CAMERA Buying Guide (Dec. 2018): Portraits, Sports, Wildlife, Vlogging

GENERAL PHOTOS & VIDEO

LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY

SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

VLOGGING (filming yourself)

VIDEO (with a separate cameraman)

[TonyAndChelsea]

UPDATE: The D5500 DOES have a touchscreen - I confused it with the D5300, which lacks the touchscreen. Also, the D610 does have 2 card slots, however I still recommend the D750 over it because of the D750's superior focusing system. Sorry about that!

[ahmedbebars]

Thanks Tony for all the hard work you put into making these buying guide videos. You rock sir.

[ishank]

Lot of people here talking about Tony's comment about a phone being as good as/even better than an entry level camera.

I think I understand what Tony meant by that statement. You gotta understand the context behind it. He was advising the people who just think that they might need a DSLR for shooting photos of their loved ones, or just places they visited and things like that. A point and shoot camera is enough for those things. Some people don't need manual control over their camera. And these people don't prefer to invest the time/efforts to learn what the DSLR is capable of. Nothing wrong with that, just saying some people have different priorities. And for these people, a phone camera does click insanely good pictures. Not all pictures go into print or even get to large screens. A lot of people just want photos that look good on desktop or phone screens. And the phone is capable enough to deliver quality photos for that purpose. And I believe Tony was addressing these people.

[adavis]

Not going to lie I use the cheapest camera on this list, t3 with a 50mm 1.8 stm. I use it to take portraits of my kids and vacation pictures. A phone of any kind doesn't compare to even this basic set up. The crop factor gets me to 80mm and that's not something you can replicate on a cell phone without losing out on quality. My phone shoots in raw as well so there is some adjustment room but still the results from the t3 look stunning in comparison. I know this camera is far behind all the others but on Instagram no one can tell the difference.

[BrownieX]

Woah Tony. Fuji XT20 has the same sensor as xt2, so it is more than good. The kit lens that comes with it is better than all other kit lenses and definitely better than a smartphone especially for new photographers who can use the Film Simulations.

[nico.m]

Do I have to wear a cap indoors to become a photographer? :P

[TomBartol]

what about a7iii + tamron 28-75 combo for all around

[antonmarkin]

I’ve bought X-T3 with 16-55 F2.8 two weeks ago. Amazing performance over my old Canon 6D. Fujifilm is more well rounded camera, excellent for video. My recommendation!

[chrisogrady]

My D750 has been a great pro body for me since it was released, it’s great for everything and still has some of the best dynamic range and recoverability out there. It’s just the rubber pieces are not up to pro use, they are all hanging off/fallen off/stretched.

[garyroach]

One of the things I like about your recommendations is that you recommend used equipment as well as the newest equipment. Something that has always bothered me is that too many people think they have to have the latest and greatest model when a previous model (which was the latest and greatest last year) will do just as well. Buyers should evaluate their needs then decide which camera will be the best for them.

[KentSpain]

I already have my Canon 80D, and I am extremely happy with my gear. But I honestly can't see why you keep saying that phones produce nearly as good of photos as the lower end cameras. I have my original Canon 1200D and the quality of those shots are FAR superior to anything my phone could produce (previously Galaxy S7 / LG G6). I haven't even touched any of the Note 9 / iPhone X cameras, since I am not a big phone person, but he pictures I took off of my phone and my entry DSLR with the original kit were night and day. Have phones improved *that* much in 1-2 years? Sensor size now doesn't matter all of a sudden? Of course now my 80D with larger sensor and much better glass destroys any of the cameras my family has (my sister-in-law has an S9 and often shares pictures, which are nice, but no where near DSLR quality).

[JasperBroadcasts]

Tony! You mixed up the d5300 and the d5500- the d5300 does not have a touch screen, the d5500 does. I own the d5500 and it’s a great little camera.

[fredhowarth]

I don't need a new camera but I find Tony's voice soothing to listen to at work

[oleggontar]

Why the 2 card emphasized on d750? D600, d610 has two as well. And d5x00 a bit better than a phone? There is no phone close to it when iso is above 200, and you are not watching the picture on a phone.

[paolozirpoli]

Are you thinking about making a "upgrade guide" video? I would find it useful, I have a EOS T5 (1200D), I would like to upgrade and I'm thinking about the Sony a6500 (with a budget of around 1100€). But I would appreciate an opinion from you too.

[kimsonpro]

Nobody beats the Northrups reviews & recommends & analytics. NOBODY

[mvhan]

Who feels like Panasonic G9 is missing here as a hybrid camera ?
I mean the IBIS is a game changer for run and gun videos and latest Firmware makes good AF.

[SolKnightt]

Funny how I commented last night asking if the 7D Mark II was still worth it going into 2019, and here you are recommending it. Perfect!

[willherondale]

Thanks guys, these are always fun to watch and helped me buy my first wildlife lens last year. Seeing this video has reminded me how far I've come in the last year. Love you guys!

[Sawta]

I was surprised that Tony didn't include the Pentax K1 in the landscape list, given a very positive review he had done for it a few years prior. I imagine he still sees the lens choices as a major issue, but it just felt a little light in that category... maybe it's because it's what interests me the most.

Also, if T&C ever do an update for this list, I think they should include an indoor category, for live music venues, or museums.