Art and Photography

Help Needed for a Budget Mirrorless Camera

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Apr 28, 2002
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Help Needed for a Budget Mirrorless Camera

Looking to travel so small and compact is best. Used to always use a point and shoot and would like a better camera for better quality picture. I don't know much in photography so something simple to use would be best.

Was looking at the Samsung NX1000 and sony nex 3n, but other cheaper or value recommendations are appreciated!

Or maybe I might be even better off getting a good Point and Shoot? I just want somehting with better image quality. I currently have the Nikon Coolpix S8000.

Was hoping to buy used to save a few bucks (Is this a good idea?? anything i should be worried about when buying used?)

Thanks!
ERTW!!
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Is zoom important to you? What's your price range? Nx1000 and NX300 or even nx20 if a bit bigger isn't a problem are great cameras for the $$ but don't suit everyone. There's also the NX mini but a bit harder to find at a reasonable price.

Otherwise Sony has a nice P&S but I remember it being expensive

Before giving you serious suggestions answer the first few questions because an ILC may not be for you if you are looking for good zoom and portability
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Aug 5, 2012
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Samsung NX1000 is old. There is a NX2000 last year and this year Samsung has the NX3000 model. Because NX1000 is dated, it is slightly cheaper.

Samsung NX3000 looks good. Other possible choices are Panasonic Lumix GM1, Panasonic Lumix GX7, Fujifilm X-A1 or the expensive Fujifilm X-T1. These models may costs more than your budgeted Samsung NX1000. The cheapest maybe the Fujifilm X-A1, about $500.

If you want to stick to Samsung, get the Samsung NX3000 for the latest technology.
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nex3 is great but i find it a bit heavier than a S1.
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a Sony with the 16-50 (e.g. A5000, or NEX3N) is a great all around camera (both video and pictures)

If you don't mind something bigger, the Fuji X-A1 is also great (for still pictures)
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You can get a point and shoot with manual control options which will give you that better quality picture. I just got the Canon SX280, so far I'm very happy with the picture quality, and 20x zoom is nice. It does have an issue in video mode, but that's minor to me. For about $100 more there is the new SX700, pretty much the same camera but now with a 30x zoom.

Both are still quite small for travel which is why I went with it. And basically I only like Canon.

You did not mention your budget, I got the SX280 for ~$250
That's my 2cents worth
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Agree. High end point-and-shoot cameras can produce better quality pictures than a low-end mirrorless or DSLR. A good example is the Lumix LX5. It is outdated now, the newer Lumix point-and-shoot model now is Lumix LF1.
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Nx1000 is still a great camera and pics between it and nx3000 is négligeable difference. Nx1000 can be found in the 200$ range

IMO depending on zoom and size preferences, P&S or super zooms are great for the price and much easier to use than ILC most of the time

rollei wrote: Samsung NX1000 is old. There is a NX2000 last year and this year Samsung has the NX3000 model. Because NX1000 is dated, it is slightly cheaper.

Samsung NX3000 looks good. Other possible choices are Panasonic Lumix GM1, Panasonic Lumix GX7, Fujifilm X-A1 or the expensive Fujifilm X-T1. These models may costs more than your budgeted Samsung NX1000. The cheapest maybe the Fujifilm X-A1, about $500.

If you want to stick to Samsung, get the Samsung NX3000 for the latest technology.
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n-ster wrote: Is zoom important to you? What's your price range? Nx1000 and NX300 or even nx20 if a bit bigger isn't a problem are great cameras for the $$ but don't suit everyone. There's also the NX mini but a bit harder to find at a reasonable price.

Otherwise Sony has a nice P&S but I remember it being expensive

Before giving you serious suggestions answer the first few questions because an ILC may not be for you if you are looking for good zoom and portability
Thanks for all the suggestions!!

Zoom is not important to me at all. Nice to have but no big deal.

Price range is $200 to $300.

Would like to have something that is more portable though so a larger camera like the NX20 might be too big for travelling.

Thanks!
ERTW!!
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At that price the only thing that really fits the budget is the NX1000 AFAIK. I feel the 20-50mm is limiting though and no point in Interchanble lens cameras if you aren't getting other lenses. Also the NX1000 out of camera JPEGs are average. Are you willing to invest later on in lenses?

Personally I'd say look for a good P&S, it'll get more usage and is less of a challenge to use etc
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n-ster wrote: At that price the only thing that really fits the budget is the NX1000 AFAIK. I feel the 20-50mm is limiting though and no point in Interchanble lens cameras if you aren't getting other lenses. Also the NX1000 out of camera JPEGs are average. Are you willing to invest later on in lenses?

Personally I'd say look for a good P&S, it'll get more usage and is less of a challenge to use etc
How about the Sony NEX-3n? i'm able to get that for about $250 used.

Which P&S do you recommend? My last one was a S8000.

Thanks!
ERTW!!
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porsche22 wrote: How about the Sony NEX-3n? i'm able to get that for about $250 used.

Which P&S do you recommend? My last one was a S8000.

Thanks!
I got my NEX-3N for 225 brand new at target.
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nomdesplumes wrote: I got my NEX-3N for 225 brand new at target.
How did you get it at that price?? is the sale still on?
ERTW!!
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porsche22 wrote: How did you get it at that price?? is the sale still on?
Those cameras are long gone at Target. Their clearance prices were insane, they liquidated the Nikon 1 S1 for $69 and the D3100 for $145, along with a host of others deals.
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porsche22 wrote: How about the Sony NEX-3n? i'm able to get that for about $250 used.

Which P&S do you recommend? My last one was a S8000.

Thanks!
If budget is a concern I would not consider Sony. Their lenses are subpar and the ones that are good are super expensive

Really if you want a budget system I'd go with Samsung
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I have the Olympus E-PM2 and am very happy with it. Henry's has the bundle with the camera and two lenses on sale right now.
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Talamasca wrote: I have the Olympus E-PM2 and am very happy with it. Henry's has the bundle with the camera and two lenses on sale right now.
Thanks Talamasca, but that bundle is over $400.

I think I might give the Sony NEX-3N a try and see how I like it first. If not I might get a Canon SX600HS, Panasonic LF1, or Canon S200. Any thoughts?
ERTW!!
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Again, stay away from the sony if budget is a concern

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