Best cameras for the outdoors

Joined
Jan 13, 2017
Messages
1,456
There are a lot of cameras on the market. In my opinion, and I have been selling cameras for over 42 years, these are the ones that we feel are the best value for the dollars spent. They are listed in no special order. I am here, along with our staff, to discuss which would be the best for your individual needs. Most cameras have great instant savings thru the end of the year and of course there is the forum extra we will do for you.

Olympus OM-5 with the 14-150mm II lens
Nikon Z5 with the 24-200mm lens
Canon R50 2 lens kit
Sony A7 IV lens depends on what you are shooting

The Olympus OM-5 and the 14-150 II lens are both weatherproof. Not normal in a crop sensor camera. Other brands have very few, if any, weatherproof options in the weatherproof game. The Olympus built in image stabilization is the best in the business and their cameras focus faster then any other cameras under $3000.
Key Features
  • 20.4MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds Sensor
  • TruePic IX Image Processor
  • 2.36m-Dot Eye-Level OLED EVF
  • 3.0" 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • DCI 4K/24p & UHD 4K/30p Video Recording
  • 5-Axis Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization
  • 30 fps Shooting, ISO 200-25600
  • 121-Point All Cross-Type Phase-Detect AF
  • High-Res Shot, Live ND & Composite Modes
  • Weather-Sealed Construction



The Nikon Z5 outfit was made for wilderness and birding photographers. Both the body and lens are weatherproof, the camera has 2 memory slots and built in image stabilization

Key Features
  • 24.3MP FX-Format CMOS Sensor
  • EXPEED 6 Image Processor
  • UHD 4K and Full HD Video Recording
  • 3.6m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
  • 3.2" 1.04m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
  • 5-Axis Sensor-Shift Vibration Reduction
  • ISO 100-51200, Up to 4.5 fps Shooting
  • Built-In Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
  • Dual SD UHS-II Card Slots



The Canon R50 2 lens kit is ultra compact and comes with a compact multi purpose and a compact telephoto zoom. It has image stabilization, flip out screen and can handle a light rain.

Key Features
  • 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC X Image Processor
  • UHD 4K 30p Video Recording
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with 651 Points
  • 2.36m-Dot Electronic Viewfinder
  • 3.0" 1.62m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • 15 fps Electronic Shutter
  • Multi-Function Shoe, UVC Livestreaming
  • RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens
  • RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM Lens


The Sony A7 Mk IV is great for stills as well as videos. Full featured, compact and with a 33MP sensor will do double duty for both still photographers and videographers.

Key Features
  • 33MP Full-Frame Exmor R CMOS BSI Sensor
  • Up to 10 fps Shooting, ISO 100-51200
  • 4K 60p Video in 10-Bit, S-Cinetone
  • 3.68m-Dot EVF with 120 fps Refresh Rate
  • 3" 1.03m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD
  • 759-Pt. Fast Hybrid AF, Real-time Eye AF
  • Focus Breathing Compensation
  • 5-Axis SteadyShot Image Stabilization
  • Creative Looks and Soft Skin Effect
  • 4K 15p UVC/UAC Streaming via USB Type-C


Give us a call at 516-217-1000 to discuss what setup would be best for your needs. We carry the full lines of all the brands. I have listed the 4 best all around options at reasonable prices for each category.

Look forward to helping you

Joel
 

pirogue

WKR
Joined
Jun 28, 2012
Messages
1,091
There are a lot of cameras on the market. In my opinion, and I have been selling cameras for over 42 years, these are the ones that we feel are the best value for the dollars spent. They are listed in no special order. I am here, along with our staff, to discuss which would be the best for your individual needs. Most cameras have great instant savings thru the end of the year and of course there is the forum extra we will do for you.

