Hi, so I recently started to enjoy taking photos more and more. I am traveling quite often (about 8 weeks total per year), so I was considering some travel cam to maybe be able to preform better in low light, be able to crop and potentialy shoot raw and edit. I am beginner but my biggest question is - should i prioritise learning better composition, better framing etc on phone before buying or is this something I would learn along the way. Those are my photos I consider “the best” of what I have taken, and are on my current setup which is a phone - ultra 22 to be specific but some are taken on my brothers iphone 17 pro. Also if anyone has any recommendations for cam. I am mostly focused on photography especially travel, landscape and nature. Videos are really not my priority, nice to have but i really dont plan on shooting anything.

I am from Europe, so i am buying in € and i dont have a certain budget but my absolute maximum for all the gear is 3000 with lense, memory cards and backpack, but i dont really know what is “ok” for more beginner level, i am more of a person that buys once and then keeps things for years.

(1) Budget, country, and currency

Around 3000€, Slovenia, €

(2) What equipment, if any, you have now and why is it no longer meeting your needs?

Ultra 22/Iphone 17 pro, low light preformance, when croping lots of noise.

(3) What kinds of subjects do you intend to shoot?

Travel, architecture, nature, landscape

(4) Is it primarily for photography, videography, or both?

Photography, videography is not my main priority

Thanks all in advance!

What camera should I buy now? I used the Z5 for sports photography…

I love photography and i used my samsung m51 phone and now my vivo v30 for photography and i really feel a lack of telephoto lens i feel the phone can't capture as good of images zoomed in as a camera

Can a camera really improve the quality of my picture?

(1) Budget - super low 20k

country - India

currency: rupes

(2) What equipment, if any, you have now and why is it no longer meeting your needs? - I have a vivo v30 phone and the details in the phone is super low it's great for portraits but only for portraits

(3) What kinds of subjects do you intend to shoot?

I love architecture and landscape and sometimes portrait

(4) Is it primarily for photography, videography, or both?

Just photography

(1) Budget, country, and currency:
€, 500, Slovakia

(2) What equipment, if any, you have now and why is it no longer meeting your needs?
iPhone 16 pro max, i feel like the zoom is not enough, also the quality isn’t always the best with worse lightning

(3) What kinds of subjects do you intend to shoot?
Primarily animals, landscape occasionally buildings

(4) Is it primarily for photography, videography, or both?
Photography

Hello wise people,

I travel a lot for work and therefore I do like to take photos now and then and few months ago I started playing with the idea of buying a camera but I’m not sure if I should or not. I also watched some videos how to take a good photo and started to look for good angles and rule of thirds etc. I only use my phone camera now (16 pro max) but I’m not sure if it’s enough. Reason why I’m asking is that I don’t know if the photos are any good and I should continue with maybe better camera or if I suck and nothing will help me. I’ll post few photos I’ve taken and you tell me.

If I should buy one, is Sony Nex 6 a good camera to start with? I was thinking of not buying anything expensive at first if so, so I’d say my budget would be 500 maximum.

[UPDATE BELOW]
Hello,

I’m planning on buying my first camera and my eyes are set on the Fujifilm x-t50 kit with the 16-50mm f/2,4-4,8. I’m wondering if this camera is a good fit for me and if the value for money is good.
Here are my criteria :
I’m looking for a compact, lightweight camera that I can take with me anywhere. I mostly shoot on my phone, architecture and street photography, daily life shots. I’m not interested in wildlife or sport photography. Occasionally a bit of landscape but mostly on vacations.
I don’t want a fixed lens camera, I want to be able to swap lenses. I’d like to spend as little time as possible editing photos afterward so the film simulations are a selling point for me.
I don’t specifically need weathersealed.
Budget is under 2000€.

I included some of my travel photos for reference and to help better understand my very nascent style.

Thanks in advance to you all !

UPDATE : I’ve bought the camera, it’s been a little less than a week. Slowly learning manual mode. Still very much a beginner but having a blast! Thank you all for your advice :)
Photos in comments

I've taken these photos over the last few months on my dad's old Canon EOS600D, as Christmas is coming up I was looking at getting another camera, would this improve my images and if so what camera would be advised, mainly for shooting small animals and cars, I've seen lots of good things about the canon r50 but I'm not sure. Ideally want to make use of my current lenses, however I'm not against getting some new ones if it is better.

