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In the last couple of years, phones have begun to change the entire camera business as the iPhone has a lens as good as 90% of the point and shoot cameras at Best Buy as well as the basic video cameras. It has created this very large ravine between casual and hobbyist photographers and videographers. (Honestly, professional photographers and videographers do not need to read this, you know more about cameras than I ever will)
So here are our two suggestions for taking good photos and videos.
Canon EOS Rebel T3i Digital SLR
Cost: $499
With 18 megapixel, 3x optical zoom, SD storage supporting up to 10 class (super fast recording), and ISO 12800 as well as audio microphone input, shotgun mic or flash mount, 1080p video recording, and a huge list of specialized lenses, this blows all mid-level cameras out of the water with the $500 cost. We are at the point that families, churches, and bloggers can go buy this for original content and photos that make memories amazingly well. Even better, this is the standard for high-end and high-defintion videos for amateurs that create professional level footage.
Go Pro HERO3
Cost: $199
The Go Pro company has taken video cameras to the extreme, allowing you to shoot videos underwater, while rock climbing or skateboarding, biking or driving your car, and on helmets while playing youth group games. It gives you a perspective any other camera cannot and great for youth groups who want to make a wonderful and engaging promotional video for your ministry or a creative memory video on your family’s vacation. Of course, it should be noted that the HERO2 is out there and cheaper for people that cannot afford the better one, but the daytime video is much darker, the darker video grainy, and cannot achieve the max FPS (frames per second) that HERO3 does. Worth the extra money if you can.
Cameras To Avoid
- Camera Phones These have replaced the point and shoot cameras for the average person who wants to take pictures sometimes, but not for high quality stuff.
- Sony NEX-5N These cameras are not much better than the iPhone, why pay for a second camera? And it is no where comparable to the T3i.
- Go Pro HERO2 As stated before, it is cheaper but the jump to the third generation is actually worth it!
- Emerson Digital Video Camera It is cheap, but you get what you pay for. Do not do it!
That is our thoughts on cameras. We would love to hear your thoughts and reactions to our picks. Agree or disagree? Did we miss something?
Paul Clifford (@PaulAlanClif) says
I love my T3i. If it had better preamps, a headphone jack, and could record a couple of hours straight, it would be almost perfect.
Speaking of longer record times, you ought to add the Panasonic Lumix series to the list. I know some people who swear they blow the T3i out of the water.
Paul
Jonathan says
What I’ve always told people who are interested in doing “serious photography”–whether as an amateur or a professional–while Sony/Panasonic/Olympus/etc. might come out with a perfectly fine camera every once in a while, stick with Nikon or Canon.
What puts these two above the others is the fact you’re buying into a whole ecosystem of lenses, flashes and other accessories. It’s worth investing a few thousand dollars into Canon or Nikon glass because you know they aren’t going to up and randomly change the lens mount or discontinue their cameras due to poor sales.
Personally, I’m a Canon guy and I’m a big fan of the T series Rebels, but I do begrudgingly admit to the quality of Nikon. Just ask yourself though, do you really want to own the same camera as Ashton Kutcher? =)
Ruben Nunez says
Where are you guys finding the $499 T3i? I just bought mine a few weeks ago and researched it all over the place. The cheapest I found it was $599. Are you sure you aren’t referring to the cheaper T3?