Olympus OM-5 with the 14-150mm II lens
Nikon Z5 with the 24-200mm lens
Canon R50 2 lens kit
Sony A7 IV lens depends on what you are shooting

The Olympus OM-5 and the 14-150 II lens are both weatherproof. Not normal in a crop sensor camera. Other brands have very few, if any, weatherproof options in the weatherproof game. The Olympus built in image stabilization is the best in the business and their cameras focus faster then any other cameras under $3000.
Key Features
  • 20.4MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds Sensor
  • TruePic IX Image Processor
  • 2.36m-Dot Eye-Level OLED EVF
  • 3.0" 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • DCI 4K/24p & UHD 4K/30p Video Recording
  • 5-Axis Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization
  • 30 fps Shooting, ISO 200-25600
  • 121-Point All Cross-Type Phase-Detect AF
  • High-Res Shot, Live ND & Composite Modes
  • Weather-Sealed Construction



The Nikon Z5 outfit was made for wilderness and birding photographers. Both the body and lens are weatherproof, the camera has 2 memory slots and built in image stabilization

Key Features
  • 24.3MP FX-Format CMOS Sensor
  • EXPEED 6 Image Processor
  • UHD 4K and Full HD Video Recording
  • 3.6m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
  • 3.2" 1.04m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
  • 5-Axis Sensor-Shift Vibration Reduction
  • ISO 100-51200, Up to 4.5 fps Shooting
  • Built-In Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
  • Dual SD UHS-II Card Slots



The Canon R50 2 lens kit is ultra compact and comes with a compact multi purpose and a compact telephoto zoom. It has image stabilization, flip out screen and can handle a light rain.

Key Features
  • 24.2MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC X Image Processor
  • UHD 4K 30p Video Recording
  • Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with 651 Points
  • 2.36m-Dot Electronic Viewfinder
  • 3.0" 1.62m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
  • 15 fps Electronic Shutter
  • Multi-Function Shoe, UVC Livestreaming
  • RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens
  • RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM Lens


The Sony A7 Mk IV is great for stills as well as videos. Full featured, compact and with a 33MP sensor will do double duty for both still photographers and videographers.

Key Features
  • 33MP Full-Frame Exmor R CMOS BSI Sensor
  • Up to 10 fps Shooting, ISO 100-51200
  • 4K 60p Video in 10-Bit, S-Cinetone
  • 3.68m-Dot EVF with 120 fps Refresh Rate
  • 3" 1.03m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD
  • 759-Pt. Fast Hybrid AF, Real-time Eye AF
  • Focus Breathing Compensation
  • 5-Axis SteadyShot Image Stabilization
  • Creative Looks and Soft Skin Effect
  • 4K 15p UVC/UAC Streaming via USB Type-C


Give us a call at 516-217-1000 to discuss what setup would be best for your needs. We carry the full lines of all the brands. I have listed the 4 best all around options at reasonable prices for each category.

Look forward to helping you

Joel
Joel,
Thanks for that recap. So, is it a fair statement to say the above Olympus has about 6X magnification, but the Nikon has about 8X magnification and more MP, therefore, an image of a bird at 50 yards is going to look sharper with the Nikon?
 
OP
C
Joined
Jan 13, 2017
Messages
1,456
The NIkon is a full frame. So that is the benchmark for focal length. The 24-200 is just that. The Olympus 14-150 equates to a 28-300mm, bringing the bird closer. Depending on the size you print out will determine quality. Up to 16x20 you would be hard pressed to see a difference at all.
 
Joined
Dec 17, 2023
Messages
6
Size & weight I think would be the biggest consideration for on the go mobility

is full frame better...sure, if you need that.
For super low light & depth of field
- providing that you have the glass & low F stop to facilitate it.

APSC / Crop, might actually be an asset
- smaller size & form factor / lower weight
- extra crop on lens providing you longer reach with focal distance

With modern editing, I don't think noise is much of a consideration with either.
So really kinda comes down to, what & how you may use it, bragging rights knowing it’s a full frame, & how many weight you wanna lug around

just my POV, not rules to live by :)
 
OP
C
Joined
Jan 13, 2017
Messages
1,456
Well said. All depends on what you do with the images. You can make huge blow ups with ANY interchangeable lens on the market regardless of the sensor size. Micro 4/3, APS-C or Full frame
 
Joined
Dec 17, 2023
Messages
6
Well said. All depends on what you do with the images. You can make huge blow ups with ANY interchangeable lens on the market regardless of the sensor size. Micro 4/3, APS-C or Full frame

exactly
ages ago i would make 16x20 prints from my nikon D70 in 2006
and that was only 6mp


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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