entry level photography seeking to purchase

[KMR13]

Hi. I have been reading a lot of info here and talking to photographers. I'm still a bit stuck in regard to my purchase. I owned a canon rebel DSLR from 2003- 2017 until the shutter button broke. along came the iPhone and kids and I never replaced that camera--but it's time. I have used my in-laws D90 (nikon) and while a beast it is a great camera.
I know the following:

• go mirrorless
• choose between full frame and crop sensor based on type of photogphy
• choose a moderate priced body style within my budget & save $ to put into the glass (3 pros told me so)
• I am NOT interested in uploading my life to vlogs and social channels--I'm looking to take pictures so video is less important to me-- nice to have
• photos I like to take:  beach, woodlands, interning buildings, pets, family. I spend lots of time in Florida where ehe birds are big and generally strike a pose for you! my daughter has 2 years of competitive swim left and I enjoy capturing those moments (did fine with borrowing the D90 last summer for that)
• Ideal to have In Body Stabilization, but not essential with good lenses
• I like a solid grip, but that's not primary reason to pick one camera over another
• make sure there is a wide variety of lens options (e.g. full frame can take APS-C lenses but not vice versa)
• weather seal may be a consideration-- sand, salt, mist, humidity....Florida, pool decks, etc
• will join a club and would like to submit to contests as I did this in the past...so much relearning to do now!
  
  I have read about and likely have over read (hence my indecision) about the r100 (ruled it out) the R50, RP, and R10 and R8 and I really don't know which way to go. I also have read that Sony is crushing the market with its technology, but not sure they are in my price range.  Someone suggested the Nikon Z5 or z50, but not sure those are for me either.
  
  Budget--I'd like to get a solid base to RE-learn and grow with and a really good lens for under $1,000 (with holiday sales, this should be within reach). I am not opposed to used or older model base if at a great price. Ex: someone suggested getting an RP, if at a good price, and learn and grow with that....
  
  I have heard the R50 is really entry level and better for the jet setting vlogger... the R8 has a serious overheating problem. I also read that some of these "dainty" APS-C cameras can barely hold the larger lenses so it makes for awkward/off balance holding of the body and lens....
  
  Looking for suggestions.... straightforward and straight-up. Thank you!

[March411]

Hey KRM13, The R50 can be a decent little camera with a good piece of glass. I don't shoot video and when I am running around with the kids I carry it with the 24-240mm mounted. It is extremely light, performs well, focuses fast and is easy to carry all day.

This image came off of the R50 with my 100mm Macro and very little post work was done on the image. Don't get me wrong, it has limitations like the small batteries, lack of custom setups but it is still a decent little, and I mean little camera.

If you can extend your budget the R6 MKII price has been reduced, rumor has it that the MkIII is on the way. You can grab new the EOS R6 Mark II RF24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM Lens Kit - $2300 and you'll have a good full frame 24MP setup with IBIS that performs well in low light. I own one and I like it a lot, it is fairly small and 24 MP makes you more aware and concise with your composition if you plan to go to print. Personally I am a big fan of mine! The only thing about the setup is the lens is a bit slow and will be challenged in low light.

The R7 RF-S18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM Lens Kit - $1700 is a nice APS-C @ 32.5 MP and IBIS. The catch, read today that Canon may be rolling out a MKII in Q1 2025. We would see a price drop.

There is not a lot in the way of refurbished on the Canon Refurbished Camera site right now in the way of mirror-less but it worth keeping an eye on daily. I picked up my R6 MkII and a couple lenses from there and they have been flawless, They are also backed with a warranty. 

No matter which way you decide to go welcome back to photography and have fun!

[KMR13]

Thanks!  If the vendor event has a steel on the R6 or R8 that may be the way to go. 
Otherwise it seems  the R10 is a solid option. And the r50 next 

[justadude]

Hi KRM13, and welcome to the Canon forum!  In addition to the great advice Marc mentioned, I'd like to offer a few comments.

