Honestly so fed up with my old camera dying right before my trip to Japan next month. It just quits on me whenever it feels like it and im totally over it. Need something reliable asap.
- Budget is around 800 bucks
- Mostly for street photography
- Needs to be compact
Where are you guys actually finding decent deals right now because everywhere I look is just overpriced garbage...
Man, that is super frustrating. Nothing worse than gear failing right before a big trip. Japan is basically street photography heaven, so you really need something that won't flake out on you. Honestly, at that 800 buck price point, stop looking at brand new gear and hit up the used market sites like MPB or KEH. You'll get way more for your money. In my experience, here are the two best compact setups for street work:
- Fujifilm X100F 24.3MP APS-C Sensor
- This is basically the king of street photography. It's super compact, the film simulations save you so much time on editing, and the fixed 23mm lens is perfect for candid shots. It's built like a tank.
- Sony Alpha a6400 24.2MP APS-C Mirrorless
- If you want flexibility, go with this. It's got arguably the best autofocus in the game for the price. Toss on a small pancake lens and it fits in a jacket pocket easily. The eye-tracking AF is a lifesaver when you're moving fast in crowds. I've tried many cameras over the years, and honestly, the Fuji experience is just more fun, but the Sony is a workhorse that never misses focus. Just make sure you grab a fast SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-I card so you aren't waiting on write speeds while you're rushing through Tokyo. Dont bother with overpriced kits, just get the body and one solid lens and go.
Building on the earlier suggestion, I actually think you should skip the used market and grab a Fujifilm X-T30 II 26.1MP Mirrorless if you can find one on sale. Honestly, new gear gives you that factory warranty peace of mind for a big trip. It is super compact and the color science for street shots is incredible. I am really satisfied with mine, works well even in dim lighting.
TL;DR: Skip the big box stores and check the dedicated camera shop used inventory sites. They usually include a warranty which gives you way more peace of mind than some random marketplace listing. Since you are heading to Japan, honestly, dont waste your budget on brand new retail boxes. Youre gonna pay a massive premium just for the packaging. Stick to reputable sites that grade their gear properly, like KEH or MPB. Avoid eBay unless the seller has thousands of positive reviews because getting stuck with a broken sensor right before your trip is a nightmare you dont want. Keep an eye on the outlet sections of major camera retailers too. Sometimes they have open-box units that are basically new for like 20 percent off. Just make sure you verify the shutter count before pulling the trigger.
