New Camera Worth It?

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Jun 7, 2016
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So I have been debating if I should get a camera to use while hunting. My issue is I currently have an iPhone 6 and a GoPro 4, to me they both take great pictures and video. For those who have similar units is another camera really worth the extra weight and hassle or should I just roll with what I have? I wouldn't be looking to spend more then $500 on a camera and don't really want to go down the rabbit hole of different types of lenses and all that.
 

Matt W.

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What are you wanting to do that you can't do now? Better pics, more distance shots, better video?
 

colonel00

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From your budget and description, it sounds like you would be good with a nice Point and Shoot type camera. Many on here use the waterproof Olympus TG cameras.

However, as High Country mentions, it really comes down to what you want out of the camera. For me, I carry a DSLR usually with two lenses so I can take wide angle photos as well as a decent telephoto lens for long shots. Your are correct though in the fact that getting into DSLR cameras is a rabbit hole and it sounds like more than what you are needing.

Furthermore, if you are happy with your iphone pictures then you probably don't need much more unless you are wanting to print the photos larger than standard 4x6 or so. I've never actually tried printing cell phone images so I'm just guessing here.
 

Sierra1

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Jun 22, 2016
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b6632ba7e91205487f106a63509b409e.jpg

I recently went through the same issue. I wanted something more than my phone without going full DSLR.
I ended up with a Nikon P610. It's a point and shoot 'super zoom' camera. It had great reviews and I've been completely happy with it.
It has manual options if you want to use them. Also, wifi links to your iPhone to transfer photos or use your phone as a remote.
 

SHTF

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Going through same thing right now. I was going to get the Sony RX100 mark 3 ordered it from a company called Factory Official for 599. Come to find out the camera at that price didn't come with battery or charger. I cancelled the order. The guy we talked to at the place a total piece of work and so we told him to cancel it. Glad we did because now I have my eye on the Pentax K-S2 Brad on Rokslide here got me hooked on researching the Pentax Camera's Weather proof and from what I can tell the interface is fairly easy to get used too. We are looking for a Camera that is better then our Phones but that we can get into a bit of Photography.

by the way stay away from Factory Official they are not very easy to deal with and pretty rude.
 

ChrisS

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Sep 19, 2013
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Like Brad said.

I'd be sure to write down what it is you like in equipment (as far as functions, e.g., time lapse, interval shooting, slow motion, wide angle, etc.) and what you want to accomplish (now and later) that you can't do now first and go from there. Like which photographs do you admire the most and would like to capture for yourself? Do you want to shoot video as well? Most of the tough photos to capture rely more on the lens than the camera body. For example, I have a Nikon D5000 that I bought in 2010 and I still use, but it doesn't have some of the features that I have found that I would like. I bought a kit that came with two lenses for an extra $250. I probably use one lens 90% of the time, and the other sits in a camera case. 200mm doesn't get you as far as you would think sometimes. I'd rather have spent the money on one really good lens. I found that really like taking outdoor shots at dawn/dusk/night as well as full sun sometimes. The cheaper lenses I have aren't really up to the task, which leaves me frustrated a lot of times. I also want to take more video and time lapse shots. I don't like touch screen controls because I can't manipulate things without taking my eye away from the viewfinder.
 

colonel00

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Since we're showing off gear, here's my wildlife/birding setup. Pentax K-3 II, 300mm lens and 1.4x teleconverter. All weather resistant (waterproof essentially) and rugged.

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It will get you shots like this:

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But, it's not something I'd carry on a hunt and not really what I think the OP is looking for. However, with a smaller, lighter, "not quite as good" lens, I will still lug the DSLR around right on my shoulder strap in the rain and other situations most people wouldn't bring a camera.

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w6skdV5ZarQNOxUpyWdB9RR2aEAm3H78yP3bC62qKM2t5lh6l_zgWql_X-tkAoAnPAkYaGvu6sgdY0oBizgtvlnqeB89LiHwyPdiQRPQXioiikLBQ9aqtrpjUNFm6MV1rw35OqomKFWJIrkaWpOLSC7643Sx9hDJjjkoUwP0PLUT-3lgfj3jiLB8m0ZnKy6VpYYDCr_Rm-b6bV34Tgt3y8YNAJWwj2b4UPhS-FNstQPLVjm-kGfTACDYqSK4pUoUW2spId81Swvs2vFHqoH8OwsKetEXv5c5TcR5nD-Rb5FzeHZjyJSEAdBiXdtL8aOb7Q1Y8l2uAGBXljKYoH4SBqa8jMON06RWY3bOEr-yHokzwSKloJ92xvsegaMo2CRns5evg2J0jtqCH02tylXrZ8xWdHFSpBZFV-Oc4vOzwwkWAeJCdnv6-HvIxwk1EjlSIvLaUYRx7XHQzOwK6-gyJ8Bq78TL8yJafyMjQ3yHnhYSr6HIEXBtuZhk8UV9QWIFrzQ-9QWW6S7fe-rmArYEOI3x75TPcJw99NwbOtt7JYh1QgqWeKdYLZy8V1lftZt8JSmarIGVZE45tFOiJmKYpkRbpgte6afD=w1327-h995-no


But, it goes back to the basic questions of what do you want out of the camera and what are you willing to carry
 

Bughalli

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Nov 16, 2012
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Bend, OR
I have the iPhone6 and GoPro as well. Love them. I also bought a very nice Sony ($900) which has an incredible zoom....but it doesn't get used very much. I would stick with what you have unless looking to produce videos vs for personal memories.
 

rdmega

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Sep 17, 2015
Messages
6
Find a Sony RX100 version 2 or 3. Will be under $500 and can take better video than most dedicated video cameras, good zoom and shoots pictures in RAW. I have a Sony A6000 and some days wish that I would have just got the RX.
 

xziang

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Oct 8, 2014
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Subbing for been thinking the same thing. However I've considered just getting a new Samsung phone which will serve as my camera. However have thought about a small light weight camera.
 
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