If you can swing the price of the R6 Mk ll kit with the 24-205 F/4-7.1 lens, you will not be disappointed.  I jumped up to this las year, and have been very impressed.  Normally I'm not a fan of kit lenses... but this one is the best kit lens I have ever owned.  It is sharp, the colors are great, it's the perfect walk around lens.  For a kit lens it is worth well over its price point. I use this lens very often, even compared to some of my much more expensive lenses. The R6 Mk ll is a great camera.  Nice dynamic range, very good in low light, fast enough for action sports.  I use mine for hired sports events, general landscape work, nighttime photography (night skies and city scapes) and just as a walk around everyday camera.  What I'm saying is that it has performed very well for every type of photography I've thrown at it.

The R8... yes there is some talk about overheating problems.  I've owned this camera since January, and use it a lot.  I have only had it overheat once.  That was coming from a friend's air conditioned car, then stepping out into 80 degree heat.  Within a couple of minutes I had the overheat warning.  Turned it off, and five minutes later I was shooting out in the hot sun for the next few hours without a single problem.  I shoot often on very hot days - hundreds of shots.  There isn't a serious overheating problem with the R8.  From what I've read from other users since, this camera seems to have an overheat "warning" when there is a rapid change of temperature.  The camera itself is not too hot to operate.  If you get on the Facebook Canon R8 group and ask this question, I'm sure you'll get a lot of replies from actual users who will say similar.  

While the R6 Mk ll is nice because of ISBS, dual card slots (important if you do hired work), uses the larger batteries that last longer, and a larger body (fits my hands better for ergonomics),... other than those few things, the R8 has the same sensor, processor, and crazy fast auto focus system.  I love both cameras.

The Canon RP is also a very nice camera.  However, for the small difference in cost, I would pick the R8 in a heartbeat.  The low noise difference between the two is amazing, and to me, that means a lot.  The R8 has a much faster focus system, plus the more advanced sensor and processor.  Yes, I own the RP as well, so I can personally say that I see a nice difference in the R8 (and R6 Mk ll) files, especially in low light situations.

[KMR13]

Thanks to both Gary & Mark. I had a great experience in the store I visited today. They invited me back to a vendor event next week — for deeper discounts & freebies. 
I don’t think I can swing the cost of an R6 
The guidance I received there and after holding cameras is as follows 

if I can swing the price go for the R8, over the RP, otherwise consider the R10. 
Also her pointed out Sony but I have to learn more & check pricing. I did read the A7iii is still a great camera but not sure how it fits against the canons i am looking at…

Karen 

[March411]

Very cool! The good thing is with the vendor event next week you have some time to research cameras. Not sure if you checked these sites out but they are decent side by sides, check out the links below. I hope they will offer some value. Again good luck!

• DP review side by side Canon EOS R8 vs. Sony a7 III 
• DP review Canon EOS RP vs. Canon EOS R10 vs. Canon EOS R8 vs. Sony a7 III 

Watch the headers as you scroll down on this second site, they tend to flip flop as they change categories.

Sony A7 III vs Canon R8 Comparison 

[KMR13]

I see no reason to spend $2k on a camera from 2018-- the Sony... I'd rather buy the R6Mii since I am familiar with Canon from having owned Rebels.... the info you provided is most helpful!

[LeeP]

I am a working photographer with 45 years of experience. I bought an R100 because of its astoundingly low price and intended to use it as a backup camera, but I find I use it all the time because it is a small, go-everywhere camera that produces excellent results. It is also highly competent for an experienced photographer. So, it has gone from being a just-in-case camera that I didn't think I'd use much to one that I genuinely enjoy.

I would argue against the RP in favor of the R8--which I have used for a year--and while the R8 is obviously an upgraded RP, is it nicely better in my opinion. The R8 is very affordable especially for a full-frame camera. You would like it tremendously. 

[KMR13]

Thank you Lee. 
I just found the R 100 to be so tiny in my hand  —-what are your thoughts about the R 10?
It’s sounds to me that consensus is if I’m able to afford full frame then I should go for it with the R8. — if the R8 is truly not in my budget with accessories that I need to get and it looks like one of those would be a flash— then I should consider the R10? Or R50 over R100. 

[LeeP]

Given the money, go with the R8.