01/04/2026 5:25 am
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Ugh so I am trying to find a camera for my trip to Maine next month and I am literally losing my mind over this. I have $500 total and that has to include the lens too because I dont have any gear at all. I was looking at the Sony ones like the a6000 but then someone online said its too old and the autofocus isnt good anymore but then another site said its the best for beginners so I am just stuck.
My logic was that I just wanted something better than my iPhone 13 for landscape shots but every time I look at a new camera the price is like $800 or more just for the body. Is there even anything good left for under $500 or am I just dreaming? I saw some Olympus cameras too but I dont understand what micro four thirds means vs a regular camera sensor. It all sounds like a different language to be honest. I just want something that isnt huge and heavy to carry around the trails.
I checked ebay and facebook marketplace but honestly I am scared of getting scammed since I dont know how to check if a lens is broken or has mold or whatever. Are there any actual mirrorless cameras that are worth it in 2024 for five hundred bucks or should I just give up and use my phone...
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01/04/2026 5:25 am
Honestly, $500 is a bit of a squeeze for a brand new mirrorless kit these days, but its definitely doable if you look at the right places. Dont worry about the a6000 being old. For landscapes in Maine, you arent tracking fast-moving birds, so the autofocus is still totally fine for stills. I still think the Sony a6000 with 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens is a decent option because that sensor holds up well for the price. If you want something smaller for the trails, look at the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R Lens. Micro Four Thirds basically just means the sensor is slightly smaller than the Sony ones, which allows the camera and lenses to be tiny. To avoid getting scammed on eBay, just buy from sites like MPB or KEH. They inspect everything and give a warranty, so you wont have to stress about mold or broken parts. Its a much safer bet for a first timer.
10
01/04/2026 6:10 am
Re: "Quick reply while I have a sec. I..."
- Grab a Canon EOS M50 Mark II with 15-45mm lens.
- MPB has warranties
- Tiny for hiking I took mine up Cadillac Mountain once.
2
01/04/2026 5:40 am
Quick reply while I have a sec. I went through this exact same headache when I started hiking more. I used to carry a huge setup until my neck started killing me... basically lugging a heavy brick around for miles. If you want something reliable that wont blow the budget, check out the Canon M line. Tech snobs say it is dead because Canon shifted to a newer mount, but that just makes it a total bargain for beginners right now.
- Snag a used Canon EOS M50 Mark II with EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM. It is tiny, has a great flip screen, and usually lands right around $450 for a clean used copy.
- The original Canon EOS M50 is even cheaper and does 90% of the same stuff for landscape photography.
- Use specialized sites like MPB or KEH instead of FB Marketplace. They actually inspect the sensors and glass and give you a warranty so you wont get scammed with a moldy lens. Regarding the sensor stuff, APS-C (like in the Sony and Canon) is way bigger than your <a href=" https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt= iPhone+sensor&BI=8941&KBID=10361&SID=12345&DFF=d50" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">iPhone sensor. It means you get actual depth and much better dynamic range for those Maine sunrise shots. I took an M50 on a trail trip last year and it was honestly refreshing how light it felt. It is a solid middle ground between a phone and a massive pro rig. Just grab an extra battery tho... small cameras have small batteries and they die faster than youd think.
