Best bang for buck with 1k budget

Minstadave

Minstadave

Minstadave

Caporegime
Joined
8 Jan 2004
Posts
32,574
Location
Rutland
Evening all, quick sanity check.

Currently have an NX300 with 12-24, 30 and 50-200 lenses. Does the job but no EVF, Samsung have left the camera market so no new lenses, 5 RAW buffer and rubbish c-AF performance.

I want a setup for family pics and a longer lens for birds/zoo.

My number one choice is:

Panasonic GX8 with 14-42 kit lens, a prime and a 100-300 lens. Plenty of scope to add more primes and the 100-400 if needed.

Otherwise I've considered a second hand XT-1 or XT-10, but lenses aren't cheap. An A6000 or A6300 but lens choice is poor on Sony. Panasonic GX80 is nice but the better EVF and extra controls on the GX8 are winning my over.

Anything else I should consider?

I've not really looked at DSLRs as they're bulky and I'll inevitably end up leaving it behind.
 
If you're considering the GX8, you could save some money by getting a G7 instead? You lose the IBIS (but the panny lenses have it built in anyway), 4MP, some EVF magnification (1.4x vs 1.54x), max shutter speed 1/4000 vs 1/8000, flash sync 1/160 vs 1/250, 7fps vs 10fps, but you gain the pop up flash, it weighs less, has better battery life, and it's £449 with the kit lens vs £699 for the GX8.
 
Thanks Andy, I had ruled out the mk2 RX10 because of it's poor c-AF but I'll have a look at the Panasonic.

I'd miss not having the option to change lenses, I quite like chopping and changing and upgrading.
 
I am probably a bit biased but I would go with the Panasonic, or an Olympus equivalent.*
The four thirds format is well supported and has a great range of lenses from both manufacturers, and are of course, interchangeable.
Quality is excellent.

The bridge cameras are very good, but as you say, less flexible, and also there will be some quality compromise with the smaller sensors and big super zoom optics.

* I have an Olympus E-PL7 and one of the add on EVFs. The E-M10 mk2 or E-M5mk2 are probably closer matches to the GX8 though this is one of the few of the new generation M43 with a 20mp sensor.
 
Yup and my wife is sick of me talking about it too.

There's a compromise whichever I choose and I can't make my mind up. I'll probably spank 2k+ on at XT-2 or XPro-2 at this rate.

Edit - bought the GX8 with 14-140!
 
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Well it's here and it's a hefty, impressive bit of kit!

Just trudging through the 300+ page manual, going to take some learning this!

Massive improvement in focussing speed and accuracy over my NX300.
 
Minstadave said:
Yeah the 100-300 will be next, then a prime :)

The 14-140 looks like a very impressive lens given its zoom range.
Click to expand...

Considering the zoom range, the 14-140 lens is a cracking lens and takes very decent pics and is pretty damn sharp. CA seems to be its biggest issue plus of course it doesnt have the aperture of the 12-50 f2.8 etc.

And great to leave on the camera for travelling as you have an effective 28 to 300mm all in one lens.

Enjoy your camera and welcome to the dark side :)
 
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