Some folks in the camera club gave up their DLSR for the A6000 and have not looked back.
A6000, 24 Meg aps-c sensor on a very lite body.
Love mine.
phlash46
Loc: Westchester County, New York
The Olympus em-10 comes to mind; I have one and it's terrific. However, a used em-5 (not the new version) is an awfully good camera as well.
Jcmarino wrote:
Love my a6000 more and more each day. The stabilization and low light situations amaze me. Only complaint is the life of the battery. So I suggest a charger and extra battery and life will be perfect!
I was under the impression that the a6000 did not have image stabilization?
I have been delighted with my Fuji X-E2. Suggest you check it out.
As you can see from all the responses, there are numerous opinions. I have a Nikon D7100, which is a full size DSLR. I wanted something that I could use as a "grab and go," but wanted something uses a similar sensor to the Nikon and equivalent Canon, but then got an Olympus OM-D EM5. Half the weight, and takes pictures just as great. I have now upgraded to the new EM5-Mark II; looking at it in the camera store (Cameta in Amityville, NY), the salesperson and I felt there wasn't $300 difference between the new EM5 and the EM1. I would suggest this as a viable possibility. It isn't particularly cheap ($1,100 street price for the body; about $1,400 for the body and a kit lens), but it is a great camera; also weatherproof and well built.
As you can see from all the responses, there are numerous opinions. I have a Nikon D7100, which is a full size DSLR. I wanted something that I could use as a "grab and go," but wanted something uses a similar sensor to the Nikon and equivalent Canon, but then got an Olympus OM-D EM5. Half the weight, and takes pictures just as great. I have now upgraded to the new EM5-Mark II; looking at it in the camera store (Cameta in Amityville, NY), the salesperson and I felt there wasn't $300 difference between the new EM5 and the EM1. I would suggest this as a viable possibility. It isn't particularly cheap ($1,100 street price for the body; about $1,400 for the body and a kit lens), but it is a great camera; also weatherproof and well built.
Sold my Nikon D90 with 18-200 and 12-24 lens, flash etc and bought the Sony NEX 7 from BH for $498. Purchased 55-210 lens and Vivitar Series 1 flash.
Working my way through David Busch's book. Love the small from factor, two topside dials programmed for a variety of settings. OLED viewfinder shows what the image will look like in real time. Nice new toy to play with. I had thought about buying the a6000, but my son in Seattle has the NEX 7 and suggested the 7 over the 6000 for now. He has had 7 for three years.
perhaps consider the panny g6 it can be had within your budget it also has wi fi the 100x300 pretty nice lens and have added the sigma 60mm f2.8 stunning image quality
rsumners wrote:
So after a great deal of consideration with regards to buying my first DSLR, I have decided that for hiking, backpacking, travel and such, a nice, lightweight mirrorless camera might be the way to go after all. I'm looking at the Sony models, particularly the Sony a6000, but I am quite open to other suggestions. Would like to stay in the $500-$600 range, as much as possible, and go with interchangeable lenses and Wi-Fi. Any suggestions, oh fine and helpful citizens of the Ugly Hedgehog community? Still would like a nice DSLR some day , but it can wait.
So after a great deal of consideration with regard... (
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The Sony A6000 is the best option in your price range unless you are buying used. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 and its lenses are more expensive, but otherwise a good option. I have the A6000 as my second camera and am very happy with it. I wanted a camera that I could carry in a small bag with a couple of lenses. The Sony A6000 has higher resolution, is lighter, and less expensive than its competition. It has focus peaking support for manual focusing, face detection, fast frame rate with autofocus, WiFi, and a reasonable number of lens options. Be aware that except for the kit lenses, any lens you buy for the A6000 or its competition will cost as much as or more than the camera.
The a6000 is IMO, the best value and quality right now for a travel, street, or backpack camera. The larger sensor , low light ISO capability, lightning fast AF, and 11 FPS, make it a great choice.
The original OLY em5 is waterproof which would be helpful for hiking and has wonderful ibis. Check out refurbished on olympus website, like wes previously recommended.
The original OLY em5 is waterproof which would be helpful for hiking and has wonderful ibis. Check out refurbished on olympus website, like wes previously recommended.
rsumners wrote:
So after a great deal of consideration with regards to buying my first DSLR, I have decided that for hiking, backpacking, travel and such, a nice, lightweight mirrorless camera might be the way to go after all. I'm looking at the Sony models, particularly the Sony a6000, but I am quite open to other suggestions. Would like to stay in the $500-$600 range, as much as possible, and go with interchangeable lenses and Wi-Fi. Any suggestions, oh fine and helpful citizens of the Ugly Hedgehog community? Still would like a nice DSLR some day , but it can wait.
So after a great deal of consideration with regard... (
show quote)
I was in your place awhile back and wanted something that would give me the ability to make enlargements upto 30x40 of my backpacking trips. Carrying my DSLR's was not something I was looking forward to. I picked up the Olympus epl-2 and kit lens for a try. I loved it! The only draw back was it was not weather proof. I have now moved up to the OMD EM-5 and 12-40 pro lens and it is weather proof, camera and lens. I carry no bag, just camera and lens. It is the best camera I have used, well, next to my Hasselblads. Save some money and get one of the OMD cameras, you will not look back. I have sold off all my DSLR's and gone all in with Olympus.
Randy
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