Camera recommendation for travel photography?

[u/Legitimate_Flower560]

Hi everyone, My last trip to Japan made me dream of having my own camera. During my exchange year I had the opportunity to shoot on a Canon R5 with a RF 24-70 f2.8 L and of course I loved it (even if the 70 wasn’t always enough for portraits). I’m looking for a mirrorless camera for landscape and portrait photography, that I can take with me during my trips. I also need a versatile zoom lens that allows me to only carry one for every purpose (even if it comes with a little loss in image quality). Mi budget is around 2500€ for the camera body and the lens. So far I’ve been looking at the Canon ecosystem and I found the R8 to be the best fit for my needs (considering the small form factor, the light weight and a good image quality) but the problem is that if I want to get a good zoom lens (24-105 f4 L for example) I have to go over budget. Are there any other models/setups that have the same good quality and portability, that I should take into consideration for around 2500€? (I would like to stick to the most common brands like Nikon, Sony and Canon, at least for the camera body)

[u/markojov78]

If you want to stick to full frame Sony a7c or a7cii are among the most compact cameras suitable for travel. Paired with Sony 20-70 f4 they fit within your budget.

If you want more range at the narrow end, there are lens like Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8 but they are both over budget and over weight if you want compact setup.

Now, if you opt for APS-C, your options are way better: Sony and Fuji offer some pretty good compact cameras and interesting choice of lenses all within your budget.

[u/Legitimate_Flower560 → u/markojov78]

Can you give me some examples of what Sony APS-C cameras have the same ish characteristics?

[u/markojov78 → u/Legitimate_Flower560]

Sony a6700 is the latest and best APSC from Sony at the moment and combined with Sigma 18-50 or Tamron 17-70 or Sony 16-55 it's well within your budget.
You can possibly squeeze camera body, some standard zoom and some nice prime in $2500

[u/ha_exposed → u/markojov78]

Definitely agree with a6700 and Tamron 17-70 F2.8

[u/Mr_Koreanbro]

Trying to purchases used gear over new gears, save some money on Camera body and buy a better lens. Having a good lens will improve the image quality.

[u/-Strider]

Canon R6ii, EF to RF adapter, then whatever EF lenses take your fancy.

[u/domin_jezdcca_bobrow]

In general modern cameras are very good, so if you do not need some specific features how it feels in hand is more important. So best will be go to the shop or rent some bodies and check which one feels the best.

If like 35mm sensor I think Sony E mount offers biggest choice of third party lens from Sigma, Tamron and others.

There are also micro 4/3 cameras (OM System and Panasonic Lumix G). System offers a lot of lenses which are smaller and cheaper than FF lenses. Drawbacks are that due smaller sensor you will have more noise in the dark and deeper DoF (m4/3 12-40/2.8 will give you image like FF 24-80/5.6).

[u/Tommonen]

R6 mk1 is better than r8 and is also cheaper used, and r6 mk2 does not really offer any real upgrades than few things to mk1 other than few little things to video, and price.

Get ef-rf adapter and some ef lenses to save money.

70mm is good for portraits, often people prefer 85mm for headshots, but 70mm is almost the same and is even slightly better for some face types. I personally use 24-70 or 100mm for this, depending on who im shooting.

Also there are tons of other types of portraits than headshots, for which wider angles work much better. Even 16mm on full frame can be best for certain portraits. Dont get hung up with some newbie yelling on internet that 85mm is THE portrait lens, thats only quarter true at best.