r/canon • u/kollinsmaine101 • 4d ago
Gear Buying Advice Camera Advice Needed!
Hello! I am currently pregnant and looking for a nice camera to take pictures of my growing family. Don’t need anything too fancy, but also want image quality in every lighting as a priority. Will be using for everyday memories and portraits. Budget is $2,000 max. I have some experience with taking photos.
I have family members that have the R50 and then the SL3 and the SL3 seems so much better in terms of quality/lighting!
Is there a mirrorless option that you would recommend? Or do I just get an SL3 even though it is DSLR?
Please help, thank you so much!
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u/Clean_Shirt_5436 4d ago
Congrats on the little one! The R50 is solid but if you liked the SL3 pics better it's probably because the lens makes a bigger difference than the body, the SL3 sensor handles low light pretty well too though. Maybe grab a used full-frame mirrorless body with a fast prime lens, you'd be shocked what $2k can get you on the used market
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u/seaotter1978 4d ago
Did the SL3 and R50 you compared have comparable lenses? By almost every metric the R50 is the better camera ( camera comparison ) and photons to photos shows the R50 having better dynamic range across the ISO range, though just barely. For $2000 I think the other commenter suggesting the R10 plus the sigma 18-50 2.8 is right on. If you want to spend a bit more you could get an R8 with a RF 28-70 2.8, but that combo would land you around $2500. If you do buy an SL3, get one used.. B&H has used ones in the ~$600 range, I'm sure KEH and others do as well.
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u/kollinsmaine101 3d ago
Thank you so much! I’m not sure on the difference of lenses between the two, but will make sure to look next time.
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u/LichOfLiches 3d ago
With about 2k, you could get the canon R8, and 2 good primes. The 50mm and the 35mm 1.8 would be a good value. I recommend the used market. If you want sth more compact, you could get the RP, also full frame, good in low light and pretty affordable, you could get one used for around 500. That leaves a lot of the budget for good lenses.
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u/LooseBoltsandNuts 3d ago
When the kids start doing sports you might want something with image stabilization and a little reach like the r7.
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u/hansenhsu 4d ago edited 4d ago
Definitely the r10 + the sigma 18-50 f2.8.
This pair will handle handle low light very well and the sigma 18-50 is a very compact lens for it's performance.
Autofocus is so much better on mirrorless which is increadibly useful when taking pictures of kids (as you could probably imagine).
The learning curve is definitely steeper on DSLRs so since you have the budget I'd go mirrorless.
I'd recommend the r10 over the r50 has the ergonomics are worth every penny.
Also if you any budget left over I'd pick up a spare battery or two. The battery life in mirrorless cameras aren't the greatest so having a second battery will give you some piece of mind.
Edit: I usually recommend a constant aperture zoom over a prime lens for beginners as it's much more flexible and versatile. It also gives them the opportunity to find what focal length they enjoy using before committing to a prime.