12/03/2026 11:01 pm
Topic starter
Notifications
Clear all
Photography Tips
2
Posts
3
Users
0
Reactions
147
Views
0
So Ive been digging through eBay and MPB for like a week straight trying to find a decent mirrorless setup that wont break the bank because my budget is strictly capped at $500 including a lens. Im planning a big road trip through Utah and Arizona in August and I really want to move past just using my iPhone for landscape shots. Right now Im basically torn between a used Sony a6000 and the Canon M50 Mark II. The Sony is older but everyone says the lens ecosystem is better if I want to upgrade later, but then the Canon has that fully articulating screen which seems way nicer for weird angles. I also saw a Lumix G85 for about $450 with a kit lens which looks rugged but the sensor is smaller so Im worried about low light stuff. Im leaning toward the Sony just because its so compact for hiking but then I hear the menu system is a total nightmare to navigate. Which one of these is actually going to give me the best bang for my buck in 2024 or am I overlooking something better in this price range?
2 Answers
10
12/03/2026 11:02 pm
In my experience, if you're hitting the dusty trails in Utah, you need gear that won't die if a little sand blows by. I've tried many budget setups over the years and the Canon M-series is basically a dead end now since it was discontinued. Don't waste money on a system with no future. For under $500, look for these:
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 with 12-60mm Lens
- The weather sealing is a lifesaver for desert trips.
- Sony Alpha a6000 with 16-50mm Kit Lens
- Fast, but feels a bit plasticky for rugged hiking. I'd go with the Lumix G85. People worry about the smaller sensor in low light, but for landscapes, it's plenty. The build quality is way more reliable than the Sony for outdoor use. Shop used on sites like MPB or eBay to stay under budget. It's the safest bet for a trip where things might get bumped around.
1
04/04/2026 9:26 am
honestly i spent way too much time looking at sensor readouts and dynamic range scores when i got my first mirrorless setup... basically did exactly what youre doing. the a6000 is still a solid choice for landscapes because of that 24.3mp aps-c sensor. it gives you about 13 stops of dynamic range which really helps with those harsh desert shadows compared to your phone. i actually started with a used body from MPB and found that if you set up the custom buttons, you can pretty much ignore the messy menus. the g85 is definitely rugged but at 16mp on a smaller micro four thirds sensor, you might find it a bit noisier when you try to edit those raw files from your road trip. if you want to stay strictly under $500, maybe try to find a used sony a5100 if you dont mind losing the viewfinder? it has the same sensor as the a6000 but usually goes for cheaper, leaving you more money for a decent wide-angle lens for those big canyon shots. mirrorless tech from that era eats batteries tho so grab a couple of spares before you head out into the heat.
