The Only Camera Buying Guide You Need (Photography)

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
00:22 - "Gear Doesn't Matter"
01:08 - Best Camera Brand?
03:36 - Think Long Term
02:28 - Full Frame?
03:06 - Law Of Diminishing Return
04:38 - Budgeting
05:37 - Not Just The Camera
06:30 - Smartphone
08:20 - Fixed Lens Camera
10:42 - Interchangeable Lens Camera
11:36 - Entry Level
12:33 - Mid Level
14:15 - Premium
15:31 - Ultra Premium
17:58 - Me Trying To Row

[RandumbTech]

All great options! I am slowly migrating to Sony from Fuji. Only because I am shooting video way more than photos these days. The A7iv is an absolute beast of a camera - hands down the best I have ever used. I’m still learning how to extract as much out of it as I can, but right out of the box, even with the cheap kit lens, it’s damn impressive. For photography, I still often shoot with my 100V - that thing is insane. Thx for doing this video.

[DanaPushie]

Hi Roman, This is by far one of the best camera buying guides I've seen yet. This can be like falling down a huge rabbit hole. I really enjoyed your cost/value break down and the line up of various brands at difference price bracketts. All camera buyers are likely to go down this road at some point and I think you've done a fantastic job of helping anyone about to take the plunge. I'm new to your channel, thanks to James Popsys, and plan to visit often. Great job.

[onlyonelens]

Thanks for the video super helpful. I recently sold my XT1 with a XF 23 mm which was my way in for around £500 when wanted to migrate from phone but small budget - The opportunity to learn with it far outweighed hardware limitations. Original logic was to keep the lens and upgrade the body when I could afford. I ended up deciding I probably want something fixed lens pocketable for everyday moments and sold both while I could get all my money back. I am now indecisive in the way that you describe in terms of high cost of GR’s etc vs getting a more up-to-date Fuji body and maintaining future versatility. Appreciate the food for thought!

[joostverpoort]

I'm using the Panasonic Lumix S5, a year ago with 400, - cash back it was 1300, -. I love it! The 24mp full-frame gives very good lowlight performance, weather proof, top video quality and impressive IBIS. The only downside is the L-mount lens availability. Because of that I use some vintage lenses, very affordable and if you do your search well you'll get very good results.

[rjohnbernales]

Thank you Roman. These are great practical tips. Makes a lot of sense.

[gumbo]

Roman, I don't know how to thank you enough. A while back I needed advice on making a camera purchase. You and another subscriber gave me some good advice indeed. Well, I finally pulled the trigger and bought a T-X20 from eBay (a seller in Japan) and a XF 18-55 lens from MPB. I agonized long and hard to come to this decision but with your input i did it. Now waiting for arrival so I can take advantage of more of your advice. Great channel and thanks much. Stay safe.

[hzocgji]

I bought an X-T10 about a month ago and I love it! I know it's a bit old, but it's still taking wonderful photos. I can already start building my lens collection and upgrade to X-T3 or something similar in the future

[landomt]

Thank you so much for this video and all of your informative videos! I’m just getting into photography seriously and made the decision to buy the Fujifilm XT4. I’ve taken thousands of pictures with my iPhone, and I always wish that I could capture the moment with higher quality images. I’ve played around with an old hand-me-down Nikon DSLR, but I never have liked using it! I think that I’ll want to take more photos and become a better photographer with the XT4. I’ve watched your videos on lenses and gear, and I hope I’ll have a good kit!

[Murphy]

Hi Roman, really enjoyed this one. I am always watching your videos from a point of someone who makes money from photography and videography and I like that your videos speak to both worlds - professionals as well as enthusiasts. well done and keep it up. PS: loved the chart haha

[DarioSolera]

As others said, the Panasonic micro 4/3 system is very good and it doesn't cost an eye and a leg. My 20MP G9 does everything I need it to do for street and landscape photography, includuing night street photography with fast prime lenses. Also, image stabilization is awesome. I can see me using this system for years and years without the need for an upgrade.

[iaincphotography]

A good talk Roman, makes a lot of sense and I hope any beginners watching pay heed to your advice.

[peterjoseph]

Great video - as always - Roman! I am relatively now om photography. In the pandemic I gave myself a Nikon Z5. Got a small kit lense with it and also bought a prime Z 50mm/1.8S. I think the Z5 belong in the entry level catagory (?) The Z 50 mm 1.8S lense is a prime lense. The cost about 1600 Euros. They work so good together! One of the best bargains (gear for cash) you can get, I think.
However, I frequently borrow my wifes Fujifilm X-E3 with the 23 mm f2 lense, as a daily camera. It is so small and light with a wrist band and really fun to use. She bought the camera and the lense after the release of the X-E4 for about 1000 Euros 🙂

[steveschnetzler]

Panasonic had a lot of the good features early on and they are still good cameras use and learn with. A used g85, g95 or g9 with a bunch of MFT lenses can cover a huge range of use cases, and still be affordable.

[ToddBannor]

Good point about sticking with one system for a long period of time. Many photographers switch systems before they’ve fully mastered the one they have. And the camera companies leapfrog each other. Wait long enough and a feature you covet will show up in your brand.

[hanumanguy]

Really great guide. I really subscribe to the diminishing returns philosophy when buying cameras. I've been using Pentax digital cameras for 14 years and last year purchased a new K70 for less than $600, it's less than 1/3 the price of their flagship APS-C camera and has a similar sensor. I did a bit of research on the Panasonic Lumix GX85 (in USA) and that looks like an incredible value for someone starting out in interchangeable lens photography. Body + 2 kit lenses for under $600 at B and H. I'd probably go with Fuji if I was starting over and buying into a whole system.

[charliejg]

Enjoyable and succinct video about a topic that causes much anxiety for some. Your advice about this topic is spot on. Find something good enough for what YOU want to do and that will allow you to grow into that area. Like you, I also chose the XT-3 because for the price it gave the most and met my current and future needs for quite a while. It's still a very good camera by any measure. It's cost also wasn't so crazy(I bought it barely used.) that I couldn't afford to consider more lenses. Again, nicely done video Roman. Have a great week.

[rolandbrooks]

super video and loads of info, , a question if I may, , do you not bother using a lens hood ?

[eltinjones]

I've got Lumix GX9 - Brilliant little camera and light but sturdy
I'm also surprised that you didn't mention Nikon. I've also the D7200 in my openion one of the best APSC cameras ever made
Both cameras mentioned have a great selection of lenses, not so much Nikon APSC mirrorless now sadly.

[wilfs]

Very happy with my X-T3, 18-55, occasional use of my 70-300, 35 f2 & the new but rarely used (at this time) 23 1.4. Have a rarely used X-E4 which was a camera for travel plans which have changed 3 times. Probably sell it and a lens. Stay wit X-T3 & 3 lens max. Great photos of Porto in the beginning of the video, Thanks for the memories.

[erik]

I would have needed this video 1 year ago. So useful! One topic to add is definitivly the question if you want/have the time to edit your photos. If you don't like editing...go Fuji.