Best Value Cameras for More Serious Photography
Whether you're considering getting your first serious camera or perhaps upgrading from the likes of an APS-C or Micro Four-Thirds camera, this is the place for you.
Practically any modern full-frame camera can produce great concert photos, but since we want gear that can be carried comfortably during longer concerts, we would suggest a kit that is reasonably compact and light, and obtainable without selling a kidney.
An important factor when choosing an interchangeable lens camera is the availability of lenses. Along with a choice of a camera body, you're choosing a lens mount along with it, that has its own eco-system of lenses. Therefore it's important to make sure the system you choose has all the lenses you need before settling on it.
Mirrorless Is the Future
While many photographers still rock their old DSLRs, the four major camera companies; Sony, Canon, Nikon and Panasonic, have all moved toward mirrorless. If you decide to buy a DSLR today, you're investing in legacy technology. For anyone starting out fresh, a mirrorless system is the way to go, and it's what we will focus on here.
Sony Still Has the Lead
Sony entered the mirrorless full-frame game several years before its competition, in 2013, with the original Alpha 7. Canon and Nikon joined in 2018 with the EOS R and Z7/Z6, respectively, with Panasonic being the latest major brand to enter the competition in 2019.
What does this mean for the consumers, then? The age of the system reflects the availability of lenses, and Sony has a large advantage, as their E-mount has loads of more lenses to choose from. Even though Panasonic was the slowest to offer full-frame mirrorless, they teamed up with Leica and Sigma and all three brands use the L-mount, originally developed by Leica. Three brands supporting the same mount make it grow quicker, and is currently the runner-up behind Sony's E-mount, in terms of lens selection.
Native Lens Availability
| Lens Mount | Number of Lenses |
|---|---|
| E-mount (Sony) | 206 (142 Full Frame) |
| L-mount (Panasonic, Leica, Sigma) | 72 (65 Full Frame) |
| Z-mount (Nikon) | 49 (39 Full Frame) |
| RF-mount (Canon) | 43 (39 Full Frame) |
Source: CameraDecision (as of Feb, 2024)
Great Allround: Sony a7 IV (and Sony a7C II)
The Sony Alpha 7 Mark IV (a7 IV) and the Sony Alpha 7C Mark II (a7 II) are essentially the same camera in different bodies. The "C" model has a more compact, rangefinder-styled body, while the regular a7 has a slightly larger SLR-styled body with a chunkier grip, making it a better choice for the large-handed photographer.
Both cameras have the same 33-megapixel BSI sensor with in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), capable of producing sharp images with great dynamic range and low-light performance.
Sony cameras are often praised for their stellar auto-focus and stable focus tracking, and the a7 and a7C models are no exception. Nailing the focus during a concert can be tricky due to a lot of movement as well as other distractions, like smoke. Having a reliable AF that continuously tracks the subject is therefore very useful. When you don't have to constantly pay attention to whether you're in focus, you can focus (no pun) on other, more creative aspects of your photography instead, like framing and composition.
For video, both cameras can shoot in 10-bit UHD (4K) at 60 fps. Both models also have a fully articulating screen, making them viable for vlogging and selfies. Both cameras film at 7K downscaled to 4K. In 4K at 60 fps specifically, it applies a 1.5x crop, which could be a dealbreaker for some videographers.
Apart from stellar image quality, the a7IV and a7CII also have a very robust battery life offering about 600 and 540 shots respectively, per charge cycle. This is great if you take a lot of pictures and/or videos at shows, without having to fiddle with battery swaps during a concert.
The only one beating both in terms of battery life is actually their predecessor; the Sony a7 III, rated for 710 shots per charge. The Mark III is still very capable and good enough for most photographers. That camera shoots in 24 Megapixels at 10 fps, does 4K video, has dual card slots, IBIS and similar to the newer models, it also has a nice back-side-illuminated (BSI) sensor that performs great in low light.
The Main Differences Between the Models
It's hard to go wrong with either model and which one is better for you comes down to the smaller differences between them.
The regular a7 (IV) is geared towards the traditional photographer who shoots with the viewfinder a lot. It has a larger and better EVF than the "C" model. Being the larger camera, the regular a7 (IV) also offers slightly better handling, and more ports and controls, such as a joystick for moving the focus point around when looking through the EVF. The regular a7 (IV) also has dual card slots, which is assuring to anyone doing paid work as a photographer. If you plan on using larger lenses, the slightly larger body and grip of the a7 also offer better handling and weight distribution than the smaller "C" model, which can be a bit cramped to hold.
The smaller a7C II's most obvious advantage over the a7 IV is that it's 145 grams lighter (514 grams vs. 659 grams of the a7 IV). Apart from that, the a7C II is nearly two years newer, which means a plethora of software improvements over its bigger brother. It boasts improved AI autofocus and a 1.5-stop better IBIS than its bigger brother, making it a hair better for handheld video and low-light photography. The "C" also supports video streaming straight out of the USB-C port, which is handy if you want video footage fed straight to your computer. The "C" is ideal if you mainly plan to use smaller lenses. That is where you get the most out of having a smaller body. The biggest downside that would make professionals steer away from the a7C II is that it still only has a single SD card slot meaning no redundancy as well as a significantly smaller buffer for burst photography. It also lacks buttons that the larger a7 IV has.
