Tanager 101 Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 Hello everyone. I was wondering what all of you think the best mirrorless cameras are at different price ranges; specifically about $350, $600, $800, and $1000. Minimum of 24 MP. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 Oh, boy... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonestranger Posted August 13 Share Posted August 13 A quick google search found these suggestions. https://www.keh.com/shop/blog/best-mirrorless-cameras-under-1000 https://www.rtings.com/camera/reviews/best/by-price/mirrorless-under-1000 https://photographyforrealestate.net/best-mirrorless-camera-under-1000/ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackburnian Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 (edited) I think $650 is probably a tad low for a mirrorless, and $350 certainly is. Idk of any that cheap. I’m a Canon shooter so most familiar with them. You’re best options are the EOS R, which was Canon’s first mirrorless in their current R series, and the R10. The R is a full-frame 30 MP, but my understanding is that it struggles to keep up with Canon’s newer, faster RF lenses like the 100-400 and 100-500. You will need to get this used to fit your budget. You can get the R10 (new) for just under $1000. I would recommend that if you go Canon. 24 MP APS-C. Aside from Canon, Sony is the best brand for mirrorless. For under $1000, the a6400 seems like an excellent choice. There may be some cheaper options out there, but I would recommend spending towards the higher end of your budget for the best results. With that being said, I would invest in a better lens vs a better camera body. Edited August 14 by blackburnian 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackburnian Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 (edited) Ignore Edited August 14 by blackburnian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackburnian Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 (edited) I believe the AF system in the R10 is similar to that of the R7 that I use. You’ll be blown away by the speed and eye-tracking if you’re coming from a DSLR. Edited August 14 by blackburnian 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonestranger Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 If you haven't budgeted for a birding lens to go with the mirrorless camera, you may want to consider a super zoom Point and Shoot which is technically a mirrorless camera with a built in lens. Just throwing that out there because the cost of good birding lenses can get pricey. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackburnian Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 (edited) 23 minutes ago, lonestranger said: If you haven't budgeted for a birding lens to go with the mirrorless camera, you may want to consider a super zoom Point and Shoot which is technically a mirrorless camera with a built in lens. Just throwing that out there because the cost of good birding lenses can get pricey. Good point. The lens is usually as expensive as the body, if not more. With that said, if you go with the R10, you can get the RF100-400mm for less than $600. I shoot with this lens, and I think that dollar for dollar, it’s one of the best on the market. The R10 is a crop-sensor (1.6x), so the 100-400 will essentially function as a 640mm lens. I don’t think Sony offers any telephoto superzooms that are comparable price-wise, so that may be a strike against the a6400. They’re flagship 200-600 is excellent, but will run you a little under $2k. All in, the setup I’m recommending (R10 w/RF100-400) will cost ~$1600. Edited August 14 by blackburnian 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoroark Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 (edited) I'm also likely going to be selling off my Nikon D3300 DSLR and Sigma 150-600mm lens within the next year, jumping over to either the Canon or Sony mirrorless system. I've heard that both companies have made great strides with eye focusing on wildlife, while Nikon lags a bit behind. Exactly which camera and lens require research, and I'm not sure of my budget yet (probably $2,000), but I'll take @blackburnian's suggestions into consideration. I'm leaning Canon due to the lens selection. There's also that ridiculous 800mm f/11, which you can even attach a teleconverter to get 1600mm f/22 (2400mm on an APS-C), but good luck finding anything with that. That and grabbing a good, compact superzoom for non-birding vacations (the P1000 is out because it's huge). I know @Charlie Spencer recommended the Lumix FZ80K. Edited August 14 by Zoroark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 1 hour ago, Zoroark said: I know @Charlie Spencer recommended the Lumix FZ80K. Technically, I recommended the FZ70, the previous model. I haven't had hands-on experience with the 80. @IKLland, didn't you have an FZ80? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 1 hour ago, Charlie Spencer said: Technically, I recommended the FZ70, the previous model. I haven't had hands-on experience with the 80. @IKLland, didn't you have an FZ80? Yes, it was ok, but if your budget is higher than this price, which @Tanager 101’s is, AND if you can’t afford a good lens and mirrorless camera, the point and shoot I would recommend the Nikon p900 or p950, or one of those higher end point and shoots that Nikon has. The p1000 will be the best one, but it’s more expensive. By getting a point and shoot, however, you will have more zoom, but you will have drastically worse autofocus capabilities as well as image quality, etc. only get one of you know you can’t afford the R10 and rf 100-400 combo. Sell your old gear too, you can be surprised at how many people buy used gear. