So my old Rebel T7i finally kicked the bucket last week right before my trip to Colorado next month and I figured its time to jump to mirrorless finally but man the prices are wild right now. Ive been shooting for like six years so I get the basics of crop sensors vs full frame and I really want to stay under a grand for the whole setup including at least one decent lens.
My logic was that I could find a Z50 bundle or maybe the Sony a6400 with a kit lens but everything I find is either body only or the kit lens is that super cheap 16-50mm power zoom that everyone says is kinda mushy. I checked B&H and Adorama but the bundles that actually include a second lens or a fast prime always seem to hit like 1100 or more which is just out of reach for me right now. I was thinking maybe looking at some older Fuji models like the X-T30 II but the supply is so hit or miss lately and the used market is basically the same price as new.
Does anyone know of a specific bundle or maybe a reputable site where the holiday deals actually stick to that 1000 dollar hard limit without being a total scam? Im mostly doing landscape and some street stuff so I dont need crazy video specs just good stills performance...
Just saw this and had to jump in! Colorado is gonna be amazing for your trip and those landscapes are going to look fantastic on a new sensor! Since you are coming from a T7i, I have to ask... are you planning on keeping any of your old EF lenses or are you looking to sell everything and start totally fresh? If you have some good glass already, you could grab the Canon EOS R10 Body and an adapter for way under your budget and it would be super reliable! If you want a totally new kit, the Canon EOS R10 with RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM is such a powerhouse for the price. The autofocus is seriously mind-blowing compared to the old DSLR days! Another solid choice is the Sony Alpha a6400 with 16-50mm Lens because the lens selection for Sony is huge, tho I personally love the Canon colors for those mountain sunsets! Let me know about your old lenses so I can give better advice.
Honestly, the market right now is pretty frustrating for stills photographers who actually care about glass quality. I tried helping a friend setup a similar kit last month and we kept hitting that same 1100 dollar wall you mentioned. It sucks because that extra hundred bucks is usually the difference between a plastic toy lens and something actually usable for those Colorado landscapes. Been looking at the specs again and unfortunately, most bundles under a grand force you into those power zooms that just dont resolve enough detail for high-res printing. Here is my technical take:
- Nikon Z50 with NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR is your best bet if you can find it on sale. That 18-140mm is significantly better than the 16-50mm. The MTF charts show much better edge-to-edge sharpness which you will definitely want for wide mountain vistas.
- The Sony a6400 is a beast for autofocus but the kit lens is mushy like you feared. I had issues with chromatic aberration on that lens every time I shot toward the sun. If you go Sony, you almost have to buy the body and then look for a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary used to stay near your budget.
- Avoid the Canon EOS R10 bundles with the super cheap non-sealed lenses if you are hiking. I actually had a kit lens fail on me after just a little morning mist in the mountains once... totally ruined the day. The technical reality is that mirrorless glass is just pricier to manufacture than the old EF-S stuff you are used to. If you cant stretch the budget, you might be better off with a used body from a site like MPB and spending the rest on one high-quality prime.
Man, I feel your pain. Just saw this thread and it is honestly so draining to see how the market has shifted lately. I spent all night looking at sensor readout speeds and the data is technically impressive, but the pricing is just... exhausting. I am usually pretty satisfied with the tech improvements we are seeing year over year, but the value proposition for a sub-1000 kit is basically vanishing before our eyes.
- I think I heard that some of the major retailers are holding back stock for a specific flash sale later this month.
- Not sure but someone mentioned that those 1100 dollar bundles might actually dip if you can catch a weird clearance cycle.
- IIRC, the signal to noise ratio on the newer chips is fantastic, but you never really get to see that performance with the cheapo glass they pack in these starter sets. It is just annoying because you deserve a setup that works well for those big mountain views without going broke. Really hope something pops up for you tho... it is tough out there right now.
