Im finally looking to upgrade my old dslr because its just getting way too heavy to lug around on my hiking trips. I want something smaller but I really dont want to sacrifice on image quality. Ive been obsessing over the fujifilm xt5 and the sony a6700 for like three weeks now. The fuji colors seem gorgeous but the sony autofocus is honestly just legendary at this point and I shoot a lot of fast-moving wildlife so that kinda matters for me. My budget is around 1800 bucks total including a lens which makes this pretty tight.
Im based in the states and really want to get something sorted before my trip to the rockies in early august. Do you guys think its worth waiting for some kind of summer sale or should I just pull the trigger now before prices jump back up? Feels like every time I see a deal pop up on amazon or bh photo it disappears before I can even check my bank account. Are there any major sales coming up for mirrorless cameras that I should hold out for or am I just wasting my time waiting for a discount that isnt coming?
Honestly, waiting for a massive sale right before an August trip is risky business. Most retailers clear stock in November for the holidays, so I wouldnt bank on a huge price drop for newer gear like the Fujifilm X-T5 40.2MP Mirrorless Camera or the Sony Alpha 6700 26MP Mirrorless Camera right now. If you really want to stay under that 1800 budget, you might want to consider a few things instead:
- Look into reputable sites for used gear like KEH or MPB.
- Check open-box sections at local camera shops.
- Buy the body used and put the rest towards a sharper lens. Be careful with those random site deals that seem too good to be true, they usually are. I would suggest picking up a solid body now so you can learn the menu system before you head out. Getting comfy with your gear is half the battle for wildlife shots.
> Are there any major sales coming up for mirrorless cameras or am I just wasting my time waiting for a discount that isnt coming? ^ This. Also, honestly, stop waiting for those big sales. Camera brands rarely discount their newest models by much, and you will just end up stressed before your trip. If you need it for the Rockies, just grab something solid now. Have you looked at the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III 20.4MP Mirrorless Camera? It is way smaller than those other bodies and the weather sealing is a total lifesaver for hiking. It leaves you plenty of cash for a good lens too. I am super happy with how mine handles fast action. You could probably find a used Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO Lens and stay way under your budget.
+1
Jumping in here because I totally get the struggle! Honestly, dont wait for a magic sale. I spent months obsessing over gear for my own trekking setup before realizing the best shots are the ones you actually take. Here is what I learned:
- Buy used if your budget is tight.
- Focus on glass over the body.
- Weight matters way more than specs on those long mountain climbs. Just grab something that feels right and get hiking!