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 (edited) 9 minutes ago, IKLland said: but if your budget is higher than this price, which @Tanager 101’s is, AND if you can’t afford a good lens and mirrorless camera, I @'ed you regarding Zoroark's sidebar question regarding lightweight P&S's, not Tanager's original question. Yeah, the P9x0 are a step up from the Panny (and are priced accordingly). Man, that P1000 weighs too much for Z's casual travel purposes. I still have the 70; Z can test it next time he's out here 😉 Edited August 14 by Charlie Spencer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 14 minutes ago, Charlie Spencer said: I @'ed you regarding Zoroark's sidebar question regarding lightweight P&S's, not Tanager's original question. Yeah, the P9x0 are a step up from the Panny (and are priced accordingly). Man, that P1000 weighs too much for Z's casual travel purposes. I still have the 70; Z can test it next time he's out here 😉 Well in that case, the FZ-80 was a good camera for the price, but it comes with many performance drawbacks obviously. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanager 101 Posted August 14 Author Share Posted August 14 Thanks for the suggestions everyone!!! I should have just specified my thoughts for a $350 mirrorless camera was the sony a6000. You can get it for "like new" at that price and wondered if it might be a good bird camera. It have 11 FPS I believe and 24 MP (APSC). On the note of the R10 does it specifically have the Bird eye-AF? I've never really looked into that model... Also for all of these cameras I'd take thoughts on adapters too (I have a sigma 150-600mm canon ef mount currently) If sony, I think the sigma MC-11 looks like a good one. Would this significantly slow down AF though? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 16 minutes ago, Tanager 101 said: Thanks for the suggestions everyone!!! I should have just specified my thoughts for a $350 mirrorless camera was the sony a6000. You can get it for "like new" at that price and wondered if it might be a good bird camera. It have 11 FPS I believe and 24 MP (APSC). On the note of the R10 does it specifically have the Bird eye-AF? I've never really looked into that model... Also for all of these cameras I'd take thoughts on adapters too (I have a sigma 150-600mm canon ef mount currently) If sony, I think the sigma MC-11 looks like a good one. Would this significantly slow down AF though? The R10 has bird eye tracking AF. It’s fantastic. If you get a canon, do your best to try not to use an adapter. Most, if not all, lenses adapted into a RF camera drastically worsen when it comes to autofocus. I use the sigma on my R7 adapter, and it works fine, but most copies of the sigma don’t work well, I got very very lucky. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birds are cool Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 6 hours ago, IKLland said: @Tanager 101 surprised at how many people buy used gear. That's the way I do it. As a young teenager without a job, I can't afford much else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted August 14 Share Posted August 14 Just now, Birds are cool said: As a young teenager without a job, I can't afford much else. Same 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 On 8/14/2023 at 12:15 PM, IKLland said: Sell your old gear too, you can be surprised at how many people buy used gear. About half the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipperatl Posted August 16 Share Posted August 16 On 8/14/2023 at 5:55 PM, Tanager 101 said: Thanks for the suggestions everyone!!! I should have just specified my thoughts for a $350 mirrorless camera was the sony a6000. You can get it for "like new" at that price and wondered if it might be a good bird camera. It have 11 FPS I believe and 24 MP (APSC). On the note of the R10 does it specifically have the Bird eye-AF? I've never really looked into that model... Also for all of these cameras I'd take thoughts on adapters too (I have a sigma 150-600mm canon ef mount currently) If sony, I think the sigma MC-11 looks like a good one. Would this significantly slow down AF though? I quickly ponied up for the RF 100-500 after only a few weeks (if that) of using the Sigma 150-600 with adapter. It was horribly slow to AF on the R5. Everything I see says the R10 has the animal eye focus. If it is even half as good as the R5, it will be a game-changer for you. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanager 101 Posted August 16 Author Share Posted August 16 Follow-up question: Is animal and bird eye AF the same thing? Some cameras just have animal and others have a specific option for birds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted August 16 Share Posted August 16 3 hours ago, Tanager 101 said: Follow-up question: Is animal and bird eye AF the same thing? Some cameras just have animal and others have a specific option for birds. For canon it is 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonestranger Posted August 16 Share Posted August 16 My R6 only has People and Animals as options for the eye detection. The Animal eye detection works so well on birds that I'm not sure that a Bird specific setting could make it any better. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipperatl Posted August 16 Share Posted August 16 6 hours ago, Tanager 101 said: Follow-up question: Is animal and bird eye AF the same thing? Some cameras just have animal and others have a specific option for birds. it’s probably just some marketing-talk. Canon is animal, but it nails a bird’s eye. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted August 16 Share Posted August 16 No, Birds-Eye is frozen vegetables. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanager 101 Posted August 16 Author Share Posted August 16 Does anyone know if "animal eye AF" works for birds on Sony cameras? Specifically one like the A7R III? Also thanks for all the answers ya'll have given me. It's been really helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now