2017 Roundup: Interchangeable Lens Cameras $500-900

Wasn't implying it was bad. I had one (with the kit lens, of course). But I ultimately switched to Fuji for my mirrorless needs.... (first with the X-T10, and then waited for the X-T20 to come out--which was so backordered I just broke down and got the X-T2 instead).

As for the a6000, I think it was a real bridge into the consumer mirrorless market. Finally, a camera with good image quality could be had at a decent price. I'm sure there were others from Sony at the time, but this one was one that the average guy who maybe didn't have $2k to drop on a camera, could buy. It's pocketable but powerful. (I was just never impressed myself, and at the time, the lens line-up wasn't as developed in my opinion, this was back in 2012, that's partially why I jumped ship over to Fuji).

Sorry, my mistake. But 3 years in the camera industry (especially with the way the big three: Sony, Canon and Nikon, are going) is a long time.

A long time my posterior. Nikon 7100 is still for sale in a similar fashion, and CaNikony FFs have a much longer lifecycle. Heck, most Fuji's are still for sale too. If you look away from the media center, a lot of previous gen stuff are still sold for new at great prices and performance. It's honestly a market worth looking into.

Interesting why that would be the case, considering that the XT20 and A6000 effectively use very similar sensors

@Davidov

Saying the X-T20 and D750 have no difference in quality completely invalidates your criticism of the A6000. I've had both the A6000 and D750, and now own the A6300, which has the same sensor as the X-T20. I'd put them at roughly the same distance from each other. As in the improvement from going A6000 to A6300/X-T20 is the same level of improvement as going A6300/X-T20 to D750.

The A6000's sensor was a bit behind when it was released, but only behind the D7200 (Toshiba) and NX1 (Samsung). They had entered the next generation of sensors, which Sony caught up on (by buying Toshiba's factory) in the A6300.

The D750 is just amazing at medium/high ISO. Very smooth, easy to control noise. Interestingly enough, it doesn't have as much highlight recovery as the A6300 or even A6000. A bit of a letdown when I first got it, but using underexposure to gain it back wasn't an issue.

Everyone has their own opinion about gear. As long as my gear is doing what I need it to, then who cares whether it makes the cut or not. Or what others think about it. It gets the job done, I get paid (in some cases) and on to the next project. Heck, the "picked"/recommended camera may not suit my needs....

I would have to suggest Graeters - Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip.

I'm sure that for every flavor you can think of, it exists somewhere on this planet....

Yeah interesting that isn't it... same price as the X-T20.

Exactly, the M6 basically is the M5 for people who don't need the EVF.

Yup.. very nice innovations :) the camera market dkes really need ideas that dont drive prices into enormous sums (A9 mention of the day)
So is Nikon's snapbridge for me btw. Connectivity issues fixed

Sorry but i don't see the massive appeal of snapbridge apart from it not working.

With my fuji X-T20 if i want to quickly share an image. It takes we approx. 1 minute to connect to my phone transfer the full res image i want. I can crop do basic push pull edits and change the film simulation if i want.

I don't see the big deal of using bluetooth with an app that doesn't work.

The A9 has technology we didn't deem possible a few years back. Being able to adjust focus 60x a second while firing away a burst of 20 fps at full res raw is impressive. Especially since it does both at the same time.

That kind of technology will drive Dslr's obsolete. When rolling shutter gets further reduced and stacking large sensors becomes more affordable.

Panasonic's 4k photo and Pentax/olympus Ibis system are just clever pieces of software doing stuff with the hardware that was already there in the first place.
It does not drive up cost as the software can simply be copied.

Like I said. The issue with the Nikon app is fixed. Preconceptions dont do good comments, I hold no issues with the X-T20 - owning an X-T10 I am sure it is a refined device and the wifi works just fine.
But again my point is:
The A9 is another device pushing the do-able onto new levels and not a device for consumers. Its a series of evolutions that push innovative products into being 4 figure investments - take the a6500 or the RX10-mk3 as further examples. Now thast not just Sony. If you had gone for the X-T2 it would have set you back nearly the price of a second X-T20. The Olympus OMD-EM1-MK2 is 2000 Euros - so is the GH5.
Maybe I am alone in seeing this as being way to expensive for the added benefit.

Well the added benefits developed to sell a 4 figure semi/professional mirrorless body trickled down to the X-T20. Which is a 3 figure body.(just)
It's indeed a well refined product well worth the price. The X-trans 3 files are great and the AF over the X-E2 i have (which is roughly the same as your X-T10) is greatly improved.