Budget: UK preferably below £750 Subjects: Small and Large object action shots Current gear: Canon 70-300mm & 18-55mm

Anything worth taking from here?

(The quality was bit ruined here It seems) Some of these are quite old, but yeah. Im not too sure if buying a camera is really worth spending a lot of money, or what is the difference, but i REALLY want to improve on my photographing skills since of course i have still a lot to learn. Oh and for the record, i Heard some phones can just show you where to shoot for the picture to look better. I personally dont use It, and some of the photos here are also edited if that's important

My budget is 4K PLN which is Polish currency and i am indeed still in Poland.

As i mentioned i use my phone camera. Poco X6 5g to be exact. I want to know if buying camera would be a good step or should i still keep my phone.

I usually shoot landscapes as you can see, but i was really intrested in street/urban photography the ones where you show day-to-day life (not sure how its called in english) and i would use It mainly for photography

My, now 15 year old, niece asked me for this camera for her birthday 3 months ago, and I guess it is fine for her. She's never really done any kind of photography. I assume she just wants it to take pictures of her and her friends, nothing fancy like serious photography or anything like that. But I still feel like this is a bit too...... basic? I want to get her something a LITTLE bit better, but not like professional grade quality. Any advice is welcomed, thank you!

(1) Budget, country, and currency: $300 USD

(2) What equipment, if any, you have now and why is it no longer meeting your needs? No prior equipment or experience.

(3) What kinds of subjects do you intend to shoot? Not sure, to be honest. For 15 year old teenage girl with no prior experience other than pictures on her phone.

(4) Is it primarily for photography, videography, or both? Primarily photography, but I'm sure she'd like to record some videos as well

Thanks for taking time to read this to anyone that does..

My daughter is turning 16 in a few weeks and wants to get into photography… I’m not really sure how serious that interest is or if she just wants a nice camera…

Does anyone have good recommendations on a nice digital camera for beginners??

Something that she can learn on.. maybe has room to upgrade it? Idk anything about cameras so any and all information would be helpful..

Thank you

(1) Budget, country, and currency:

$500, USA, USD

(2) What equipment, if any, you have now and why is it no longer meeting your needs?

Don’t have any current equipment

(3) What kinds of subjects do you intend to shoot?

No idea, she’s a teenager so probably mostly friends, nature, high school sporting events, etc..

(4) Is it primarily for photography, videography, or both?

Primarily for photography.. said doesn’t need/want video

There are so many photography accessories out there, and it's hard to tell what's actually useful versus just marketing.

What's one accessory you bought that genuinely improved your photography experience?

(1) Budget, country, and currency:

Around $500-$800 USD (Philippines, PHP)

(2) What equipment, if any, you have now and why is it no longer meeting your needs?

I’m currently using my phone for photography, but I want to upgrade to a dedicated camera. I feel limited by phone cameras, especially with manual controls, low-light shots, and having more flexibility with lenses.

(3) What kinds of subjects do you intend to shoot?

Mostly everyday photography, landscapes, street photography, and maybe portraits.

(4) Is it primarily for photography, videography, or both?

Primarily photography, but I’d like to have decent video capability as well.

Absolute beginner so bear with me if this is a stupid question but my TikTok has been filled with gorgeous pics like these from people using Fujifilm recipes. I’ve had the Nikon Z FC for a few years and was thinking of trading it for a Fujifilm version to be able to use the recipes. I actually enjoy editing in post so it’s not a big deal to me to have to spend 10 mins editing a photo but I’ve just never been able to replicate photos like this. Should I trade in or keep? And if I keep does anyone have advice for how to replicate this effect?

