I would like to offer a different opinion.

The whole point of picking up photography is to learn all the functions that a DSLR can offer such as aperture (to control depth of field), speed (to capture fast motion, blur motion or low light), ISO, rule of third etc. And for landscape photography, one can start to learn about filters, ND grads etc for taking sunsets or waterfalls.

Let's be honest, who would play with all the abovementioned features with a smartphone? You just whip out your phone and take a snap. And the result will usually be a "snapshot" at best.

Also for the photography enthusiast moving on to bigger goals, such as having their prints enlarged up to A3 or larger sizes for display or exhibition, they will start to realise the limitations of smartphone images. A smartphone image is usually heavily enhanced by the camera's AI unless you shoot RAW -- and who would shoot RAW with a smartphone?. When this heavily enhanced image is printed at large sizes, one can see the "artifacts" such as pixelation, extreme sharpening etc. A DSLR simply offers a wider dynamic range because of the size of the sensor and lens.

For TS, I would suggest to pick up a good secondhand DSLR or at least a MFT with some good lenses. One cannot go wrong with a Canon, Nikon or Panasonic-Lumix.

But the budget is for camera body + kit lens. Isn't that enough for starter?
Then maybe I should reconsider getting camera by just learning using the smartphone camera first.

[/spoiler]

Currently looking at second hand nikon d3300 or d3400 with kit lens.

This post has been edited by pcm123: Apr 13 2024, 08:27 PM

I totally agreed with what you said. But with TS budget, it would be hard to recommend anything else apart from upgrading the smartphone. I don't want to be biased but usually, the budget people who are willing to invest in a dedicated camera reflect a very good amount of passion they have for a dedicated camera. I'm just trying to save the the cycle of Getting a camera -> try for a few times -> leave it at home because smart phone are more convinient -> sell the dedicated camera because it's collect dust process. I guess you know what I mean.

And also, by suggesting people to upgrade their smartphone instead of getting a dedicated camera is a way to "test" how serious they really are about getting into the craft. For those who are serious enough, they usually come back for more help and questions. So, it's sort of a 'filtering' question to see who are serious and who are not.

This post has been edited by Loseeker: Apr 14 2024, 02:49 PM

@Jojoin I think that made my point

For below 1k, the camera might not be better than your current smartphone. If you want the experience of using a dslr, then it's a different story. But then again, those low tier body doesn't really offer much as regards to control as what @jojolin mentioned. You have to know how to dig thru the menu to find the setting. I would seriously suggest you learn the composition rules which will make more meaniful improvement to your photography instead of getting a dedicated camera. Just my 2 cents

This post has been edited by Loseeker: Apr 14 2024, 12:45 AM

Looking to get a brand new mirrorless camera and eyeing on Sony A6700 with Tamron 17-70mm. Any other suggestion? Was comparing with Fujifilm x-s20 but since sony has many vendor for lenses dropped out Fujifilm.

Purpose is mainly taking pic and video during travelling and maybe some internal family functions

Since this going to be my first camera perhaps would like to explore more options. Looking for more comments and suggestions from sifus here

This post has been edited by blaze91: May 15 2024, 12:19 PM

Get the fuji XS-20 and thank me later. Sony colors.....

The Sony science colours in newer bodies are actually not bad, also their creative profiles are decent.
Definitely not the exact same as Fuji colours but still quite nice after tweaking. And if you shoot raws, there are more advantages with Sony.

If you are mainly PS SOOC then sure just go with Fuji

I agreed with what you said regarding the newer sony bodies. But for the sake of TS, I would suggest him to go for Fuji. Those who need to ask what camera to buy here, normally doesn't know how to edit RAW files.

also like those think of buying for trip thing, get as compact as possible lol

Im abit concerned about budget too and now with newly Fujifilm X-T50 confused whether to go for Fujifilm X-S20. Price not much difference though. Yeah sony A6700 I have not decided to go for mainly because of need to edit which I dont like. I prefer to take pic during traveling and straight post it instead of editing it unless necessary. But the price they selling make me feel that A6700 is cheaper but again the hassle like need to edit and stuff, making me think twice.

