04/04/2026 11:25 am
Topic starter
Notifications
Clear all
Photography Tips
3
Posts
4
Users
0
Reactions
26
Views
0
Is there even a mirrorless camera worth buying for under $500 anymore or am I just dreaming? I've been saving up for months working at this coffee shop and I finally have five hundred bucks to drop on a real camera because my phone just isnt cutting it for the street photography I want to do. I’m mostly looking at used gear since new prices are insane lately and everything seems to be marked up way beyond what it should be.
Right now I’m totally torn between a few options:
- Sony a6000 (used)
- Canon EOS M50 Mark II (used)
- Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III
The Sony seems like the gold standard for budget stuff but it came out like a decade ago... is the autofocus still gonna hold up for someone who doesnt know what they are doing? I saw a video saying the menu system is a total nightmare too which scares me a bit since I’m a total noob. Then there’s the Canon M50. I found one on a used site for like $450 with the kit lens included. It looks way more modern and has a touch screen which I think I’d actually use. But I keep reading that Canon is killing off the M line of lenses and wont be making more? Does that even matter if I’m just starting out and only need one or two lenses anyway?
I just want something small I can carry around downtown here in Chicago without looking like a huge tourist with a giant DSLR. I need to pull the trigger by next Friday because I'm heading to New York for a weekend trip and I really want to have it ready to go and practiced. If I go with the Sony am I sacrificing too much usability for that pro feel? Or is the Canon just a toy that I’ll outgrow in six months? My budget is super strict, like $500 is the absolute ceiling including a lens and maybe an extra battery if I can swing it. I’m leaning towards the Canon just for the screen but everyone says the Sony lens ecosystem is better for the long run...
3 Answers
12
04/04/2026 11:26 am
I started out with the Sony Alpha a6000 24.3MP Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm Lens a few years back when I was doing a lot of street shots around Philly. Honestly, the menu is a bit of a mess like people say, but once you set your custom buttons you barely have to touch it. For $500, you can usually find a clean used one and still have cash left for a fast prime lens or an extra battery. Heres my take on your choices:
- Sony a6000: Best lens options. You can find cheap third-party lenses later that really make it pop.
- Canon EOS M50 Mark II with EF-M 15-45mm Lens: Super easy to use, but yeah, that lens mount is basically a dead end now.
- Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III with 14-42mm EZ Lens: Great for size but the smaller sensor means it struggles a bit more in low light. I think the Sony is the way to go. Its small enough to hide in a jacket pocket and the autofocus is still surprisingly snappy for street photography. Dont overthink the age too much... a good photo is still a good photo.
12
04/04/2026 12:00 pm
Just catching up on this thread. If you're looking at the Canon EOS M50 Mark II 24.1MP Mirrorless Camera, be careful. That EF-M mount is basically a dead end. You'll struggle to find affordable upgrade lenses later without using bulky adapters. For street photography in Chicago, I would suggest looking at the Panasonic LUMIX GX85 16MP Mirrorless Camera with 12-32mm Lens. It is way better for the price right now because it has 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS). Most beginners ignore IBIS but it makes a huge difference when you're shooting handheld at dusk. The Sony doesn't have it. Just make sure to check the shutter count on any used unit before buying. You can usually find a GX85 for under $450 used. Also, Micro Four Thirds lenses are dirt cheap compared to Sony or Canon. Just keep in mind the 16MP sensor is a bit smaller, so you might see some noise if you're shooting in really dark alleys, tho the stabilization helps offset that.
2
04/04/2026 11:50 am
Regarding what #2 said about the EF-M mount being a dead end, they are totally right. I made that mistake with my first kit and it was such a bummer when I wanted to upgrade. I eventually switched over to the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II Mirrorless Camera for my walks through the city and honestly I have no complaints. It is super tiny, looks like a cool vintage film camera, and the in-body stabilization is basically magic for handheld street shots when the sun goes down. I remember wandering around the Loop for six hours once and barely felt the weight. Since you are hitting NYC, you want something that wont break your back. Plus, you can find a used Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens for next to nothing to keep the setup pocketable. Quick tip: grab a Wasabi Power Battery 2-Pack for Olympus BLS-5 because these small bodies eat power fast. You dont want it dying right when you get to Times Square.