In time the technology developed for the EM1 mk2 and GH5 will trickle down to lower tier models. Well not sure about the EM1. There hasn't been a single affordable Olympus with phase detect autofocus.

But 4k video pioneered by the Gh4 is now available from just 549,- (Gx800).

I agree that these bodies are very expensive. Or dirt cheap actually if you want broadcast quality 4k with interchangeable lenses. That was 7 grand or more just a year ago.

That's very true. 4K video seems to be the an addition - in most cases it seems to already be very mature in its implementation.
Focussing on stills it is of little use to me. I will take a look at that X-T20 :)

But if you bought the X-T10 which let's be honest let's just pretend that it doesn't shoot video(like my X-E2) at all. I doubt you'd care about 4k.

The main improvements are

- Autofocus. Much more flexible PDAF selection. And it's much easier to keep the subject in an area roughly half of your frame instead of that centre 1/9th block in the middle.

- Resolution 24mp just extracts noticeably more detail out of Fuji's amazing line of glass.

- Buffer. 20-29 shots depending on card and mode used.

- Burst speed 14 fps with electronic shutter is pretty awesome in use. It practically eliminated viewfinder black-out too. unfortunately rolling shutter is still a major issue.

- Touchscreen for easier image reviewing

- Across film simulations which look very good.

It's a very solid successor to an already good camera.
however some minor issues still exist.

Still 3 shot bracket only.

Can't program front dial(now the rear one is)

They removed an FN button on the rear.

Thank You BarnET!
Btw is the touchscreen for reviewing your pictures only? I checked the DPR review of the camera and found little information on it.

no it can also be touched to focus and shoot. But i find that bothersome because it doesn't know the difference between my fingers and my nose. So i have that disabled.

It can't be used to adjust settings unfortunately. Nor in the menu's

@Dr Blackjack: If that's the case, then they're missing the Nikon 1 J5 as well. Hmm..

Yeah, no. I like it better without these.

"You send your newer A-mount bodies and lenses that are under warranty to Sony for repair, they will fix it, so the argument that the A-mount is 'not supported' any more is bullcrap."
I never said that and have no idea about sony mounts, just mentioned the latest pentax lenses released coz you said: "Nobody talks about Pentax being a 'dead' system, even though nothing new much has been going on in their lense department for a while now."

The J5 currently sells for $500 with the kit lens, so body only would be outside the price range of this comparison.

That said, I had the J5, and it was a love/hate affair. Loved the IQ and size, hated the controls​ and features. Nikon just left way too much out for it to be competitive with other cameras in its class at launch pricing. And the FT1 adapter couldn't save it due to the gimped functionality.

Really do want to get another one, but how frustrating it is to use holds me back. Got an RX100 I instead, but miss the telephoto end of the J5 via adapter. Might look at the Panasonic GM5 instead...

The A77 II is in this round up:

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2016-roundup-interchangeable-lens-cameras-900-1200

And the Nikon J5 in this:

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2016-round-up-interchangeable-lens-cameras-under-500

Brendon, you don't need a bunch of new lenses all the time if you have them being sold already

Dr Blackjack go on then recommend a consumer zoom. 70-300 or 50-200 type thing....

So of the 2 of the appropriate focal length one is £750 the other over £1000. I did say "consumer"

The options for my Nikon DSLR start at £120 and have good optical quality.

Out of those 6 lenses i'd only vouch for the 18-105.
Not knowing the 70-300 so i leave that blank.

The 16-70 isn't great and way to expensive for what it does.
The 55-210 is just plastic junk.
70-200mm F4 overpriced decent
70-200mm F2.8 very expensive heavy but very high quality.

18-105mm F4 is decent quality well priced constant aperture is rare for this range and price. Distortion is an issue but it's great for video with it's powerzoom.

Downside Sony just refuses to sell it as a bundle.
And my God is the 16-50 no match to their rather excellent bodies.

That lens just screams to potential customers take your business to Fujifilm.

To answer BarnET's comments, Sony's standard zoom range is not very good. The ""kit"" 28-70 FF or 16-50 APS-C fill the role of kit and not much more. A far cry from the quite awesome A mount 16-50... oh well. But that's for later. The Zeiss premium in that range, the 16-70 for APS-C and 24-70/4 for FF perform decently well, but are priced very high. Unhappy days. However, I don't agree that the 55-210 is "plastic junk". It's just as capable as the competitors from other brands, and for the price provides some good optics throughout a long range. I've seen some great photos taken with this lens. As for the FF 70-200, I also disagree with you in that I love the F4. Haven't tried the GM for long, but I think Rishi has experience with both and prefers the F4 actually. Nothing else to say about the 18-105, and although I think the two other lenses are good I don't have extensive experience with them.