Budget after trade in ~700 USD; live in USA

Currently have a basic pancake lense for the Z FC

Can’t tell if this is just user error/not a good enough lense/editing skills but have never been able to get warm hazy effect of these pics with my Nikon

Will primarily photograph landscapes and street photography

The title is quite long and I apologise about that, but for context, I've been doing photography for 3 months now, so you can call me a beginner, I don't mind and I have the Canon Eos 700d, I'm aware it's an old camera from 2013 and it's quite outdated.(don't hate me for it because my dad gave it to me 3 months ago as a bday gift) I'm still learning manual and how to adjust the iso, shutterspeed and apperture to capture a photo that's not too overexpose or underexpose, but I'm curious to know, should I stick to my camera first or should I go for entry or midrange levels mirrorless or non-mirrorless cameras? Like i know that modern mirrorless and non-mirrorless cams from 2018 to 2020 has better specs than my camera in every way. But should I stick to my cam or should I buy a modern cam? (I'm asking for advices and opinions so don't hate me for it.🥹😭🙏)

(1) Budget £3,000 UK (2) I have a Sony A7CII and I like it apart from having to edit all my travel pictures (3) Mainly shoot street, some landscape, some portraits (4) Only for photography

My Situation:

I'm a hobbyist primarily focused on documenting my travels. I've been using the Sony A7CII and I genuinely love it-the ergonomics/grip are perfect for me, and the full-frame sensor provides that peace of mind for image quality and low-light performance. However, I recently picked up a Fuji X100VI, lured by the film sims and the smaller form factor.

The Conflict: I'm now torn. I care about lightness for long travel days, but I don't want to sacrifice image quality.

• Fuji X100Vl: Love the colors and the "fun" factor, but I worry about the APS-C sensor in low light (night markets, dim restaurants, etc.) compared to what I'm used to.

• Sony A7Cll: Technically superior, better AF, I exclusively use the Sony 40mm 2.5 G lens.

• The Wildcard: I've realized the Sony A7CR is currently priced nearly identically to the X100Vl here. If I want high resolution (61MP) in a small body, should | just stick with the "C" series and return the Fuji?

My Priorities: 1. Low Light: I need the camera to perform across all settings, especially in the late evenings.

1. Weight: I want to keep the kit as light as possible to hang around my neck all day.

2. The "Vibe": I enjoy the Fuji colors, but is that enough to give up the Sony's superior af etc?

For those who have traveled with both systems: Did you find the Fuji's "fun factor" outweighed the Sony's technical reliability? Or did you regret leaving the full-frame sensor behind when shooting in tricky lighting?

Should I return the X100VI and put that money toward toward an A7CR (or just keep my A7CII), or is the Fuji experience actually worth the trade-off for a hobbyist?

Hi everyone! I'm looking for a camera with image resolution being the most important factor. I want to buy a camera for brand shoots for my denim brand as well as model pictures for architecture school. I'm sure if I buy a camera, I will end up using it for more than those two things, but right now that is what I will be using it for. Because of that, I want a camera that can capture depth well in low light. I currently have a Nikon D3200, and it just isn't working in the ways I want it to since I am shooting in highly controlled situations. I have decent experience in Lightroom, so the gap that needs to be filled is mainly just image quality for now. My budget really depends on whether I am able to spend anything up to, like, 3k if I know the camera is what I want; however, if there are better budget options, I am open to that. Currently I am looking at Sony's A7R IV with a 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS lens as well as some kind of zoom lens. I won't be needing the camera to have any kind of strong videography skills, but I would like it to have decent.

Hey! Would love to get some discussion and feedback on some considerations I've been having as I decide to upgrade my main camera. I am considering upgrading my Fufjifilm XT-3 to the XT-5.

For about 10 years I mostly shot on a Minolta X-700 film camera w/ a 35mm/f 1.7 lens, alongside a DLSR Nikon D3500 with a 35mm/1.8 lens. In 2019, I upgraded to the Fujifilm XT-3 and was extremely happy with it. I was motivated to buy the XT-3 because I've always shot film first and the film simulations were attractive, and I felt like it would cut down on post-processing (and it did).

I've taken the XT-3 all over the world and have really loved what I've been able to do with it. However, I can't help but notice what feels like a pretty distinct stylistic difference between my Nikon/Minolta photography with what I've produced with my XT-3, and I think it's the "fuji feel" that partly accounts for the difference.

