A couple years ago, I asked a question concerning upgrading from my Canon PowerShot SX410 IS. I got many helpful comments, but never decided on anything. However, today my PowerShot decided to stop working when I zoom very far. If I zoom far, the photo it takes will be super over-exposed, almost white. Resetting the settings and switching to manual did not help. Therefore, I’m getting more serious about getting a new camera again, as my PowerShot’s biggest pro was its zoom.
One reply to my old question recommended the mirrorless Canon EOS R7 or R10. These are tempting, but the $1,800 and $1,279 price tags for the cameras with the lenses I need are a deal-breaker. However, I’ve seen the EOS R100, which has a couple of lenses I assume would cover the bases I would need for my photography, which I need to show the details of insects, flowers, and adequate zoom to see dragonflies and birds. Would this be acceptable, and a good upgrade quality-wise from my PowerShot? If you’d like to see what my PowerShot does, virtually all of my observations are taken with it.
I’m not familiar with the EOS R100, but looking at your observations I think it would probably be fine since you seem to take a lot of close ups of plants and insects.
I don’t know if it would be appreciably better than your current camera, but you would have the option to get an EF-RF lens adapter and get the excellent Canon 60mm macro lens for probably a decent price used. Having a macro lens is pretty great if you’re into plants and bugs, although there’s a learning curve to using one.
I think most modern digital cameras will provide you with decent quality – it is more a question of what you need from your camera (size, weight, functions, etc.).
I have discovered that I like the flexibility of an interchangeable lens camera; you can start out with a zoom that covers a standard range and upgrade to more specialized lenses as you have the funds or find that you tend to gravitate towards certain subjects (I love my macro lens). But all those choices can also become a bit of a rabbit hole!
If you often need to switch quickly between close and far away subjects, a PowerShot or bridge camera is often going to have an advantage.
The lens you choose will make a difference to your experience. I have a Sony and discovered when researching it that some of the “kit” lenses (the lenses normally sold packaged with the body) are very good and some of them are notoriously bad.
One thing that you should be aware of is that the larger sensor means that you will generally need a substantially larger/longer/heavier lens to get an equivalent zoom on the far end of the range. However, you may also be able to crop more and still get a similar image quality as with your current camera.
The Canon R100, when used properly, is better than Canon PowerShot if you get a macro lens for the R100. But from what I’ve heard, a better alternative would be to purchase the I the R50, which is slightly less expensive than the R100 but slightly better in terms functionality, such as autofocus and how many frames per second. However, I have not used either of these cameras, this is just what I’ve heard.
I have been using the RP which has been good, but is outdated. So I will be looking to upgrade later this year. But also am lucky enough to be better off fainancially compared to when I got my RP (Note it was second hand, and from a well trusted store, second hand is a viable way to get good prices).
Whilst using a RF mount camera, I mostly shoot with Laowa lenses. Which are cheaper than canon, and personally I find still quite good. The majority of my obs this year have probably been on Laowa lenses. ( Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro and Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro. The 25mm has a massive learning curve though, so would recomend watching several reviews before looking into it).
I can agree, I have watched most of his vids. And have recently gotten the same diffuser (Cygnustech) which has also been a good boost to my shots. I have only recently began looking at stacks. 100+ image stacks still kind of blows my mind.