Help me make a sensible decision...

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MarcPearson

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Hi folks,

Last year I sold my Canon 5Dii and a bunch of decent lenses mainly due to the size/weight of it meaning I never took it out.

I thought it’d be a sensible move to get a decent smaller camera so bought a Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ100 but it isn’t working for me, it’s a bit too slow and just doesn’t quite feel right.

So I’l looking at buying back into a new system, a colleague I work closely with uses Canon and I know Canon so that’s appealing but I’m slightly lusting over the Sony A7r3.

I also do a bit of ad hoc video work using a black magic pocket cine cam so have a few MFT lenses for that.

Needs to be a good all rounder, I don’t plan to be shooting professionally but I do value decent kit so happy to spend a couple of thousand especially if it’s a system I can keep adding too.

Basically, I’m going round in circles trying to work out the best way forward and thought someone could give me some helpful pointers on here... thanks in advance for your time!
 
What lenses did you have, and which of these were you routinely carrying? …which MFT lenses do you have?

Everyone will see this differently… some people seem happy to carry back-breaking amounts of kit, covering every possible focal length, even when they’re just out for the day… others will just take one or two primes.

A full-frame camera with two (semi-) pro lenses can seem a bit much to carry all day in a shoulder bag; however, taking the camera and a lens out to spread the load makes a big difference .

Even a MFT setup can seem heavy if you go for the bigger pro lenses – while I prefer the Olympus 40-150/2.8, it’s not a small lens and I tend to carry the Panasonic 35-100/2.8, or a full-frame camera.

I'm not a Canon user but there does seem to be a healthy market in decent used kit, which might be worth considering -- most of us end up buying far more kit than we need.
 
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First thing is to decide on a budget you want to spend on a camera.
Second, is to find out the spec that suits your needs.
Third, narrow the ones interested in down to 3/4.
Fourth,go into a camera shop and get a hands on feel.
Fifth ignore the first four and get one you really want :LOL:
 
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I'm finding that the Panasonic G9 is exceeding my expectations. I'm also seriously impressed with the Panasonic 100-400mm. It's the heaviest M43 lens but next to a full frame lens of anything like the coverage it's positively svelt.
 
If size and weight were the reasons you sold your Canon setup, it might make sense to look at one of the cameras in the m4/3 lineup (Olympus or Panasonic), especially if you already have existing m4/3 lenses.

The TZ100 is a compact camera with a 10X zoom; this will always entail some serious compromises in terms of usability and IQ. I have one and I've also had a 5DII (still have a 5DIII). However, my most used cameras now are the Olympus E-M1II, the E-M5II and the Sony RX100IV, mainly because these are the ones that I consider everyday portable and give me the best IQ versus weight ratio.

If you want to stick with Canon, it might make sense to look at one of the Canon mirrorless options.

The Sony A7 series looks very appealing as well, but depending on what lenses you buy you may end up not saving all that much weight compared to a Canon full frame setup.

I have no experience of Nikon or Fuji but there are probably suitable options to be found there as well.
 
Your decision will depend how much compromise you’re willing to make on image quality. Also budget will play a part as you’re saying you’re happy to spend a couple of grand but say you like the A7r3, but that’s over £3k new (UK) body only. Used it will still be over £2k

Imo the best compromise between size, weight, budget and IQ is the m4/3 system. I find the Olympus OMD cameras a joy to use. That being said I still have a FF system as well as I’m not willing to sacrifice IQ on certain things. I do find it more and more annoying carrying a D850 with 70-200mm f2.8 or 150-600mm lens though which can end up weighing over 3kg. God only knows how the guys get on that have the big 500 and 600mm primes :eek:
 
Thanks folks,

Lots of good pointers in there, I’ll have a proper explore of the kit you mentioned and go have a play
 
Don't forget the Pen-F, a pocket sized camera that can do all the stuff and really good control layout.
 
Back in my 'full on' Canon days (2010-15) for the majority of the time I had the 5D2, 24-105L OR 17-40L, 50/1.4 & 135L

I now have the A7, 35/2.8, 85/1.8 & 28-70mm

I can't tell you the exact differences off the top of my head but I can tell you the Sony kit is significantly lighter...... & smaller.

Yeah, I sometimes miss a slightly longer zoom. I don't miss the 135L as much as I thought I would even though it's probably the 'best' lens I've ever owned.

Plus I have a use for a handful off legacy/manual lenses too if I fancy a change or doing something new. My latest fad is my Yashica lenses on a tilt adapter........

I think Fuji, Olympus, etc all produce good quality gear. It's just a case of what you prefer & FF vs crop.
 
That’s interesting Lee,

Your Canon kit was very similar to my old setup, I’ll keep the Sony in mind.

Feels like it pretty much used to be a straight choice between Canon or Nikon but lots more to consider now...
 
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