BobT Loc: southern Minnesota

As I see it, and after a lot of pondering over it, I still can't decide which way to go. A) smaller, faster aperture P&S along with a superzoom AKA: bridge camera, B) DSLR with a few basic, but quality lenses, that cover most applications, or C) Smaller/lighter ILC (ie mirrorless), also with a few basic lenses.
I guess what I'll be hearing is what YOU have chosen to use...which is fine...as long as you explain how/why you've come to that. Perhaps the most meaningful responses might involve giving me a list of what-all I should be considering to make such a choice. Though I've done this, there may be a thing or two that I haven't considered.
I like to be able to print my best images up to maybe 16x20 (at the largest). And I shoot basically everything, but with favors going to nature/wildlife at the top of the list. Also family, cityscapes, and landscape/scenics.
I don't want much gear. Just enough to get the job done, and without having to make decisions of which to take when, if I were to have more than one solution. Want only 1 solution.
Can you shed some light in helping me make a decision?

blankmange Loc: down on the farm...

I'll start:

Pentax K-50, couple of lenses and off you go....

melismus Loc: Chesapeake Bay Country

My solution Sony a6000 with 18SEL200. YMMV.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

I've been seeing a lot of fine images posted from the olympus SH-50 and SH-60 users.

Gram27 Loc: Georgia

For what it's worth, I've been contemplating something similar. I currently use a bridge camera (Fuji HS50exr) that I really like, but would like to advance -- I also like nature photography, travel photograpy and capturingfamily/grands. Trying to decide between Fuji X-T1 and Olympus M5 -- but am still doing research.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Personally, I'd go with mirrorless, m4/3 to be specific. If you click on my user name, my personal website is there if you'd like to see some general examples (the homepage cycles through some of my favorite shots,mostly taken with my current gear).

Since November 2013 I've shot solely with m4/3. I don't miss my DSLR at all. It does everything (and better), and it's with me everywhere since it's so much smaller and lighter.

The em10 would be a great body to start with along with the kit lenses 14-42 and 40-150 (not the pro, but the $119 option) and a fast prime like the 45mm f1.8

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

You mean the em5ii or the em5?

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

It sounds like the main quality you are looking for is less weight. Of course the bridge cameras will give you one lens capability and light weight. I don't know enough about mirrorless to comment. For me I have a Nikon D7000 and a D800 and will be taking both on a cruise next month. I will have only a wide angle lens on one and a 16 or 24 to 85 on the other camera. It will be somewhat heavy but will give me two great cameras/lenses to take the type of photos I want to take. If I was in your shoes my choice would be a lightweight Nikon D5300 and a good lightweight zoom lens such as the 16-85.

Good luck with your decision,

Dennis

Algernon Loc: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

You asked for the reasons why we have chosen the camera we use. Here were my criteria:

a) small form factor (I use the camera mostly when traveling)
b) minimum APS-C sensor (for IQ and DOF control)
c) on camera flash
d) live viewfinder
e) interchangeable lens

At the time I made my purchase, the best fit for me was the Sony NEX-6 (now the A6000). I have been extremely happy with my choice.

By the way, I previously have owned numerous SLRs, DSLRs, and P&Ss.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

I use Olympus m43 cameras (EM1 and EM5) with an assortment of Olympus and Panasonic lenses. I really like the ergonomics, the EVF, the touchscreen and the in camera image stabilization. The two cameras and full 6-lens kit (14-45, 40-150, 75-300, 12&20&45 primes) weigh less than 5 lbs), which is very comfortable to travel with. Image quality is very high, with the exception of very low light/high ISO. I print up to 13x19 and 24x24 at home, send out for larger sizes with no compromises in quality.

if you look at mirrorless cameras, be sure to assess the lens array as well as the cameras themselves. Mirrorless is young. Some systems don't have many lenses yet, and some have lenses that are as large as regular DSLR lenses so that if weight is a factor, you aren't really cutting down on much at all. The lens system was the deciding factor in my choice.

No matter what you decide, please try to handle the cameras you are interested in. How a camera feels in your hands and the way the buttons fit to your fingers is so important. I've known people who have spent lots of money on a great camera only to find that it was extremely uncomfortable in their own hands.

billnourse Loc: Bloomfield, NM

I have a Canon system (70D with 3 lenses and ex 600 flash) as well as a Sony A6000 that I bought for the motorcycle. Based on my experience with both and what you said your needs are, I would guess that the A6000 would be a very good choice. It is small, light, and has excellent image quality along with all the advanced bells and whistles you are likely to want. It has a viewfinder which is a must for me, as well as a built in flash and hot shoe for an external flash. It has several interchangeable lenses available so you will have the option to grow should your needs change.

With the camera, base 16-50 lens and additional 55-210 lens, charger, cords, circular polarizer, and 2 extra batteries you are looking at a bag that is 6 1/2x 8 1/2x 5" and weighs about 2 1/2 or 3 pounds.

Hope this helps in your decision making.

Bill

Gram27 Loc: Georgia

.

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

Bob, I was faced with 'cutting down' my load a couple years ago. I'm older than Lincoln, retired and shoot strictly for enjoyment now and carry only one camera... Canon SX-50. It satisfies my demands and I have several 16x20 prints surrounding me as I type which are very acceptable, all from that excellent camera. I blew one up to 24 x 36 and it makes an excellent framed 'pan' photo on my wall. My system DSLR is now collecting dust.

Gram27 Loc: Georgia

The Mark 2

BobT Loc: southern Minnesota

Bill,

I have been researching the Sony A6000, and almost traded in my DSLR gear for one. But then kept running into comments boo-hooing the quality of the 16-50mm kit lens. No one seems to say much positive about it, and at best it seems to be just so-so-, in quality. I could get the body only, then pick better quality lenses. However, when stepping up a notch in the lens quality, the cost skyrockets. I could purchase an adapter allowing for the use of other brands of lenses. But here I fear I'd be getting into lenses physically larger than the native A6000-sized lenses; defeating the purpose of the mirrorless gear in the first place...lighter/smaller.