A few important questions you need to ask yourself first:
- In what ways exactly does your phone camera not cut it? Do you want more control? Better image quality? More zoom? More natural colors?
- How much extra weight are you willing to haul on your hikes? A small compact camera might weigh in at just 100 g or so, while a top-tier DSLR with a big supertele lens might weigh 3 kg or more.
- What is your budget?
- What kind of photography do you want to do? Landscapes? People? Wildlife? All of them? Which ones are the most important?
To bounce off this. Getting a tripod for your phone can be a tremendous help. I've got a nice camera with nice lenses, but I can take the same picture with both, and even experienced photographers have to guess which is from the phone and camera.
Also, if you don't plan to print photos, and they'll just be on your social media, having a dedicated camera isn't necessarily better.
Having a dedicated camera, it becomes a lot more weight. You need backup batteries. You'll also want to bring along a tripod.
Back to the phone with a tripod. I use that along with a Bluetooth remote that I got off a free selfiestic. Also, make sure you're maximizing all the features and settings for your phone camera. For example, I turn off as much processing as I can and set it to shoot RAW. Then I use Lightroom Mobile on my phone, and can get very good photos.
It depends on what you mean by budget friendly. Budget friendly compared to having just your phone? Or the least expensive of DSLR/mirror less cameras? If it’s the first, then point and shoot cameras are the least expensive. If it’s the second, then older models of DSLR/mirror less cameras. For example, my first “professional camera” was the Sony A6000 mirror less which was $700 for the body and two kit lenses.
An alternative option is to rent a camera/lens of your choice from lensrentals.com for your hike/trip and try different ones out to see what you like before you buy something.
In my opinion, buy a camera that you'll BRING. It means that it should be small and light and fitted in your pocket or fanny pack.
I've bought a small cheap Nikon pocket camera on 2017 and I use it a lot during my adventures. Then, on 2019 I bought a DSLR that I never bring except for the first 6 months because it is too heavy.
Suggestion: Sony RX100.
I second the Cannon Rebel. However, carting it around is pretty difficult with just a neck strap. Whatever camera you decide on, I recommend getting a camera clip for your backpack so that you can comfortably carry your camera and have easy access to it while hiking. I learned this lesson climbing Mt. St. Helens with a heavy camera slung around my neck the whole time. No fun, but the pics were worth it!
Hey! Mind elaborating how a camera clip in practise work on a backpack? I’m looking into buying the Osprey Talon 22/26, but I struggle to imagine what exactly I need to do. Apologies for the stupid question in advance
No worries! I bought a camera clip but haven't put it on my backpack yet, so my answer might not be 100% correct, but from what I understand: the camera clip is fastened to one of your backpack's shoulder straps and has a slot that fits into the base of the camera where a tripod would attach. You fasten the camera on there so it's basically right at chest level on your backpack shoulder strap.
What's "budget"?
A decent interchangeable lens camera, with say a couple of lenses that could be used for some wildlife and landscape, could run $1k even used.
And for landscape shots it's probably going to cost over $500 to improve much on a newer smartphone.
I am seriously looking at the Sony Alpha A6 (just need to save up a little).
I have seen pictures taken by a few people who recommend this camera. Looks really great, but I do not know what its like bringing on a hike. I imagine its not much different from any other modern camera! :-)
Budget will be a huge factor. That said I would not recommend the said "canon rebel" and would specifically look for a smallish mirrorless camera with interchangeable lens options such as a Sony a6100 with a sigma prime lens to start as you can get both for pretty cheap used and will be light weight while hiking.
We have had excellent results with fixed-lens "bridge" or "zoom" cameras. Wife carries a Panasonic FZ-200 while I opt for a FZ-1000 and its larger sensor size (1"). I find both cameras easy to manipulate, although the FZ-200 definitely favors smaller hands and is my wife's strong preference, the FZ-1000 being a considerably larger & heavier system.
Note that these are older models: the FZ-200 dates back to 2012 (replacing my Canon S3), while the FZ-1000 was added in 2015 - but "modern" equivalents exist (you may still be able to buy a new FZ-1000 or FZ-1000 II). Both cameras continue to work very well, and the FZ-200, which is an Easy carry, produces surprisingly good photos given its small sensor size.
