For a budget <$600

[andyhtc]

How about a micro 4/3~¿
Some are quite compact which means you are more likely to use it since you hate bulky cams.
Quality you need to judge for yourself, I find them good even for low light conditions~

Strangely the micro 4/3 cameras are more expensive than the D3400 DSLR cameras.

 

[tjrsasea]

Strangely the micro 4/3 cameras are more expensive than the D3400 DSLR cameras.

i would recommend anyone who are learning the basics of photography (aperture/shutter speed/iso etc) to start with a dslr instead of a mirrorless. especially cheap entry level dslr like the nikon d3400 (which i still have up for grabs at $480 with warranty hehe )

once you have mastered the basics then go for higher end dslrs or mirrorless (which are usually more expensive). sure, there are cheap cheap mirrorless cameras too but i wouldnt bet on those as their performance are usually not comparable to dslrs at that price range.

 

[dryteletubby]

i would recommend anyone who are learning the basics of photography (aperture/shutter speed/iso etc) to start with a dslr instead of a mirrorless. especially cheap entry level dslr like the nikon d3400 (which i still have up for grabs at $480 with warranty hehe )

once you have mastered the basics then go for higher end dslrs or mirrorless (which are usually more expensive). sure, there are cheap cheap mirrorless cameras too but i wouldnt bet on those as their performance are usually not comparable to dslrs at that price range.

If you choose a camera system, the most practical upgrade path is another same brand so can use the same lenses. Most camera lenses last much longer than the bodies.

 

[tjrsasea]

If you choose a camera system, the most practical upgrade path is another same brand so can use the same lenses. Most camera lenses last much longer than the bodies.

yup! but i would agree partially especially for entry level dslr kits like those that comes with 18-55mm lens only. The kits hold their value quite well and can be easily sold as a kit when the time to upgrade comes.

Like for the D3400 i am selling at $480 as a kit. 1 year later you still can sell it as at $380-$430 and there will still be buyers. Those money can then be used to change system or upgrade within the brand with new lenses

 

[yusoffb01]

i bought wx500! since all i want is a cheap, compact camera that takes better photos than smartphone camera. enough buttons on this little camera to make me

what mode do you usually use? i played a bit with the Intelligent Auto mode, but think i prefer the Scene mode where i can choose the Gourmet style to take food photos

Good choice. photo quality isnt great but if you dont zoom in, it doesnt matter.

i use intelligent auto mode becsuse it auto select scene mode and sometimes apply hdr.
If the object you take is not moving, try using hdr scene.

I had the rx100 and it takes better intelligent auto mode than wx500. on rx100 i can walk and spam, and still get useable photos but not with wx500. using intelligent auto on rx100 also has better noise reduction than with scene mode. however on wx500 i see no diff in quality betw auto and scene.

 

[dryteletubby]

Like for the D3400 i am selling at $480 as a kit. 1 year later you still can sell it as at $380-$430 and there will still be buyers. Those money can then be used to change system or upgrade within the brand with new lenses

Just curious what are you upgrading to?

 

[harky]

if use short zoom, photo quality gd nt?

Good choice. photo quality isnt great but if you dont zoom in, it doesnt matter.

i use intelligent auto mode becsuse it auto select scene mode and sometimes apply hdr.
If the object you take is not moving, try using hdr scene.

I had the rx100 and it takes better intelligent auto mode than wx500. on rx100 i can walk and spam, and still get useable photos but not with wx500. using intelligent auto on rx100 also has better noise reduction than with scene mode. however on wx500 i see no diff in quality betw auto and scene.

 

[andyhtc]

i would recommend anyone who are learning the basics of photography (aperture/shutter speed/iso etc) to start with a dslr instead of a mirrorless. especially cheap entry level dslr like the nikon d3400 (which i still have up for grabs at $480 with warranty hehe )

once you have mastered the basics then go for higher end dslrs or mirrorless (which are usually more expensive). sure, there are cheap cheap mirrorless cameras too but i wouldnt bet on those as their performance are usually not comparable to dslrs at that price range.

A new Nikon D3400 with a 1-year warranty is just over $500 now

 

[andyhtc]

I have been researching on the capabilities of various DSLRs for the past few days.

I conclude that if one is not pushing the camera to the limits such as using it as a fast sports video camera, a basic DSLR like Nikon D3400 is more than sufficient for a casual user who takes mostly stills and occasionally short videos for sharing on handphones and PC screens. The high-end DSLRs manufacturers are making the customers paying a big premium for the subtle additional features e.g. 30% higher price with a 10% improvement in controls.

The key difference in image quality between a DSLR and a handphone is in the low light performance. Hence, if the handphone makers start using a slightly bigger sensor and come out with a nifty add-on lens on the handphone, I believe the game will be over for the low-end DSLRs. This could be possible in another 2-3 years' time.

 

[endlssorrow]

Question is handphone camera can fix larger sensor light anot? If yes will be costly?

 

[dryteletubby]

Question is handphone camera can fix larger sensor light anot? If yes will be costly?

No? Most phone camera are integrated into the device. Further more most of the image quality you perceive is thanks to the software doing its work

 

[endlssorrow]

I see
Then should be matter of time liao ba
See when they wann launch

 

[tjrsasea]

I have been researching on the capabilities of various DSLRs for the past few days.

I conclude that if one is not pushing the camera to the limits such as using it as a fast sports video camera, a basic DSLR like Nikon D3400 is more than sufficient for a casual user who takes mostly stills and occasionally short videos for sharing on handphones and PC screens. The high-end DSLRs manufacturers are making the customers paying a big premium for the subtle additional features e.g. 30% higher price with a 10% improvement in controls.

The key difference in image quality between a DSLR and a handphone is in the low light performance. Hence, if the handphone makers start using a slightly bigger sensor and come out with a nifty add-on lens on the handphone, I believe the game will be over for the low-end DSLRs. This could be possible in another 2-3 years' time.

i think it is very hard for your scenerio to happen.. smartphone cameras will not change much hardware wise but it will improve greatly in the software department like fake bokeh, aftificial intelligence image recognition and post processing, greater dynamic range through software etc.

reason being larger sensors means larger lenses that will protrude out more and take up more internal space. given the trend that most manufacturers are going after: bezel-less, longer battery life, removing headphone jack to save internal space, very little chance to see a large incerase in sensor size in the next 2-3 years.

 

[Daffy7]

A new Nikon D3400 with a 1-year warranty is just over $500 now

where to get this? any shop recommendation?

 

[yusoffb01]

where to get this? any shop recommendation?

https://www.lazada.sg/products/niko...o42.searchlist.list.1.579d6e3c7Sai88&search=1

 

[andyhtc]

where to get this? any shop recommendation?

The Lazada link is what I'm looking at too. Note that this model does not have auto lens cleaning mechanism. So the buyer will have to manually clean the lens periodically.

 

[endlssorrow]

Another good point for sharing! Thanks!

i think it is very hard for your scenerio to happen.. smartphone cameras will not change much hardware wise but it will improve greatly in the software department like fake bokeh, aftificial intelligence image recognition and post processing, greater dynamic range through software etc.

reason being larger sensors means larger lenses that will protrude out more and take up more internal space. given the trend that most manufacturers are going after: bezel-less, longer battery life, removing headphone jack to save internal space, very little chance to see a large incerase in sensor size in the next 2-3 years.

 

[dryteletubby]

This thread go on so long ts still haven decide on a camera

 

[tjrsasea]

This thread go on so long ts still haven decide on a camera

hahaha rip

 

[harky]

ya lor i ahvent decide..

i tot of getting it for concert but the concert is over. so wait till next concert.. got time to think ahah