Im looking to upgrade my setup before a big trip to Japan in October and im kinda struggling to find a good deal. Im torn between the Sony a6400 and the Fujifilm X-T30 II. Leaning toward the Fuji for the aesthetic but ive heard Sony lens selection is way better for budget shooters. My max budget is around 900 bucks including a lens.
- Need it by mid September
- Mainly for street photography
- US based
Are there any sites that actually have good sales right now or should I just stick to looking for used gear on eBay? Is the extra cash for the Fuji worth it or am I overthinking this...
Honestly, buying new in this market is brutal for your budget. I spent years chasing the latest gear, but over time I realized that for street photography, you just need something reliable and compact. If you are headed to Japan, you really want something that isnt gonna weigh you down. I have been using the Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera for a while now and honestly the autofocus is just ridiculous for the price point. You can catch those quick street shots without missing a beat. Since you are tight on cash, skip the new retail prices. Here is where I usually hunt for deals:
- MPB or KEH are way safer than eBay because they actually rate the quality of the gear properly.
- Check the local camera shop listings, sometimes they have trade-ins that arent even on the main site yet.
- Look for a used Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Zoom Lens if you want one lens that does it all for travel. The Fuji aesthetic is cool, sure, but you pay a premium for those dials and that look. If I were you, I would take the savings from buying used Sony gear and put that money toward a nice fast prime lens instead. You will appreciate the extra stop of light at night in Tokyo way more than a film simulation mode. Trust me, just grab a solid body used and you will be set by mid September.
Just catching up here, but seriously, dont ignore the older glass. I started with a Sony Alpha a6000 24.3MP APS-C Mirrorless and spent the saved cash on a decent prime lens. If you go the used route, check out B&H Photo used department. Be careful with private sellers on social media sites, lots of scams lately. Make sure to buy from a reputable shop that offers at least a 6-month warranty so you arent stranded in Japan.
Regarding what #1 said about buying new being brutal, honestly, you should check out MPB or KEH instead of eBay. I found my Fujifilm X-T30 II 26.1MP APS-C Mirrorless on a used site and it was basically brand new! The color science on the Fuji is just incredible straight out of the camera, especially for Japan street shots. You get those film simulations which are honestly magic for travel photos. If you want the best technical specs for the money though, keep an eye out for a Sony a6400 24.2MP APS-C Mirrorless bundled with the Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens. That focal range is insane for street photography because you can go wide for architecture or zoom in for those candid street portraits without getting in peoples faces! I took a similar kit to Tokyo a few years back and the autofocus tracking on the Sony is just legendary. It locks onto eyes so fast it feels like cheating. The Fuji is gorgeous and tactile, but the Sony ecosystem for glass is significantly cheaper if you look at Sigma or Tamron lenses. If you prioritize speed and technical precision, grab the Sony. If you want the experience and that iconic look, go Fuji and dont look back. Both are amazing sensors, just depends on if you like tweaking settings or just snapping perfection.
