Best used camera under $100?

[dragantoe]

I've been wanting to get into photography but want to start on a tight budget. I'm willing to spend $100 on a camera body but don't know where to look and don't know what lenses and adapters I need. The only suggestion I've been interested in is the Sony NEX-5 body for $100, but don't know what else i would need. I'm willing to stretch my budget a little if there is a good reason.

 

[CuriousMike]

There is the (1) camera body and (2) lens.
You need both.

You repeatedly say you're willing to spend $100 on the (1) body, but neglect what you're willing to spend on the (2) lens.

The Nex5 would be a great starter body, but the kit lens or prime might be more expensive than Canikon.

 

[dragantoe]

There is the (1) camera body and (2) lens.
You need both.

You repeatedly say you're willing to spend $100 on the (1) body, but neglect what you're willing to spend on the (2) lens.

The Nex5 would be a great starter body, but the kit lens or prime might be more expensive than Canikon.

I guess i underestimated how much a good cheap lens kit would be, really I would like to keep the whole thing under $150

 

[CuriousMike]

If you can find a nex5 body for $100, you *might* be able to find the similar kit 16-50 for $50. Might. Maybe.

Alternatively, you could look for a Canon T2i/t3i with 18-55
Or a Nikon D40 with 18-55.

But these are all DSLR's. Maybe you'd be better served by a compact? Or, your smartphone?

 

[dragantoe]

If you can find a nex5 body for $100, you *might* be able to find the similar kit 16-50 for $50. Might. Maybe.

Alternatively, you could look for a Canon T2i/t3i with 18-55
Or a Nikon D40 with 18-55.

But these are all DSLR's. Maybe you'd be better served by a compact? Or, your smartphone?

Is there anything wrong with DSLR's? I have a galaxy s6 and try to do a lot of photography with it but it just doesn't have enough settings, the lens kits for smartphones aren't great, the OIS isn't good and it doesnt have an sd card slot. I'm able to get more impressive shots with with my 10 year old powershot sx100 IS due to settings alone. If the nex5 is hands down the best body for $100 then I will stretch my budget for the lens, but I wasnt sure if there was something better for cheaper. Thanks

 

[CuriousMike]

There is nothing wrong with DSLR's. With good light, they can provide a modest bump in image quality over a smartphyone. In challenging light, they will provide a good bump in image quality.

I don't know that you're going to find better than the Nex5 for $100. Maybe it comes with the kit lens for that price = that'd be super.

 

[Staples]

If you can find a NEX5 body for $100, I'd be very surprised. It is a good camera and I use it but the lens for this camera can be quite expensive (starting at $200 new).

There are some decent used point and shoot cameras in you budget and you can probably easier find something in your price range. Point and shoot cameras are hampered by small sensors and inferior lens but interchanable lens cameras cost a lot more.

 

[dragantoe]

How much better are the 16.1 mp versions than the 14.2 mp ones? I can get a body + 18-55mm lens kit 14.2 mp for $130, or the same thing with the 16.1 mp for $200

 

[Staples]

There isn't a difference. The MP number is pretty meaningless once you get past 12MP.

 

[dragantoe]

There isn't a difference. The MP number is pretty meaningless once you get past 12MP.

well i figured since one is newer it would be a better camera, but if its the same thing then I'll probably jump on the 14.2 mp one

 

[CuriousMike]

16.1mp vs 14.2 mp what ?

These are obviously different cameras or bodies. That can make a difference.

 

[dragantoe]

16.1mp vs 14.2 mp what ?

These are obviously different cameras or bodies. That can make a difference.

There is the nex-5k that is 14.2 mp then the nex-5n/r that is 16.1. I'm pretty sure that each iteration has a completely different sensor

 

[dragantoe]

I've narrowed down my search to 2 cameras, the NEX-5K or the Nikon d3100, both of which I can afford, which one should I get?

UPDATE:
I went with the NEX 5R with the full lens kit in case anyone cares. It seemed to be the no-compromises option (mostly) between the two and in a compact package that will be better for hikes and runs, where I primarily take pictures.

Also, it blew through my budget in case anyone wanted to point it out.

 

[CuriousMike]

You made a good choice - the 16MP sensor on the 5R is a workhorse, loved on the Nikon D5100 and D7000 amongst others.

If you want, check this out
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2456579&highlight=

 

[jtvang125]

I have the 5R too and you won't be disappointed with the picture quality. And if you don't mind using manual focus lenses there are literally hundreds of legacy manual focus lenses you can adapt with really cheap adapters.

 

[dragantoe]

You made a good choice - the 16MP sensor on the 5R is a workhorse, loved on the Nikon D5100 and D7000 amongst others.

If you want, check this out
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2456579&highlight=

Thanks! Definitely a good read for a beginner like me. I get to use all these settings on my s6, but the rules clearly apply differently to real cameras.

 

[dragantoe]

I have the 5R too and you won't be disappointed with the picture quality. And if you don't mind using manual focus lenses there are literally hundreds of legacy manual focus lenses you can adapt with really cheap adapters.

Are there any you recommend that are better than the kit it comes with? I'm probably going to hold off on a new lens until I better understand how I like to take pictures but if there is something cheap and really good then I might splurg at some point.

 

[CuriousMike]

Spend some time determining what you like to photograph before buying a new lens.
For example, you might find that you want more zoom.
Or you want something wider for landscapes.
Or you want something better for portraits / people / street.

I don't know how easy it is to manually focus with the 5R - that should be a consideration.

Sony released a new, cheaper 50mm prime a few months back thats got good reviews.
The Sony FE 50mm F1.8 -- that might be something you consider as good foray into lenses. It'll be sharper than the kit lens and allow you to control depth of field (what's sharp, what's blurry ) and do better in low light.

 

[dragantoe]

It turns out that the nex 5r's micro usb is completely stripped out. This takes out a massive amount of functionality (all of the wifi capabilities due to unsupported old firmware that I can't update, and charging through the input) So If I can't get it fixed on the cheap then I'm returning it.
Are there any cameras + lens kit you recommend for under $300 now that my budget has increased? I don't think i'll find another 5r that cheap...
How does the A3000 compare to the nex 5r?