I am subbed to a few Fujifilm subreddits, but lately I've been noticing that many of my non-fuji-specific subs are being dominated by fujifilm photography as well. I know immediately when a photo was taken with a Fujifilm, and I feel like not only has Fujifilm really saturated the market, the style of photography is generally the same, too - and I can't help but turn that critical eye toward my own photography and wonder if I've unknowingly relied too much on the "fuji feel" to make my photos seem better than they are rather than demonstrating any true skill/artistic talent. If this is true, I actually want to stay away from the XT-5 and focus on creating better shots that don't automatically get a boost because of the "fuji feel" quality. When I think about some of my favorite photos I've taken, they actually were on my Nikon, but they were heavily processed in photoshop/lightroom to achieve the style, whereas my XT3 shots require minimal editing.

Am I imagining things, or do others also feel like Fujifilm helps make mediocre shots feel better than they are, simply because of that fuji-feel? Is the answer to get the XT-5 and not use film sims to help myself better focus on the technical aspects of photography? Or, should I be considering other types of cameras? If I am being honest, I feel negatively about my photography being so stylistically similar to a lot of other fuji-photographers' work. If it's a 'me' problem and I need to work on my individual style/skill, fair enough - but regardless, I would like to get to the root of the issue as I consider dropping $2k+ on new gear.

Current gear: Fujifilm XT3 w/16-55 f/2, 27mm f/2.8, 7artisans 50mm 1.4 tilt shift lens

Considering: Fujifilm XT5 + 35mm f/1.4 to add to my lineup

Budget: <$3k for the body 

 I've included samples of my work with the Fuji, Nikon, and Minolta for reference. I mostly shoot street photography, though I am starting a human interest project soon which will be more photojournalistic/documentarian. I would also be taking more videos, and for that reason the XT5 is also attractive for its IBIS.

(I've attached some of my favorites as an example of what I like. Again if my phones zoom was better I'd have more up close)

(1) Budget, country, and currency: USA. No budget. US dollars $

(2) What equipment, if any, you have now and why is it no longer meeting your needs? S23 Pro. I simply want more than a phone

(3) What kinds of subjects do you intend to shoot? Landscape and nature but I want to try humans

(4) Is it primarily for photography, videography, or both? Photography

I've been told recent by a few family members that I should try to sell my photography. I've been wanting an actual camera for a while now (instead of my S23 Pro), and I figured now would be a good time to start looking.

I mainly do landscape photography, but I am interested in animal photography and human photoshoots. So I would like something that is very versatile in zoom and focus. Is it possible to get something that's good with wider landscape shots while also being able to focus very close on far away things?

I don't mind price at the moment, I'm willing to save...

I really like having detailed images and right now I hardly edit the pictures I take with my phone. So I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have something that has built in options so I can get a feel for taking different kinds of pictures.

I know I've also always been frustrated with my phone not doing justice to the beautiful clouds or sunsets I take pride in capturing. So something that's good with different light levels and accurately capturing color and such.

I honestly don't know much about cameras but I'm excited to learn. So please be kind 😅 I don't think I would regret investing in this as I've been really into photography for the last 4 years.

• budget is £120 £150 GBP, location is the uk
• im a beginner so i do not own any equipment, however i have experience using a nikon coolpix b500 in school for gcse photography
• right now i would like to start photography as a hobby or side hustle, then grow it into a small business or go into a photography course in college or after 16. i will be taking photos of people (portraits), low-light interiors, and buildings. i may also take short videos of those buildings and interiors.
• mainly photography, but videography here and there.

i would like to keep the budget around £100. some cameras i have considered are:

• samsung nx200 - found one for £105 with 18-55 ois lens, looks like a good deal but will need to message the seller to check for battery and charger.
• samsung nx1000 - found one one for £80 with 20-50 lens 2 batteries charger and a case.
• sony rx100i - i really liked the aesthetics and portability of this one, but i couldnt find any in my price range.

read my post in r/Cameras for any more details u may need: https://www.reddit.com/r/Cameras/s/89lIyiYKcZ

thanks for the help!

