mcacm111 wrote:
I would like to ask for advice on what camera to purchase next. Perhaps some background would help. Twenty years ago I sold my Nikon manual film SLR and began to use point-and-shoot digitals. My two most recent cameras were a Sony NEX-3, and, for the last 4-5 years, a Sony RX100 IV. The aim was minimal weight and bulk, with acceptable image quality; and I'm happy enough with the Sony's 24-70mm (35 mm equivalent) zoom range. I almost exclusively shoot jpegs, editing some of those. I take some issue with the color of the Sony's out-of-camera jpegs; have decided I want higher IQ and more dial controls; and am willing to accept somewhat more bulk and weight. Probably would only purchase a few lenses. Am considering the following cameras: Fujifilm XT-30 or possibly XT-3, Canon M6 II, Nikon Z50 (APS-C); or Canon RP, Nikon Z5, Sony A7 II (full frame). Would most likely start out with a modest zoom, and would like to initially stay closer to $1K than $2K if possible. Notice I'm looking for compactness within those categories; and wondering if I really need to go to full frame.
I would like to ask for advice on what camera to p... (
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Any of the listed cameras will offer an upgrade over the point 'n' shoot you're using now. They all offer at least APS-C size sensors, much bigger than the 1" sensor used in your RX100. That will make for better image quality, higher usable ISO (allowing shooting in lower light conditions) and more.
No, you don't need to go "full frame" unless you plan to make really large prints. APS-C crop cameras and their lenses are smaller, lighter, less expensive. And they are highly capable. You also will find it next to impossible to stay within your $2000 budget with a full frame camera. Even the least expensive ones on your list will cost at least $2000 or very near to it by the time you fit them with one basic lens. Keep in mind, to get your money's worth out of them, full frame cameras require full frame lenses, too... and those tend to be bigger, heavier and more expensive.
For all those reasons, I would recommend you narrow your list to APS-C format cameras (which can use both APS-C design and full frame lenses). An APS-C camera will be a solid upgrade from what you've been using, giving you ability to change lenses and more control making your images.
Personally I'm most familiar with the Canon systems. Those are what I use regularly. I try to keep up to date on what other manufacturers are offering, but it's not easy because there is such a wide array of possibilities.
Of the APS-C cameras you're considering, the Canon M6 Mark II has the highest resolution by far. In fact, with 32.5MP it even has higher resolution than any of the full frame cameras (Canon RP, Nikon Z5 and Sony A7II). This is a "double edged sword".... on the one hand, the resolution is great if/when you need to crop. But, on the other hand, it "demands" good lenses. Any lens flaws and shortcomings will be more obvious when a camera has super high resolution like this. There aren't a whole lot of lenses for the M6II, either. Canon themselves only makes eight, though most of them are up to the task of this high resolution camera (11-22mm zoom, 22mm prime, 28mm macro, 32mm f/1.4, 18-150mm, 55-200mm). Not long ago Sigma introduced three top quality primes for it, too. There are A LOT of manual focus/manual aperture lenses for it... some of which are quite good. There are also adapters that allow all Canon EF/EF-S lenses be used on it, as well as adapters for many vintage manual focus lenses. There also are supposedly some other autofocus lenses coming for it (Viltrox), but we've been waiting a year now and they still haven't appeared (but are avail. for Sony e-mount and Fuji X-mount). There may be an even more "pro" quality Canon M-series camera coming later this year. Rumors are that there's an M5 Mark II in the works (though it might be called something different). Basically, it will likely have the M6II innards, but with a built-in viewfinder and possibly some other interesting enhancements. The original M5, which I use personally, has more direct access to various image exposure, etc. controls than any of the other M-series cameras. Yet, it's very compact. (So much so I find it a bit difficult to work with, being accustomed to APS-C and full frame DSLRs.)
A Canon M6 Mark II with EF-M 18-150mm IS STM lens and EVF-DC2 viewfinder, as well as a few other accessories to get started, can be had for $1349 (
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1539209-REG/canon_eos_m6_mark_ii.html). There is also less expensive bundle with the smaller EF-M 15-45mm IS STM lens. But with the 32.5MP resolution of this camera, I'd recommend the EF-M 18-150mm instead. Add a Canon EF-M 11-22mm IS STM lens ($399) for a pretty versatile kit. Or, if you want to shoot low light or candid portraits, maybe an EF-M 32mm f/1.4 STM ($479) or Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN ($449).