Thank you cale, but I don't know if they still use that method or not (that article is 17 years old).
Whether they do or not, the DR statements I'm talking about are not accompanied by any measures to quantify them (that 2000 article talks about 5 "quantitative measures", but we don't see them here).
Let's hope that we'll hear from the staff.

a6000 was replaced by the a6300 already

No they just to make some more lenses for it. Consumer short zoom anyone?

Your right, it's feature set is quiet impressive. Probably the best in class in that aspect. Ibis + 4k + Mic jack + Fully articulating screen make that a solid recommendation for video shooters.

But the image quality of it's now rather old 16mp m43 sensor is not. At least when compared to the winner the X-T20 which also shoots high quality 4k.
Albeit lacking the Ibis, fully articulating screen and weather sealing.

It does have Fuji's brilliant film simulations. The core of the X-T2 focus system and it can shoot up to 14 fps with autofocus. (electronic) and 8 fps (mechanical)

Which one wins depends on your priorities. For stills, the fuji with ease.
But for creating video the features make the panasonic the more compelling option.

Firstly, G85 has been reviewed by DPR and received a "GOLD" sticker.

Secondly, all IQ differenced would be represented by author of this article for your (and mine) satisfaction.

Maybe each brand get's only one entry unless other options have a large enough sales volume on Amazon.

If it was because of what the physical shops offer you wouldn't see rebels top the ILC charts on Amazon week after week.

It is, at least the body for sure 😉

As much as I agree whack DPR uses MSRP. Also the ceiling for this roundup is 900 not 1000. Finally I'd also consider the "world class" $1750 combo of the A7 with the legendary FE 55 for another killer bundle upclass.

@jack: dpr idiosyncrasies aside, if I'm thinking of spending 900, I'll sure try to stretch it to 948 especially for the A7 which I regard as one of the best A series models to date...the ultimate All-round-rounder for the money. I can rent lenses. To your other point; "world class combo", couldn't agree more! :)

That prime singlehandedly sold the FE system for a while and for good reason.

There is no valid reason why a beginner needs a PASM dial.

4K isn't really worth it unless the sensor, lens, cooling, data rate, etc are up to snuff. Someone buying a sub $900 camera will be absolutely fine with HD, as most of the world watch TV shows presented in HD. They can think about 4K when they upgrade.

Not sure I understand what you're recommendation to a beginner would be, but as far as gear for someone to learn the concepts of photography, I have no qualms recommending some basic Canon gear, starting with a Rebel DSLR. Part of that is likely because that's just where I started, but more than that is the fact that you can put together a pretty cheap kit of camera & lenses that will let the beginner run the gamut of photography so they can figure out for themselves what their style is and what they want to shoot.

The kit lens will give them the normal range, and though it's not fast, stopped down in good lighting it will yield nice results. A 55-250mm lens is a good performing stabilized lens with decent range, enough to get their feet wet in outdoor sports or wildlife shooting. And last, there's the 50mm f/1.8 which will introduce them to shallow DoF control, and the advantage of a fast lens in low light.

That's a lot of kit for a beginner to learn on without breaking the bank.

Back in the day my beginner"P/A/S/M cam" was XZ-1. It was and still amazing. I still use it Underwater photography.

But today's standars, that camera would better be RX series of Sony, LX series of Panasonic, Gx series of Canon Powershot.

But I must admit, there are very good and capable PEN and Lumix cameras out there for beginners. Which offers lots of small, quality lenses for lower price tag. And M43 system goes strong. Any investment to M43 has more future not just in photography but also in videography.

But still, beginner better to begin from a big sensor point&shoot

The in-body stabilization may not work with these lenses on the Pentax because being non-electronic lenses they don't report any data back to the camera. I had this problem with a Rokinon lens on my Sony a77.

G7 is 635euro w/ kit lens; over 65% more expensive.

I've read DPR comments to that effect, just not in this comparo. Speculating here, could there be an assumption that these buyers aren't prone to longer/heavier lens purchases?

What constitutes "replaced"? It's still in stock on Amazon, and it may be a loose variation of the A6K sony series, where the A6300 was introduced but the A600 stays.