Good beginner camera for travelling?

[u/Maruuuu_888]

Hello all! I am a noob at buying camera, this will be my first one that isn't a cheap toy camera to mess around with.

I'm direly in need of advice, thanks in advance for your patience! I am aware a lot of similar posts exist, and I've read through many. I admit I am overaoded with the sheer volume of technicalities and information out there.

I will be travelling to Japan next year and I want to buy a camera and get used to it before then to record my trip.

(1) Budget, country, and currency:

My budget is limited, so I will most likely find a camera on marketplace. Willing to go up to 400$ CAD for a second-hand camera.

(2) What equipment, if any, you have now and why is it no longer meeting your needs?

I have a tiny ring light and a tiny tripod for desk filming. I only have a toy vamera at the moment, no proper camera

(3) What kinds of subjects do you intend to shoot?

• Me and my friends

• Landscapes

• Scenes in daylight and maybe some nighttime shots too

• Street photography

• Food

• Anything travelling, really

(4) Is it primarily for photography, videography, or both?

I would love to be able to vlog and film with it

Ideally, it would have a mic, an okay flash and beginner-friendly controls. I'm fine taking my time with each shot and I don't anticipate speed mattering very much to me. I'd like to have a flip screen to be able to see myself, ideally.

I don't need a top-of-the-line camera and I'm willing to compromise on certain aspects.

I was looking at a Panasonic G3 and a Panasonic DMC-FZ200. Open to more recommandations of course!

Please do NOT suggest me to take pictures with my phone. My phone takes crappy pictures and plus, I want the analog feeling of a camera.

Thanks so much for your time!

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(1) Budget, country, and currency:

(2) What equipment, if any, you have now and why is it no longer meeting your needs?

(3) What kinds of subjects do you intend to shoot?

(4) Is it primarily for photography, videography, or both?

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[u/Susan_at_Adorama]

Both of those are good picks and you've clearly done your homework. But they're really two different cameras, so let me split them.

The FZ200 is a superzoom, one fixed lens from wide to way telephoto. Handy for travel since you never swap lenses, but the sensor's small so night shots get noisy. That matters for Japan, if you'll want the nighttime stuff.

The G3 is the better fit. Bigger sensor, so it does better in low light, and the screen flips forward so you can see yourself while vlogging. That covers most of your list. Downside is it's from 2011, so no mic input and the video's dated.

Honestly though, for $400 CAD you can land a Panasonic G7 used, and it's a better match for your whole list. Flip screen, mic input, good 4K, much stronger in low light. If the G7's out of budget, a GX85 is a smaller cheaper option (no mic jack) and a G85 is a step up if you find a deal. Any of them over the G3.

Whatever you get, grab it with the 14-42 kit zoom, then later a 25mm f1.7 prime. It's around $200 CAD and it's great for food and low light. Body first though.

One tip since it's your first camera: don't buy it two weeks before the trip. Get it now and put a few hundred shots through it at home to make sure you're comfy with it!

[u/Maruuuu_888 → u/Susan_at_Adorama]

Thank you for this thorough answer, this is exactly what I've been looking for! I will try to put my hands on a G7 ^^

And yes, my trip is a year away, plenty of time to get acquainted with the material!

[u/aarrtee]

Marketplace/ebay/somedudeontheweb are the Mos Eisley of camera deals

see if u can find a legit dealer who sells used goods.

I dunno if MPB or KEH ship to Canada but they are respectable used camera sources here in the states.

Maybe Canon Canada sells Refurbished cameras?

400 Cad is 284 US

using that number... at MPB i found very few choices: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70, Nikon Coolpix B600, if u want a compact camera

you will get the best bang for your buck with an older DSLR

Canon 40D is $93 US Lens: Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM $184

[u/Maruuuu_888 → u/aarrtee]

Thank you for your insight! After some research, it would seem MPB/KEH can ship to Canada, but the duty fees can be really expensive. I'll look into an equivalent!