Sandytravels

Hi out there. I jumped into photography in 2015 with no training and a Canon T5i with lenses 18-55 and 55-250, later adding 18-135 and 70-200. I shoot stock, travel, events and some portraits. Have belatedly realized that the output size for my existing photos really precludes much cropping and that I should have been much more careful in my initial shots rather than thinking I could always fix things in edit. Duh....

Ready to upgrade to a better camera. Have been reading reviews of the Nikon D5 and D850 plus the soon-to-be-released Nikon mirrorless Z7. Question: Although I know that none of my Canon lenses are really good ones, would it be wiser to go with a higher-end Canon DSLR because of my lens collection and familiarity with Canon? Or would a move to the Nikon mirrorless be advisable? Or to a Nikon DSLR? And if Canon, then which body?

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I would pass on the Nikon mirrorless, won’t be available for a very long time and the first generation of anything, IMHO, is usually buggy. If you’re not happy with your Canon lenses, consider trading in all your stuff and applying it to your next camera. I did that when I knew I was going to go in a completely different direction. As to Canon vs. Nikon, too much has already been written on that! I will say that your learning curve might be easier with Canon because you already have some familiarity with their menus.

Sandytravels

Thanks for your input.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Canon should be your choice. If not happy with the lenses go for the L series.

ggab Loc: ?

Not trying to be snarky, however how do you feel about changing to a new system and buying new lenses?
Why do you feel 18MP is not enough? You indicate that you can not crop enough. I would suggest, perhaps, filling your frame with your subject so you do not need to crop.
18MP is plenty unless you are trying to get a sharp picture of a bird flying @ 1000 feet or an object a quarter of a mile away. If this is the case, increasing your camera MP is not the answer.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You've already identified the more effective solution: I should have been much more careful in my initial shots rather than thinking I could always fix things in edit.

If you look at the sensor size of the newest full-frame cameras, you'll see vendors like Nikon, Sony and Canon are creating two tiers: a tier of cameras at / around 24MP and another at / around 40MP. Nikon's mirrorless release this week is the latest example.

So, changing brands involves starting over from scratch, and starting full frame means you're selecting the more expensive models for the available bodies and lenses. You can limit the financial hit by changing your EOS body, but it looks like only 1 of your lenses is EF that will work on a full-frame body.

Coming back to the first point, if you strive to improve your technique, that's something that transfers to any camera brand and camera type.

sergio

I use Canon and I would not change. But you can also try Sony RX 10 iv; it does everything very well, it is smaller and lighter and less expensive. The only limitation is the lens which extends to 600mm. I do birds and 600 mm is not enough.
Before dropping the suggestion try it.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

As has already been stated you have admitted to bad habits. This will carry over to a new system if not corrected. In my opinion pixel count does not count as much as good habits and careful observation and using proper technique. Stable mount such as a good tripod and proper lighting can cure a lot problems. I know some folks think that hand held and natural light are all you need but I need help in both facets of photography.

tinplater Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

I switched (after 45 years with Canon) to Sony A6000, then A6500, a7RII, and now A7III. Initially I adapted much of my L glass on the Sony bodies, but now, after about four years, all Canon glass is gone except for a macro which I leave on my old SL1 body for Ebay listings. The Sony system in my opinion is fabulous. It is at least the equal in all, and far superior in many, areas than my Canon 6D, 5DMII to name just two of the many Canon slr bodies I have owned. If you wanted to just test the waters at a reasonable cost, purchase a used A6000 and the new 18-135 zoom on Ebay. You can always resell losing only about 13% of Ebay fees should you not be impressed with the system. Once I experienced the small body size, superb optics, and excellent autofocus I was hooked.

LaurenT Loc: Northern California

I think a primary question would be how much money you are willing to part with for your change? Also, are you interested in moving to a full frame camera? If your budget is not an issue, I would continue with the Canon line, and move to the 5DMKIV. The camera is wonderful, however, you would need to purchase new lenses as well. If you cannot afford to make that much of an investment, I would suggest the Canon 80D. An excellent crop sensor camera, and you would be able to use your current lenses until you decide to replace them with better glass. There is also the “touch screen” which is absolutely marvelous for quickly changing settings. (The 5DMKIV has this also)

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Welcome to the forum. I would stay with what you have until your current gear has some shortfalls that is holding you back.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

You asked a wide-open question, and everyone will jump in with their favorite camera. Read the comments and decide what works for you At the end, you should buy the camera you are happy with and that meets your needs.

You make it sound like you do not want to keep your existing Canon lenses, so you essentially have a clean slate.

There are two basic decisions you will have to make. 1) mirrorless or DSLR. 2) What format--full frame, APS-C, Micro Four Thirds. All these options have their pros and cons, and you simply should read up on them.

In my humble opinion, it no longer makes sense to invest in a DSLR system unless you already own lenses you want to keep. (Many here will disagree with this.) The DSLR technology has hit its limits particularly if you compare it with the quantum leaps we see in mirrorless technology--sensor, AF systems (eye AF), electronic viewfinder, etc. You will never see any of these technologies in a DSLR. Sony already makes outstanding full-frame cameras if you are interested in buying one now (They also make great APS-C mirrorless cameras). Nikon just announced their own two models. Reviews pretty much agree that they fall short of the Sony models, but the next model might be more advanced. Canon is rumored to release its own mirrorless lineup soon. If you are not in a hurry to get a new camera you may want to wait and see.

Each format has its advantages. Full-frame generally gives you the best IQ, but for wildlife and birds an APS-C camera may work better. The draw-back is that full-frame cameras and their lenses are larger, heaver and more expensive than their APS-C counterparts. There are also great mirrerless cameras on the market that use the smaller Micro Four Thirds format.

So decide what your ambitions are as a photographer, what your needs will be, and how much you are willing to spend on camera and lenses. Good luck with the process.

ggab Loc: ?

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Welcome!

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

First off, welcome to the forum!!! Some thoughts on "upgrades": You stated some personal photographic shortcomings, you didn't really identify shortcomings of the equipment you have (and unless they are broken, they are adequate to produce fine photos). If interested in a cost effective path to better pics; Prior to spending any more money (changing systems, etc.), spend a couple months learning and working on your technique, and transferring that new knowledge to your current system...otherwise, you will be back (like so many others) looking to upgrade yet again, when you still have not mastered your first system. Burning cash is not going to make that happen, unless (maybe) you live in a point-n-shoot/or cell phone photo world.

Buying new (new or used) gear is always fun.....but that won't correct bad habits, it won't make you a better photographer, it won't produce better photos. I have a room full of camera gear, perhaps because I'm a collector, love the technology and enjoy scooping up bargains, and I love to learn to shoot with "what's in my hand". Every time I start to think I need to upgrade (and I haven't bought a brand new camera since a Pentax ME Super film camera, decades ago) - I go to the case and pull out an old 8mp Canon, or 10mp Sony/12mp Nikon (or even a P&S) and I go outside and spend an hour or two making photographs, using all the technique and processes I've learned. Then when I go inside and download, do a bit of post processing - I find myself reminded that it ain't the gear - its me that makes the picture, and me that makes it OK, Good, Great, or Fabulous.

Yes I have newer and more "hi-tech" capable cameras - but aside from some minor nuances, they won't really make a better picture - I have to do that. Again, welcome to the forum - you will hear much on this subject.