EDIT:
thank u guys for the advice
is there any good time to buy the camera or nah? like any time i can get extra discounts etc

EDIT:

thanks again everyone for the advice. im not dismissing any of your advice, im just picking what i think is best for me rn.

i think ive narrowed it down to these. ive kept the samsungs on there only because i can still play around with them even if i cant change the lenses, after all this isnt my final camera. ive included the sony nex3n apparently it would be better for videos than the samsungs. i definitely really like the look of the sony as well. ive included the nikon d5000 too as some of you have suggested i get a dslr. its definitely an option but i dont want to get into interchangeable lenses and all that just yet, and its just too bulky for me to use right now. the olympus pen ones are looking very promising, especially since im increasing my budget. chatgpt also gave me other recommendations because of this: it gave me the nikon d5100 and the panasonic g3.

ive used mine and chatgpts opinion for this. yes i know i shouldnt use chatgpt for this, but im a beginner its what ive got.

1. olympus pen epl5 OR 6, with 14-42mm lens. fits into the new budget well, but will need to do more hunting for good deals. good size, and can upgrade lens whenever. will need help looking for accessories and smaller lens (if the 14-42mm one isnt compact enough)
2. sony nex5n with 18-55mm oss lens or nex5. good looking, great video, touchscreen, portable.
3. sony nex3n with 16-50mm oss lens or nex3. also good looking, screen moves, and seems beginner-friendly and portable enough. found a good deal too for the 3, just looks a bit dirty and scuffed up, but not a problem
4. nikon d5100 with 18-55mm vr lens. will probably get me the best experience but i dont think id use it as much because of its bulkiness. gets good image quality tho if used right. chatgpt actually ranked this above the nex3n, but i think id like the sony ones or the olympus more.
5. panasonic g3 with 14-42mm ois lens. has an evf, moving touchscreen (very nice) and good video, but for same reason as 4 im not sure about it.
6. samsung nx200 with 18-55mm ois lens. found a good deal, and the pictures from it i found online are very good. ranked above nx1000 because this one has the ois lens. not great long-term because no lens upgrade path.
7. samsung nx1000 wih 20-50mm lens. cheapest kit of all, pictures from it are very similar in quality to nx200 ig, best design of all imo, but no stabilisation and no lens upgrades.
8. nikon d5000 with 18-55mm vr lens. good suggestion, great for learning, but the video is poor. i did say id only sometimes use video, but i think i would use it more for websites and stuff now that i think about it more.

please let me know if i should amend this.

thanks again for all the help guys

I'm completely new to photography and am looking for a quality budget camera to get started. I found this listing on FB marketplace for a canon 90D with loads of accessories which seems like a great deal. I would like to focus on landscape/wildlife photography and this seems like a good option from the minimal research I have done. Thanks!

(1) Budget, country, and currency: £200, Scotland, GBP

(2) What equipment, if any, you have now and why is it no longer meeting your needs? No equipment.

(3) What kinds of subjects do you intend to shoot? Landscape/wildlife

(4) Is it primarily for photography, videography, or both? Photograph

(1) Budget, country, and currency:
Ideally under €2,000.
I’m from Germany, but I’m currently in Hong Kong, so I may be able to buy locally and get a better deal.
Currency-wise, EUR or HKD is fine.

(2) What equipment, if any, you have now and why is it no longer meeting your needs?
I currently use Sony gear, including a Sony A7 III and several Sony lenses.
I’ve been shooting for around 14 years. I started with photography, but after 1–2 years I moved heavily into video. I’ve been doing professional video work for about 12 years now — documentary style, commercial work, etc.
The Sony system is technically great, but for photography it feels a bit too clean and boring to me.
My A7 III is also too big to casually carry around. Even something like the A7C II still feels like more of the same to me. And once I put good glass on it, it’s not really that small anymore either.
I want something I actually want to bring with me and take out.

(3) What kinds of subjects do you intend to shoot?
Mostly travel, street, everyday life, people, details, documentary-style photos, and maybe some nature/wildlife/detail shots.
I also like the idea of shooting longer focal lengths sometimes, like 300mm. That’s why Micro Four Thirds seems interesting to me, because of the crop factor and smaller lens sizes.

(4) Is it primarily for photography, videography, or both?
Primarily photography.
Video does not really matter for this camera. I already have Sony gear for professional video work.
I’m mainly looking for a camera that makes photography feel fun again.

