Recommendations for a beginner mirrorless camera under $500 in 2024?

Question

I am so sick of looking at reviews honestly. I need a mirrorless setup for my trip to Chicago next month but my budget got nuked by some car repairs so I'm stuck at $500 tops. I keep seeing the Sony a6000 recommended but then some people say its ancient for 2024 and the autofocus is trash now compared to new stuff... and the Lumix G7 looks okay but then I read the micro four thirds lenses get crazy expensive if you want anything decent.

I just want something that wont look like garbage for street photography and maybe some video of my dog lol. Is there actually anything worth buying under $500 right now or am I just wasting my time?

BronzeSpecter · Accepted Answer

In my experience, youre better off hunting for a used Sony a6100 with 16-50mm Power Zoom Lens instead of the older a6000. I've tried many entry kits over the years and the autofocus jump on the 6100 is huge for dog videos and street shots. You can usually find them for under 500 if you shop used... honestly, buying new at that price point is kinda a trap right now.

Rosalind Faith Lewis · Answer

Honestly, 500 bucks is a tough spot in 2024 if youre looking for new gear, but the used market is fine. To add to the point above: you gotta be realistic about what you get for that money. Dog videos need decent tracking autofocus or youll just have a blurry mess. Heres two options that actually work for street and pets:

Canon EOS M50 Mark II with EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Lens

This is a solid hybrid. The dual pixel autofocus is reliable for movement, and the menus are very beginner friendly. The main catch is the EF-M mount is basically dead, so dont expect many new lens releases for it.

Fujifilm X-T200 with XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ Lens

Better for your Chicago trip because Fuji colors look great for street shots right out of the box. AF is decent but a step behind the Canon. It feels a bit plasticky tho. Check used sites like MPB to stay under budget... local deals can be risky if you dont know what to look for.

Seraphina Joy Taylor · Answer

You might want to consider the sensors bit depth and dynamic range data. My current setup clipped highlights badly because I didnt check technical specs before spending my budget. Just be careful.