camera experts please help me choose.

urbanlegend11

Im looking for my 1st decent camera and have narrowed it down to PANASONIC Lumix DMC-G6KEB-K Compact System Camera with 14-42 mm Telephoto Zoom Lens(£299) and CANON EOS 100D DSLR Camera with 18-55 mm Telephoto Zoom Lens, Extra Battery & Lens Cloth(£289). Don't have the funds for extra lenses so which would you consider the better camera, most versatile etc. Im looking for good quality pics and vids for day to day events, special occasions etc.

andrewf75

Not really familiar with the CSC type cameras, but I doubt there is much between one of them and an entry level DSLR.

Much depends what you're going to do in future. i.e add lenses when you do have the funds.

In terms of absolute quality you would be better off buying a secondhand Canon DSLR. Maybe a 60D or 7D

or for more versatility you could go for a bridge camera/superzoom

Double_V

You can never go wrong with Canons.
Go for Canon DSLR.

InsideInsurance

urbanlegend11 wrote: »

so which would you consider the better camera, most versatile etc. Im looking for good quality pics and vids for day to day events, special occasions etc.

The canon

However, how have you narrowed it down to these two?

Looking at stats and reviews are all very good but you cannot beat actually trying the camera in your own hands/ seeing the photos it produces.

I personally find the entry level Canon's fine but some guys with big hands find it too small. My current Canon is clearly a superior camera to the entry level one but the Mrs finds it too heavy to hold.

Looking at the photos too, the Mrs massively prefers the colour profile of Nikkon to the Canon. I can somewhat see where she is coming from as they are typically slightly warmer but to my (colourblind) eyes the Canon is more accurate and I'd rather than and can then play with altering things in Photoshop.

Le_Kirk

Agree about DSLR every time, although I am a Nikon man.

[Deleted User]

I suspect the canon is a better long term buy. I know you can't buy new lenses now, but you might when you see how cheap the canon 50mm f1.8 lens is. Panasonic lenses can cost far too much

BUT.. you'll need to try them in your hands first

Here's a spec comparison - http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EOS-100D-vs-Panasonic-LUMIX-DMC-G6

nearlyrich

I am a Canon User I have a 60D but when I am travelling it's my Panasonic Lumix system every time, so much lighter to carry for a start. we did some research on entry level DSLR models last year for a birthday present and the Nikon entry level came out batter than the Canon 100D.
Don't worry too much about adding more lenses later you get a feel for what's missing and if you buy them all at once you probably won't use them.


I always advise people to go and have a hold take an SD card take the same picture on both (or all) and compare the images on a bigger screen maybe even take the images home and sleep on it.


Whilst this is a money saving site and it's always good to get a bargain on line this is one purchase where the high street can really help you to make a decision plus sometimes the small shops get deals the big guys don't get.
I got an extended warranty free for buying in an independent camera shop with my Panasonic plus a free lens on redemption from Panasonic that came is less than a week.

tberry6686

I can never understand why every time someone asks a question about cameras almost everyone says Canon.

The truth is you need to try the different makes yourself and see what you prefer, each have their own strengths and weaknesses.

Canon - very popular, loads of second hand gear available cheap, tech is generally 2-3 years out of date (compared to main rivals). My thoughts, don't like the menu systems on them, colours appear oversaturated. Overall still pretty good but showing their tech ages.

Nikon - Again very popular with loads of second hand gear available, best cameras available for low light, bang up to date on tech, rely on other companies for their sensors. My thoughts, pretty good all round but don't have a model that fits my needs (unless I want to spend £4k on a body).

Sony - far less popular that Canon and Nikon, less second hand gear available and lens range is slightly limited, limited range of bodies (but they do have bodies to suit most people). Top of the tech tree and likely to remain there for some time. Starting to get a following among the pro's but still lagging behind the big 2 by some margin. My thoughts, pretty good but still has a few gaps in the range, Zeiss lenses are amongst the best there are but are priced to match best sensors available (why Nikon mainly use them). Menu system is good for me but will not suit everyone.

Other manufacturers - didn't try as the limited ranges were to restrictive for me but some have a very good reputation.

In short, if going for a dslr then get into a good camera shop and play with the bodies - what suits one person will not suit everyone else.

Le_Kirk

tberry6686 wrote: »

In short, if going for a dslr then get into a good camera shop and play with the bodies - what suits one person will not suit everyone else.

Excellent advice.

gjchester

tberry6686 wrote: »

Sony - far less popular that Canon and Nikon, less second hand gear available and lens range is slightly limited, limited range of bodies (but they do have bodies to suit most people).

As a Sony person myself, its worth adding that while used Sony make lenses are sometimes rare on the ground, but they do take almost all Minolta AF lens so there is a large range out there.

There is still a LOT more Canon/Nikon used kit than Minolta, but Minolta glass does not always command the premium price that Canon and Nikon seem to.

Gloomendoom

tberry6686 wrote: »

I can never understand why every time someone asks a question about cameras almost everyone says Canon.

The truth is you need to try the different makes yourself and see what you prefer, each have their own strengths and weaknesses

I'm predominately a Canon person myself but that is sound advice. I needed a toughened underwater jobby for a snorkelling holiday. Having read the reviews and played with few in the flesh, I bought an Olympus.