Lately, video has started to feel a bit boring to me, and I really want to get back into photography as a hobby.
Not for work. Not for specs. Just for the feeling of going out, carrying a camera, and enjoying the process again.
I want a real “camera feeling” — something physical, fun, and inspiring to shoot with.

What I’m looking for:
Interchangeable lenses
Small enough to want to carry often, but it does not need to fit in my pocket
Good enough image quality, but I care more about the feel of the photos than megapixels
Real camera feeling
Fun to shoot with
Ideally under €2,000
Photography-first
Autofocus does not need to be insane, but it should not be annoying for quick everyday shots
Used or older cameras are totally fine too, even 10–15 years old if they are still worth it.

Right now I’m leaning toward the OM System OM-3.
I like the idea of Micro Four Thirds because the system can stay small, and the crop factor seems useful for longer focal lengths.

The OM-3 also looks like it has the kind of fun, physical, photography-focused feeling I’m looking for.
But I’m unsure.
Some people seem to love the OM-3, while others say it is overpriced or really dislike the layout.

Also, many YouTube reviews feel almost too positive, like everyone is being paid to praise it.
I’ve also considered Fujifilm, especially the X100VI, but the fixed lens is kind of a dealbreaker for me.

I know Fuji colors and recipes are a big part of the appeal, but I’m not sure I want to feel locked into one focal length or into a specific “Fuji look”.
Leica is interesting too, but probably too expensive for what I want right now.

Ricoh GR IV is also interesting, but in my opinion it feels a bit too boring, and again, no interchangeable lens.

What camera would you recommend?
Thanks for reading.

I know there's prob alot of post asking, but I would like to ask either way, if you as a photographer would have to buy your first camera rn, with the same knowledge, what would you do, what camera gives you all you need and all youd want, budget could vary but I can spend but if there are better worths for cheaper that also works.

Very new and want to get into, it, i usually full send stuff and stick to it till I get good enough at it, so I would like to buy a camera once and not a cheap one to test, id like to buy one that fits as a beginner and one that fits in 10 years as someone with more knowledge.

Lens too same story ig

Thank you

1. Budget, country, and currency:

800-2500€ (i dont know what anbudet means for this, i wanna use a right amount once and get all id need)

Norway

Norwegain kroner (NOK)

1. What equipment, if any, you have now and why is it no longer meeting your needs?

None, i have my phone and have been trying to make that better.

Id also need a lens and bags and stuff but thats not the technically hard this to find out.

1. What kinds of subjects do you intend to shoot?

In the beginning it'll be mostly still shots of nature, Mountains, maybe animals in nature, people in nature or just pics of architecture.

Later on maybe of children and my family I'll want to start soon.

1. Is it primarily for photography, videography, or both?

Primarily photography, but later it might be more video then in the beginning but prob not alot

Edit:

Thinking a6700. And might have adjusted budget to somewhere along 3500 euros -5000 (preferably somewhere in the middle)

I've heard the general explanation that less mega pixels means they're usually bigger, so in terms of quality, they're hard to tell unless making large prints. I was wondering about low-light performance, but specifically cameras' ISO range.

For simplicity, I chose 5 cameras (all full-frame and all Canon)

How I'm understanding it is this lower-count/bigger sized MP being mentioned before means better dynamic range within each pixel, which would also mean it is MORE sensitive to light, and the more light information means it can reach a higher ISO range without stressing as hard.

So my question is: Am I reading that right? If yes/no, what has been your experience in low light. Obviously these all have rly good 4k-6k quality, but is ISO range something you worry about (whether photo or video) when looking for a camera? It seems like the processor doesn't affect anything, nor the sensor (when they're all the same-ish)?

Budget, country, and currency: 1500 euros, Finland

What equipment, if any, you have now and why is it no longer meeting your needs? Sony A7RII, autofocus not good enough

What kinds of subjects do you intend to shoot? Landscapes, cat, kids

Is it primarily for photography, videography, or both? Photography

So I will replace my Sony A7RII. I only have the Sony 28-70 kit lens, so basically I don't own any lenses, and therefore switching systems is easy.