The Fuji X-mount system has many more native lenses available. I can't comment a great deal about it, having only used Fuji medium and large format film cameras and lenses many years ago. While much of it gets very good reviews, and I found their stuff to be quite high quality in the past, the X-system seems somewhat expensive to me. For example, the Fuji 23mm f/1.4 costs almost $900 and gets mostly so-so reviews. The Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 appears to be better built and produce better image quality, for more than $500 less.
The Nikon Z50 has very limited lenses. While there is a modest number of lenses for their full frame Z-series cameras, so far there is
only one APS-C-specific Nikkor S lens (EDIT: Whoops, my mistake, there at two APS-C (DX) lenses for the Z50: 16-50mm and 50-250mm. $1197 for the bundle.) Yes, it can use all the Nikkor S and other lenses that are beginning to be made to fit the entire Z-series system. And it can use adapted F-mount (and other) lenses, to some extent. But it sort of defeats the purpose of buying a small camera to then fit it with larger full frame-capable lenses, esp. when it's an adapted full frame-capable DSLR lens.
If you like your Sony, you might be happiest with a recent Sony a6000-series model. Again, this isn't a system I know particularly well, but from what I've seen the latest of those have what some consider the best AF system of any mirrorless cameras. (Canon's recent models are pretty darned good, too... Their latest two full frame models are even considered equal to or better than Sony. I don't know how Fuji's AF compares, simply don't hear much about it one way or another. Nikon gets some negative reviews for their Z-series AF, but it might only matter when shooting fast action subjects such as sports or wildlife.) Sony has also appears to have figured out ways to get more shots out of their batteries.... Most mirrorless cameras are nowhere near as power efficient as DSLRs, so unless you only take a fairly limited number of shots per outing, you need more spare batteries with mirrorless.
I notice all the cameras you're considering are mirrorless, which I assume is so that you can keep things small and lightweight. While some here on UHH will consider it a bit heretical, I might suggest you not rule out a DSLR completely. They tend to cost quite a bit less than mirrorless, so you might get a lot more bang for your buck. APS-C DSLRs and their lenses can be reasonably compact too. In fact, Canon's Rebel SL3 camera rivals the size and weight of many mirrorless APS-C cameras. It's the smallest and lightest DSLR that anyone makes, and can be bought in kit with EF-S 18-55mm IS STM and EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lenses for $849. Yes, this somewhat entry-level camera has a pretty simplistic AF system. But other than that, the 24MP SL3 is actually surprisingly full featured. One of the biggest benefits is that it can directly use any of the 125 million+ Canon EF/EF-S lenses made the last 30 years. You have massive choice of lenses, including around 90 different ones currently being made by Canon themselves, as well as dozens more by third party manufacturers.
Even more advanced DSLRs may be affordable too. For example, the Canon 77D (24MP) is not a big, heavy camera and is available in kit with EF-S 18-135mm IS STM and EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lenses for $1252 (
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1329227-REG/canon_eos_77d_dslr_camera.html). Or the more robust and advanced EOS 90D (32.5MP, same as M6II) sells for $1549 with EF-S 18-135mm IS STM and EF-S 55-250mm lenses, or for $1599 with a faster focusing EF-S 18-135mm IS USM lens (
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1502489-REG/canon_3616c016_eos_90d_dslr_camera.html). Of course, both these Canon cameras can use all the same EF/EF-S mount lenses as mentioned above.
BUT... These are DSLRs! They ain't "mirrorless". And folks here will tell you "mirrorless are the future". Yeah, they probably are (at least until the "next great thing" comes along, whatever that may be). This year there probably will be just as many mirrorless cameras as DSLRs sold... Last year DSLRs only held a relatively slim margin (4.5 million DLSRs vs 4 million mirrorless sold). There are some cool things mirrorless can do, that DSLRs can't. But the opposite is true, too. And a DSLR bought today will be usable for many years... It ain't gonna quit working just because "mirrorless are the future".
Have fun shopping!