bertaka

Newbie to this site. Enthusiast photographer whom (I think) can have a relatively good eye for photos and somewhat educated and can read instructions, but I do tend to get lazy and just resort to Auto settings. Need a good travel camera, headed to South Africa in two months. I have been reading posts religiously for four months and I need to make a decision. Started out with a Canon Rebel eons ago, then switched to a Canon bridge camera and was very disappointed, esp with image stabilization at zoom. Got lazy and just got a Samsung point and shoot. Not happy, need a solid travel camera with good video. I'm not enlarging pics, so I constantly ask myself what am I going to do with pics as a requirement for camera purchase. So I was thinking about Nikon D5600 with a 18-200 zoom lens, now I have shifted my thoughts to the size and video issue. Thinking mirrorless may be the way to go for me, Sony A6300 or Sony A6500 ($ gulp). I am really concerned with image stabilization at zoom and camera benefits vs lens OSS benefits using a 6300. I am pondering buying the camera body, investing in the telephoto lens I need right now, then invest in a good prime lens for future endeavors. I anxiously await your learned responses....please be nice, finally got up the nerve to post!

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Welcome to the Hog, bertaka. I'll let someone who knows answer your question. Haha

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

A lot in one post. My opinion would be that since you're going on this trip to enjoy the trip and not as a commercial photography gig, you would be happiest with a good mirrorless camera. The quality of 90% of your photos will be the same as having a top end DSLR and the last 10% is not that important to you under the circumstances.
Security is also important so lots of memory cards and keep them separate from the camera. Don't put the camera down - EVER!.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Welcome to the Hog! You've given so many suggestions that it's indeed hard to provide advice. As a Nikon guy, I'll talk about them, but the same things are available in other brands. In the Nikon line, I'm pretty fond of the D500. There are a slew of lenses available. Just remember that you get what you pay for. The 24-120/4 lens is good and the 70-200/2.8 is exceptional (and $ 2,800.00). The 70-200/4 version is good as well, for a lot less. Hard to advise unless you narrow in a bit. For quality, I'd stick with either Nikon or Canon as both have wide reaching systems. Best of luck.

JPL

There are lot of good cameras to recommend.

One choice for you would be to buy a bridge camera with 1" sensor, Sony DSC RX10 III would be one that is highly recommended, but not inexpensive.
Another choice for you would be to look into the Nikon 1 J5 and get lenses of your choice with it. Both those are known for good focusing systems. The Sony is not small but has everyting in one package. The Nikon is very compact and you can get lenses of your choice/needs with it.

And if you want larger camera then you have already mentioned the Sony A6xxx series. Every camera on the market today is in many ways a good travel camera. Really difficult to help you there. It is mostly a matter of budget, the more you can spend the more you can get.

Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii

Get a Nikon P900 or its new replacement ..., or the Samsung 60 Bridge and don't look back .. you'll have the reach of a mega zoom when you need it and a wide angle instantly when you need it .. decent pics on the fly .., no muss .., no fuss ...enjoy Africa ..I assume Safari style ..no heavy lenses to pack around and get dirt in ..when in the bush ...no time for set up ..

I am waiting on the new Nikon P900 Bridge replacement with a 1000 mm reach .. and multiple image stabilization features ...

It all depends on the reason for your Africa trip ... if it is a serious photo shoot trip ...a real camera and prime lenses as I have ....otherwise .. a fun adventure with lots of photo opportunities just to capture all of the sights.., animals ... take the best bridge camera made ...and enjoy your vacation .., especially if you are going with a significant other .. who doesn't want to spent the whole trip as an assistant to your photography ... that would be boring ..

My thoughts..

