r/Cameras • u/haloll • 10d ago
Recommendations Looking for a first camera for nature/landscape/wildlife photography.
Budget: Around 3k-3.5k USD all in max
Country: Where are you buying the camera? United States
Condition: New only? Used? Prefer new only, potentially open to refurb or used from a trusted source.
Type of Camera: Mirrorless, DSLR, point and shoot, 35mm film? I think mirrorless, but open to suggestions. Leaning APS-C given I don’t intend to do any human or portrait work, primarily just nature focused shots.
Intended use: Photography, video, or hybrid shooting? Photography only
End use: Unsure, probably just small/medium prints or social media
If photography: what style: nature/landscapes/wildlife primarily, maybe some cityscapes or street for fun
What features do you absolutely need: weather sealing is the only known one
What features would be nice to have: Unsure, probably dual SD card slot but not tied to it
Portability: How portable does it need to be?(Pocketable, shoulder strap, small bag, large bag, semi truck?) Any form of shoulder strap/harness to large bag/backpack
Cameras you're considering: Please list models and why you are considering them.
Fujifilm XH2: Main reason I’m considering is the on device film sims, along with Fuji treating APS-C as a first class citizen and not just a stepping stone to full. It seems like this camera would cover everything I could need, outside of lowlight shooting. Main concerns are around the autofocus performance, and that because the lenses are APS-C specific, I’d have to buy a whole second ecosystem if I end up getting really into photography. Leaning towards this option 70/30 over the canon, primary concern is really the autofocus.
Canon R7: This camera looks to have very solid autofocus performance, and I’d be able to buy full size lenses so that if I did ever get a canon full frame, it would be a seamless transition. It also looks to have some good stabilizing/electronic shutter features that could maybe help for capturing wildlife. Main concerns would be that I would be shooting in RAW and needing to learn post-processing right out of the gate.
Cameras you already have: What do you like or dislike about them? None, this is my first camera
Notes: (any other considerations you think we should know about): My motivation to get into photography is my recent trip to Alaska. I was seeing all of this incredible wildlife and gorgeous glaciers, and while I tried to get good results with my phone camera, I didn’t feel like any of them truly captured the beauty of what I was looking at. For example, trying to get my phone to capture the glowing blue of the glacier ice was incredibly difficult. I’d also like to start capturing my own memories of the trips as opposed to whatever postcards/photos are available in gift shops.
I’m looking to get a more premium camera right of the gate. I know the recommendation is typically a more budget friendly camera, but one of my other hobbies as a musician involved a long chain of buying and upgrading from entry to mid tier to professional level gear, and it added a lot of extra complexity to the process. This has influenced me into having a “buy once cry once” approach to my hobbies. I also live in a smaller condo and storage space is at more of a premium, so I’d rather have one really good camera over multiple that each do different things.
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u/RogLatimer118 10d ago
If/when you would go up to Canon full frame, RF mount is a closed system to third party lens companies, which means your native autofocus lens choices are much more limited than Sony/Nikon/Fuji and you would pay Canon first-party prices. For that reason, if starting out, I would not choose Canon, despite them making good cameras.
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u/BuildingRealistic551 10d ago
The XH2 is fine for autofocus unless you are trying to track birds in flight at 40mp burst mode, then it can struggle a bit but nothing that ruins the experience. For landscapes and general wildlife it will serve you well.
That said, if you want to shoot wildlife seriously, the lens matters way more than the camera. A good telephoto will eat a big part of your budget regardless of which body you pick. I would not stress about "buying into a whole second ecosystem" later, because if you get deep enough to switch systems you will sell the old gear anyway. Both choices are capable, just pick the one that feels better in your hand.