So I'm thinking about buying my first good quality digital camera for my own use. I've been shooting film for 7 years now and before that I either used my phone or a little canon elph point and shoot that my wife and I shared. I've never had a decent DSLR or mirrorless camera. I don't know a lot about all the different tech (although I've been trying to educate myself through youtube). I also have a budget of about $1,200 cdn for the body only. I'm hoping I could get some opinions from the community at large on what's good. I do have a camera in mind though but not sure if my reasoning is sound. Hoping people wouldn't mind sharing their opinions.
So how I use my camera is:
Stills photo only. I have no need for video in any capacity.
I mostly shoot nature and travel photos. My camera comes out with me on long hikes. Smaller and lightweight is a benefit for me. I'm hoping to avoid large bodies and large lenses.
My favorite lens that I own is a 100mm macro lens. It's close focusing distance is only a few inches but also works well for images at infinity. I use it 60% of the time. Usually the widest I shoot is 55mm unless I'm away travelling where I'd use a 35mm focal length.
I usually only go out during the day with my camera. While I take a few photos in the house at night, it's less often (usually birthdays, Christmas morning).
I only rarely use flash. Mostly because of how I shoot along with my lack of knowledge currently on how to properly use a flash.
I need to be able to buy an adapter so I have the option to use some of my Voigtlander M mount lenses on occasion, but I plan on buying a native lens or two.
This time around I'm hoping to stay away from prime lenses. I'd prefer to use lenses that allow me to zoom from a wider focal length to one more telephoto. Hopefully one that could cover from 35mm to maybe as much as 135mm ish.
The largest I've ever printed anything is 8" x 12". I can't see me wanting to print larger.
Given my cost and size restrictions I've been looking into the micro 4/3 systems. I've seen lots of videos saying this sensor size is dead now. That it has poorer low light capabilities and tops out at 16mp. Given my usage pattern above I would think that these restrictions won't really come into play for me. Their unpopularity results in a good camera at an excellent price.
I've been debating buying an Olympus OM-D E-M5 which fits the budget. It's small and lightweight. 16mp will produce a decent 8x10/12. It also sells a lens that covers 14-150mm which for it's focal range is physically quite small. ( I think that means the full frame equivalent is 28-300). What are people's opinions on my choice? Am I missing a camera that's better that will fit my needs? Where I'm quite inexperienced with digital cameras and the technology I'm sure there may be better options out there that I've simply missed. I appreciate everyone's feedback and hope to use your opinions to help make my selection. Thanks for your input.
So how I use my camera is:
Stills photo only. I have no need for video in any capacity.
I mostly shoot nature and travel photos. My camera comes out with me on long hikes. Smaller and lightweight is a benefit for me. I'm hoping to avoid large bodies and large lenses.
My favorite lens that I own is a 100mm macro lens. It's close focusing distance is only a few inches but also works well for images at infinity. I use it 60% of the time. Usually the widest I shoot is 55mm unless I'm away travelling where I'd use a 35mm focal length.
I usually only go out during the day with my camera. While I take a few photos in the house at night, it's less often (usually birthdays, Christmas morning).
I only rarely use flash. Mostly because of how I shoot along with my lack of knowledge currently on how to properly use a flash.
I need to be able to buy an adapter so I have the option to use some of my Voigtlander M mount lenses on occasion, but I plan on buying a native lens or two.
This time around I'm hoping to stay away from prime lenses. I'd prefer to use lenses that allow me to zoom from a wider focal length to one more telephoto. Hopefully one that could cover from 35mm to maybe as much as 135mm ish.
The largest I've ever printed anything is 8" x 12". I can't see me wanting to print larger.
Given my cost and size restrictions I've been looking into the micro 4/3 systems. I've seen lots of videos saying this sensor size is dead now. That it has poorer low light capabilities and tops out at 16mp. Given my usage pattern above I would think that these restrictions won't really come into play for me. Their unpopularity results in a good camera at an excellent price.
I've been debating buying an Olympus OM-D E-M5 which fits the budget. It's small and lightweight. 16mp will produce a decent 8x10/12. It also sells a lens that covers 14-150mm which for it's focal range is physically quite small. ( I think that means the full frame equivalent is 28-300). What are people's opinions on my choice? Am I missing a camera that's better that will fit my needs? Where I'm quite inexperienced with digital cameras and the technology I'm sure there may be better options out there that I've simply missed. I appreciate everyone's feedback and hope to use your opinions to help make my selection. Thanks for your input.