dSLR Camera Buyers Guide [So you wanna buy a mirrorless camera (part 4)]
In this final installment of a mirrorless camera buyer’s guide, Im exploring the option to just NOT go mirrorless. To be fair, if in going through these posts you’ve come to any realization it’s that if you were to ask what to buy (mirrorless or an SLR) let’s say three years ago, I’d laugh and say “ go SLR”. Now though, the lines have blurred, and maybe because of people’s early adoption to this slimmed down and streamlined technology and design this could usher a new camera “shape”. How so ever, let’s say you don’t mind the bulk, the mirror, or the pentaprism. Let’s also say money might be tight. Well, with mirrorless technology relatively new it can also be a premium in some cases of buying new or even slightly used. In addition, with mirrorless cameras, unless you want to add the cost of a decent to great lens converter for your camera, SLR cameras (Sony, Nikon, and Canon for starters) have a library of hundreds of different lenses that can work natively… if you choose the same brand lens.
Speaking of which before we dive in I need to stress that glass should be your first concern. In a addition the camera you choose (mirrorless or SLR) no matter the brand and model doesn’t make the photographer. The photographer makes the camera, so use the camera knowledgeable (as the camera can only take you so far with “talent”) and often…go out and snap those picks.
…but Bender…. I need a camera to snap photos.
Well then, let’s get you that SLR camera.
The Big Three…?
Canon, Nikon, …Pentax? …no, Sony?…not unless you want a mirrorless. I should rephrase that, Sony DOES have SLR cameras, but the extent of what I’ve experienced shows Sony has pour all their money into making mirrorless a household name with their brand, and when Nikon and Canon finally made a more than sufficient attempt this year and late last the two “big dogs” were try to punch up on Sony’s lead in the marketshare.
The vari-angle screen is a godsend! Selfies, vlogging, and general odd-angle framing for photography will really benefit.
This brings me to just two brands to suggest confidently: Canon and Nikon. This also should be very telling as to which road you go down: neither is wrong and both take you to greatness when eventually upgrading to a professional body (if or when you are ready). That being said there’s some shades of grey when dealing with these two companies. BOTH have APS-C sensors (a crop factor of x1.6 for Canon and x1.5 for Nikon) which aren’t too different just proprietary to those companies. Both companies chose to incorporate the “vari-angle screen” technology in most all of their entry level cameras. Lastly, while it’s a single slot both companies support SD card technology. the similarities kinda stop there and I’ll be splitting hairs, giving a score and a price with all of these, but in all honesty other than some severe differences all these cameras are great to start photography and work into a higher grade camera.
Nikon
Nikon D3500
+ Very user friend with controls
+ Very nice Image Sensor
- No Vari-angle screen or touch screen
- SnapBridge syncing is awful
24.2 MP APS-C sensor
1080p video
5fps in burst mode
$400
7.5 / 10
Nikon D5600
+ Var-angle touchscreen
+ Great Image Quality (especially in low light)
- SnapBridge is terrible
- Live Focusing is slow to focus vs through the eyepiece
24.2 MP APS-C sensor
1080p video
5 fps in burst mode
$700
8.5 / 10
Canon
Canon SL2
+ Var-angle touchscreen
+ Smaller build
- 9 AF points
- Battery Life is that is a mirrorless camera
24.2 MP APS-C sensor
1080p video
5 fps in burst mode
$600
9 / 10
Canon T7i
+ Var-angle touchscreen
+ 45 AF points w/ Dual Pixel AF
- 3 fps burst mode
- Live Focusing is slow to focus vs through the eyepiece
24.2 MP APS-C sensor
1080p video
3 fps in burst mode
$700
8 / 10
There you have it. Options to choose in this “current year” that will undoubtedly change next year or as early as late this year, 2019. I hope this helped even a little in your decision for a quality beginner camera whether it be for school, a vacation, to walk around, a capture the big game. If you are serious about photography, which I hope you are, I’ll be offering some lessons on understanding photography. Please use this only in tandem to you learning through shooting and any classes you may be taking in photography as some key words may be lost on you. If you have any questions in my wordage going forward leave me a comment, or drop me an email : bender@bendersama.com. Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for Next Week’s blog as they return to their regularly scheduled Thursdays. Cheers!
