Best camera for £400 ($620, €560)
July 26, 2015 11:26 AM Subscribe
What's the best camera I can buy for around £400?
I've previously got by with a "point-and-shoot" compact camera (a Canon IXUS 160), but that's broken and it's time to upgrade. I know very little about cameras and after a few hours researching today I ended up more confused than when I started. I feel like maybe my price point is wrong - too expensive for a compact and too cheap for a DSLR.
Requirements:
I've previously got by with a "point-and-shoot" compact camera (a Canon IXUS 160), but that's broken and it's time to upgrade. I know very little about cameras and after a few hours researching today I ended up more confused than when I started. I feel like maybe my price point is wrong - too expensive for a compact and too cheap for a DSLR.
Requirements:
- It needs to be relatively small and light, but I'm happy for it to be a bit bigger than the IXUS.
- I'm open to it being one of those cameras that you can attach different lenses to, but it needs to come with a lens that takes pictures like the IXUS within the budget (I can buy more lenses later). I think maybe it's called a pancake lens?
- I don't care about video, or the number of megapixels, or shooting in RAW, or anything like that.
Although I have no experience with it, Wirecutter says the Sony a5100 is a good bet. Don't be put off by the "for beginners" designation. It sounds like it gives you plenty of room to grow.
On a less specific note: pretty much any camera in your price range that strikes your fancy and has good reviews will be a great improvement over your Canon IXUS 160, as you'll be in a higher quality class of camera.
posted by The Deej at 11:56 AM on July 26, 2015
On a less specific note: pretty much any camera in your price range that strikes your fancy and has good reviews will be a great improvement over your Canon IXUS 160, as you'll be in a higher quality class of camera.
posted by The Deej at 11:56 AM on July 26, 2015
There are three main classes of standalone cameras:
* Point and shoot, like your IXUS, a small camera with a built-in zoom lens
* Mirrorless cameras, smaller and cheaper than DSLRs, which allow you to swap lenses
* DSLRs, the classic larger, higher quality cameras with large sensors and "real" viewfinders
£400 is indeed an awkward amount, since most point and shoots are less expensive than that, most DSLRs are more expensive (with the appropriate lensing), and while you will be able to find mirrorless cameras in that price range, they're likely to be bulkier than what you expect from a point and shoot, especially with a zoom lens attached.
Going off of your requirements, if you want a point and shoot with excellent picture quality that will fit in your pocket the way the IXUS did, get a Canon G7X. If you want it a little smaller, lighter and cheaper, get a Canon S120.
If you want a slightly larger but still reasonably sized camera where you can experiment with different lenses and manual settings, but that is still small and light, get a Panasonic GM1, which comes with a decent pancake zoom. The A5100 recommended above is also a good camera, but a little larger and substantially heavier than the GM1.
Pay close attention to the weight and dimensions of these cameras, because with the IXUS you're used to a particularly light camera.
posted by eschatfische at 11:59 AM on July 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
* Point and shoot, like your IXUS, a small camera with a built-in zoom lens
* Mirrorless cameras, smaller and cheaper than DSLRs, which allow you to swap lenses
* DSLRs, the classic larger, higher quality cameras with large sensors and "real" viewfinders
£400 is indeed an awkward amount, since most point and shoots are less expensive than that, most DSLRs are more expensive (with the appropriate lensing), and while you will be able to find mirrorless cameras in that price range, they're likely to be bulkier than what you expect from a point and shoot, especially with a zoom lens attached.
Going off of your requirements, if you want a point and shoot with excellent picture quality that will fit in your pocket the way the IXUS did, get a Canon G7X. If you want it a little smaller, lighter and cheaper, get a Canon S120.
If you want a slightly larger but still reasonably sized camera where you can experiment with different lenses and manual settings, but that is still small and light, get a Panasonic GM1, which comes with a decent pancake zoom. The A5100 recommended above is also a good camera, but a little larger and substantially heavier than the GM1.
Pay close attention to the weight and dimensions of these cameras, because with the IXUS you're used to a particularly light camera.
posted by eschatfische at 11:59 AM on July 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: If you're willing to consider mirrorless
What does this mean? I understand that it means the camera doesn't have a mirror, but what is the effect of this?
posted by alby at 12:02 PM on July 26, 2015
What does this mean? I understand that it means the camera doesn't have a mirror, but what is the effect of this?
posted by alby at 12:02 PM on July 26, 2015
Nikon Coolpix P900. http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/COOLPIX-P900.html.
posted by JohnE at 12:02 PM on July 26, 2015
posted by JohnE at 12:02 PM on July 26, 2015
What does this mean? I understand that it means the camera doesn't have a mirror, but what is the effect of this?
A DSLR has an internal mirror assembly designed to project the image into an integrated optical viewfinder. A mirrorless camera instead relies on a video screen for focus and framing, as a phone or a modern point and shoot camera does. This allows the mirrorless camera to be smaller and cheaper than a DSLR, but still provide a larger image sensor than point and shoot cameras or phones, while also providing the flexibility of being able to use multiple, swappable lenses.
posted by eschatfische at 12:07 PM on July 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
A DSLR has an internal mirror assembly designed to project the image into an integrated optical viewfinder. A mirrorless camera instead relies on a video screen for focus and framing, as a phone or a modern point and shoot camera does. This allows the mirrorless camera to be smaller and cheaper than a DSLR, but still provide a larger image sensor than point and shoot cameras or phones, while also providing the flexibility of being able to use multiple, swappable lenses.
posted by eschatfische at 12:07 PM on July 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
What does this mean? I understand that it means the camera doesn't have a mirror, but what is the effect of this?
