Find solution
What are the best DSLR cameras still under $600?

How should I choose which type of digital camera to buy: a hybrid, a small DSLR, or a mirrorless?

  • To make this question useful for more people, answers to the question in general would be great.  Beyond that, answers specific to my preferences would be awesome.    I mostly use it to take awesome site seeing photos while traveling, and to make photo books with them.  These are my priorities:   - fast and sharp auto focus - no or minimal lag so I can take drive-by photos - true color, well-saturated - "true to life" look, not flat boring (related to auto f-stop settings?) - allows for partial manual control (eg. shutter speed), but also does a great job on fully automatic settings - fairly small, say max 3" front to back so I can fit it in my day bag - can take pictures with one hand occasionally, even if slightly awkward (my grip is pretty strong as a Crossfitter) - able to take great night photos without a tripod (min ISO 1600) I'm not so concerned about high megapixel count, since most of these cameras are 12MP+ anyway, and I'd hate to sacrifice speed or quality in low light just for a higher MP count.  Because of this, I might actually prefer something in the 12MP range, but I'm not sure.   I currently have a hybrid super zoom aka bridge camera, ie. a high end point and shoot that has many of the features of a DSLR.  I have the Canon G7, which I was pretty happy with, but it's ready to quit any day, and some of my friends are recommending a DSLR, or other hybrids.   I don't even know the differences between a mirrorless and a DSLR, but from what I've read, it sounds like it might be a good option for me as well.   Oh, and I was originally thinking the $600-800 price range, but would be willing to go higher if my priorities as described above are met significantly better than with the $800 options. Cameras my friends have suggested: Canon T5i Rebel or Canon 70D Canon PowerShot G16 (an update to my G7) Fuji X E1 or E2 with 35mm f1 8 lens Fuji X 100s or any Fuji X Canon EOS Rebel

  • Answer:

    It sounds like you are looking for a mirrorless camera. more specifically, you might consider a micro 4/3s camera. In general, μ4/3 cameras are smaller and provide more functions that dSLRs; they are also typically cheaper, and, more importantly, their lenses are also cheaper and often of similar quality to DSLR lenses, sometimes even better. The Olympus PEN line is pretty good, as is the Sony NEX. Here is a table comparing some of the most popular models: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2364044,00.asp To answer some of your points: - All of these give you full manual controls, partial manual, or fully auto. I never use auto myself (well, except on my iPhone), but most cameras these days seem to give you good to decent shots on auto. - Most if not all current μ4/3 models include some form of stabilization, so you might be able to take shots one handed. I wouldn't recommend it, but the option is there. - great night photos is more problematic. All current models have higher than 1600iso, but that's honestly not going to help much. You may get a decent handheld shot with the ISO cranked up, but it will probably be very noisy and won’t make you very happy. Great night shots shots are something you have to pay money for. - true color and true to life look. You'll have to do your own research here and check sample photos for each camera to find what you want. This is a very subjective category. What I think are true colors you may think are not. Each camera company has their own way of doing things. - to that point, however, I will add if you shoot raw then you can use Lightroom or another application to get the exact look you want. You can process the photo as you like instead of relying on what the camera decides.

David A. LaSpina at Quora Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

Your primary use seems to be travel.  I can say that I have travelled with camera equipment as large as a 4x4 view camera which, with lenses, tripod and film weighs between 50 and 70 pounds.  I have also traveled with a full dSLR kit with everything from wide to super-telephoto lenses and that can weigh 20-30 pounds.  But, this has been when my primary reason for the travel was photography. I have been eyeing several camera systems that I like that are excellent for travel.  There is the Leica system which is fantastic but expensive.  Plus the manual focus would be trouble for my old eyes.  That said, the rangefinder format is wonderful for street and travel photography.  The other is the Fuji X100s.  It is roughly 1/10th the price but retains a rangefinder format.  Perhaps the X-E1 if you want to carry multiple lenses.  All of these have a viewfinder (optical or electronic) and the Fuji (at least the X100s) has a very fast hybrid phase and contrast detection system.  The format is small and light (just a couple pounds) and the photos are decent.  These will not match the capabilities of the larger cameras I have carried but I won't need a backpack just for my camera gear. By the way, to me a viewfinder is very important.  If you are in full sun you just cannot see well enough without a viewfinder and you will miss many photo opportunities.

Michael T. Lauer

Based on your priorities: - Fast and sharp autofocus Sounds like DSLR or some mirrorless like Fuji X-T1 or X-E2 with hybrid AF (but 6D with L lenses is faster) - No or minimal lag My X-T1 is pretty fast but it's always on for me and it's in "high performance" mode (I have 4 batteries...) however x100s should be way faster here... (prime lens only) - Colors I just love Fuji for colors... that was main reason why I chose it  - "true to life" look, not flat boring This is relared to lens quality which Fuji just nailed, but Full Frame is still better when it comes to background blur (1.2 lens on FF will give you more blur than 1.2 on APS-C) - Controls I love X-T1 here - it has all controls outsude but is also awesome with auto / JPEG's - One hand operation Again my beloved X-T1 (I'm keeping it in one hand, lenses are not too heavy so they are not dragging front of your camera down) - grip is perfect - not too big, not too smalll and it's fairly light - Night photos The APS-C sensor in X-T1 and X-100S are awesome but in this case Canon 6D is better My dream setup would be X-T1 for most of my photography, X100s to have it always with me and 6D for special projects (wild life, fast sports etc) and these are only bodies... lens selection is completely separate topic :)

Łukasz Korbasiewicz

The distinguishing factors here are AF speed and high ISO. Any current camera will be competent in the other areas you outline. Let me say though that "true color" is very subjective no matter what people will tell you because accurate color is rarely "pleasing" color. Every camera manufacturer tweaks the colors to achieve a signature "look". The quality and speed of the lens and the light will also effect this. I would recommend the Sony A6000. * The AF speed (with all camera systems this also depends on the lens) is on par with, or faster, than all but the fastest DSLRS ( think $6k+ D4S and 1D). * ISO 1600 is pushing the limit for m4/3. You may find the results acceptable. If you are printing smaller than 16x20 (AKA 12MP) ISO 3200 should be more than acceptable on the A6000. Fuji is a little better, Canon is about the same. * the responsiveness will be better than any Fuji except the XT-1 (which is out of your price range) * It is very small. Smaller than any camera you have listed. * Excels at partial automatic settings (like A or S priority) and will work well on manual. * it is the best value (currently) in your price range. I would avoid Canon unless you are prepared to invest in their professional line of lenses. The 70D is a solid camera but no any better IQ, AF, or speed than the other, cheaper options available.

Joel Richards

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.