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Advice on what camera to get on a low budget (1 Viewer)

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birdsandbirds

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Advice on what camera to get

Hi,

I don't know anything about photography, I just like to take photos as a hobby and I really enjoy birdwatching.

I was offered a second hand Cannon EOS 1100D a while ago. I realized it wasn't the right camera for me as I didn't know how to use it properly (I need something simpler), the lens couldn't reach the birds, and I couldn't afford lenses that can.

So I sold the camera and was looking to get something more "humble" that can take decent amateur pictures of the birds I spot during the day.

I'm looking for digital/compact cameras with "longer zooms", I've found one in my budget with a 52x zoom. But I don't know what else to look for in a camera, so I was wondering if someone could offer me some advice, please?

I have a very low budget of around 250 euros.

I just want something I can have fun with and register the birds I see when I'm out.

Thank you in advance :)
 
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I bought a Canon EOS Rebel T5 for around five hundred and have added a few lens and other items to it over time. It really depends on what you want to do with it.
 
I believe the right answer at this point is a superzoom camera. These come in a variety of brands, of which Panasonic and Canon often have had good reputation. If you want to really go low price for now to check out if you even like to do this, buy the latest model used or buy last years model as new.

Check out these parts of birdforum:
http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=375 (fz200 and fz300/330)
http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=292 (SX60 and SX50)

I cannot advice further because I have moved to one of those with exchangable lenses

Niels
 
birdsandbirds said:
[...] (I need something simpler)[...] I have a very low budget of around 250 euros. I just want something I can have fun with and register the birds I see when I'm out.
Click to expand...
I started with a Canon 450D, Tamron 70-300 + Kenko 1.4 Teleconverter (672 mm equivalent), but it wasn't much fun - the birds were too small in the optical viewfinder. (*)

In 2011 I bought a Canon SX50 (1200 mm equ. + internal TC) and started birding. In four years I shot hundred thousands of photos, had two shutter breaks (I'd estimate the shutter lasts for ~130,000 photos) and still own three SX50 bodies. It is a phantastic camera, but the EVF isn't stellar. Over the years my total costs (1 new + 2 used bodies, shutter repair costs Euro 150): ~1000 Euro. Lately a used SX50 sold at $bay for as low as 124 Euro.

2016 I bought a used Nikon V2 + CX 70-300 lens (810mm equivalent). I love it for BIF (at 15 fps), the EVF is much better than the SX50's, almost OVF quality. Not many of these lenses are offered "used" at $bay, with luck the whole combo costs ca. 800 Euro. I don't know for sure, but apparently the electronic shutter can't break easily.


(*) Recently I got a Sigma 400mm apo macro telephoto lens for a mere 100 Euro (un-re-chipped version, so it's only AV mode with exposure wide open). This means 896mm equivalent, yet AF is slow, shooting BIF is hard. It is heavier than the Tamron 70-300 and the AF is clumsy, but the birds are a bit larger, and the total costs with a used Canon 450D body could be around 300 Euro. Altogether not a bad combo, I quite like it for situations with dim light, e.g. in a forest - the prime lens does a decent job isolating the bird from the twigs.

Overall I'd much prefer the Nikon V2. It is even easier to handle than the Canon SX50 - very "forgiving" for user errors, while a Canon DSLR can be terribly frustrating for a novice when you don't get the settings right.
 
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Thanks for your answers, they were really helpful.

Unfortunately a lot of the models you mentioned aren't available in my home country anymore (the older ones) and although they're quite affordable on amazon and ebay, I'm not sure if it's a good idea to order from the UK or America, since the plugs are different?

I'm looking at superzoom cameras at the moment (I might switch again in a few years to a DSLR, but now I think this is what suits me the most), and I found a few, does anyone have any idea if the following models are any good?

Panasonic Lumix FZ-72

Pentax XG-1

Canon Powershot SX530HS

I'm looking for more options, but from what I've been reading I think the Cannon might be the best one?

Any other suggestions?

I hope I'm not being bothersome but I really know very little about cameras and I want to choose the best option I can.
I can't wait to start taking pictures of the birds on the hill in front of our house :)

Thank you for your help again
 
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The Canon Powershot SX530 HS has no viewfinder - not to be recommended for birding. All superzoom models popular with birders have an electronic viewfinder (EVF).

Three superzooms often used by birders have been discussed in long threads with sample photos here:
Canon Powershot SX50 HS
Canon Powershot SX60 HS
Nikon COOLPIX P900

Sure, the plugs are different in the UK and USA, but adapters are affordable (a few Euros). And in most of the EU the plugs are the same as in Portugal, as far as I know. - Finding a new SX50 offered by a dealer is hard, I only see a used one for 239 Euro that comes with a 1-year warranty.

birdsandbirds said:
I'm looking at superzoom cameras at the moment (I might switch again in a few years to a DSLR,
Click to expand...

A superzoom will be an excellent start - good decision. I can only speak for myself - my superzoom SX50 meant lots of birding fun and I also learned a bit about photography. My intended return to a DSLR never happened. Using a lightweight (560g) and silent camera spoils you for DSLRs. Mirrorless like the Nikon V2 are a sweet compromise, take a look at this blog.
 
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That's a shame as it was for sale and within my budget..

I've been researching the models you mentioned and only found the Cannon Powershot SX50 second hand without warranty. The Nikon COOLPIX P900, seems really good but it's extremely expensive here.

I wouldn't mind using an adapter for the battery but I don't like the idea of buying a camera without warranty..

I was set on the SX50 but I can't find it for sale here.
The Nikon V2 seems to be a really good camera too - those photos look amazing, but again, it's too expensive and the lens seems to be interchangeable? So that would mean having to buy expensive lenses..

