Camera upgrade: A step above the PowerShot SX60 HS for landscapes, nature, and sports

[Carol859]

I currently have a PowerShot SX60 HS.  Im looking to upgrade my camera and not sure what to get.  I do not want professional gear, just looking for a step or two above what I have.

My interests with photography are:  Landscape pictures, nature (birds), sports (baseball, basketball, football.)

I would like something with better quality and clarity and especially for sports, moving objects.

What do you recommend and why?

Thank you,

Carol

[deebatman316]

Are you looking into an Interchangeable lens camera (EOS R series) or are you looking to stay with a PowerShot camera? If so what is the budget for a new camera.

[kvbarkley]

What are the shortcomings you see with the camera you have now?  Your list of subjects is pretty broad. 

[Carol859]

kvbarkley,

I love taking pics at my nephews sporting events but not getting clear crisp pics.  Some are blurry.  I shoot e e ts in sports mode.  So I’m thinking a “better” camera would hopefully eliminate this.

[stevet1]

ICarol859,

As Demetrius said, the first thing we have to establish is how much money you want to spend. It's not use to anybody to recommend a $4,000 camera if you only have $1,000 to spend.

1 ) I don't think you are going to find a camera, or a lens that has the zoom range of your current camera, so you're going to have to know that up front.

2) I read that your Powershot has a Digic 6 processor. Canon is now making cameras with a Digic X processor, and I am a firm believer in buying the fastest processor that you can afford.

3 ) Are you looking for an interchangeable lens camera, or a camera that has a fixed lens?

4) Canon has come a long way to improving their focusing system than 2014 when your Powershot was introduced.

Steve Thomas

[kvbarkley]

Are these outdoor or indoor sporting events?

If indoors, you probably need a system that works better in lower levels of light, that says an interchangeable lens camera, which you might consider as a "professional" one, even though they have cameras across the budget range.

[shadowsports]

@Carol859,

Until we hear back from you with a budget. It's going to be very difficult to make meaningful recommendations.  The SX60 HS is considered a bridge camera.  

Without going pro and stepping up one or two levels, the following body's come to mind.  The Canon R50 and the Canon R8.  Both of these body's are mirrorless and accept different lenses.  This offers extreme versatility over the fixed lens camera that you have now.  I think it's very reasonable after using a body released in 2014 (12 yrs ago) that you are looking to step up.  Either of these recommendations are going to offer a significant upgrade in performance features and capabilities.  While they are also more advanced,  they are not going to be prohibitive or difficult to use and learn.  Like your SX60 HS they have fully automatic modes that will get you going right out of the box, but can also offer additional creativity and controls (options) which you can explore and will appreciate as time passes.  

The R50 is a APS-C based body.  The R8 is based on a full frame sensor.  Both capture 24 MP images.  About 9 more than you have now.  Megapixels aren't everything but can offer additional capabilities for cropping and printing depending on what you're looking to do with the images.  If you want to keep them on your computer, share them with your phone or put them on Facebook, that's fine too.  

You've probably become accustomed to a body with a fixed lens.  Just because you buy an interchangeable lens body doesn't mean you have to carry a bag full of lenses.  While there is no single lens solution, it's nice to have options.  What are you going to be shooting that day? Maybe you can get away with a zoom that allows you to capture sports and wildlife.  On another day, maybe your focus is on family portraits or a party indoors.  There are different lenses for all of these things, but you can also try to strike a balance understanding the tradeoffs that might be offered by each.

We can offer more when we hear back from you.  

Please read this article (short read). It'll help you understand the difference between APS-C and full frame.

APS-C vs full-frame - Canon Europe https://share.google/yRgr4hIr5ORd4qmCs

Example R50 kit (APS-C)

https://www.usa.canon.com/shop/p/eos-r50-rf-s18-45mm-f4-5-6-3-is-stm-rf-s55-210mm-f5-7-1-is-stm-lens...

Example R8 kit (Full frame)

https://www.usa.canon.com/shop/p/eos-r8-rf24-50mm-f4-5-6-3-is-stm-lens-kit

Note,  You don't have to buy a kit (body and lens) and you don't have to buy the lens offered in a kit.  You can buy a body and choose a different lens or lenses based on your budget or needs.

We can help tailor recommendations that will get you the most "bang for your buck".