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I need camera recommendations for car pics and videos

hetoo
Apprentice

Hello, first of all I want to clarify that I am a beginner in the subject of cameras. I would like to buy a camera to be able to take pictures of cars and record some videos (even if the videos are too good I don't care as much as the pictures since I have another way to record). I plan to spend between $500-$650 (it doesn't matter if I can find a second hand one, well maintained and within that price range).

I was looking at a canon T8i (used, but its owner doesn't respond to my messages :/) and I was also looking about the M50 Mark II, but idk.

So I wanted to ask what cameras do you recommend that are very good for that budget? I would appreciate your recommendations.

6 REPLIES 6

stevet1
Authority
Authority

hetoo,

I have a T8i and like it very much. You can get a used or refurbished one for that kind of price, but I would only buy from reputable dealers. If you've got a guy who won't respond to your messages, I would drop him like a hot potato.

At this stage, I don't think I would pursue anything in the M series of cameras. It's a technology that is quickly being phased out.

For your price range, T7 might be manageable. Remember that you are going to need money for lenses and also for accessories like a memory card or two, a spare battery and perhaps a tripod.

Something in the Point and Shoot line might be possible, like in the Powershot line. Some of those have pretty good specs, like the SX740.

Steve Thomas

March411
Rising Star

hetoo,

If you were considering the M50 why not take a step up and go with the R50? New it's $50 over your budget but comes with a RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens. It puts you into the R series and allow you to expand on the system if you wanted in the future.

https://www.usa.canon.com/shop/p/eos-r50-rf-s18-45mm-f4-5-6-3-is-stm-lens-kit?color=Black&type=New


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Marc
Windy City

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hetoo
Apprentice

@hetoo wrote:

Hello, first of all I want to clarify that I am a beginner in the subject of cameras. I would like to buy a camera to be able to take pictures of cars and record some videos (even if the videos are too good I don't care as much as the pictures since I have another way to record). I plan to spend between $500-$650 (it doesn't matter if I can find a second hand one, well maintained and within that price range).

I was looking at a canon T8i (used, but its owner doesn't respond to my messages :/) and I was also looking about the M50 Mark II, but idk.

So I wanted to ask what cameras do you recommend that are very good for that budget? I would appreciate your recommendations <Third party link removed per Community Guidelines> 


I got this,...

shadowsports
Legend
Legend

Greetings.

I'd like to reiterate some of the suggestions made by my colleagues earlier.

There's no reason to consider the M series. It's been discontinued.  Nor would I invest in DSLRs if you're just starting out.  If you had a large stable of EF glass, it might be a different story.

Look at the R50 mentioned previously. A body and lens kit is available refurbished directly from Canon.  $479

https://www.usa.canon.com/shop/p/refurbished-eos-r50-rf-s18-45mm-f4-5-6-3-is-stm-lens-kit?color=Blac...

Canon refurbished gear comes with the same 1-year warranty as new.  This is a great beginner's camera that will take beautiful pictures and video.  It includes Canon's latest AF technology, people detection, animal detection, eye detection, Digic X processor, etc.  Do note, you will also need a few memory cards and at least one spare battery to get started.  

~Rick
Bay Area - CA


~R5 C (1.0.7.1) ~RF Trinity, ~RF 100 Macro, ~RF 100~400, ~RF 100~500, +RF 1.4x TC, +Canon Control Ring, BG-R10, 430EX III-RT ~DxO PhotoLab Elite ~DaVinci Resolve ~Windows11 Pro ~ImageClass MF644Cdw/MF656Cdw ~Pixel 8
~CarePaks Are Worth It

Finelld
Contributor

For shooting video I would recommend a camera made specifically for that purpose.  For a beginner starting out with still photography I recommend a used pro or prosumer grade camera like the 5D series.  Entry level cameras like the T8i are equally capable of taking world class photos as the more professional cameras but are more difficult to use because they substitute menus for accessible controls and have less build quality.  Mirrorless cameras have their place But… They are lighter weight, cheaper to build, are easier to design lenses for and unfortunately are supplanting DSLRs.  Mirrorless cameras are more prone to sensor damage especially from high intensity light sources like the sun and laser light shows.  There have been scores of damaged sensors from laser exposure at concerts and clubs.  If you need to replace a sensor it is better to replace the entire camera.  It is far cheaper to replace a worn out shutter and mirror box.

Tronhard
VIP
VIP

Again, I think the critical issue is to keep the technology within budget for a camera body and lens. 

The R5 series is a full pro camera, that does not offer some of the auto modes that the more user-friendly ones do because they assume the users has some significant understanding and experience in exposure and the controls that manage that.  Since you are not a professional, you want cameras that offer some automation to assist you to get started.  You can later, if you so choose, take more control of the system when you are comfortable and skilled enough to do so.

If we are to stay within budget and for something that is much newer technology, with capabilities for both photo and video work, I can only support the suggestions by my colleagues to go for the R50

The M series of cameras is completely dead, and the DSLR series of cameras such as rebels (T#) and most ?D-series bodies is on life support.  The platform with a future is the R-series of cameras and they offer significant improvements over the other generations to which  you have referred.  The advice from my colleague Steve is also valid: you need to allow funds for at least one card, and a spare battery or two.

Moving from a cell phone to a dedicated camera is not a simple step.  Such cameras have much more potential for expansion and control, but they will demand a level of understanding of the physics of light and optics, and the controls that manage those for the camera: namely shutter speed, ISO and aperture.

I would suggest viewing some of the following videos to help you get started on that journey.
Canon EOS 101: Photo and Videography Basics | Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Learn Photography - Simple, Practical - Free Photography Course 1/10 - YouTube

It's a journey, but it's worth the effort.


cheers, TREVOR

The mark of good photographer is less what they hold in their hand, it's more what they hold in their head;
"All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow", Leo Tolstoy;
"Skill in photography is acquired by practice and not by purchase" Percy W. Harris
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