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Cameras Under $X Lenses Under $Y Lighting Under $Z About
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Arbitrary and Petty Camera Rankings

For cameras under $300, availability is going to be one of the biggest factors. A great deal will go a long way.

Many cameras are functionally the same at certain price points. It’s fine to chose a camera for a “petty” reason.

Price that are over $300, will have camera models that are designed for specific types of photography or videography. Knowing what you want to accomplish will allow you to get the best price/performance.

Good cameras never stop being good.

This price range is filled with former wedding work horses. Some flagships and niche cameras even make it into the mix.

Cameras that I will be covering in the future: (practicing on the more utilitarian models)

  • Panasonic GH4
  • Panasonic G7
  • Canon 5D Mark III
  • Canon 80D
  • Sony ZV-1
  • Olympus OM-D E-M1 II
  • Nikon D7200
  • Nikon D700
  • Sony A7, A7S

There are an overwhelming number of different models available at this price points. Most models are indistinguishable from one another.

  • Best Video: Canon Rebel T5i
  • Weather Sealed: Pentax K-5 II, K-5 IIs, or K-5
Camera System size/Weight Good For Price/Perf GAS
Pentax K-5 II LOL Selection 760g, weather sealed outdoors incredible kit Pentax?
Canon Rebel T5i EF-Sucks killed by cellphones learning photo/video need a deal Magic Lantern
Nikon D3200 Get F’d killed by cellphones learning photography sellable entry level
Panasonic GH3 Best Budget weather sealed photography WOW Almost
Nikon D7000 F-Yeah! door stop photography weather sealed D7100 is Better

EF-Sucks and Get F’d are due to the poor support of entry level APS-C Canon EF-S and Nikon DX cameras. With Canon the full frame EF cameras and lenses are just too much better for a small amount more.

With Nikon, the rash of compatibility issues is a annoying time sink. Do you really want to have to study an article and refer to a PDF chart to know to what degree a lens will be compatible? (No, and that’s one reason why Sony gobbled up Nikon’s market share.)

🤣 https://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/a/tips-and-techniques/which-nikkor-lens-type-is-right-for-your-dslr.html

  • Panasonic GH2
  • Panasonic GF7
  • Canon Rebel T3i
  • Canon Rebel T6
  • Canon M2
  • Nikon 1 V1
  • Nikon 1 J3
  • Pentax Q10

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I have purchased gear from all of these companies and I expect them all to receive repeat business from me.

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