You got my point hahah although im trying to learn on editing RAW images.

You don't need the latest and greatest to take good photos. Just buy what you can comfortably afford. My suggestion to you is to look at Fuji XS-10 if you have budget constraint. To be perfectly honest, XS-20 is not much of an upgrade from XS-10.

Camera these days are so good, it's hard to choose a wrong camera (if you shoot RAW and edit them all the time) . If you want SOOC jpeg, then it's a different story, sony camera colors are My cousin just shown me a photo of him taken by the Sony A7CII the colors are If I have his permission, I will share the photo here to proof my point.

Even with XS-10, it already has the very very popular classic negative film simulation, which can be applied to both photos and video. If you want cinematic look to your video, just apply the eterna film simulation and viola.

This post has been edited by Loseeker: May 17 2024, 08:29 PM

A question sorry again to change option, just noticed X-T5 has almost similar price range. should I go for it if my budget allows? Or just save my money, get better lens and get XS-20 / XS-10(not sure if can find this though)

This post has been edited by blaze91: May 20 2024, 12:15 AM

No problems. You can ask more questions if you like. This forum is for people like you to ask questions, so that you can get the gears that are right for you.

Now back to your question. XT5 is a good camera, but then the way it operates is a bit different from XS-10/20. If you're not familiar with the dedicated old school shutter speed, iso dials, it can slow you down and you may need a bit of youtube lesson to get yourself familiar with the film camera like features.

But in order for me to give you appropriate advise, can I ask, why are you considering XT5? Is it because of the look ?

This post has been edited by Loseeker: May 20 2024, 01:26 PM

Ops that looks tricky why I was considering XT-5 because the price difference for Body+ Tamron Lens(17mm-70mm) for XS-20 and XT-5 makes not much difference approximately around 1.6k++, thats what made me to think about XT-5. In addition XT-5 had some pros like better battery, Weather Shield, Double Slot SD cards.

I was thinking of future proof too but when you said these "If you're not familiar with the dedicated old school shutter speed, iso dials, it can slow you down and you may need a bit of youtube lesson to get yourself familiar with the film camera like features. " makes me worry is these functions easy to learn?

Let me make this simple for you la. Between XS-10, XS-20 and XT5, I think the best option for you is the XS-20.

1. XS-20 is more beginner friendly and cheaper than XT5. (The reasons to Skip XT5)

2. It has the same bigger battery as the XT5, (the reason to skip XS10)

3. It has a flip out screen, so you can do selfie , (the reason to skip XT5)


1. Bigger battery, yes. It's a valid reason to choose a body base on this.
2. Weather shield, it is one of the least useful features for hobbist. Let me ask you this, have you ever do photoshoot in the rain? Are you intend to do photoshoot in the rain or
snow?
3. Dual card slots - Are you doing photography as a hobby or job? If you shooting wedding or events that cannot be repeated, then dual card slots is essential. If not, they are
good to have but not necessary just like the weather seal.

I tell you this, the concept of future proofing is the most useless idea in purchasing camera gears. (I'm quoting this from a fellow lowyat forumer, which I whole heartedly agreed). It may apply (to a certain degree) to buying computer/laptop. You know why?

Because by the time your knowledges and your photography needs have grown, you will realize that you need something entirely different from what fuji can offer. AS such, just buy what you REALLY need right now and forget about future proofing.

And let's be honest, what can guarantee you won't become part of the majority of those buy new camera for fun, use a few time, then leave at home collecting dust because smart phone is so easy and convienient to use and then have to sell the camera at the lost statistic .

Thank you so much for the explanation now im super clear on my needs. I do agree on those points you mentioned above as it's true though. Thanks again for the detailed explanation and clearing my doubts

Glad that i'm able to help. All the best .