So I finally did it and saved up my fun money for the year to get a real camera setup because my phone just isnt cutting it for the trip I have planned to the Grand Canyon next month! Im super hyped to finally get into the Sony ecosystem but the prices are honestly making my head spin a bit. Right now I am stuck between a few choices and looking for the best deal to stretch my $1500 budget as far as possible.
I am basically torn between getting a brand new a6400 with a couple of lenses or just going full frame with a used a7 III if I can find a good bundle from a reputable place. I also saw some rumors about the a7 IV maybe going on sale but that might be way out of my budget unless there is a crazy discount somewhere I havent checked yet. I have been refreshing B&H and Adorama like every hour lol but I am wondering if any of you know of any hidden promos or maybe like EDU/student discounts that might work for a hobbyist? I really want to pull the trigger this week so I have time to actually practice before I leave for Arizona. Is it better to get the older full frame or stick with the newer crop sensor for travel? Let me know if you've seen any specific bundles lately...
- Sony Alpha a6400 with 16-50mm Lens: 425 AF points, Real-time Tracking.
- Sony Alpha a7 III Body: 5-axis IBIS, but glass wont fit a $1500 budget. APS-C is more logical.
Regarding what #1 said about "Sony Alpha a6400 with 16-50mm Lens: 425 AF...", I would suggest being cautious with that route. You might want to consider that full frame dynamic range is vital for high-contrast canyon landscapes.
- Locate a used Sony Alpha a7 III Body 24.2MP for around $1,100.
- Pair it with a Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens to stay near budget.
- Make sure to verify shutter counts first. Dont skip that step.
Re: "Regarding what #1 said about "Sony Alpha a6400..."
- I am totally with them on the cost factor, but #2 is spot on about the dynamic range for landscape stuff. Honestly, the sensor data on the older full frame sensors still holds up way better for those high-contrast scenes you are gonna see at the canyon. One thing though... are you actually planning on hiking down into the canyon or just sticking to the rim? Full frame kits get heavy real quick and that might eat into your fun if you are lugging pounds of gear in the heat. Also, do you care about 4k video at all or are you strictly a stills person? TL;DR: Full frame wins for image quality, but APS-C wins for your back and wallet. Need to know about your hiking plans and video needs to really say which way to lean.
Noted!
