Which Camera Should I Buy?

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Bunglefuzz

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Hello,

I use my camera for photographing coins to be listed on ebay. My Sony DSLR A33 has just died.

Could somebody recommend a good replacement? I often crop the pictures a little, and with ever growing picture sizes an improvement on the 14 mega pixels would ensure usability for the future. If I could use my current lenses then that would be a saving in money, which I believe are Sony/Minolta Alpha? However, I generally only use a macro lens, so this isn't essential.

The one thing I've always struggled with is the size of the viewing screen. So I'd like to be able to connect the camera to my windows computer and see the actual picture I'm going to take on a full size screen before I take it. This will also help with some tripod pictures I take.

I'd rather keep costs down, but this isn't essential. I guess around £200 (250 USD), but please advise if this is realistic. Also, if there was a much better option costing more than this then I'd consider it too.

Photo stacking would be good, but not essential.

Please keep in mind, the cameras have to be generally available to buy on ebay, it would be difficult to try and buy a camera you simply don't see come up for sale.

So to list again.

£200
More than 14 mega pixels essential.
Sony/Minolta Alpha mount.
Screen viewing essential.
Photo stacking desirable.
Must be commonly available on ebay.

Any other advice greatly appreciated.

Many thanks indeed in advance.
 
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Sony discontinued the A-Mount several years ago, so any replacement camera for that mount will be second hand.
You can get an adapter to use A-Mount lenses on the newer Sony E-Mount - but the adaptor alone would use all of your budget, so that's probably not a viable option.

Looking at your requirements, in terms of resolution there are models up to 24Mp, but to be honest for ebay listings 14Mp is more than enough. None will do in-camera photo stacking, and the ability to 'tether' the camera to PC for remote preview is also something that was not generally supported (it may be available with some of the later high end models, but you would also need the appropriate software, which is again going to be an issue with your budget).

Which lenses do you currently have?

Models with more than 14Mp are;
16Mp: A55, A35, A57, A37
20Mp; A58
24Mp: A77, A65, A77ii, A68
Full Frame : A99 (24Mp), A99ii (42Mp)
In general, bigger number = better!
 
Bunglefuzz said:
Could somebody recommend a good replacement?
Click to expand...
You could do worse than look out for an A65. I have a pair of them and they've given me plenty of pictures that I like. They were second from the top of the final A series and have pretty much everything you ask for, apart from the photostacking.

Camera Sony A65 on trivet in kitchen DSC01375.JPG
 
I think trying to stick with the current Sony alpha lenses is proving a sticking point with camera selection. If we had a fresh start what might people recommend please? Really appreciate people helping and I promise to pass the good deed on.
 
Bunglefuzz said:
Perhaps I'm looking at the wrong cameras, but second hand Canon RP cameras seem to start around the £600 mark. More than I was hoping to spend.
Click to expand...
The Sony A65 I mentioned above seems to be in good supply on ebay, selling in the £150 - £250 range.
 
Bunglefuzz said:
I think trying to stick with the current Sony alpha lenses is proving a sticking point with camera selection. If we had a fresh start what might people recommend please? Really appreciate people helping and I promise to pass the good deed on.
Click to expand...
There are a wide range of alternatives - but all are going to exceed your budget.
The A65 that @AndrewFlannigan suggested will be a step up from the A33 you had (it's a similar generation of technology, but jumps up to the 24Mp sensor), and is within your budget, allowing you to use your existing lenses.

You've not said what lenses you have, so it's difficult to judge how much you would need to replace them in an alternative system, but if you are needing both body AND a macro lens as a minimum then expect to have to double your budget - and if you did that, then you could instead look at an A77 or A77ii by staying with Sony, which would be another step up.
 
A olympus omd 1 mkii or mkiii would do plus a 60mm f2.8 macro would fit your criteria ,, but I used to sell coins silver milled plus hammered and found that the best results came from Ricoh compacts with 1cm close up lenses fitted as standard,. The voice is yours but I feel you’re over complicating your needs ….
To get a nice floating effect try a piece of clear glass raised on a match box at either end ,coin in centre it really works well on coins and artefacts
 
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