I'm really sorry if this is like a super basic question but I am completely lost and honestly a bit overwhelmed by all the camera stuff out there. I really want to get one of those nice Sony mirrorless cameras because I keep seeing people on tiktok and instagram take these amazing photos with them but every time I look at a website like Best Buy or Amazon the prices are just... wow. Like way more than I expected lol. I dont even really know what mirrorless means compared to the older ones with the mirrors inside but everyone says Sony is the way to go for beginners like me.
I have a trip coming up to Japan in early November and I really want to have a real camera by then so I can actually take good pictures and not just rely on my phone which has a cracked lens anyway. My budget is kind of tight though I’m looking to spend maybe $800 max for everything like the camera and the lens and maybe a memory card too if that fits. Is that even possible? I’ve seen names like a6000 and a6400 and then some other ones that start with an A7 but those look super pricey and I have no idea what the difference is.
Does anyone know where I should actually be looking for like legit discounts? I’m a bit scared of buying used stuff because I wouldnt even know if it was broken or not but maybe there are safe places to buy used or refurbished stuff that actually has a warranty? I checked eBay and it just felt like a gamble. Are there specific times of year when Sony stuff goes on sale or like certain websites that everyone uses that I just dont know about yet?
- budget: $700 - $900 max for the whole setup
- use case: mostly my golden retriever and travel photos
- timing: need it before November
- location: I'm in the US
Is it better to wait for Labor Day or something? Or is there a secret warehouse site? I'm just so confused by all the options and dont want to get ripped off...
Just saw this and figured I'd weigh in since I've been using the Sony E-mount system for like a decade now. I'm gonna disagree with the idea of looking at the A7 series tho. Tbh, even if you find an old A7 body for cheap, the full-frame lenses are massive and super expensive. It'll eat your $800 budget before you even get a memory card. For Japan and your dog, you definitely want the APS-C line because the bodies are smaller and the lenses wont break the bank. In my experience, the autofocus tech is the most important thing for photos of pets. I'd skip the a6000 nowadays because the tracking is pretty dated. You really want something with Real-time Eye AF. It uses AI algorithms to lock onto a dog's eye instantly which is a total game changer compared to older tech. Heres where I’d look for legit gear that isn’t a gamble:
- MPB or KEH: These guys are the gold standard for used gear. They inspect everything and give you a warranty.
- B&H Photo: Look at their used section specifically.
- Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm Lens is your best bet. If you find it used, it should be around $700.
- Grab a SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Card and you're set. Dont bother waiting for Labor Day sales on new gear... the discounts are usually tiny. Buying a Like New or Excellent condition body from a pro shop is the real pro move. If you have more technical questions about the sensor differences just lmk!
Been thinking about your budget and honestly, you can definitely make $900 work if you look at the right spots. @Reply #1 - good point about the full frame stuff being too pricey. If you want to nail focus on your golden retriever while he's running around, you really want a body with real-time tracking because the older sensor tech can be a bit slow for moving targets.
- Sony Alpha a6100 with 16-50mm Lens works well for pets and is usually around $650 refurbished.
- Sony Alpha ZV-E10 with 16-50mm Lens has been a solid performer for me and I have no complaints regarding the autofocus speed for travel.
- SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC V30 is what I use and it never lags during burst shooting. Buying used gear from places like KEH or MPB is much safer than eBay because they actually inspect everything and give you a warranty. I've been super happy with the stuff I get from them. Those sites are basically the secret for photographers on a budget who dont want to get ripped off. You'll love having a real camera in Japan, the low light performance is way better than a phone even with that cracked lens!