Thanks for you help again. If it didn't occur to me, to write on this forum I would have probably gotten an unsuitable camera..
 
Thank you, I'll look there too. HermitIbis had found a good deal there (edit:eek:n ebay actually), of an SX50 with a one year warranty, but they only shipped to Germany.
 
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This weekend (starting today) there are two stores with a 23% sale on all electronic products.

They have the following models available, does anyone know if they're any good?

SONY H400

CANON PS SX 540 HS (I'm guessing it doesn't have the EVF either?)

SONY DSCHX300B

PANASONIC DMC-FZ72EG-K

Olympus SP-100

Fuji Finepix S1

Nikon Coolpix L340

Thank you in advance
 
You can find most of these on DPReview.com at least to look at the technical details such as presence of EVF or not.

Niels
 
The Canon 540 HS and the Nikon Coolpix L340 are the only cameras lacking an EVF of the cameras you mentioned. I agree with Niels, research the cameras on DPReview and compare them using the side-by-side comparison feature (also on DPR) before deciding on a camera.
 
I just did some research and the Sony Cybershot DSC-HX400V is not the same as the H400. Seems like the HX400V is a lot better, but it's not for sale here either.

I've been reading on all the cameras I shared and I'm so confused, I have no idea of what to do now |=o|

I don't think any of these cameras (the ones I mentioned were on sale) is worth buying.

The Fuji Finepix S1 looked good but it's sold out.
 
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birdsandbirds said:
Hi,

I don't know anything about photography, I just like to take photos as a hobby and I really enjoy birdwatching.

I was offered a second hand Cannon EOS 1100D a while ago. I realized it wasn't the right camera for me as I didn't know how to use it properly (I need something simpler), the lens couldn't reach the birds, and I couldn't afford lenses that can.

So I sold the camera and was looking to get something more "humble" that can take decent amateur pictures of the birds I spot during the day.

I'm looking for digital/compact cameras with "longer zooms", I've found one in my budget with a 52x zoom. But I don't know what else to look for in a camera, so I was wondering if someone could offer me some advice, please?

I have a very low budget of around 250 euros.

I just want something I can have fun with and register the birds I see when I'm out.

Thank you in advance :)
Click to expand...
Hi there. There's a lot of people on this forum that are really keen and knowledgeable photographers. That doesn't always mean thay can answer the major part of the question you are asking..an easy to use camera for under 250 euro..maybe because that are too technically capable and are used to spending the price of a decent secondhand car on their hobby. That isn't a criticism of photography geeks, but like most enthusiasts it's hard to sympathise with the compromises of the entry level of their specialism.
Personally I'd recommend a compact bridge camera. You don't have pack a bunch of gear with you, you don't have to learn a whole new vocabulary, and in the right conditions you can get pretty reasonable results.
These pics were taken on my Canon sx410 IS (40 x optical zoom), which I bought for less than 100 pound in the UK (Now thanks to our Brexit friends = only 120 euro). So your budget may well extend further up the range.

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=560429

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/558471

Personally for the future I'm looking to get a decent second hand DSLR and building up some decent lens, but if I hadn't started on a simple bridge camera I don't think I would have been bitten by the bug. Good luck in your search!
 
TheBoo said:
[...] if I hadn't started on a simple bridge camera I don't think I would have been bitten by the bug.
Click to expand...

I can only agree. These bridge superzooms are an excellent first step, you learn what photography is about and have arguably "faster successes" than a DSLR can offer. With an EVF you can have the immediate feedback to see the photo just taken on the screen.

@birdsandbirds. I've just sent you a PM, taking into account that you prefer to buy with a warranty.

I've bought two of my SX50s used from private sellers, no warranty, for circa 200 Euro. With a little luck you can find a model for even less. At what price point is such a bargain better than a 250 Euro model with warranty? Hard to say. If we calculate that a shutter repair (the most regular defect) costs 150 Euro and a shutter lasts, in average, for about 130,000 clicks, it depends on how active you are as a photographer.

Offers of used SX50s are available in abundance. Arranging payment via Paypal at least offers a basic insurance.
 
TheBoo said:
Hi there. There's a lot of people on this forum that are really keen and knowledgeable photographers. That doesn't always mean thay can answer the major part of the question you are asking..an easy to use camera for under 250 euro..maybe because that are too technically capable and are used to spending the price of a decent secondhand car on their hobby. That isn't a criticism of photography geeks, but like most enthusiasts it's hard to sympathise with the compromises of the entry level of their specialism.
Personally I'd recommend a compact bridge camera. You don't have pack a bunch of gear with you, you don't have to learn a whole new vocabulary, and in the right conditions you can get pretty reasonable results.
These pics were taken on my Canon sx410 IS (40 x optical zoom), which I bought for less than 100 pound in the UK (Now thanks to our Brexit friends = only 120 euro). So your budget may well extend further up the range.

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=560429

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/558471

Personally for the future I'm looking to get a decent second hand DSLR and building up some decent lens, but if I hadn't started on a simple bridge camera I don't think I would have been bitten by the bug. Good luck in your search!
Click to expand...

Thanks, yes, that makes a lot of sense.
Those pictures look really good!
I'm still glad about the advice I got here, I now know what to look for and I believe it'll only be a matter of time till I find a good deal.
I was just a little frustrated (with myself) because I didn't understand what specifications to look for in a camera for this purpose and I knew I wouldn't be able to afford a new camera for a while. I was worried I might choose a camera that wouldn't suit my needs, and be stuck with it.
Hopefully my next post will be about birds I managed to catch on camera :)

Thanks again!
 
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