her that Sony is a good option. I’m looking please for a recommendation with Sony within her budget.

She shoots for fun, family, vacations, scenery.

Thank you,

Pete

**I could put this on the “Camera, Lens and System Buying Advice" forum but thought I would start from the Sony forum.
If your daughter wants a hybrid option(photos + video) then a7c + Sony FE 24-105mm.
If the priority is on photo - then a7c/a7iii + Tamron 28-200 mm
She would definitely be interested in some video where as myself, zero video. We will look closely at the A7c.
Especially if looking at the A7c, but also applicable to other Sony full-frame bodies, keep an eye out for the new 28-70mm zoom that Sigma will be introducing in just days. Supposedly much smaller than the Sony 24-105 and Tamron 28-200. Larger than the compact Sony 28-60 kit lens, but a much larger maximum aperture (f/2.8, I think), and 10mm more focal length on the long end, so much more useful in low light and better able to isolate subjects from background, and a bit better perspective for portraits.
 
I’m a Canon owner so I’m not well versed with Sony bodies. My daughter is looking for a full frame mirrorless body and a versatile walk around lens. Her budget is around $3,000 with body and lens.
I gave her a couple of Canon options namely the Canon R and the R6. The R6 with a lens though would exceed her budget.

I told her that Sony is a good option. I’m looking please for a recommendation with Sony within her budget.

She shoots for fun, family, vacations, scenery.

Thank you,

Pete

**I could put this on the “Camera, Lens and System Buying Advice" forum but thought I would start from the Sony forum.
You can use this as a lens buying guide. First the date is incorrect. The Tamron 28-200 is on the list, as is the Tamron 70-180. So this list is "up to date" as of summer of 2020. Second, even though it says lenses for the A7RIV it's still useful for other Sony cameras. I've used it for my A7III. At least it's a starting point.

 
I’m a Canon owner so I’m not well versed with Sony bodies. My daughter is looking for a full frame mirrorless body and a versatile walk around lens. Her budget is around $3,000 with body and lens.
I gave her a couple of Canon options namely the Canon R and the R6. The R6 with a lens though would exceed her budget.

I told her that Sony is a good option. I’m looking please for a recommendation with Sony within her budget.

She shoots for fun, family, vacations, scenery.

Thank you,

Pete

**I could put this on the “Camera, Lens and System Buying Advice" forum but thought I would start from the Sony forum.
You can use this as a lens buying guide. First the date is incorrect. The Tamron 28-200 is on the list, as is the Tamron 70-180. So this list is "up to date" as of summer of 2020. Second, even though it says lenses for the A7RIV it's still useful for other Sony cameras. I've used it for my A7III. At least it's a starting point.

https://sonyalpha.blog/2019/11/10/which-lenses-to-maximise-the-potential-of-the-sony-a7riv/
I wouldn’t take the order of those as more than indicative. Having spent a long time comparing Sony 24-105/4 reviews to Tamron 28-75/2.8, the distance between them is surprising, maybe due to copy variation. I also find the order of the 90/2.8 and 55/1.8 a bit odd. I have both and most sources agree that the 90mm is an outstanding lens at distances up to 10m.

The MTF tables complied by JohnNEX are a useful guide.

Andrew
 
I’m a Canon owner so I’m not well versed with Sony bodies. My daughter is looking for a full frame mirrorless body and a versatile walk around lens. Her budget is around $3,000 with body and lens.
I gave her a couple of Canon options namely the Canon R and the R6. The R6 with a lens though would exceed her budget.

I told her that Sony is a good option. I’m looking please for a recommendation with Sony within her budget.

She shoots for fun, family, vacations, scenery.

Thank you,

Pete

**I could put this on the “Camera, Lens and System Buying Advice" forum but thought I would start from the Sony forum.
You can use this as a lens buying guide. First the date is incorrect. The Tamron 28-200 is on the list, as is the Tamron 70-180. So this list is "up to date" as of summer of 2020. Second, even though it says lenses for the A7RIV it's still useful for other Sony cameras. I've used it for my A7III. At least it's a starting point.

https://sonyalpha.blog/2019/11/10/which-lenses-to-maximise-the-potential-of-the-sony-a7riv/
I wouldn’t take the order of those as more than indicative. Having spent a long time comparing Sony 24-105/4 reviews to Tamron 28-75/2.8, the distance between them is surprising, maybe due to copy variation. I also find the order of the 90/2.8 and 55/1.8 a bit odd. I have both and most sources agree that the 90mm is an outstanding lens at distances up to 10m.