Here's a breakdown
I think it basically boils down to what your needs/wants are, but people above are correct in saying that if you're just looking for something comparable or better than your IXUS many options would suffice.
posted by sprezzy at 12:08 PM on July 26, 2015
Here's a breakdown
I think it basically boils down to what your needs/wants are, but people above are correct in saying that if you're just looking for something comparable or better than your IXUS many options would suffice.
posted by sprezzy at 12:08 PM on July 26, 2015
I have a Sony DSC-RX100M II and I really like it. It's been called the best pocket camera by a number of reviewers.
posted by vegartanipla at 12:19 PM on July 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by vegartanipla at 12:19 PM on July 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
A couple of resources I think you'll find helpful:
The Wirecutter - Which Camera Should I Get?
Ken Rockwell
FYI, your price point is actually not too low for a DSLR at all! You can get an entry-level Nikon with the kit lens (a basic lens sold with the camera, usually a fairly versatile lens that isn't specialized but is serviceable in most situations) for under $500 USD. Their current one is the D3300. I would recommend something like that Nikon camera to someone who wants to learn more about photography and have a lot more customization and options, so if that's not you I'd upgrade to a nicer point-and-shoot - or just use your phone camera if you have a newish smartphone.
posted by capricorn at 1:23 PM on July 26, 2015
The Wirecutter - Which Camera Should I Get?
Ken Rockwell
FYI, your price point is actually not too low for a DSLR at all! You can get an entry-level Nikon with the kit lens (a basic lens sold with the camera, usually a fairly versatile lens that isn't specialized but is serviceable in most situations) for under $500 USD. Their current one is the D3300. I would recommend something like that Nikon camera to someone who wants to learn more about photography and have a lot more customization and options, so if that's not you I'd upgrade to a nicer point-and-shoot - or just use your phone camera if you have a newish smartphone.
posted by capricorn at 1:23 PM on July 26, 2015
I am quite entranced by my Canon 100D DSLR which can be had for $500 nowadays, I won't repeat what I said before on a previous Ask thread.
I too was previously moving from a compact camera I really liked before (LX7) and I wanted an upgrade in terms of quality but nothing fancy (as I liked the simplicity of the compacts) and I found the Canon 100D body and kit lens combination actually mimics the LX7 quite well so I found myself quite at home with it immediately. Like, it's larger, of course, but the image quality of a DSLR is instantly and recognizable better than having a compact, so you might want to see if the size trade off will be worth it. I'm using it just like I would a compact - it's durable enough to take a few knocks, weather resistant enough to take it in the dust and snow and cheap enough that having it be taken out by an unlucky accident won't cause me too much grief and I never intend to buy any more lenses for it. I find at that price point, with compacts like the RX100, you begin to start paying a hefty premium for its small form factor (like laptops vs desktops) and if you actually can live with the larger size you should just go ahead and get a DSLR.
posted by xdvesper at 4:20 PM on July 26, 2015
I too was previously moving from a compact camera I really liked before (LX7) and I wanted an upgrade in terms of quality but nothing fancy (as I liked the simplicity of the compacts) and I found the Canon 100D body and kit lens combination actually mimics the LX7 quite well so I found myself quite at home with it immediately. Like, it's larger, of course, but the image quality of a DSLR is instantly and recognizable better than having a compact, so you might want to see if the size trade off will be worth it. I'm using it just like I would a compact - it's durable enough to take a few knocks, weather resistant enough to take it in the dust and snow and cheap enough that having it be taken out by an unlucky accident won't cause me too much grief and I never intend to buy any more lenses for it. I find at that price point, with compacts like the RX100, you begin to start paying a hefty premium for its small form factor (like laptops vs desktops) and if you actually can live with the larger size you should just go ahead and get a DSLR.
posted by xdvesper at 4:20 PM on July 26, 2015
Check out the Olympus PEN -- in my view, it is ideal for somebody with your budget, and for somebody who is accustomed to point-and-shoot but who would now like something with a little more oomph. It takes great pictures with as little fuss as a point-and-shoot, but you can easily up the fuss level for more control.
posted by kmennie at 9:14 PM on July 26, 2015
posted by kmennie at 9:14 PM on July 26, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks, everyone. We went with a Sony a6000 in the end - we really liked the a5100 recommended here, but found we could get the a6000 for the same price with a cash back deal, and we liked the a6000's form factor and features slightly more.
posted by alby at 10:12 AM on July 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by alby at 10:12 AM on July 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'm not a camera pro at all, but I recently got more into photography and bought my first "big girl" camera. If you're willing to consider mirrorless, I highly recommend that option. I ended up getting the Sony a6000, and I've been extremely pleased so far--I love love love it. It will definitely be bigger than your IXUS, but significantly smaller than a DSLR (which was important to me, since I took it traveling). If you're willing to stretch your budget a bit, you can get the body and kit lens for under $700 (and potentially cheaper, if you search around online). Full disclosure, I ended up forgoing the kit lens and just buying the SEL35F18 prime lens for it, which is fantastic but much higher than your budget.
Definitely check out the links in the reddit post above for exploring your options. Good luck!
posted by sprezzy at 11:53 AM on July 26, 2015