Basic mirrorless camera: My granddaughter wants a mirrorless camera but doesn't have a lot of cash, and she has asked for help in choosing one. Have any of the Hogs had experience with...

Nukepr Loc: Citrus County, FL

My granddaughter wants a mirrorless camera but doesn't have a lot of cash, and she has asked for help in choosing one. Have any of the Hogs had experience with the Sony A5000 camera? It comes with lens for $348, while the upgraded A5100 with a similar lens is $200 more. Also, are there other mirrorless cameras in the $400 range that anyone would suggest? I use a dslr and know very little about mirrorless cameras so I really welcome advice on what she should consider.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

You never said the age of your granddaughter, but if she knows about mirrorless cameras, she is a good candidate to make the best of it. The Sony a5000 is a mirrorless camera I am not familiar with. Only the a6000 and a6300. For a price of $348, I would suggest you jump on that deal. And the $200+ you can save can be used for another bargain priced extra lens. If you buy the a5000, check for firmware updates. And you can check out a You Tube Video by John Sison. He's the official Sony Video Man on a lot of Sony Cameras, mirrorless and non mirrorless. Good luck.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

If you're looking for super small, then the gm5 is hard to pass up...even has an evf.

http://www.adorama.com/ipcdmcgm5r.html

The 12-32 lens is a kick-ass kit lens that gives you a 24mm (FF equiv) on the wide end. I use one on my epm2. Love it.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Any M43 camera from Olympus or Panasonic, I use an Olympus EPL-5 and an EM10 and the basic models can be bought quite cheaply as they two or three years old now, but they represent good value for the money.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Nukepr wrote:

My granddaughter wants a mirrorless camera but doesn't have a lot of cash, and she has asked for help in choosing one. Have any of the Hogs had experience with the Sony A5000 camera? It comes with lens for $348, while the upgraded A5100 with a similar lens is $200 more. Also, are there other mirrorless cameras in the $400 range that anyone would suggest? I use a dslr and know very little about mirrorless cameras so I really welcome advice on what she should consider.

There are many options.
The Canon EOS M10 EF-M 15-45mm IS STM Kit is 450.00 is an excellent choice. Canon lenses are superb and you can use EF lenses as well natively with a Canon adapter and no loss of function or slowing down. And if she wants to move to DSLR any EF lens will work on the DSLR.

repleo Loc: Boston

The NEX-7 is a camera I was seriously considering until I came on a great Black Friday deal on a A6000 last year. It has some features that were stripped out of the A6000 and are only reappearing now in the new A6500. You should be able to get a used one from a reliable dealer for the money range you mention.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nukepr wrote:

My granddaughter wants a mirrorless camera but doesn't have a lot of cash, and she has asked for help in choosing one. Have any of the Hogs had experience with the Sony A5000 camera? It comes with lens for $348, while the upgraded A5100 with a similar lens is $200 more. Also, are there other mirrorless cameras in the $400 range that anyone would suggest? I use a dslr and know very little about mirrorless cameras so I really welcome advice on what she should consider.

Everyone seems to be selling the A5000 for that price today. Tomorrow? Who knows how much? It's a good camera for a good price. Go for it! Look for free shipping or other benefits from different sellers.

https://www.dpreview.com/products/sony/slrs/sony_a5000

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

I just ordered the Canon EOS M3 as a factory reconditioned with a one year manufacturer's warranty for $348. This is to replace my aging EOS M which has been a very reliable and portable camera. A young photographer will quickly master the touchscreen's abilities to access the menu functions. I looked closely at the Sony a6000 series but backed out due to the extensive and confusing menu (got spoiled by the touchscreen). An EVF can be purchased separately that fits into the hotshoe if needed, but I just use the tilting screen to minimize sun glare. I already have a Canon reconditioned SX50 that has been trouble-free for a bit over two years now.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

UPDATE: Look at the Sony A6000, $100 more, but better specs. You can buy the body only and get a used lens form ebay.

http://snapsort.com/compare/Sony-Alpha-A5000-vs-Sony-Alpha-A6000/detailed

jackpi Loc: Southwest Ohio

Nukepr wrote:

My granddaughter wants a mirrorless camera but doesn't have a lot of cash, and she has asked for help in choosing one. Have any of the Hogs had experience with the Sony A5000 camera? It comes with lens for $348, while the upgraded A5100 with a similar lens is $200 more. Also, are there other mirrorless cameras in the $400 range that anyone would suggest? I use a dslr and know very little about mirrorless cameras so I really welcome advice on what she should consider.

The A5100 is a great camera; highly recommended:
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-mirrorless-camera-for-beginners/

billnourse Loc: Bloomfield, NM

I think the 5000 series cameras do not have a viewfinder. That would be a deal breaker for me. I have the a6000 and it does about anything one could ask of a small mirrorless and more. Can be had for 550 with a 16-50 lens.

Bill

bratliff Loc: Atlanta, GA

If you are looking for a basic mirrorless camera, why are you looking at interchangeable lens cameras? I would think one with a fixed lens would be better, at least as a first camera.

I recently purchased a Fuji X30 to take with me on business trips (where the d810 plus lenses was just too much to bring on a non-photo trip), and it's an amazing little camera! The lens is a 28-112 equivalent zoom, it's small, and you can pick them up CHEAP! :) It's got full manual controls and can also be set up as a point and shoot. I would suggest taking a look at some "last year's" point and shoots and purchasing one of those.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Nukepr wrote:

My granddaughter wants a mirrorless camera but doesn't have a lot of cash, and she has asked for help in choosing one. Have any of the Hogs had experience with the Sony A5000 camera? It comes with lens for $348, while the upgraded A5100 with a similar lens is $200 more. Also, are there other mirrorless cameras in the $400 range that anyone would suggest? I use a dslr and know very little about mirrorless cameras so I really welcome advice on what she should consider.

No viewfider so I wouldn't have it. If she wants to use it outdoors she will hate it.

Look at Panasonic Micro 4/3. Many choices. I recently got GM5 for $450 with 12-36 lens. Loving it.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

As Sony user, I always like to see when others are giving Sony cameras good consideration. Sony makes good cameras. With all that said, it would be good to consider a camera system that your grandaughter can grow into using. What I mean is that you can use the camera in simple modes and learn about other other features as needed. The Sony A5000 line seems to put limits on what it can do. The A6000 line offers more options to grow into. With money restrictions that we all deal with, it might make more sense to look at the Olympus line and the Lumix line. The nice feature about m43 cameras is that all lenses made for those cameras will work on other m43 cameras regardless of manufacture. I know several photogs who use Olympus and Lumix to do things that deserve consideration.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

MtnMan wrote:

No viewfider so I wouldn't have it. If she wants to use it outdoors she will hate it.

Look at Panasonic Micro 4/3. Many choices. I recently got GM5 for $450 with 12-36 lens. Loving it.

I use two Olympus cameras, an EPL-5 and an EM10, on has a viewfinder (EM10) and the other doesn't.
I use both cameras side by side with different lenses attached, I do find the viewfinder useful but I also use the screen on both, the LCD screens are tilting so they can be used in bright sunny conditions.
I often use the LCD screens at waist level, so I can look down to compose the scene, just like the old twin lens cameras, so in my opinion LCD screen are not a no no.