What camera would suit me?

[Thrash]

Hi guys,

Sorry if this kinda thread has been done many times but im stuck in a dilemma. At the minute I own a Nikon D3200 with the kit lens, 35mm f1.8 and some old Nikon/M42 lenses, I really love this camera and I think its brilliant, coupled with the 35mm I nearly always come back after taking it out and love the photos ive taken (apart from the odd one but hey im no pro). Im particularly low on cash at the minute (student :thumbsdown and something has to give and unfortunately its gonna have to be the camera.
All that aside, it isnt particularly relevant but im swaying to selling it and buying another setup but I have no idea what and this is what im asking.

As much as I love my DSLR, I rarely take it out because its so much hassle lugging round lenses and just the body itself, I know its a small DSLR but I still need a bag for it. This is fine when im solely going out to take photos but most of the time ill just be out for the day and I constantly walk round thinking how great a photo that would be and so I whip out the iPhone but its just not the same.
Secondly, I cant afford to buy new lenses, as I say im a student and whilst im at uni im just not gonna have the cash to buy brand new lenses and make the most out of my SLR, sure the 35mm is great but its one of, if not the cheapest lens Nikon do (with inbuilt AF) which means im gonna be stuck with that for the next few years. When I start earning im sure it will be all good, chances are I wont be keeping the D3200 anyway though.
Thirdly, like everyone else I love photography and really enjoy taking the camera out and getting some good shots, I love the way all DSLRS take photos and the high resolutions. I had a Nikon V1 before but it just didnt do it for me, ive took some of my best photos with it and it felt like a great compromise between a point-and-shoot and a DSLR but I just dont think the V1 was good enough; not good enough in low light and poor resolution. I love the Fuji X100, the colours are fantastic without any editing at all, its really something special but expensive, is the X10/20 the same? What about some of the Olympus PENs?

So, I therefore think im looking at mirrorless/CSCs but theres tons out there, maybe just a high end point-and-shoot would be more my thing or should I just hold out with the DSLR?

Sorry for the long post, your help is greatly appreciated

 

[stu.artd]

If buying new lenses for a dslr is an issue, wouldn't the same logic also apply to a CSC ?
Saying that though, you don't *need* to buy new lenses for the dslr. You have the kit and 35/1.8 so maybe just add a telephoto like the tamron 70-300vc and you'd be set?

However if you are fedup with separate lenses I'd suggest having a look at the Fuji X10/20, Sony RX100 and Panasonic LX7. And the X100 has crashed in price recently Particularly used, as has the X10), so could be well worth looking at.

 

[Phil Young]

As above, from your OP it seems as though the most logical solution is a good compact with a decent zoom lens.

Fuji x10/20
Panasonic LX7
Sony RX100
Canon G1x / G15
Olympus XZ2
Nikon P7700

Having one of the above will surely tempted you to take it out more.

 

[magicaxeman]

Fuji X100, I would say its damn near just what you need, no compromise on image quality compared to your dslr, small enough to put in your jacket pocket.

 

[woof woof]

Im particularly low on cash at the minute (student :thumbsdown and something has to give and unfortunately its gonna have to be the camera.
All that aside, it isnt particularly relevant but im swaying to selling it and buying another setup but I have no idea what and this is what im asking.

Have you thought this through? Tough love coming up...

You're low on cash and the camera has to go... fair enough, I'm with you there... but you want to buy something else? That's where you lose me. What's the point in selling your gear because you need the money and then rushing out and buying another setup?

If you're low on cash and the camera has to go but you want something to use instead of your phone make do with a cheap compact from the supermarket, ebay or the classifieds here, put it in your pocket and enjoy shooting as and when you can... and put the bulk of the money you get from selling your SLR towards paying your bills... which I thought was the point.

 

[Thrash]

Thanks for all the replies guys, are those compacts anywhere near as good as DSLRs or M4/3 CSCs? I know I can pick up an Olympus PEN EP1 or Panasonic GF3 cheap but are they any good?

Have you thought this through? Tough love coming up...

You're low on cash and the camera has to go... fair enough, I'm with you there... but you want to buy something else? That's where you lose me. What's the point in selling your gear because you need the money and then rushing out and buying another setup?

If you're low on cash and the camera has to go but you want something to use instead of your phone make do with a cheap compact from the supermarket, ebay or the classifieds here, put it in your pocket and enjoy shooting as and when you can... and put the bulk of the money you get from selling your SLR towards paying your bills... which I thought was the point.

I understand where youre coming from, id be hoping to sell my gear and get at least £450 for the lot and I know I can definitely get, lets say an X10 for £250. So I still have money for rent and I still have a good setup I can enjoy using more.

 

[woof woof]

Thanks for all the replies guys, are those compacts anywhere near as good as DSLRs or M4/3 CSCs? I know I can pick up an Olympus PEN EP1 or Panasonic GF3 cheap but are they any good?

I understand where youre coming from, id be hoping to sell my gear and get at least £450 for the lot and I know I can definitely get, lets say an X10 for £250. So I still have money for rent and I still have a good setup I can enjoy using more.

I have a G1 which is a first generation Panasonic MFT CSC. I mostly use it with manual Minolta Rokkor lenses that cost under £30 and at low to middle ISO settings the images can compete with my 5D+ lens costing £hundreds.

The only real weak areas IMVHO are the performance at higher ISO's, a lack of dynamic range when compared to a good DSLR and eye strain in low light. The DR issue can be mitigated to a degree by using the in view histogram, shooting RAW and processing for best effect.

You might get a used MFT for around £100 or even less and you could get a 28mm f2.8 and a 50mm f1.7 together with an adapter for under £50, possibly under £40. It's a cheap way of having fun and getting decent shots if you are happy with manual focus. If manual focus isn't for you maybe you could find a cheap 14-42mm kit lens.

Having said all that, there have been times when I've been strapped for cash and the first thing I'd do is clear my debts (so you don't pay interest, interest is a killer) and think about photography later. You can always use your camera phone (PAYG I hope to cut down on subscription charges?) or a cheap compact. For example you could pick up a nice used LX2 for about £120 or a pocket compact for a lot less. I have a fixed focus Medion compact that's a lot of fun and the last time I looked Medion were selling them off for £10, I'm sure you'd get a decent compact for around £40.

 

[magicaxeman]

Thanks for all the replies guys, are those compacts anywhere near as good as DSLRs or M4/3 CSCs? I know I can pick up an Olympus PEN EP1 or Panasonic GF3 cheap but are they any good?

The X100 can knock the majority of the M43's into a cocked hat.

 

[ernesto]

Yep, an X100 is just as good as a DSLR for IQ, in fact it may be better than your D3200 (especially at high ISO).

However, whilst they are a compact they are not actually that small and I found I still needed a small bag for mine (especially if in it's case) which is why I sold it. I wanted something that would really fit in any pocket so got a 'proper' compact (XF1). The IQ and speed is not up with a DSLR but compromises have to be made to get a camera that will fit in a shirt pocket!

Not sure if you can now get the X100 for £250 but if you can it is a great camera for that price (I am glad I sold mine for £500 4 months ago!)