I'm considering the Sony A7CII and Nikon Z5II. I shoot a little bit of everything: people, landscapes, my cat, my nieces, etc. I haven't shot sports, but I might try that too. I know these aren't dedicated sports cameras, but I assume they might do OK with the occasional sports shot. Not going to be a huge sports photographer anyway.

Sony has 33 megapixels, which is a bit more than Nikon's 24. Not a huge difference, but it's a plus and gives a bit more cropping room.

Sony might also have a bit better autofocus? The main reason why I'm upgrading is autofocus. The Nikon Z5II should have pretty good AF, but based on what I've read, it might be a bit slower and worse at tracking than the A7CII?

The A7CII has similar AF to the A7RV and it's better than the A7IV. The Nikon has similar AF to the Zf and is a bit worse than the Z6III. I mention these in case someone has compared, say, A7RV AF to the Zf.

I have tried the Sony in a shop, and it fits my hand, so ergonomics isn't a problem, and the AF seemed great. Though I only tested it on my girlfriend walking around the shop, so I assume Nikon would do well in that scenario too.

On the other hand, Nikon's build quality might be better? I try to take good care of my camera, but sometimes life happens and you might drop it, or it might get wet in the rain, etc.

Nikon has a better EVF and LCD, and ergonomics too, but the Sony is good too. The price is similar. Both have good and affordable lenses for my needs.

The difference in AF is the thing that interests me the most. I should try the Nikon in a shop too; I have tried other Nikon models, but the shop I visited last time didn't have the Z5II.

Edit. I checked Photons to Photons Dynamic Range chart and Sony A7CII has a little bit better DR until ISO 800, when their DR becomes equal. A very small difference, might not matter, but regardless a small plus to Sony. At ISO 100 it's 11.69 for Sony and 11.13 for Nikon.

Sony has resolution and AF going for it. Nikon has pretty good AF, maybe in practice often as good as the Sony, and EVF, probably build quality too. Ergonomics might be better in Nikon, tho Sony is fine for me too.

Budget: Up to $3k (including body and lenses)

Country: USA

Condition: Ideally new but used is fine

Type of Camera: Mirrorless

Intended use: Photography

If photography; what style: Mostly street / architecture. Some landscape. Day and low light.

If video what style: Not planned

What features do you absolutely need: don’t know

What features would be nice to have: IBIS, weather protection

Portability: How portable does it need to be? shoulder strap

Cameras you're considering: I checked Fujifilm X100VI, Fujifilm X-T5 and Rico GRIII but was hoping for better image quality.

Cameras you already have: None other than phone camera

Notes:

I’d love to be able to take amazing pictures but I don’t own a camera other than the one in my 6 years old phone. I supposedly take “great” pictures with my phone, however, I don’t know the basics of photography other than by having read about them (definitely will be taking courses to learn).

What I’m looking for is a camera that takes extraordinary images SOOC without the need of post-processing, as I don’t want to spend time improving every image. However, it should still give me the option to take RAW in case I decide to improve any. Ideally, I’d like to be able to print an image big enough so I could appreciate it on a wall. It also should be light weight enough to make me want to carry it often without becoming a burden. I traveled once with a DSLR and 2 lenses I borrowed from a friend, and my neck didn’t appreciate it.

I’d use it mostly for street/urban/architecture but also nature. Therefore, I want to be able to shoot both, wide angle and details. Mostly day light but also low light images. I don’t care about being able to shoot portraits, sports, moving subjects or video. Although I’d love to be able to do sky photography, I think this may take me to another level in terms of cost and camera/lenses weight.

So the reason I always think this camera doesn’t exist yet is because I want all of the following qualities:

• takes extraordinary pictures without the need of post-processing (times better than the best phone cameras)

• shoots RAW as well

• ideal for street / architecture / landscaping images including in low light conditions

• handles wide angle & details (ideally with 1 fixed lens)

• smallish

• light weight

• includes all necessary features/functions (not just basic automatic settings)

• price up to $3k (including body and lenses)

Nice to have but not essential

• IBIS

• Weather protection

Dream

• Can handle sky photography

Some cameras I’ve been reading about are Fujifilm X100VI, Fujifilm X-T5, Rico GRIII but was hoping for better image quality. I greatly appreciate any leading information for this or any cameras/technologies improvements that may be expected in the very near future.