Best light weight camera for great nature photography: I currently have a canon eos t 2i. It is ok, but not great. I want to hike the mountains around my new home and capture close up...

lcook Loc: Asheville

I currently have a canon eos t 2i. It is ok, but not great. I want to hike the mountains around my new home and capture close up flora and fauna as well as the beautiful scenic blue ridge mountains. Weight is an issue, but so is quality. Mirrorless? Canon, Nikon, Sony? Cost is a factor but willing to spend a couple thousand. Any advice?

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W1Tzr43L4c

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I was in your area last spring on the AT. If weight is an issue, look at a Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II and the various competitors to this model from Nikon and Sony. The cameras have more advanced sensors than your T2i. Most will have all shooting modes, including Manual, and can capture RAW for enhanced editing on your computer.

You didn't explain what is not great about your T2i. Taking weight off the table, are you missing a flash for work outside direct sunlight? Do you need a sharper lens with a wider aperture? Do you need a tripod for a steady platform. These are all typical improvements to image quality, but they all add weight to your pack.

aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

lcook wrote:

I currently have a canon eos t 2i. It is ok, but not great. I want to hike the mountains around my new home and capture close up flora and fauna as well as the beautiful scenic blue ridge mountains. Weight is an issue, but so is quality. Mirrorless? Canon, Nikon, Sony? Cost is a factor but willing to spend a couple thousand. Any advice?

Be sure to consider m43 cameras and Olympus in particular. They are excellent camers with supurb optics, are light weight and easy for hiking.

Joe Blow

I would recommend either a Canon 77D or even better, an 80D with an 18-135mm lens. The 77D is lighter, but the 80D is weather sealed.

77D and 18-135mm - about $1200
80D and 18-135mm - about $1500

If you have a T2 then your current lenses will still fit.

Steve_m Loc: Southern California

I have Canon T3i. Then, I purchased mirrorless Canon M5. In order to use my EF lenses from T3i, I had to purchase an adapter, because M5 has a smaller lens mount. The adapter is a heavy chunk of aluminum which sells anywhere from $12.00 to $199.00. Experts recommend the $199.00 one from Canon. Anyway, the adapter brings the weight of the Canon M5 to be 7 grams (0.24oz) more, than what is a body of Canon T3i. By the way, the M5 is a great camera loaded with a tons of amazing features.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

The Sony Alpha a7 II Mirrorless Digital Camera can be had for around $1,100 at B&H https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1324635-REG/sony_ilce7m2_b_ac_alpha_a7_ii_mirrorless.html Add a 28-70 lens and you are still under 1500.

I use Canon but...

If I were starting over, I would go mirrorless.

rayr

Olympus OMD EM1 Mark 2. 60mm macro and/or 14-150 zoom. If you like shooting macro for flowers this camera does focus stacking in camera.

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

lcook wrote:

I currently have a canon eos t 2i. It is ok, but not great. I want to hike the mountains around my new home and capture close up flora and fauna as well as the beautiful scenic blue ridge mountains. Weight is an issue, but so is quality. Mirrorless? Canon, Nikon, Sony? Cost is a factor but willing to spend a couple thousand. Any advice?

If you are not too bothered about capturing birds in flight then consider this set up: Olympus EM1 + Olympus 12 - 100mm f4 + PanaLeica 100 - 400mm f4/6.3. This is a brilliant, lightweight system that will cover everything you have highlighted. If you then wished to take macro images, as opposed to close ups, you could add an Olympus 60mm f2.8 macro lens. You should be able to purchase a mint condition used EM1 and used 60mm macro (just use a reputable dealer or excellent on line store). I used to own a couple of EM1's as well as the 100 - 400mm and 60mm macro. I now own an EM1 mark II and the Oly 12 -1 00mm, which has a close up capability. I sort of replaced my 100 - 400mm with an Oly 300mm f4, but it is not as versatile or lightweight as the zoom.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

M4/3 - Panasonic G series - if you are a movie buff GH series. Or Olympus m4/3. Personally I prefer Panasonic. Because of the geometry, lenses are smaller, lighter and cheaper. IQ is great. 2x crop gives you better reach for wildlife.

rayr

Jerrin1 wrote:

If you are not too bothered about capturing birds ... (show quote)

I have been looking at the 12-100 F-4 for my EM1 Mark ll, is it as good as most of the reviews say. I have the Pany 100-400 and use it for all my wildlife and bird photos.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

lcook wrote:

I currently have a canon eos t 2i. It is ok, but not great. I want to hike the mountains around my new home and capture close up flora and fauna as well as the beautiful scenic blue ridge mountains. Weight is an issue, but so is quality. Mirrorless? Canon, Nikon, Sony? Cost is a factor but willing to spend a couple thousand. Any advice?

HERE IS THE "ONLY" LIGHT WEIGHT CAMERA THAT IS GREAT FOR NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1368989-REG/sony_cyber_shot_dsc_rx10_iv_digital.html

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

billnikon wrote:

HERE IS THE "ONLY" LIGHT WEIGHT CAMERA THAT IS GREAT FOR NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1368989-REG/sony_cyber_shot_dsc_rx10_iv_digital.html

I agree, pricey, but worth it. I use it for capturing stage plays with very poor lighting and flash isn't an option.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

rayr wrote:

I have been looking at the 12-100 F-4 for my EM1 Mark ll, is it as good as most of the reviews say. I have the Pany 100-400 and use it for all my wildlife and bird photos.

Ray, I have the 12-40 and just about everyone I have talked to said they should have bought the 12-100 first; IQ just as good if not better. You would have a little overlap but a GREAT 2 lens kit. That extra reach over the 12-40 would be real nice.

alf85 Loc: Northumberland, UK.

A Canon SX-50, and you will not have to carry any other lens.