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Need help selecting a camera
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Nov 29, 2017 16:39:47   #
Paddy's Grama Loc: Westfield, NJ
 
I would apppreciate your help. I am looking for a good basic camera with a viewfinder.
Up until a year ago, my Sony Cyber-shot with no viewfinder took good basic photos for me. My interest was photos of my grandchildren.

But this past year I have spent a lot of time traveling in an RV. Most of my shots during that time were done outdoors, And needless to say, most shots were a disaster.
I would like a good basic camera with viewfinder for around $500. I am in my late 70’s and no expert.
I have seen the Canon Rebel T6 advertised at Costco for @ $500.
I have also seen mentioned the Canon T6i at B&H. I am not sure what the difference is. Maybe I should be looking at something else entirely.
But any suggestions or direction would be appreciated. Thank you.

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Nov 29, 2017 16:46:04   #
Paul Buckhiester Loc: Columbus, GA USA
 
Paddy's Grama wrote:
I would apppreciate your help. I am looking for a good basic camera with a viewfinder.
Up until a year ago, my Sony Cyber-shot with no viewfinder took good basic photos for me. My interest was photos of my grandchildren.

But this past year I have spent a lot of time traveling in an RV. Most of my shots during that time were done outdoors, And needless to say, most shots were a disaster.
I would like a good basic camera with viewfinder for around $500. I am in my late 70’s and no expert.
I have seen the Canon Rebel T6 advertised at Costco for @ $500.
I have also seen mentioned the Canon T6i at B&H. I am not sure what the difference is. Maybe I should be looking at something else entirely.
But any suggestions or direction would be appreciated. Thank you.
I would apppreciate your help. I am looking for a ... (show quote)


View free buyers guide at CreativeLive.

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Nov 29, 2017 17:06:25   #
rfahrens
 
Since your are somewhat familiar with Sony. Investigate the Sony a6000. That should more than met your needs. It’s priced at about $500. You can likely find it for less. Great quality camera.

Reply
 
 
Nov 29, 2017 17:14:33   #
rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin
 
Consider these manufacturer/cameras:
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mk II w/ 14-42mm lens (28-84mm equivalent) $649 (Cyber Week price at B&H Photo) <==
Fujifilm X-T20 $1,099 w/ 18-55mm lens (27-83mm equivalent) $1,099

Reply
Nov 29, 2017 17:34:25   #
DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina
 
Canon’s SL2 is a very nice, lightweight compact dslr and with the 18-55 ef-s lens, will get you most of what you seek as a hobbiest. With that lens,abt $550.

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Nov 29, 2017 19:58:50   #
LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked
 
Paddy's Grama wrote:
I would apppreciate your help. I am looking for a good basic camera with a viewfinder.
Up until a year ago, my Sony Cyber-shot with no viewfinder took good basic photos for me. My interest was photos of my grandchildren.

But this past year I have spent a lot of time traveling in an RV. Most of my shots during that time were done outdoors, And needless to say, most shots were a disaster.
I would like a good basic camera with viewfinder for around $500. I am in my late 70’s and no expert.
I have seen the Canon Rebel T6 advertised at Costco for @ $500.
I have also seen mentioned the Canon T6i at B&H. I am not sure what the difference is. Maybe I should be looking at something else entirely.
But any suggestions or direction would be appreciated. Thank you.
I would apppreciate your help. I am looking for a ... (show quote)


I would recommend something different and I have been a full time RVer since 2001! I am going to suggest a Bridge Camera. I won't recommend a brand or a specific camera but, a bridge camera can be like your Cyber-shot in that it can be used as a Point and Shoot camera but it typically has a wide zoom range, like an equivalent 35mm to 2000mm zoom. They can also be used in various other modes including manual. The biggest downside is the small sensor. However, they generally smaller and lighter camera than a DSLR and you don't have to change lenses, in fact you can't change lenses. Both Canon and Nikon have Bridge Cameras, and other manufacturers do as well. They also typically have electronic viewfinders.

Having made a recommendation, I feel like I have to add: I have used 35mm rangefinder cameras in the 60s, SLRs in the 70s, 80s, 90s, and into the 2000s. I've also used digital point and shoot cameras, and a couple of Bridge Cameras. In 2013, my wife and I volunteered at the Salton Sea State Recreation Area, a beautiful and very photogenic area. My Bridge Camera was not sufficient to get the quality photos I wanted. So, within a couple of weeks, I went to Costco (30 miles away), and purchased a DSLR KIT. My interest in photography blossomed to what it had been decades ago.

