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| Fujifilm X-E5; 16-55mm f/2.8 II lens @ 55mm; 1/160th sec. @ f/11; ISO 320 (click to enlarge) |
We’ve already had a few new camera introductions this year, but my sources tell me that over the upcoming months, particularly from September through the end of the year, there will be additional cameras introduced. So, some of you might be in the market for a new camera body. If so, I have a series of questions for you.
When you consider buying a camera, how do you choose? Do you:
Need the fastest and most accurate autofocus?
Need the absolute best subject detection?
Need 20-30 or more frames per second?
Need more than 20-24 megapixels for your photography?
Need a battery that will allow you to make a few thousand exposures?
Need an integrated extended battery grip?
Need pixel shift technology?
Need pre-capture technology?
Need built-in neutral density filters?
Need the best in-body-image-stabilization (IBIS) for low light situations?
Need an extremely high resolution viewfinder?
Need a camera with a sensor that will allow you to make enormous prints?
Need the best ‘color science?’
Need 8K video, 120p, open gate and all of those other cutting edge video features I don’t understand?
Need a system that has more than 50 lenses available for it?
Need 1/16,000th of a second or faster shutter speeds?
Need a camera & lens system that has the ability to produce extremely shallow depth of field?
Need buttons and dials rather than use the menu for simple changes?
Need a specific camera because you derive your income from your photography?
Demand your images never show any digital noise?
…,and the list could go on and on.
I'll bet that most of you will answer the questions above almost all 'no.'
So, what do you want or need in your next camera? What are the features that are a must? What features that a camera may not have are deal breakers? Do you want a fully featured camera or would you prefer a simple camera with fewer features, kind of like our old film cameras, that would cost less? The kind that meets your needs but without trying to be all things to all photographers.
Personally, I think I would like to have a simpler camera that feels good in my hand, has a logical and well thought out menu system and has the ability to produce high quality image files. For example, my OM cameras, chock full of more features than I can remember, largely is used in a basic manner. Yes, the features are there if and when I need them but I rarely if ever need most of them. If there is a feature I would want to employ and it isn’t on the camera in my hand, I miss the shot. Is that the end of the world? Not at all.
As far as deal breakers, I think I have a few that would keep me from buying a particular camera. First and foremost, the camera has to feel good or ‘fit’ in my hands. If I fundamentally don’t like holding it or using it, then why would I buy it?
In-body-image-stabilization (IBIS) is another. It should be an industry standard in every camera today.
A good quality electronic viewfinder. It doesn’t need to be the best, just engineered well, bright, an high magnification and with good highlight and shadow detail. If a new camera doesn’t have an EVF or has an outdated EVF, well, I think I would pass on it. No excuse for a substandard viewfinder these days.
Not having a top notch autofocus system with excellent subject detection would also be a deal breaker these days. Again, it doesn’t have to be the absolute best, but close to state-of-the-art. For example, Fujifilm is rumored to introduce an X-T6 soon. If the AF system performs as does the current ones, as much as I love Fujifilm cameras, I would not buy one. Again, no excuse these days for having a substandard AF, poor tracking and subject detection system.
The last imperative for me is a ‘joystick.’ I find them too useful to try to go back and use a 4-way button setup to move the focus point around like we did in the past.
Other than those few, I think everything else is negotiable. I almost added a tilting versus a fully articulating swing-out LCD screen, but I can (barely) live with one. Not quite a deal breaker.
How about you? Which of these questions are meaningful to you and what are your ‘deal breakers’ for buying a new camera? As for almost all of those questions I posited, I can answer no. I really don’t need a camera that has the very best oif everything. A good camera that will get the job done will suffice these days.
Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.
Thanks for looking. Enjoy!
Dennis A. Mook
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Dennis, I find myself in your camp. I don't need the absolute best in a camera as I shoot solely for my enjoyment. I do want a camera that is fun to use, and is competent in every area. I generally do not look at new cameras unless my current ones are at least 5 years old, which seems to be the close to the new timeframe for new releases of models that I would be interested in.
ReplyDeleteI also find myself asking, is this going to require me to have to purchase different batteries, a new L-plate, a new remote release, etc? I'm getting weary of having to purchase all of the 'extras'. Happy shooting - Jim
Jim, thanks for your comment. ~Dennis
DeleteI considered the list of possible options in the article.
ReplyDeleteI think I am about to describe the OM-1 or OM-1 II. I need a camera that operates as a function of my eyes without causing unnecessary distractions in operation or handling.
Camera functions should include reliable focus, a very fast frame rate, competent autofocus, and handheld focus stacking. An exceptional level of stabilization is also a requirement particularly for this format.
There must be a quality series of lenses, equal to the Olympus Pro series 8-25, 12-100, and 40-150 f2.8. The manual focus clutch is also desirable.
The presets of C1-C4 are a requirement. Any change in camera settings interrupts my intent to make the photograph.
Perhaps because of familiarity, I am able to make intended images with the OM and lenses with a minimum of distraction.
I also have good experience with the Nikon Z7 for architectural images and copywork. I think of this camera for making static images. AF for static scenes is excellent, image quality very high, and the EVF is of the best quality. There are useful tilt shift lenses available for this camera. None for the OM.