Help....

[tiger.banana]

Hi there,

I’m sure this would have been covered before but I need some help in choosing what type/model of camera to go for.

I’m a really keen photographer who has just been using an iPhone so looking to go to the next step. I have my head set on a Mirrorless camera of sorts as I’ve heard good things but I am open to other people’s opinions.

I mainly photograph cars and scenery/landscape. I rarely do video so wouldn’t be using the camera for video shots. I don’t mind carrying a camera bag with gear in etc.

Price point; I have in my head up to £500.00.

Really appreciate your help, advise and comments.

[MrOrange]

£529 gets you a new mkII Oly omd 10 with twin lenses. Arguably better than the mkiii and cheaper, too.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympus-OM-D-Compact-Syst...

[gangzoom]

Am actually going the other way, the camera on my S9 suites my needs very well.

The Olympus OM D cameras are really good but I find the ergonomics on my EM5 II can be confusing compared to the Cannon system, and I've been using DSLRs for a decade.

For a new starter you need to play with understanding how changing just Aperture and Shuttet speed affectd exposure/composition, my EM5 II has far too many other distractions!!

Ideally you want a camera with dedicated shutter speed and ISO dials, followed by easy to change ISO setting and thats it. But thats hard to find these days.

[MrOrange]

gangzoom said:

Ideally you want a camera with dedicated shutter speed and ISO dials, followed by easy to change ISO setting and thats it. But thats hard to find these days.

Interesting. I need fast access to F-stop and EV, which I have set my two top dials at. I have an EM5ii and use the 1/2 mode switch to give me ISO and shutter speed settings. Just goes to show we all have different needs.

[Smollet]

MrOrange said:

£529 gets you a new mkII Oly omd 10 with twin lenses. Arguably better than the mkiii and cheaper, too.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympus-OM-D-Compact-Syst...

Or get exactly the same thing here with 3 year UK warranty. I've used this camera company many times and never had a problem.
https://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/olympus-e-m10-ii-twi...
They also sell Canon and Panasonic cameras at very good prices.

[tiger.banana]

Thanks for your help so far; this is one that I have been looking at getting for a while. https://www.jessops.com//p/sony/sony-a6000-mirrorl...

[DibblyDobbler]

tiger.banana said:

Thanks for your help so far; this is one that I have been looking at getting for a while. https://www.jessops.com//p/sony/sony-a6000-mirrorl...

Sony is a good system and that looks like a lot of camera for the money - the 16-50 lens is 'ok' I think rather than anything amazing but if it covers the focal lengths you need then suggest you go for it

[tiger.banana]

I think I will! It has got quite good reviews online...what other lenses would yo suggest in getting?

[DibblyDobbler]

tiger.banana said:

I think I will! It has got quite good reviews online...what other lenses would yo suggest in getting?

That's a tricky one to answer without knowing a bit more about what and how you will be shooting and budget etc... my 2p worth would be to crack on with the kit lens until you feel like it's holding you back - eg you might need something wider, longer faster or whatever - then decide

[tiger.banana]

I’m planning to photograph a variety of things, but mainly cars, buildings, views etc....it’d be good to catch some motorsport too!

I don’t want to spend a huge amount of money on lenses however I understand you can get an adaptor so you can fit other brands of lens to the Sony body?

[DibblyDobbler]

Not sure about that but there is a decent range of Sony lenses so I would stick to them unless there's a big price difference or some other reason for you to buy an adapter.

[GetCarter]

The A6000 has been superseded by the 6300... good deals on them at the moment:

https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/news/black-frid...

I have one and it fits in my coat pocket no problem.

[tiger.banana]

Thanks for the heads up! How do you find the A6300?

[GetCarter]

tiger.banana said:

Thanks for the heads up! How do you find the A6300?

It's excellent. Very well built and excellt IQ and There are two very good cheap primes if you find the kit lens a bit soft at the edges (Sigma 19mm and 30mm).

As with all Sonys the menu system is illogical, so you have to spend an hour or so to get your head round it.

Check out: https://www.dpreview.com/products/sony/slrs/sony_a...

[sgrimshaw]

GetCarter said:

As with all Sonys the menu system is illogical, so you have to spend an hour or so to get your head round it.

... agreed.

Not for your use Mr GC, but for us mere mortals .. the books by Gary Friedman make getting to grips with a Sony much easier.

https://www.friedmanarchives.com/sony-books/

First thing I buy whenever I get a new Sony camera is Gary's book.