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Nov 29, 2017 20:09:55   #
mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)
 
If you are interested in an all round camera with viewfinder and zoom lens check out these offerings.
http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/best-bridge-camera-1259503

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Nov 29, 2017 20:14:12   #
mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)
 
If you're interested in something small check these out. I have the Panasonic ZS100 and it is a wonderful little camera with a reasonable zoom and excellent IQ.
http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/best-compact-camera-2013-34-reviewed-963985

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Nov 30, 2017 01:48:16   #
whwiden
 
You might look at a Nikon d3300 or d3400. The kit lens of 18 to 55mm should come with it. You might consider supplementing that with inexpensive wide angle, telephoto or prime lenses, depending on your needs.

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Nov 30, 2017 04:03:17   #
le boecere
 
rfahrens wrote:
Since your are somewhat familiar with Sony. Investigate the Sony a6000. That should more than met your needs. It’s priced at about $500. You can likely find it for less. Great quality camera.


Excellent suggestion ~ wonderful travel camera.

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Nov 30, 2017 04:07:19   #
le boecere
 
rjaywallace wrote:
Consider these manufacturer/cameras:
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mk II w/ 14-42mm lens (28-84mm equivalent) $649 (Cyber Week price at B&H Photo) <==
Fujifilm X-T20 $1,099 w/ 18-55mm lens (27-83mm equivalent) $1,099


And, careful shopping should find a Fujifilm X-E2 w/the 18-55mm lens for about half the price you quote for the X-T20.

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Nov 30, 2017 05:15:01   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Paddy's Grama wrote:
I would apppreciate your help. I am looking for a good basic camera with a viewfinder.
Up until a year ago, my Sony Cyber-shot with no viewfinder took good basic photos for me. My interest was photos of my grandchildren.

But this past year I have spent a lot of time traveling in an RV. Most of my shots during that time were done outdoors, And needless to say, most shots were a disaster.
I would like a good basic camera with viewfinder for around $500. I am in my late 70’s and no expert.
I have seen the Canon Rebel T6 advertised at Costco for @ $500.
I have also seen mentioned the Canon T6i at B&H. I am not sure what the difference is. Maybe I should be looking at something else entirely.
But any suggestions or direction would be appreciated. Thank you.
I would apppreciate your help. I am looking for a ... (show quote)


Compact with viewfinder, raw.

https://www.lifewire.com/best-viewfinder-cameras-493677
http://www.compactcamerawithviewfinder.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/compact-cameras-with-viewfinders

Comparison sites -

Read comparisons and specs, and decide what features are important to you.
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

Reply
Nov 30, 2017 05:42:53   #
wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
 
Paddy's Grama wrote:
I would apppreciate your help. I am looking for a good basic camera with a viewfinder.
Up until a year ago, my Sony Cyber-shot with no viewfinder took good basic photos for me. My interest was photos of my grandchildren.

But this past year I have spent a lot of time traveling in an RV. Most of my shots during that time were done outdoors, And needless to say, most shots were a disaster.
I would like a good basic camera with viewfinder for around $500. I am in my late 70’s and no expert.
I have seen the Canon Rebel T6 advertised at Costco for @ $500.
I have also seen mentioned the Canon T6i at B&H. I am not sure what the difference is. Maybe I should be looking at something else entirely.
But any suggestions or direction would be appreciated. Thank you.
I would apppreciate your help. I am looking for a ... (show quote)


Save yourself some weight and look at Olympus or Panasonic. I know the E-M10 mrIII comes in around the $500 mark. Since you have indicated your traveling, you might want to spend a little more money and purchase the Olympus E-M5 mrII. The splashproof E-M5 mrII with a splashproof lense is a great travel camera. You can stay out shooting in the rain while others are running for cover. And if and when you want to improve your camera system, you can look at Olympus or Panasonic bodies and lenses (90+ lenses) because of basic function interchangeably between the two.

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Nov 30, 2017 07:28:42   #
wteffey Loc: Ocala, FL USA
 
An interchangeable lens camera or DSLR will almost certainly generate a need for another lens, and therefore kill your $500 budget. I would suggest you look at Panasonic. If size is not critical, the FZ80 is a nice camera for $400. If you want something smaller the ZS travel series might be interesting at $500. I have found the ZS50 to be handy to carry around, but the viewfinder is small and gripping a small camera not always secure. These are both small sensor cameras, but millions of users are very happy and don't see a problem with the results. Crop in camera and you should be fine. Panasonic is also offering a 3-year warranty on many models, no small advantage.

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Nov 30, 2017 08:33:06   #
digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan
 
rjaywallace wrote:
Consider these manufacturer/cameras:
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mk II w/ 14-42mm lens (28-84mm equivalent) $649 (Cyber Week price at B&H Photo) <==
Fujifilm X-T20 $1,099 w/ 18-55mm lens (27-83mm equivalent) $1,099



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