The MTF tables complied by JohnNEX are a useful guide.

Andrew
It's not 100% accurate I'm sure. But nothing really is. But reviews and this guide are pretty on mark. And my pro friends use it and agree it's accurate.
 
I’m a Canon owner so I’m not well versed with Sony bodies. My daughter is looking for a full frame mirrorless body and a versatile walk around lens. Her budget is around $3,000 with body and lens.
I gave her a couple of Canon options namely the Canon R and the R6. The R6 with a lens though would exceed her budget.

I told her that Sony is a good option. I’m looking please for a recommendation with Sony within her budget.

She shoots for fun, family, vacations, scenery.

Thank you,

Pete

**I could put this on the “Camera, Lens and System Buying Advice" forum but thought I would start from the Sony forum.
You can use this as a lens buying guide. First the date is incorrect. The Tamron 28-200 is on the list, as is the Tamron 70-180. So this list is "up to date" as of summer of 2020. Second, even though it says lenses for the A7RIV it's still useful for other Sony cameras. I've used it for my A7III. At least it's a starting point.

https://sonyalpha.blog/2019/11/10/which-lenses-to-maximise-the-potential-of-the-sony-a7riv/
I wouldn’t take the order of those as more than indicative. Having spent a long time comparing Sony 24-105/4 reviews to Tamron 28-75/2.8, the distance between them is surprising, maybe due to copy variation. I also find the order of the 90/2.8 and 55/1.8 a bit odd. I have both and most sources agree that the 90mm is an outstanding lens at distances up to 10m.

The MTF tables complied by JohnNEX are a useful guide.

Andrew
It's not 100% accurate I'm sure. But nothing really is. But reviews and this guide are pretty on mark. And my pro friends use it and agree it's accurate.
Is a novice really going to care about absolute sharpness vs handling, flexibility, etc? Sharpness is a bit of a fetish, with diminishing returns.
 
I’m a Canon owner so I’m not well versed with Sony bodies. My daughter is looking for a full frame mirrorless body and a versatile walk around lens. Her budget is around $3,000 with body and lens.
I gave her a couple of Canon options namely the Canon R and the R6. The R6 with a lens though would exceed her budget.

I told her that Sony is a good option. I’m looking please for a recommendation with Sony within her budget.

She shoots for fun, family, vacations, scenery.

Thank you,

Pete

**I could put this on the “Camera, Lens and System Buying Advice" forum but thought I would start from the Sony forum.
You can use this as a lens buying guide. First the date is incorrect. The Tamron 28-200 is on the list, as is the Tamron 70-180. So this list is "up to date" as of summer of 2020. Second, even though it says lenses for the A7RIV it's still useful for other Sony cameras. I've used it for my A7III. At least it's a starting point.

https://sonyalpha.blog/2019/11/10/which-lenses-to-maximise-the-potential-of-the-sony-a7riv/
I wouldn’t take the order of those as more than indicative. Having spent a long time comparing Sony 24-105/4 reviews to Tamron 28-75/2.8, the distance between them is surprising, maybe due to copy variation. I also find the order of the 90/2.8 and 55/1.8 a bit odd. I have both and most sources agree that the 90mm is an outstanding lens at distances up to 10m.

The MTF tables complied by JohnNEX are a useful guide.

Andrew
It's not 100% accurate I'm sure. But nothing really is. But reviews and this guide are pretty on mark. And my pro friends use it and agree it's accurate.
Is a novice really going to care about absolute sharpness vs handling, flexibility, etc? Sharpness is a bit of a fetish, with diminishing returns.
I'm a novice. And sharpness is important to me. As it should be.
 
I’m a Canon owner so I’m not well versed with Sony bodies. My daughter is looking for a full frame mirrorless body and a versatile walk around lens. Her budget is around $3,000 with body and lens.
I gave her a couple of Canon options namely the Canon R and the R6. The R6 with a lens though would exceed her budget.

I told her that Sony is a good option. I’m looking please for a recommendation with Sony within her budget.

She shoots for fun, family, vacations, scenery.
A7C + Tamron 28-200mm + Samyang 35mm 2.8 + Samyang 18mm 2.8

That covers a lot.
Thank you,

Pete

**I could put this on the “Camera, Lens and System Buying Advice" forum but thought I would start from the Sony forum.
 

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