There are lots of great options in this price range.
Best Budget Camera
The style/shape/size will vary greatly and you have lots of great systems to choose from.
I would avoid the GF1, it’s a great camera but for a little bit more you can get it’s much newer replacement the Panasonic GX1 which has a better sensor, much faster AF, great handling, ability to add an external EVF, etc. GX1’s can be had for under $200 used and a bit over $200 brand new.
If you like the mini rangefinder body style the Olympus E-PM2 or E-PL5 is also a great alternative. They have a sensor that’s about a stop better than the GX1 in noise and dynamic range, the same sensor found in the much lauded OMD E-M5. They also have stabilization built into the body so any non-stabilized lenses will enjoy stabilization. THe in body stabilization on the E-PM2 ($425 new w/ kit lens) and E-PL5 ($525 new w/ kit lens) isn’t as effective and some other systems but it makes for smaller lenses and lets you stabilized adapted lenses.
Sticking in the Micro 4/3 system if you want a more SLR styled body the Panasonic G5 ($399 w/ 14-42 Kit Lens) has a similar sensor to the GX1 in a small SLR styles body. I find the G5’s ergonomics much improved over any of the rangefinder style bodies and has a built in electronic view finder too. But that comes as the expense of a larger more bulky body that doesn’t have the old school rangefinder look and feel.
I would stay away from any Micro 4/3 body with the 12MP sensor. That technology has been surpassed and for not much more money you can get something with the newer 16mp sensors which are anywhere from one to two stops better in dynamic range and high ISO performance. Best thing about getting into Micro 4/3 is the avaiability of high quality lenses cheap. Plus they work great with old manual focus lenses adapted. I originally got into mu43 for macro work using some of my old manual focus Nikon glass.
You should be able to pick up one of the NEX3’s or NEX5’s for around $500. Try to get one with the newer 16MP sensor as they offer much improved performance over the older 14MP versions. You will see the old 14MP versions dirst cheap because of this but spend the extra money on the 16MP version.
There are several great Nikon bodies you can get that will fit in your budget. The D5100 will offer the best image quality. It is the same sensor as in the 16mp sony NEX’s and it’s an awesome sensor. The D5100 will offer better controls and a better selection of lenses. Nikons Flash system is also second to none if you want to get into flash photography work.
For about D5100 money I have seen some used D90’s go for that price. It’s older 12mp sensor isn’t as clean as the D5100 at high ISO’s, but it still makes great clean images. It offers more buttons and controls over the D5100 and handles much better. It also has a screw drive which will expand the number of lenses you can use. With a screw drive you can can pick up lots of great high quality affordable screw driven AF lenses.
Written by DeoreDX
Article source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/photography-blog/2013/jun/18/spomeniks-war-monuments-former-yugoslavia-photography
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