Dear all, i've always had a soft spot passion for photography (not professional, just casual point & shoot). After years of using iPhone & Pixel phone as my primary device, finally i would like to venture into actual photography world & would into an proper photography camera, preferably mirrorless. This would be my first ever camera & im looking for a beginner friendly device that would allow me to learn the basics while still be capable camera for long term before planning to make upgrade later, maybe after couple of years.

Looking for preferably compact & lightweight mirrorless camera would be ideal as i'm planning to use it for travel trips,. Also easy compatibility with smartphone/laptop as i often share my content via social media. My preferred type of photography are Street, Nature, Travel, Urban Architecture, Abstract, Sunset/Sunrise. I'm open to try out any brands, no specific brand preferences, budget around RM5k-6k (including kitlens). Nikon Z50 II has been on my radar due to favorable reviews but im open to any other models with similar spec/price range.

I randomly came across the recently launched Nikon Z50 II which seems just about the right size for travelling & reviews are not bad as well. Seeking some advise from sifu's here for guidance on my first ever camera. Truly appreciate any form of advice & I do apologize in advance if this post is inadequate, still a newbie but im ready to learn the trait. Thank you all!

- Besides Nikon Z50 II, are there any other similar beginner friendly models that's worth a shoutout? Preferably in the similar bracket (price, availability, etc..). I'm open for other recommendations as well.
- If im going ahead with the Nikon Z50 II, shall i get both the kitlens (NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm Lens & NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm Lens). Alternatively, are there any other lens that is worth investing?
- Before getting the camera, are there any items/products that i should invest first in standby ? (lens storage, memory card, cleaner etc..)
- Any trusted & recommended retail stores in Klang Valley region ? Prefer to walk in store instead of buying online. Few of my colleagues recommended KLDSLR store but haven't surveyed yet.
- Are there any photography clubs for knowledge sharing or meetup sessions ? Would be keen to participate to gain more insight knowledge in photography and upskill myself on the hands-on experience.

- Besides Nikon Z50 II, are there any other similar beginner friendly models that's worth a shoutout? Preferably in the similar bracket (price, availability, etc..). I'm open for other recommendations as well.
sony is another great player in mirrorless and its lighter the 6000 series.
- If im going ahead with the Nikon Z50 II, shall i get both the kitlens (NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm Lens & NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm Lens). Alternatively, are there any other lens that is worth investing?
the two lens more or less its the same.. u wont get to enjoy the differences i.e. prime lens or wide angle lens. Why not look for something like 18-200 instead. Dont spend too much on the lens yet and buy as u go. You are looking at DX lens and if your are in to photography you may upgrade ur aps c to full frame and you will need FX lens in future.
- Before getting the camera, are there any items/products that i should invest first in standby ? (lens storage, memory card, cleaner etc..)
try to read on how to swap lens properly with nikon z50. If i m not mistaken they do not have the dust prevention setup during lens change that make your sensor expose during lens change... if i m not mistaken there are additional steps that can be taken. Also.. invest on a dry box to store your lens.
- Any trusted & recommended retail stores in Klang Valley region ? Prefer to walk in store instead of buying online. Few of my colleagues recommended KLDSLR store but haven't surveyed yet.
sad enough nikon official has pulled out from Malaysia. they use to have a official store at Time Square.
- Are there any photography clubs for knowledge sharing or meetup sessions ? Would be keen to participate to gain more insight knowledge in photography and upskill myself on the hands-on experience.

suggest u scroll thru mobile01 reviews first, see the outcome/ result of majority lens, body, combination. pick one u'll intended to perform the same.

https://www.mobile01.com/category.php?id=5

since you are not familiar with any brands yet.

Firstly, to TS, don't be discouraged if initially you find that the photos coming out of your new mirrorless camera doesn't turn out to be nicer than the ones from your phone. I'm saying this to mentally prepare you that learning photography using mirrorless/DLSR is steep, and it might take quite some time to get used to and be good at it. Moreover, as u delve deeper into the mirrorless/DSLR, u will find that you may need more lenses and equipments to achieve specific look in your photography, and it's going to be expensive....really...really expensive. An iPhone is a magical all-in-one automated camera that can take great photos due to its crazy Ai HDR processing, just as long as u don't zoom in and pixel peep. That's why its the perfect seamless tool for social media. But for a mirrorless/DSLR, It's going to require alot of reading, youtubing, learning, researching and technical knowledge. But once u start to get the hang of it, it's going to be rewarding.

I suggest getting the Nikon Z50 II body only, and also the 18-140mm f3.5-6.3. Skip the 16-50mm and 50-250m. Constant changing of lenses for travelling very menyusahkan. Get an extra battery, a camera bag, and a dry box. All these combined going to cost u slightly above your budget, but i think its going to be worth it

Try Sony mirrorless?

i donno which cameras the TS ended up with but here is my journey..

i started off with sony A5100 with kit lens like 10 yrs ago. then bought few prime lenses. 20mm, 35mm, 16mm, 27mm & zoom lenses 18-135, 55-210, 17-50, 70-300 plus another body A6300. recently i also bought fuji X100F, pana LX100, sony RX100mk5 & pana TZ200 (this specifically for long zoom). last week i traded of most of them to get me A7C & a 50mm to start venturing into full frame, & also the ricoh GRiiix. i bought 20mm full frame later also (still in the mail). i consider the ricoh as the direct replacement for the fuji coz the fuji is too big for its purposes.

the only "old" sets that i keep are the 5100 (because it is sooo small) & the 27mm & 18-135 to go with it. still keeping the TZ, RX100 & LX100 for their compact sizes & nice useable focal ranges. might still sell some of them too coz its just too many of them!

hope the journey ends there hahaha

Not including film cameras, i started on the digital side with Canon DSLRs -> Sony mirrorless and recently Fuji.
All requires a learning curve, with Sony being the most technically and competently sound camera with great autofocusing. Great for newbies since the camera handles most of the workload for you.
However to get better colours you would need to do post processing/editing which can be annoying for some.
So you need some knowledge on post processing.

Fuji on the other hand produce great colours sooc due to their film sims. However technical and AF aspects are way lower than Sony. So you need better knowledge in handling cameras instead.

get a sony. u can start with used and older model, then with a decent lens