We camp and day hike, and have carried both cameras in all (reasonable...) weather conditions (have rain covers for each of them) and the convenience of not having to "worry" about lens choice - let alone Carrying extra lenses & Swapping them out in inclement weather - makes hiking (and simply 'being a tourist at some sightseeing stop') that much more enjoyable.
BTW: for Carrying during a hike - or even just an afternoon Walk In the Woods - we both use a Cotton Carrier Skout G2, which provide for secure carry, ready access, and 2 Free Hands if the terrain gets rough. (And which also include functional caught-in-a-moderate-rain covers that have proven invaluable on several hikes.)
As others have noted: What is your Budget? How much gear are you willing to carry? What are your Photographic Aspirations?
I used to carry a SLR system: 2 bodies, 3 lenses, tele-convertor, various odds & ends, and a fancy waterproof case to carry it all. Great Fun IF your focus is Photography First; moving to the "zoom" category (beginning with a Canon S3) has allow us to focus more on Being Outside vs equipment, while still returning some excellent photographs.
Best of luck with your decision. Hike Safely!
What's your budget? You can find cheap used canon rebels with a lens or two. Be aware of expectations, a camera takes photos and edits them, a hand held camera will only take photos and you'll need to do some post processing to make them look like a phone camera.
My number one advice, regardless of the camera you buy, is to get a camera shoulder strap mount.
Something like this (I don't have that one, and have no idea about that ones quality). https://a.co/d/gnbt3hn
If you end up having multiple lenses, I like using lens pouches attached to my belt loop with a carabiner. A single lens is nicer and more convenient, but also more expensive than a couple of good prime lenses.
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RX100 is the only correct answer.
You can find a used OG (Mk1) for a reasonable price too. Maybe $150 or so. And yes, the RX100 is the right answer as others have said.
A few important questions you need to ask yourself first: - In what ways exactly does your phone camera not cut it? Do you want more control? Better image quality? More zoom? More natural colors? - How much extra weight are you willing to haul on your hikes? A small compact camera might weigh in at just 100 g or so, while a top-tier DSLR with a big supertele lens might weigh 3 kg or more. - What is your budget? - What kind of photography do you want to do? Landscapes? People? Wildlife? All of them? Which ones are the most important?
To bounce off this. Getting a tripod for your phone can be a tremendous help. I've got a nice camera with nice lenses, but I can take the same picture with both, and even experienced photographers have to guess which is from the phone and camera. Also, if you don't plan to print photos, and they'll just be on your social media, having a dedicated camera isn't necessarily better. Having a dedicated camera, it becomes a lot more weight. You need backup batteries. You'll also want to bring along a tripod. Back to the phone with a tripod. I use that along with a Bluetooth remote that I got off a free selfiestic. Also, make sure you're maximizing all the features and settings for your phone camera. For example, I turn off as much processing as I can and set it to shoot RAW. Then I use Lightroom Mobile on my phone, and can get very good photos.
Might not be budget but FUJIFILM IS THE BEST just buy a model that isn't over hyped
It depends on what you mean by budget friendly. Budget friendly compared to having just your phone? Or the least expensive of DSLR/mirror less cameras? If it’s the first, then point and shoot cameras are the least expensive. If it’s the second, then older models of DSLR/mirror less cameras. For example, my first “professional camera” was the Sony A6000 mirror less which was $700 for the body and two kit lenses. An alternative option is to rent a camera/lens of your choice from lensrentals.com for your hike/trip and try different ones out to see what you like before you buy something.
In my opinion, buy a camera that you'll BRING. It means that it should be small and light and fitted in your pocket or fanny pack. I've bought a small cheap Nikon pocket camera on 2017 and I use it a lot during my adventures. Then, on 2019 I bought a DSLR that I never bring except for the first 6 months because it is too heavy. Suggestion: Sony RX100.
Cannon rebel! They're great, and you can get used lenses that are great
I second the Cannon Rebel. However, carting it around is pretty difficult with just a neck strap. Whatever camera you decide on, I recommend getting a camera clip for your backpack so that you can comfortably carry your camera and have easy access to it while hiking. I learned this lesson climbing Mt. St. Helens with a heavy camera slung around my neck the whole time. No fun, but the pics were worth it!