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

When you say "headed to South Africa" I assume you will be photographing animals at some point. I was never happy with my animal shots until I got a longer lens, then I started liking what I saw (Nikon 80-400 and Nikon 200-500 and Tamron 150-600). I went to Africa a few years back and did use a Nikon 70-200 with a teleconverter and that worked fairly well in most cases. Consider what lenses you can use when you make your choice.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Getting a dslr, assortment of lenses and then having to learn it all (and lug it around) will be a pain and may leave you wondering why you did it. An African photo safari will involve wildlife, and when it comes to wildlife there is no such thing as "long enough" in lenses. I know, I am into birds, I have lenses up to 600mm and extenders of 1.4x and 2.0x power and often wish I had more. I have an older super zoom that goes out to 780mm angle of view and it isn't enough sometimes. My wife's SX50 goes to 1200mm AOV. The Nikon 900 goes to 2000, it is a good choice, I thought of getting one for when I don't feel like lugging a ton of gear and my little shirt pocket compact zoom won't do the job.
Since you keep mentioning video than I will speculate that is very important to you. If image stabilization and steady video is important than get and learn to use a light travel tripod or sturdy monopod. Which also makes a good walking stick and in extreme cases a quarter staff for self defense, yes they now have techniques and even classes in doing that, one ad I saw even said they taught use of a "selfie stick" for self defense.
You might be better off with a super zoom/bridge camera. Here are a few sites rating the "Best of 2017", click on an read their reviews, esp pay attention to the ones multiple sites rate highly.
http://www.pcmag.com/roundup/348745/the-best-bridge-cameras
http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/best-bridge-camera-1259503
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-bridge-cameras,review-2212.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/gadgets-tech/cameras-accessories/best-bridge-camera-under-250-for-wildlife-reviews-2017-a7749261.html
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/top-11-best-ultra-zoom-bridge-digital-cameras-2017-16928

A lot of people do extremely well with bridge/super zoom cameras. Some here on the hog use them and often it is their only camera. My wife uses a Canon SX-50 and Panasonic Camcorder interchangeably. But since she found the Canon's video is about the same as the Camcorder she often only puts the SX-50 in her bag with the charger, hard pack of extra SD cards and extra batteries.

Google "Tony Britton" to see what can done with one of these cameras when the subject is birds. If birds can be done this well than most other stuff is relatively easy.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

I think your main problem is going to be stability of zoom....and you will NOT be close to the animals etc.
I tend to use a 200mm as my 300mm wobbles (it doesn't but my hands do! I only use it on a tripod)

Go into a shop and explain what you want - try out a compact with long zoom, and compare with a DSLR and telephoto of similar 'distance'. See which you can handle the best. (yes you could carry a monopod - but you probably won't)

Explore alternative zoom lenses to see what your personal capabilities are (high shutter speeds and stability are not alternatives....though many will tell you that they 'help'.) practice with small objects at a hundred or thousand yards. (Traffic lights at two blocks away) then magnify the 'in camera ' image to see how sharp and in focus it appears to be.

Any camera and zoom CAN do it....question being Can YOU do it? Explain this to the shop owner ....most will be happy to set up the camera and let you step outside and try it.

Whatever works best for you is the best one to take.

Have fun, enjoy your trip and post pics.

jwhphotos Loc: Maryland

I really have to second this. I have the RX10M3 and it is a very good camera. The zoom range is from 24mm to 600mm (in 35mm terms), focus speed is fast and accurate, aperture is from f2.4-f4.0. No need to carry additional lenses. Alternatively, for somewhat less money there is the Sony RX10M2 which zooms from 24mm to 200mm and is a good camera if you don't need the reach of the M3.

repleo Loc: Boston

I find the A6000 with the 18-105 f4.0 OSS is a great travel combo. Given your concerns with stabilization and desire for good video I would suggest you bite the bullet and go for the a6500. Get the 18-105 for 'nearly everything' use and just rent a long lens for your trip.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I have the A6000, and it's very nice when I want something smaller. The problem arises when I add the 18-200mm lens. Look for a true comp[act, without interchangeable lensses.

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2017-roundup-compact-enthusiast-zoom-cameras
http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/best-compact-camera-2013-34-reviewed-963985

http://www.adorama.com/alc/0013108/article/Buying-Guide-12-Great-Travel-Cameras?utm_source=rsys&utm_medium=email&utm_term=ALCImages&utm_content=ALCBody&utm_campaign=Email090616ALC
https://fstoppers.com/originals/my-new-travel-backup-photography-kit-97191

https://www.lifewire.com/best-viewfinder-cameras-493677
http://www.compactcamerawithviewfinder.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/compact-cameras-with-viewfinders

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

Your getting a lot of advice from the members here. So.i'm just going to say welcome to the forum and have a great trip.

SonyBug

i just bought a a6500 and a 18 - 105 f4 lens. It is great out to 200 yards where I can see faces easily. Low noise on crops.

muggins88 Loc: Inverness, Florida

I have the Sony A6000 -lightweight- takes good pics.- reasonably priced. If you get this camera, buy the book by Gary Friedman to learn how to use it properly. You can also download it but I like a book in my hand to refer to.
Go to a store and try some of these cameras mentioned.