Sony a7C II
Compact Body, 33 MP (BSI), Flip Screen, Single Card Slot
Sony a7 III
24 MP (BSI), Tilt-Screen, Dual Card Slots
Sony a7C
Compact Body, 24 MP (BSI), Flip Screen, Single Card Slot
Finally Nailed the Autofocus: Panasonic Lumix S5 II
Panasonic's S5 is the smaller version of their flagship, the S1. The S5 a very well-rounded camera, and should be plenty enough for most photographers. The Mark II version of the S5 also has team Lumix's new and improved autofocus system (phase detect) onboard making it's continuous AF and focus tracking much more reliable than their previous models, and they're now almost on par with Sony.
The S5II, also known as Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 Mark II, has a 24-megapixel sensor, built-in image stabilization (IBIS), dual card slots, weather-sealed body, fully articulated touch screen and Leica L lens mount. It supports continuous shooting in very fast bursts of up to 30 shots/second.
Video-wise it's very accomplished, and offers 10-bit colours, 4:2:2 colour sampling and records in 6K at 30fps (in 3:2 aspect ratio), 4K at 60fps and FHD at 120fps. For 4K30 it offers full sensor readout, but at 4K60 it has a 1.5x crop. The S5 II can also supports USB streaming, letting you use it like a webcam.
The battery life of the S5 II is quite mediocre, however, offering about 370 shots per charge.
Important to keep in mind, however: Panasonic didn't enter the full-frame mirrorless game until 2019, and the lens lineup is still growing. It's always good to take a look and make sure they have the types of lenses you require before choosing any camera, but especially here, since it's a newer system.
Affordable and Light-Weight: Canon EOS R8
Canon's EOS R8 is one of the lightest full-frame bodies, at merely 461 grams. It's also amongst the cheapest modern full-frame cameras on the market. Some corners had to be cut to keep the size, price and weight down, though. Some areas where you'll see a difference compared to higher-end bodies include a pretty mediocre battery life (around 290 shots/charge), no in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), and just a single memory card slot.
If those things aren't dealbreakers to you, you get a very capable camera with the R8, with really competitive specs and great performance overall. The R8 also curates the lack of physical stabilisation of the sensor with a very effective digital stabilisation which outperforms a lot of the actual IBIS systems in other cameras.
Spec-wise, it has a 24-megapixel sensor with 14-bit colours producing very sharp images with nice low-light performance and dynamic range. Its auto-focus and tracking system also helps get sharp results, since it is very much up to date with modern standards, even giving Sony's exceptional AF systems a good match.
The R8's continuous shutter lets you shoot in bursts of 6 photos/second with the mechanical shutter, and up to 40 fps with the electronic one, which is useful for capturing things in motion, such as a concert.
The video specs are even more impressive, especially for the price, including 10-bit 4K video at 60 fps. It downsamples from 6K to 4K and does a full sensor read-out even at 60 fps, ergo no crop. The R8 also has a fully articulating screen, making it a solid choice for some vlogging on the side.
Good Allrounder: Nikon Z6 II, and Z6
Nikon's midrange offering Z6 Mark II strikes a nice balance in price to performance, and is a very competent camera.
The Z6 II, as well as the original Z6, have back side-illuminated (BSI) sensors of 24.5 megapixels, offering great image quality and dynamic range, as well as autofocus in low light. The Z6II shoots in burst of 14 fps (compared to 12 on the Z6 and just 4.5 on the Z5). Both cameras are weather-sealed. They also have sensor stabilisation (IBIS), electronic viewfinders and tilting screens.
The Z6II also has dial card slots, but the original Z6 only has a single slot, which could be a dealbreaker to some.
Both the Z6II and Z6 shoot video in 4K UHD at 30 fps, but the Mark II version also supports 60 fps, albeit with a 1.5x crop.
Budget Alternative: Nikon Z5
Nikon's entry-level mirrorless full-frame camera; the Z5 can still be a good deal. Compared to Canon's R8, sitting at a similar price point, the Z5 has two advantages; dual card slots and better battery life. This makes it a bit more reliable to work with for longer shoots.
The Z5 also has in-body image stabilisation (IBIS), but side-by-side comparisons with the R8, have proven that the digital stabilisation of the R8 to actually be more effective.
The image quality of the Z5 is pretty good in general, and its 24-megapixel sensor produces with good dynamic range and low-light performance with 14-bit colours. The auto-focus is workable but shows its age compared to the newer models on this list, and isn't quite as reliable. The Z5 also has a slower burst mode of just 4.5 fps, giving you a bit fewer chances of nailing those critical shots.