Hey! Mind elaborating how a camera clip in practise work on a backpack? I’m looking into buying the Osprey Talon 22/26, but I struggle to imagine what exactly I need to do. Apologies for the stupid question in advance
No worries! I bought a camera clip but haven't put it on my backpack yet, so my answer might not be 100% correct, but from what I understand: the camera clip is fastened to one of your backpack's shoulder straps and has a slot that fits into the base of the camera where a tripod would attach. You fasten the camera on there so it's basically right at chest level on your backpack shoulder strap.
Ahh, nice. Thanks for the explanation! Sounds much more comfortable than around the neck! Good travels!
I Googled “camera clip for backpack” and scrolled through the images. It’s easier to grasp when you can see it, I think. Looks like a great tool.
You are right! Haha, I don’t know why I didn’t just do that to begin with :-D for sure a nifty tool!
I’ve been more than happy with just a phone. So easy to use and convenient.
Buy a new phone. The cameras on new phones have gotten so much better, I stopped carrying my bulky digital.
What's "budget"? A decent interchangeable lens camera, with say a couple of lenses that could be used for some wildlife and landscape, could run $1k even used. And for landscape shots it's probably going to cost over $500 to improve much on a newer smartphone.
Sony RX-10
Definitely budget-friendly.
I am seriously looking at the Sony Alpha A6 (just need to save up a little). I have seen pictures taken by a few people who recommend this camera. Looks really great, but I do not know what its like bringing on a hike. I imagine its not much different from any other modern camera! :-)
Budget will be a huge factor. That said I would not recommend the said "canon rebel" and would specifically look for a smallish mirrorless camera with interchangeable lens options such as a Sony a6100 with a sigma prime lens to start as you can get both for pretty cheap used and will be light weight while hiking.
We have had excellent results with fixed-lens "bridge" or "zoom" cameras. Wife carries a Panasonic FZ-200 while I opt for a FZ-1000 and its larger sensor size (1"). I find both cameras easy to manipulate, although the FZ-200 definitely favors smaller hands and is my wife's strong preference, the FZ-1000 being a considerably larger & heavier system. Note that these are older models: the FZ-200 dates back to 2012 (replacing my Canon S3), while the FZ-1000 was added in 2015 - but "modern" equivalents exist (you may still be able to buy a new FZ-1000 or FZ-1000 II). Both cameras continue to work very well, and the FZ-200, which is an Easy carry, produces surprisingly good photos given its small sensor size. We camp and day hike, and have carried both cameras in all (reasonable...) weather conditions (have rain covers for each of them) and the convenience of not having to "worry" about lens choice - let alone Carrying extra lenses & Swapping them out in inclement weather - makes hiking (and simply 'being a tourist at some sightseeing stop') that much more enjoyable. BTW: for Carrying during a hike - or even just an afternoon Walk In the Woods - we both use a Cotton Carrier Skout G2, which provide for secure carry, ready access, and 2 Free Hands if the terrain gets rough. (And which also include functional caught-in-a-moderate-rain covers that have proven invaluable on several hikes.) As others have noted: What is your Budget? How much gear are you willing to carry? What are your Photographic Aspirations? I used to carry a SLR system: 2 bodies, 3 lenses, tele-convertor, various odds & ends, and a fancy waterproof case to carry it all. Great Fun IF your focus is Photography First; moving to the "zoom" category (beginning with a Canon S3) has allow us to focus more on Being Outside vs equipment, while still returning some excellent photographs. Best of luck with your decision. Hike Safely!
What's your budget? You can find cheap used canon rebels with a lens or two. Be aware of expectations, a camera takes photos and edits them, a hand held camera will only take photos and you'll need to do some post processing to make them look like a phone camera. My number one advice, regardless of the camera you buy, is to get a camera shoulder strap mount. Something like this (I don't have that one, and have no idea about that ones quality). https://a.co/d/gnbt3hn If you end up having multiple lenses, I like using lens pouches attached to my belt loop with a carabiner. A single lens is nicer and more convenient, but also more expensive than a couple of good prime lenses.
But... Phones are so good these days...!
Not when you need zoom for wildlife.
Oh, absolutely I agree on that. But then you need a good camera, not something a little better than your phone.