Purchasing a camera for traveling: I need help purchasing a new camera to take on trips. I am a new photographer but interested in pursuing photography as a hobby. I like to take...

sidnigreenblat

I need help purchasing a new camera to take on trips. I am a new photographer but interested in pursuing photography as a hobby. I like to take landscapes and room shots. Groups of people (3-15). Need a lot of help.

Sidni

Meganephron Loc: Fort Worth, TX

As a newbie don't spend a fortune on a DSLR setup. Nikon, Canon, Panasonic offer versatile and affordable compact camera that will let you learn the basics and nuances of taking well composed pictures. If you enjoy the experience then would be the time to move up the a DSLR, however, at the lower end. As you improve you can upgrade your eqipment to the point all your needs are filled. Phone cameras have come a long way and there are courses and apps that allow you to do much of what the stand alone camera does. The limitation noise, sensor size and ability to produce quality enlargements

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

sidnigreenblat wrote:

I need help purchasing a new camera to take on trips. I am a new photographer but interested in pursuing photography as a hobby. I like to take landscapes and room shots. Groups of people (3-15). Need a lot of help.

Sidni

Welcome to our forum!

You have so many good choices. I posted some links below.

Compact -
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

Camera Comparisons - $500
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-point-and-shoot-under-500/
http://www.bestproducts.com/tech/gadgets/g706/point-and-shoot-digital-cameras/

Sites that compare cameras -
Read comparisons and specs, and decide what features are important to you.
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

agillot

nikon D3300kit .cheap enough .

RobertW Loc: Breezy Point, New York

Leica DLux 6--------

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

Meganephron wrote:

As a newbie don't spend a fortune on a DSLR setup.... (show quote)

Problem with phone cameras is that they really make you look like a tourist!! I had a Nikon P520 before moving up to a D7200 and it was great for traveling - light weight and took decent pictures.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Better yet...don't buy a DSLR...choose mirrorless.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Consider:

Sony RX10
Sony RX-100M4
Fuji X100F

Big step up:

Panasonic GH5 with removable lenses
Fuji XT-2 with propriatory Fuji lenses.

I don't care for the Sony Alpha line.

Meganephron Loc: Fort Worth, TX

SueScott wrote:

Problem with phone cameras is that they really make you look like a tourist!! I had a Nikon P520 before moving up to a D7200 and it was great for traveling - light weight and took decent pictures.

Agree but phones are killing the compact camera market. Most people don't care about the limitation until they do. Then it's too late. Motion artifact big problem with phones not seen until you try to print. Compact cameras are light and versatile. I have several that are great yet fit in my pocket.

erinjay64

My GF is getting a Nikon Coolpix B700 Compact Superzoom Bridge camera for her next trip. No cell phone is going to beat it's 24-1440mm lens. The Nikon P900 zooms even further, but lacks the B700's 4K capability.

Bill_de Loc: US

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Consider:

Sony RX10 There are 3 different models, which are you recommending?
Sony RX-100M4
Fuji X100F

Big step up:

Panasonic GH5 with removable lenses
Fuji XT-2 with propriatory Fuji lenses.

I don't care for the Sony Alpha line.

drbilly

I had a canon sx50 bridge camera which was great for travel but limited in low light. When I decided to move up I went to an Olympus emd10 mark ii that is their low end mirror less but they have a great variety of lenses. If you want to go even smalle and don't mind the lack of an eyepiece, take a look at their pen cameras

repleo Loc: Boston

The Sony A6000 is perfect for you. It is reasonably priced, small, light, great IQ, and allows you to 'grow' a system as your abilities improve all the way up to professional level full frame. The A6000 and the kit 16-50mm lens isn't much bigger than a compact and will fit in a jacket pocket or cargo pants. The 16-50 is perfect range for landscapes and interiors. It A6000 has great iso performance to allow you to take interiors without a flash. Although the 16-50 is a marvel for its price and size/weight, I would recommend the 18-105 OSS G lens as an early upgrade. It may be the only lens you will ever need, however you can get cheap $20 adapters which will allow you to add nearly any lens ever made to your A6000 including great film era prime lenses from as little as $50. I particularly like the Olympus OM lenses which are light and compact and look like they belong on the A6000.

Bill_de Loc: US

Unfortunately a forum is not the place for somebody starting out to get answers to questions like this. Everyone has their own preference, but few will give a good explanation why.

However, it is not a waste of time. Jerry has provided you with links to the places you should start looking. Once you absorb as much information you can stand about the available cameras, it will be time to make your decision.

If a particular camera catches your eye, use Google to track down more information.

Good luck.

---

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

sidnigreenblat wrote:

I need help purchasing a new camera to take on trips. I am a new photographer but interested in pursuing photography as a hobby. I like to take landscapes and room shots. Groups of people (3-15). Need a lot of help.

Sidni

There are many good choices available. I did not necessarily want to take either my D610 or D7200 on the plane with an assortment of lenses. At first I tried an A6000 by Sony, but really never did get comfortable with it. I traded it in and purchased an Olympus OMD-E M5 Mk II, which easily fits in my carry on with a few lenses for travel. Try a couple out in a local camera store and see what fits your eye and hands best. Then consider what you will be using it for and select lenses accordingly. And I would suggest considering factory refurbished options, that will save you money and get you a product that has been personally serviced by factory trained technicians. Some suggest they are better than new.