Three hour post - Time to buy a camera

[temery]

I've do this before, with no luck due to too much information.

The camera will be used for nature picture, mostly still. A nice zoom is needed, but I don't need to see an eagles nest a mile away.

Most? Maybe.

feel free to ask questions, but ultimately I need a link to a camera or two on amazon that I can click and buy. Budget is up to $500.

Any questions before this goes south?

 

[Drumguy]

The $500 is tough. I had a Sony A6300 that I used on a safari but with lenses it's more like $1500. iPhone 11 and Pixel 4 both have telephoto lenses and the quality is pretty darn good.

 

[jleves]

DP Review recommends this in your price range: Best enthusiast long zoom cameras

 

[CTMike]

DP Review is a wealth of info. Good rec.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

DP Review recommends this in your price range: Best enthusiast long zoom cameras

That feels right. The other option is a used lower end DSLR and a used zoom lens, but doesn't seem like what Tom is going for, so probably not worth getting in to.

 

[uchusky32]

Try to find a used Nikon D 5000 series could be D5100. See if you can also purchase additional lenses.

 

[I Bleed Blue]

Canon rebel series. T7 or T8. Possibly a T7i

 

[JHHusky]

or get the Cannon PowerShot Zoom for $299. And an updated iphone. Nice small package.

The Canon PowerShot Zoom fits in your pocket and zooms to 400mm

Canon's latest PowerShot, simply called the 'Zoom,' is billed as a digital monocular for outdoorsy folks. It's also a camera, but that's frankly secondary to its main mission of getting you up-close and personal views of distant scenery.

www.dpreview.com

 

[SubbaBub]

Best cameras under $500 in 2021

What's the best camera for under $500? These entry-level cameras should be easy to use, offer good image quality and easily connect with a smartphone for sharing. In this buying guide we've rounded up all the current interchangeable lens cameras costing less than $500 and recommended the best.

www.dpreview.com

From this list, the Nikon D3500 if you want to change lens at some point, the Sony Alpha a5100 if you don't.

 

[Watchdog]

I'm on a trip and won't be home for a week but can share the success I've had with a Nikon S9500 (I think that is the model) automatic point and shoot camera. Not sure what you're looking for but it's a great camera and easy to use.
I'm not sure of all the details but it has a 22 times optical zoom and additional digital zoom and I used it to get great telephoto shots of animals on two safaris, including a leopard in a tree 60 to 80 yards away. With over 18 megapixels gives great quality images too and I believe it was less than $400.

 

[billybud]

I find that having my bag, Nikon and lenses with me means missing a lot of shots....we all carry our phone...the cameras now are very good...The coming out Iphone 12 pro max, 12 Pro...the Samsung S20...all have very good cameras...the amount of telephoto (optical) that you need would be the deciding factor.

Pro's are now assessing these phone cameras....you can also shoot HD Dolby Video with the Iphone 12 Pro series...excellent low light shots...computational algorithmns help make a great picture...and you can shoot in RAW.

My Iphone 12 Pro is due 11-17...I'll play around with it...

Photographer Austin Mann puts iPhone 12 Pro through its paces | AppleInsider

As he does every year, travel photographer Austin Mann took Apple's new iPhone 12 Pro for a test drive in the great outdoors — this time at Glacier National Park in Montana. Here's how it went.

appleinsider.com

 

[billybud]

Here's what iPhone 12 Pro cameras can do: Incredible Night Mode photos and more

Sunsets, sunrises, wide vistas and aquamarine waters give ample evidence of another leap forward in mobile photography.

www.cnet.com

 

[Hoopcrazee]

Camera Bar in downtown Hartford is an amazing place to shop..FANTASTIC and knowledgable staff..they help with all my needs!!!

 

[tjhusky]

If you want DSLR Costco has a decent package deal on a Canon EOS Rebel T7 with two lenses. Camera bag and an SD card. $499

https://www.costco.com/canon-eos-rebel-t7-dslr-camera-2-lens-bundle.product.100486705.html

I bought a similar package a few years ago from them with the Nikon D3200. I still like it and it gives a lot of control at an entry price. But have to say for day to day photos it is hard to beat my iPhone 11.

 

[Mano]

If you're gonna be doing nudes don't forget to buy some vaseline for the lens.

 

[gtcam]

Ive been taking photos for over 40 years since art school - if you want point and shoot Canon is by far the best quality for the money SX740 Power shot is a great little camera - about $400 but seen it for $250
If you want to play around with manual adjusting and interchanging lenses you will nee to go DSLR (Digital) and get a body and lens combo. Here again Canon EOS Rebel T7 and I would go with the combo lens package - I think it has the basic 18-50mm lens and a 65-300mm lens this goes for around $500-$600
If you haven't owned a DSLR before, I'd start with the point and shoot - it has a 40x lens which will get you some real nice zoom shots (with steady hands and/or a tripod)
I don't play with my DSLRs anymore and my finished pictures are as good as many pro photographs and I use a Canon Power Shot SX 40 HS which is the predecessor of the SX740 Power Shot
Good luck - it's fun

 

[jleves]

I've do this before, with no luck due to too much information.

The camera will be used for nature picture, mostly still. A nice zoom is needed, but I don't need to see an eagles nest a mile away.

Most? Maybe.

feel free to ask questions, but ultimately I need a link to a camera or two on amazon that I can click and buy. Budget is up to $500.

Any questions before this goes south?

So what did you end up getting?

 

[dogpause]

A $500 budget will get you a lot more if you go used. I would also consider what is commonly know as a Bridge camera, which has a built in zoom lens. They tend to offer great value and very impressive results. All of the major brands, Nikon, Canon, Sony and Panasonic (Lumix) are excellent. However, the Panasonic FZ1000 would be my choice. It's around $500 new on Amazon. Panasonic is a vastly underrated brand of cameras IMO. Many of their lenses are designed by Leica. You won't be disappointed.

 

[DALTX]

So far, pretty happy with this

 

[uconngb]

I've do this before, with no luck due to too much information.

The camera will be used for nature picture, mostly still. A nice zoom is needed, but I don't need to see an eagles nest a mile away.

Most? Maybe.

feel free to ask questions, but ultimately I need a link to a camera or two on amazon that I can click and buy. Budget is up to $500.

Any questions before this goes south?

3 hours?? It only took me 15 seconds to read it.

 

[Dove]

@temery...look at the Canon Powershot SX70. An Audubon guy I know posts incredible phots using one.