Wondering what people are thinking about this and why the internet is so quiet about it. I am not happy. Today it decided I couldn’t use the camera without giving it extensive permissions and agreeing to it. Not cool. Update: Open Camera worked and I hope Google doesn’t block this and other apps in September as they are threatening. Almost slipped into agenda posting. You all have the internet too.

  • sbeak@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    0·
    2 months ago

    Just curious what you would recommend, but I am not buying a real camera anytime soon

    In a nutshell, there are five major camera brands: Sony, Canon, Fujifilm, Panasonic, and Nikon. You also have some smaller brands like Pentax, OM System, Sigma, etc., but those five are the ones most people recommend.

    I have the most experience with Sony cameras. They tend to have the best AF with reasonable colours, and the E-mount is HUGE with lots of third-party options. The same mount is used for both their full frame and APS-C lineup, so you can use an APS-C lens on a full frame camera, and vice versa. Sony’s naming conventions are pretty confusing, but I can try to summarise it for you:

    • A6x00 series: APS-C hybrid cameras
      • A6400 is the cheapest currently sold model
      • A6700 is the nicer option that is very good value for what you get: IBIS, 4K 120 fps recording, beefier grip, more modern UI compared to older Sony cameras, etc.
      • A6000, A6100, and A6300 can be found used and are still pretty good
      • A6500 is the older IBIS model, if you need that it’s a solid option
    • A7 series: full frame lineup
      • base models (e.g. A7 III, A7 IV) are good hybrid cameras
      • resolution R series (e.g. A7R V) are heavily photo-centric with very high resolution sensors, so photos is ridiculously high fidelity
      • sensitivity S series (e.g. A7S III) are video-centric with lower resolution sensors and higher dynamic range
      • compact C series (e.g. A7C II, A7CR) use the same internals as the base models, but in a smaller body (and price tag). You don’t get a second SD card slot though, which might be a deal breaker
    • FX lineup: Cinema cameras, probably not for most people BUT!
      • FX30: Very similar to the A7S III but with an APS-C sensor, an internal fan (like the FX3), and a lower MSRP. No EVF, but if you mainly shoot video, it’s a very good deal!
    • ZV lineup: Stands for “Gen Z Vlog”, cheaper plastic body cameras at a lower price tag, video-centric with no EVF
      • ZV-1, ZV-1 II, ZV-1F: 1" sensor point and shoots, the three mainly differ based on their lens and zoom ranges (or lack thereof in the ZV-1F, the F stands for fixed)
      • ZV-E10: APS-C camera, guts of an A6400 with a plastic body and no EVF, has a few additional video features. This is the one I mainly use!
      • ZV-1: Full frame camera, guts of an A7S III with a plastic body and no EVF, an incredible deal for what you get!
    • RX series: Premium point and shoot cameras, avoid these as they aren’t very good deals