For video, the Z5 also isn't ideal. It can film in 4K at 30 fps but with a large 1.7-time crop on the image. This makes it operate more like something in between an APS-C and Micro Four-Thirds camera when filming. This might be acceptable if you want that narrower, more zoomed-in field of view, but for wide-angle video shots, it's obviously not ideal.
The display also can't be flipped forward, only tilted, so the Z5 is clearly intended for still photography mainly, and definitely not for vlogging or for taking selfies. If you want a more capable hybrid camera, you'd have to look at the pricier higher models in Nikon's Z line.
Nikon Z5
Entry-level Full-Frame with Dual Card Slots
Nikon Z6
Better Performance than the Z5, but Single Card Slot
Too Pricey? – Check Out These Bargains on the Used Market
As great and appealing new camera models are, they are by no means cheap. All of the camera brands want to push the performance to the next level and often forget to put out more affordable models. This can discourage anyone who wants to up their game with a full-frame system. Luckily, there is a solution! Looking at older models on the used market can save you a pretty penny and is a great way to make your entry into professional photography.
IMPORTANT TIP: What is arguably the most important factor when choosing your first body is to choose a system you actually want to grow in, so don't just get any camera you can get a good deal on. Think about what your dream camera is. It's probably expensive today, but everything will come down in price eventually. Until it does, aim for a lower model sharing the same lens mount. That way you can focus on getting good lenses now and eventually upgrade to a newer body as they drop in price.
Mirrorless Bargains
For older mirrorless bodies with full-frame sensors, Sony's are the easiest to get a great deal on. Simply because they entered this market first, resulting in a flood of old systems now changing hands.
The original Sony a7 and a7 II are probably the cheapest mirrorless full-frame bodies you can get, often selling for as little as 400-600 bucks. The a7 is probably among the lightest as well, at only 474 grams. The models came out in 2013 and 2014, respectively, and has the same 24-megapixel sensor. The Mark II also has a stabilised sensor (IBIS) and is a tad heavier and sturdier. The a7R also sits in this price range and even has 36-megapixels, but no IBIS, unless you go for the Mark II version. What might steer you away from these older models are no touch screen, lower battery life, slower autofocus, no 4K video (only 1080p). They also only come with single memory card slots. But considering the price, they are still incredible deals.
Also keep in mind, however, that Sony's APS-C line uses the same lens mount, and those bodies are more capable overall than the early models of the a7 line, like the original a7/a7R and their Mark II versions. So for around 600 bucks, APS-C arguably gets you better value, depending on what you value in a camera. For the price of an early a7 model, you could instead get an APS-C body like the a6100 or a6400 used and get a lot better autofocus, 4K video and overall performance, whilst still investing in full-frame lenses for a future upgrade.
If you can raise your budget a bit, Sony's a7 III has a lot more modern-day perks, though. It has touch-to-focus, a much more mature autofocusing and tracking, 4K video, dual card slots and a back side-illuminated (BSI) sensor giving it incredible low-light performance. It's about a grand more than the older models, usually sitting around 1500 bucks used, but you sure get you money's worth! Especially since it's about half the price of the current Mark IV version.
Sony a7
24 MP, tilt-screen (no touch)
Sony a7 II
24 MP, IBIS, tilt-screen (no touch)
Sony a7R
36 MP, tilt-screen (no touch)
Sony a7 III
24 MP (BSI), IBIS, 4K video, tilt-screen, touch to focus, dual card slots
Older DSLR's
If you're open for DSLR's there are of course a lot more options, and in a vacuum, you might even get a slightly better camera for the money, but be aware that you're investing in legacy technology, since all development is in mirrorless these days.
Having said that, there are certainly great deals you can make on something like a Nikon D750, often selling for around 600 bucks. It came out in 2014, but the sheer quality of the pictures it produces is so good many people use it even still. It has 24 megapixels, shoots at up to 6.5 fps, has dual card slots and massive battery life rated for 1230 shots. Given its age, it lacks a lot of modern nicities, however. I doesn't have a touch screen, nor does it record in 4K and there's no IBIS onboard either.
If you can snag the more recent Nikon D780 of 2020, you get a lot of modern goodies, including touch screen, 4K video, a nicer BSI sensor of 25 megapixels and an even beefier battery, rated for 2260 shots. There is still no IBIS, but at least it offers digital stabilisation for video. The D780 can be found for around 900-1000 bucks used, which is a great deal for a pretty modern camera.
From camp Canon, you can often snag a Canon 6D Mark II from 2017, for around 700-900 bones. It offers a 26-megapixel sensor that lets you shoot at up to 6.5 fps, and a fully articulating touch screen. As usual with DSLR's, battery life is also great, giving you about 1200 shots on a charge. The downsides of the 6D II are that it only shoots video at 1080p, and also only has a single memory card slot.
Nikon D750
24 MP, tilt-screen (no touch), dual card slots
Nikon D780
25 MP (BSI), 4K video, tiltable touch screen, dual card slots
Canon 6D Mark II
26 MP, fully articulating touch screen