So I'm heading to Vietnam in late October and really want to step up my photo game. My old iPhone 12 is okay for selfies but I really want something that handles night markets and landscape shots way better than a phone can. I've been looking around and people keep recommending the Sony a6000 because it's a classic but man it came out like ten years ago... is the autofocus still even good in 2024?
Then I saw the Panasonic Lumix G100 which looks super tiny and perfect for travel but then I read a bunch of reviews saying the sensor is micro four thirds and might struggle when it gets dark or have too much noise. I'm really torn because I only have about $550 to $600 to spend total and that has to include a lens too because I dont have any gear yet. I'm totally okay with buying used stuff from like KEH or MPB if it means I get a better body but I'm just so overwhelmed by the options. Are there any other mirrorless cameras in that price range that actually hold up for travel or should I just stick with one of those two? Kinda worried about buying something too bulky since we're gonna be doing a lot of walking in Hanoi and I dont want a giant brick around my neck...
To add to the point above: totally agree that the a6100 is a beast, but if you want other options, you gotta look at the Fujifilm X-T200 Mirrorless Camera with 15-45mm Lens. It has a fantastic 24.2MP APS-C sensor which is way larger than the G100 sensor, so it handles noise way better in those dark alleys. The phase-detection autofocus points cover almost the whole frame, which is killer for candid shots. Another super solid pick is the Canon EOS M50 Mark II with EF-M 15-45mm Lens. I love the Dual Pixel CMOS AF on this... it's insanely fast at locking onto faces. Its super tiny and the colors are basically perfect. Both of these beat the older a6000 for screen quality and low light. Honestly, the specs show that APS-C is the sweet spot for travel if you're worried about sensor noise! You're gonna have an amazing trip.
TL;DR: Maybe look at the Canon EOS M50 Mark II with EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM. Just be careful with that system tho, since Canon isnt really making new lenses for it anymore.
Works great for me
> I'm totally okay with buying used stuff from like KEH or MPB if it means I get a better body Buying used is a fantastic strategy! You should definitely look for the Sony Alpha a6100 Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm Lens. This is such an amazing, reliable piece of gear for travel.