Im stressing out because my trip to Japan is in three weeks and I still dont have a camera. Ive been looking at the Sony a6000 and the Canon R50 online, but I keep seeing conflicting reviews about whether lenses are too expensive for a beginner budget.
- Budget is like 700 bucks max
- Needs to be lightweight for street photography
- Used is fine I guess?
Does anyone actually have a solid rec that wont break the bank?
Honestly, if you want something small for Japan, check out the Fujifilm X-T20 24.3MP Mirrorless Digital Camera. I took one on a trip years ago and the colors straight out of camera were incredible. It saved me so much time editing.
- Look for the Fujinon XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ Lens to keep costs down.
- Check sites like KEH for used bodies. It feels way better in the hand than most entry-level stuff.
Just saw this thread and honestly, buying cameras before a big trip is stressful. Since you are worried about lens costs, you might want to look at the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III 16.1MP Mirrorless Camera. It uses a smaller sensor, which means the lenses are way cheaper and smaller than the big sensor ones. The stabilization is solid if you are shooting handheld in busy streets, but just be careful with low light compared to those other brands. Another solid pick is the Panasonic Lumix G7 16MP Mirrorless Camera. It is a bit older, but it is super reliable and leaves you plenty of cash for a decent prime lens. Make sure to check the shutter count if you go the used route though, it saves you a major headache later on. Just stick to your budget and dont get tempted by fancy gear you dont need yet.
@Reply #4 - good point! But honestly nobody has mentioned the absolute king of budget color science and handling yet. I dragged the Fujifilm X-T30 II 26.1MP Mirrorless Camera all over Tokyo last spring and it completely blew me away. The film simulations alone saved me hours of editing in hotel rooms at night.
- Pair it with the Fujinon XC 35mm f/2 Lens for a stupidly sharp, tiny street setup.
- Total used cost right now sits right around your seven hundred dollar limit if you shop smart.
- Dials feel like a real vintage film camera which makes shooting so much more fun. Don't stress too much about specs, just grab something you actually want to hold in your hands every day!
Honestly, skip the new gear and grab a used Sony Alpha a6000 24.3MP Mirrorless Camera. In my experience, it is the best starting point for street photography because of its compact size.
- It is super lightweight.
- Lenses like the Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS Lens are affordable used.
- The autofocus is still plenty fast for Japan. Save the rest of your cash for better glass later, honestly.
> buying cameras before a big trip is stressful. It really is, but you dont want to overspend on tech you dont fully understand yet. In my experience, reliability is king when you are traveling abroad. If you want something that simply works every time you press the shutter, look at the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV 20.3MP Mirrorless Camera. I have used this system for years and it is incredibly robust. The biggest advantage here is the MFT ecosystem. You can pick up a Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ Lens for almost nothing on the used market. It is tiny enough to keep in a jacket pocket, which is vital for street photography in Japan. The image stabilization is also top-tier, so you wont have to deal with blurry shots when you are walking around at night. Save your money for the trip itself, rather than sinking it into expensive glass you might not need yet.