In continuation from my last blog post, here is my #1 Camera recommendation under $1000CDN that I would recommend for beginners looking to photograph their horses. Camera's $1000 or less are incredibly tough to choose from because you usually don't get a lot for this amount of money, however there are exceptions and this specific camera being one of them.
This camera in many ways is quite advanced but it's very easy to learn and are great for beginners just starting out in photography or anyone who wants a very good capable camera with plenty of zoom and a huge step up over their phone. Remember what I suggested before as one of my top tips - that the quality of your lens and sensor inside the camera is just as important (if not more) than the camera itself.
This is a "bridge" camera that I am recommending and it has very good glass on it running off a very good 1" Sony sensor.
Some may find my article too technical so I apologize if that is the case. Unfortunately when discussing a topic like recommending specific camera gear, you have to be technical but I always try my best to not get "too" technical :).
Photographing horses you will want a long lens that exceeds 250mm and up (400mm is even better but unfortunately you will pay a premium to go from 300mm to 400mm). Like I've said before, when it comes to photographing horses, you can never have too much reach (zoom) but you can easily have not enough - more is better.
You may also want extra low light ability because chances are you will be taking photos inside barns and most barns tend to have poor and inconsistent lighting, hot spots, etc. But again, this is all dependent on the user and how specifically they will be using the camera. If you are looking for an "all in one" do it all camera that you never have to change lenses or buy additional lenses for, then this is THE camera that I highly recommend for less than $1000CDN.
Some may find my article technical. Unfortunately when discussing a topic like recommending specific camera gear, you have to be technical but I always try my best to not get "too" technical. :)
Photographing horses you will want a long lens that exceeds 250mm and up (400mm is even better but unfortunately you will pay a premium to go from 300mm to 400mm). Like I've said before, when it comes to photographing horses, you can never have too much reach (zoom) but you can easily have not enough - more is better.
You may also want extra low light ability because chances are you will be taking photos inside barns and most barns tend to have poor and inconsistent lighting, hot spots, etc. But again, this is all dependent on the user and how specifically they will be using the camera. If you are looking for an "all in one" do it all camera that you never have to change lenses or buy additional lenses for, then this is THE camera that I highly recommend for less than $1000CDN.
However, this is not a camera to be used in really low light, but again for $1000CDN you will not get any strong performer in low light. Expect to spend at least $2000+ CDN to get strong performers in really low light.
You may also want extra low light ability because chances are you will be taking photos inside barns and most barns tend to have poor and inconsistent lighting, hot spots, etc. But again, this is all dependent on the user and how specifically they will be using the camera. If you are looking for an "all in one" do it all camera that you never have to change lenses, buy additional lenses for, this is THE camera that I highly recommend for less than $1000CDN. However, this is not a camera to be used in really low light, but again for $1000CDN you will not get any strong performer in low light.
𝟭. 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗭𝟭𝟬𝟬𝟬 (𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁: 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘅 $𝟴𝟬𝟬-𝟵𝟬𝟬𝗖𝗗𝗡 𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀)
I used to own this camera, had it for just under a year and shot extensively with it for both photo and video (not so much with horses but just in general). I will say one thing about this camera, even going into it's fourth year since being released in 2014, it can't be beat in terms of bang for your buck. The only bad news is that it's a discontinued model and the only likely places to find it are on Amazon, ebay or second hand. But if you can get your hands on this camera, trust me, you will love it.
It has a 25mm-400mm lens that shoots at f2.8 wide open off a 1" sensor. It's not a DSLR and it won't give you the low light ability of a DSLR, but the best part about this camera is it's versatility as it gives you 400mm of reach in one lens, yes one lens. It is a bridge camera so that means that the lens is fixed (can't be changed), but this specific model was a top of the line bridge camera offered by Panasonic that offers stellar performance due to a stellar piece of glass running off a Sony sensor (Sony makes the best camera sensors in the world by the way).
This camera also happens to shoot 4K video with most of the same video codes found in the higher up Panasonic Pro cameras like the GH4. Panasonic is one of the top two camera manufacturers in the world when it comes to video. If you want to take pictures AND take video, this camera simply can't be beat for the money. Being able to take photos of your horses way in the field is one thing, but record video as well? Trust me, it's amazing! For the money, this camera can't be beat.
𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿:
- Someone looking for an all in one camera and doesn't want to fiddle around with lenses and having to change them.
- Someone who wants to take photos and record video.
- Someone who wants to capture photos of their horses way in the fields.