[PartsMonkey]

If you're starting from scratch then I would recommend popping down your local camera store, or even Currys and holding the cameras in your hand. Buy the one that fits both your hand and your budget. It doesn't matter how good the camera is if it feels heavy/uncomfortable/awkward in your hand and you'll end up leaving it at home.

[300bhp/ton]

tiger.banana said:

Hi there,

I’m sure this would have been covered before but I need some help in choosing what type/model of camera to go for.

I’m a really keen photographer who has just been using an iPhone so looking to go to the next step. I have my head set on a Mirrorless camera of sorts as I’ve heard good things but I am open to other people’s opinions.

I mainly photograph cars and scenery/landscape. I rarely do video so wouldn’t be using the camera for video shots. I don’t mind carrying a camera bag with gear in etc.

Price point; I have in my head up to £500.00.

Really appreciate your help, advise and comments.

Personally I'm not really sure on the whole mirror-less cameras. I like looking through a view finder and no tiny screen will ever match what you see in an SLR view finder.

I get they are a bit more compact, or if you want to just use the main screen for point and shoot. But maybe I'm missing something obvious???


I bought a new DSLR earlier in the year. I opted for a Canon 200D in the end. Yes some might claim it's more entry level. But tbh, the quality of the pictures and it's general ability is plenty enough for quite a lot of photography. The only real thing the higher models offer is a more robust design if you are going to be using somewhere that might take more knocks. Or in some cases, faster fps if high speed shooting is your thing.

I used it for a wedding earlier in the year and it was spot on with a selection of different lenses. But mostly I shoot just for pleasure, landscapes and Motorsport.

Not saying this is the way you should go, just throwing some other ideas out there.

I'm also not a brand fanboy, although traditionally I've always like Pentax. But my DSLR Pentax developed a fault and the Canon just represented better vfm IMO. I also have an older Nikon D70 that I occasionally use. It's only 6.0 MP, but it's amazing how often it still delivers more than enough quality for almost everything. Including printing A0 sized posters.

[tiger.banana]

The books look really good!

For what I’m going to be using it for, and considering it will be my first ‘proper’ camera, I think the A6000 will be my better option.

[Craikeybaby]

300bhp/ton said:

tiger.banana said:

Hi there,

I’m sure this would have been covered before but I need some help in choosing what type/model of camera to go for.

I’m a really keen photographer who has just been using an iPhone so looking to go to the next step. I have my head set on a Mirrorless camera of sorts as I’ve heard good things but I am open to other people’s opinions.

I mainly photograph cars and scenery/landscape. I rarely do video so wouldn’t be using the camera for video shots. I don’t mind carrying a camera bag with gear in etc.

Price point; I have in my head up to £500.00.

Really appreciate your help, advise and comments.

Personally I'm not really sure on the whole mirror-less cameras. I like looking through a view finder and no tiny screen will ever match what you see in an SLR view finder.

I get they are a bit more compact, or if you want to just use the main screen for point and shoot. But maybe I'm missing something obvious???


I bought a new DSLR earlier in the year. I opted for a Canon 200D in the end. Yes some might claim it's more entry level. But tbh, the quality of the pictures and it's general ability is plenty enough for quite a lot of photography. The only real thing the higher models offer is a more robust design if you are going to be using somewhere that might take more knocks. Or in some cases, faster fps if high speed shooting is your thing.

I used it for a wedding earlier in the year and it was spot on with a selection of different lenses. But mostly I shoot just for pleasure, landscapes and Motorsport.

Not saying this is the way you should go, just throwing some other ideas out there.

I'm also not a brand fanboy, although traditionally I've always like Pentax. But my DSLR Pentax developed a fault and the Canon just represented better vfm IMO. I also have an older Nikon D70 that I occasionally use. It's only 6.0 MP, but it's amazing how often it still delivers more than enough quality for almost everything. Including printing A0 sized posters.

For years I resisted switching to mirrorless because I didn't think an EVF would be as good as a DSLR viewfinder - I was 100% wrong on that count. Seeing what the image will look like before you press the button makes things easier, no need to chimp, just adjust until the viewfinder shows what you want, then press the shutter.

[DibblyDobbler]

Craikeybaby said:

For years I resisted switching to mirrorless because I didn't think an EVF would be as good as a DSLR viewfinder - I was 100% wrong on that count. Seeing what the image will look like before you press the button makes things easier, no need to chimp, just adjust until the viewfinder shows what you want, then press the shutter.

+1 the viewfinders on the recent mirrorless models are very good I think