Beginner I need guidance please

[MissDaisy60]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum as I am seeking help in deciding which camera would be a good purchase for a beginner. I generally take photos using my iphone but I would like to progress to a 'proper' camera.

I am planning on joining a local camera club who are offering a free beginners class and they ask that we bring our cameras with us.

I have done some research and it seems a fairly simple, point and shoot, mirrorless light weight camera is a good start.

I have been contemplating purchasing a second hand Canon R100 in the general £400 price range.

Can you tell me if this sounds a good idea, easy to use for a novice, offers quality photos and a reasonable price?

I appreciate your help.

 

[Norkie]

I think that’s an excellent choice for a beginner. The camera gets good reviews and is a great step up from a ‘phone..
Good luck with your journey, keep us informed

 

[swanseamale47]

Hello Lyn and welcome from South Wales.

The Canon R100 should be a good camera for photography. It's got a decent lens and a good sensor, I'm a Canon shooter (dont have that model) but have always been happy with my shots, and I do like the Canon colours, which I find natural.

Camera clubs have a mixed reputation. Some are excelent with friendly helpful people.... Others can suffer for camera snobbery and competition fixation. Over the years I've been to both types (and others) Now I'm firmly in the camp of I wouldn't join any club that would have me. My top tip is you dont like it or "fit in" try other clubs before giving up, as I say some are great.

 

[Phil V]

Hi Lyn and welcome to TP.

Your first choice is solid, I’m a long time canon user and the switch to mirrorless has been a revelation

But I do have an issue with ‘beginner cameras’ as a marketing tool. They’re bluntly designed to create an upgrade path, rather than actually making life easy for beginners.

Unfortunately, mirrorless has skewed the path though.

Ordinarily I’d suggest buying an older midrange camera rather than the new entry level model. But the s/h markets not that great and where I’d recommend a sh r7 or r8, the new camera is much cheaper. And an older DSLR is a different prospect (though perfectly usable)

 

[Phil V]

I’m going back on my first line.
It appears to be a terrible camera with so much missing you’ll want to upgrade within a year.
Buy the Canon RP and wait for the R6 or R7 to become an affordable upgrade. Or just save a bit more and buy an R6 or R7 now.

Or just buy on 80d for less which is a fantastic camera but not mirrorless.

 

[Nostromo]

I agree will @Phil V
I have the r7, it's a great camera. If you can find a secondhand one at a good price then I'd go for it (if you can afford it), but just recently I've been looking at the RP as a second camera. The RP didn't get much love from the YouTube review community. But the more I've read and watching some more recent reviews of the RP I think is really quite a good little full frame camera. As long as you don't intend to photograph sports and fast moving action shots, then I'd be looking at this camera. A secondhand one is about £650.

P.S. I buy most of my camera equipment secondhand. You get so much more for your money.