amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

You mention using a 55-300mm lens. I'm not aware of any of those... but does that lens have image stabilization? That would likely help you a lot, getting shots from a kayak.

If your lens doesn't have stabilization, look into getting one that does. Canon themselves offer 30 or 40 lenses with "IS" Canon calls it. It's "OS" with Sigma or "VC" in Tamron lenses.

If you like the Canon T5 but want to improve on it, there are some newer models that would be good upgrades.

T5 was the most entry-level model in it's day. It's since been replaced twice and the T7 is now being offered. However, there's not a great deal of difference in these and a number of usefui features lacking from the most entry-level models.

One step up is the Canon SL2 or SL3... They're very similar models, less than a year apart (the primary difference is the SL3 has some added video-related capabilities). Either of those are be a much more full featured camera than the T5/6/7 models. One of the most important things, in my mind, is the SL2/3 have a self-cleaning sensor (as do ALL other Canon DSLRs from the last 6 or 8 years.... except for the T5/6/7 entry level models).

The SL2/3 is actually smaller and lighter, but it has an articulated rear LCD "Touch" screen, has a faster continuous frame rate (5 frames per sec).

The T6, T7 are sold "in kit" with EF-S 18-55 IS STM and EF 75-300mm III lenses. The first lens is okay, entry level build but capable of nice images and reasonably good performance. However, the 75-300mm is Canon's cheapest telephoto zoom and one of their worst. It's got a lot of "issues". First, it doesn't have Image Stabilization, even though it's more helpful on a telephoto than it is on an 18-55mm lens. It also has slow, noisy "micro motor" auto focus. But possibly most importantly, it has pretty poor image quality, especially toward the 300mm end of the zoom range.

The SL2/3 are sold in kit with the same EF-S 18-55mm lens, but when sold in two-lens kits are instead usually bundled with the EF-S 55-250mm IS STM. That's a better telephoto zoom in virtually every way. It has IS. It uses quieter, smoother, faster STM "stepper motor" auto focus drive. It focuses closer. And it has much better image quality throughout. It's just not quite as "long" telephoto... 250mm versus 300mm. And the 55-250mm costs about $100 more than the EF 75-300mm III. When bought in kit with a camera, the lens is nicely discounted, but still ends up costing more.

You can buy the most entry-level T7, 18-55mm and 75-300mm kit for $549. In contrast, an SL3 with 18-55mm and 55-250mm costs $799 (body only is $549). There are still some SL2's available in kit with the 18-55mm ($549), but are no longer any with the 55-250mm that I could find online. So the telephoto zoom would need to be bought separately ($299).

SL2 is available "refurbished" at the Canon USA online store. With the 18-55mm lens it costs $439. Bought direct from Canon, their refurbished are little different from new an have the same warranty as new. The EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lens is also available there refurbished, for $240.

Note that there was a Canon SL1... but it's much more entry-level, very similar to the T6 it was sold alongside. The SL1 was the smallest, lightest DSLR anyone had ever made... the newer models are slightly heavier, but have a lot more features.

I use the SL2 and SL3 as examples above.... Even more upgrade would upgrade would be T7i (note the "i"), 77D, 80D or 7D Mark II.

Even smaller, lighter are Canon's mirrorless M-series cameras. They have relatively few lenses to choose among.... but do have 15-45mm and 55-200mm. Any lenses you might already have for use on the T5 also can be used on them, via an adapter. Their compact size and light weight are the main advantages of cameras such as the M50 or M5, both of which have viewfinders like your T5... except the mirrorless use an electronic viewfinder instead of optical. There are also M6 and M100 models without viewfinders. I think there's a new one of those coming soon, too. The "problem" with mirrorless, regardless of manufacturer, is higher prices. They are "hot" right now. Lots of people are buying them. As a result, the prices tend to be higher than similar capability and specification DSLRs (which are already sort of "old school").

I've cited all Canon examples above in part because you are familiar with the system, with your T5. But also because with them you can continue to use any lenses and possibly other accessories you might already have. You could switch brands, of course. And there certainly are some other good cameras out there. But generally speaking it is more expensive to make the change, plus some sort of learning curve getting accustomed to the new system.

I would note that there's little sealing in these cameras for water resistance, which might be important since you are shooting from a kayak! The Canon T7i and 77D are slightly better in that respect... the 80D is a little better than them... and the 7D Mark II is the best sealed of the current APS-C Canon DSLRs. (None of them are "waterproof", by any means. For that you would need some sort of underwater case to put the camera inside.)

carl hervol Loc: jacksonville florida

You may want to use a higher shutter 500 to a 1000.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

What is it about the T5 that doesn't fit your needs? All cameras respond to camera shake, other than using the fastest shutter speed you can to help eliminate the shake, what else can you do? A new camera isn't going to solve anything.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I don’t know the extent of the water “resistance” for the OMD-EM-1 or 5 series is, but the Olympus tough series is rated to be waterproof to a depth of, I believe, 50 feet.

jburlinson Loc: Austin, TX

I'd echo the suggestions you've received for the Olympus omd cameras -- because of the superb in body image stabilization, which will give you 5 stops to correct the camera shake from hand or boat.

However, if you want to stay with the DSLR type camera, I'd recommend considering Pentax, which has a good IBIS system as well and is also renowned for its weather sealing. I don't know how many videos there are on youtube with somebody dunking their pentax with the camera coming out dripping wet but working perfectly.

As it happens, I have a nearly new Pentax KS2 that I'm considering selling (since I've gone pretty much 100% mirrorless myself.) It's kinda comparable to your Canon but has more megapixals (20mp) and has a large High-Resolution 3 inch variable angle swing out LCD Monitor.

If you're at all interested, let me know.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

The problem is, once we start talking about one camera completely different from what the OP talked about, we have to suggest so many others. In this case, the Ricoh WG-6 would also be a good camera to have if actual immersion might happen.

anotherview Loc: California

If shooting in daylight, then set the shutter speed higher for sharper pictures.

The SS should match or exceed the effective focal length of the lens. The T5 is an APS-C camera, meaning it has a cropped sensor. So you have to multiple the set focal length by 1.6 to arrive at the effective focal length. So at 300 mm, 1.6 times it comes to 480mm. So dial in 1/500th second for the SS.

If at 55, dial in 1/100 second.

These are minimums for SS. You may wish to set the SS higher.

Set the ISO to Auto. Let the camera's metering system calculate and set the ISO.

Then you only have to concern yourself with setting the Aperture. Again, if in daylight conditions, then you could set the Aperture to f/16.

Interestingly, if bright enough, the daylight might call for the SS to go higher for a good exposure.

Keep the ISO as low as possible whenever you can, for subduing noise.

This is really an involved subject for a beginner, I know.

Experts write big books on the subject of correct camera exposure settings for best results.

Keep at it. Read tutorials online. Attend a workshop or two on camera operation. Join a photo club. If inclined read books.

Experiment and practice a lot. You will learn photography by doing it.

Good luck.