I think you meant 60D and 650D.

To keep it short... advantage for 60D is the grip is more suitable for bigger hands, top LCD display, bigger viewfinder etc. But that's more for photos.

650D for video can do everything that the 60D does and in addition, can autofocus for video (though its still slow even with the new STM lens so not suitable for running and gunning)

Rumor has it that 70D is going to consolidate both the 60D and 7D models so I think can expect it won't be cheap.

Nevertheless, I think you already know that 550D, 600D, 650D and 60D all offers the same image quality (heck.. the never cameras could even have better jpegs) so the difference between them are just conveniences like swivel screen, viewfinder, top LCD etc. None of these camera body can do something that another cannot do.

If I were to start all over again... with that 3K+ budget.. I'll think of what lens to get first... then only think about body.

In my case..I'll go with a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 + 600D even if one of it is second hand.

Sony RX100. Not selling in Malaysia yet. Haven't played with it yet but from the interweb and reviews.... it looked like a winner.

Don't know superzooms but HS30EXR is supposedly king of the hill now though not at your price range and that ORB issue (google)

There's really nothing much between Canon and Nikon... one can argue till the cow comes home but at the end of the day, its just which brand's interface and ergonomics that you prefer. I don't shoot video but seems like a lot of folks go either canon, panasonic GH2 or NEX's for video.

Anyway... at the end of the day, getting a 550D or a 7D, a D5100 or D7000 or a A77 won't make your pics, video or low light performance any different but a different lens will.

See the above post...

So... imo.

Canon 600D (cos got flippy screen=less backpain when on tripod and cheaper than 650D) or Nikon D3100/3200 with 18-55mm kit and keep the balance for ultra wide angle len (UWA) like a 2nd hand Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6.

I had a S90 and have a HX9V and XZ-1 now (also have a 60D like you)

S95 is obviously the most pocketable. Basically that's the sell point though king-of-the-hill currently for this category is the uber expensive Sony RX100.

HX9V does AWESOME video but as a stills camera, doesn't shoot RAW and the JPEGs under anything other than best lighting condition smears and generally craps out. The interface/programming of the camera is made for auto modes only... there's a PASM mode but is clunky to use and its a tipu spec as the HX9V doesn't have any aperture blades. Closing of aperture is "simulated" using build-in ND so its either wide open or a couple stops down... nothing in between.

XZ1 on the other hand does royally CRAP video (iphone vid much better) but as a stills camera, very versatile for what it is. The jpegs does suffer from over aggressive noise reduction too (which cannot be turned off in camera) but RAW images are brilliant up to ISO200, takes a hit up to ISO400 which is still useable but its B&W or PP'ing time for anything above.

The lens is AWESOME sharp corner to corner across the focal range and opens up to f1.8-2.5 so in lowlight (shot properly) won't lose to a bigger cameras with kitlens (I'll definately chose this over 12MP m43's with kitlens)

I don't have a LX5 but quite familiar with it. Jpg colors are a kinda bland moody typical panasonic look and the thumb control wheel takes getting used to. Otherwise, the RAW quality is comparable to XZ-1, the lens being a little slower..just a bit and significantly better video quality than the XZ-1 but below the HX9V. Latest firmware update speeds up the operation of the camera quite a bit.

ZS20: never played with it before.

What's shooting "botak"?

I think the 20mm f1.7 is around ~1.3K thereabout and its not bundled with Olympus camera naturally cos its a panasonic lens.

Maybe you could go and have a feel for the camera in the shop. Take a few shots if they let you because obviously its got its appeal and drawbacks at the same time so whether its worth it or not really depend on yourself.

Personally, I prefer a entry dslr + fast lens setup for street . It's a more matured and cost effective platform.

Pros:
- Takes as good a photo as the X100.
- Interchangeable lens (doesn't mean have to go gear crazy with it) so there's option to buy body only and a lens of your preferred focal length (from ur old days)
- Even the most rudimentary model focuses faster and with more certainty than the X100
- Controls and menu systems are more evolved... something like a entry canon 550D has its ergonomics/interface honed and evolved over the past 10 years.
- If you don't the route of a camera nut with flashes, battery grips and huge lens abound, then an entry dslr is not really not that heavy.

Cons:
- It looks like a dslr.

In practical terms the ~1/3 stop is quite irrelevant but 24mm could be useful.
YMMV

Tripod's are to your own preference. When in use, the heavier, sturdier tripod and ball head is preferred but when lugging it about....its hateful. So see your own tolerance lo.

Got ur pm..

Check out this thread http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2409384

In short.. just gotta make up your mind on which system (canon, nikon, sony, pentax etc) that you prefer by:

1) Checking out the ergonomics of the camera. Each brand does their interface, grip etc differently.
2) Will you be shooting with your friends? Which system are they using.

Regardless what you choose, even the most basic dslr does a darn good job. Moving up the price ladder just purchases extra conveniences.

Heck most folks won't be able to tell if a picture's taken with a D3100 or a 7D.

Lens however, is much more important than the camera.

I think the standard answer for this is one of those enthuasiast RAW shooting compacts like S100, LX5, XZ-1 etc since you're a dslr shooter.

Most run of the mill ones suffers from lost of details and smearing to compensate for small sensor... among other things. With RAW... at least got fighting chance to recover

NEX-F3.. got flip up screen for self portrait.

Some say C3 is smaller but its just the camera body that's smaller which is USELESS considering how big is the lens. They both take up the same space in the bag.

Sony RX100

Nikon V1 is absolutely must have build-in viewfinder
Panasonic GX1 for fastest and most accurate AF and touch screen for touch focus.
NEX-F3 for everything else.

Between the 2.. NEX-F3 lo. Cheap, big sensor, build-in tiltable flash.

IBIS is a plus but the E-PM1 sensor is already 3 years ago. Same sensor as the original m43's.

Which lens do you plan on buying?

NEX also got a 18-200mm which is more or less the same as the 14-150mm for m43 wat.

I don't recall there's a 50mm for m43.

This http://www.sony.com.my/product/sel18200le

Panasonic 14-140mm is a stabilized lens.. you won't be using the IBIS on the Olympus for it also.

Either ways, my personal opinion is that there's no point getting a big lens small camera combo cos its = tak balance and still take up space.

Not that familiar with Nikon but as with most current DSLRs and in practical terms, any image quality difference between the 2 is not perceivable with the naked eye.

Since you're shooting mainly agriculture, I reckon the flip screen will actually be a good idea especially when you're shooting tripod mounted at low angles and mucking around with the lighting that's needed for those close up shots.

Speaking of which, the 50mm won't do much good as they typically have a minimum focussing distance of around 45cm. You can't get close enough without using a reverse ring etc.

Why base your decision on something as low cost as a SD card and besides... any class 10 card will do. Don't have to go extreme to save some miliseconds off write and transfer speed.


Let me elaborate, I reckon the 50mm won't be much use because of the 50mm focal length+45cm minimum focal distance means you won't be able to get details on small insects etc without resorting to cropping the image. The small depth of field for such focal length+mfd also won't do much good as very small part of the image is in focus.

Hence a regular 18-55mm could prove more useful since you can get 55mm at a closer 28cm minimum focussing distance.

As for the flip screen...they're not that fragile and besides, you don't necessarily have to use it. Just keep it closed in position = no worries.

My company's "photographer" uses 550D+18-55mm IS+430EXII speedlight.