Today I bring you a list with the best cameras that are currently on the market designed for the photographer advanced hobbyist. Do you feel that your camera has outgrown you?
Have you been in photography for a while and need to go one step further but your team is not with you? We get a lot of queries on the blog asking which camera to go one step further with, here are our recommendations:
- Nikon Z50
- Olympus OM-D E-M5 MARK II
- Canon EOS 77D
- Pentax K.P.
- Canon EOS 6D
- Sony Alpha7II
- Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9M
- Fuji X-T2
- Canon EOS RP
- sony a6500
- Fujifilm X-Pro2
- Nikon D7500
- Nikon D750
Before buying a camera
As an advanced amateur photographer, surely this is not the first time you have bought a camera, or at least you have enjoyed one, so you already have some experience and you are clear that there is no perfect camera but the ideal one for you. Also, you are not going to be fooled by the tricks of the manufacturers.
Even so, I would like you to be clear about some aspects before deciding on any model.
1.Nikon Z50
If you are sure that your next camera will be Nikon, but you are not looking for an SLR but an EVIL camera, take a look at this Nikon Z 50.
It is ideal for recording video and for street or travel photography. It is small, light, ergonomic but with great features such as: 21 megapixels, tiltable and touch screen, 11fps, Bulb mode, 209 focus points, 4K video and fast and effective focus.
The best thing is that the body of this Nikon Z 50 costs about 650 euros.
2. Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II
If you want a good, nice and cheap camera, but one that meets the needs of an advanced amateur photographer, look no further! The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II is your camera. Although it is small, it is robust and sealed and its screen is touch and folding. Do you want more?
Among the main features of this micro four thirds are:
- Image stabilizer by motion sensor up to 5 steps EV (CIPA)
- Shutter speed range 1/8000 – 60 sec (in EV steps of 1/3,1/2 and 1)
- Bulb mode up to 30 minutes (maximum time selectable in the menu; default 8 minutes)
- Burst shooting up to 10fps
- High resolution shot
- Operation between -10ºC and 40ºC
Come on, the only thing is that it doesn’t record in 4K, but if that doesn’t matter to you, I don’t know what you’re thinking 😉 , it only costs about 700 euros.
3. Canon EOS 77D
If you are looking for a small camera but with great features, which also works well for video and you do not mind that its body is not sealed, do not miss this gem. I told you about the Canon EOS 77D in this article.
Among its main features are its 24 megapixel resolution, 45 focus points (all cross), folding and touch screen, superior screen, Full HD “slow motion” video, 5-axis image stabilization in video and, of course, , Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Right now the price of the Canon EOS 77D (the body) is around 750 euros.
It is true that there is some controversy with this camera, mainly it is said that it is the same as the 800D but more expensive. In reality, the differences are not many, but they are precisely the nuances that an advanced amateur photographer can appreciate, such as the upper screen, the specific buttons on the back (such as the aperture wheel and others), or the interval timer to be able to make time lapses. If none of this matters to you, then yes you can consider the Canon EOS 800D.
4. Pentax KP
This Pentax KP is designed for those (advanced) amateur photographers who somehow “mistreat” their equipment, in the good sense of the word, of course. Rain, mud, little bumps, the Pentax is pretty tough and the body on this one is sealed and pretty tough. Which makes it ideal for travel, adventure and even night photography, due to other characteristics.
24 megapixels, a maximum ISO value of 819,200 (a figure that borders on obscenity in photographic terms 😉 but even if you don’t get to use it, keep in mind that it works very well in low-light environments), 5-axis stabilizer, articulating screen, bracketing, mode multi-exposure, RAW development from the camera and much more is what this Pentax KP offers.
What how much does it cost? Well, the body of the Pentax KP does not reach 900 euros.
5.Canon EOS 6D
In this case we are talking about the Canon EOS 6D, a Full Frame camera, one of the cheapest SLRs with a full frame sensor. If we compare it with the Canon EOS 77D, you gain in sensor size but lose in performance since it is a bit older.
Its main features are 20 megapixels, 11 focus points (central cross), silent burst shooting option, good performance at high ISOs, good color management, Wi-Fi and GPS.
The best thing is that for about 1,000 euros that the body of the Canon EOS 6D costs you can have a Full Frame SLR.
6.Sony Alpha 7II
I now present to you a full-sensor EVIL camera ideal for the advanced amateur sports or nature photographer, due to its precision and speed of focus.
Other features of this Sony Alpha 7II are 24 megapixels, 79 focus points, shutter speed up to 1/8000s, three-axis tilting screen, stabilizer and WiI-Fi and NFC connectivity.
The body is only available for about 1,000 euros on Amazon.
7. Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9M
This Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9M with a name so, sooo, so! It is actually a very light camera, with a fantastic retro design, a 180º tilting screen and an excellent value for money (you can find it for less than 900 euros).).
Some of its features are: 20.3 MP Live MOS sensor, ISO 100 (Extended) 25600 sensitivity, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, 5-axis image stabilizer, up to 30 fps burst, Contrast autofocus and video recording. 4K video.
8.Fuji X-T2
An EVIL camera with great image quality and sharpness, robust, sealed body, fast and with no less than 169 focus points, image stabilizer, 4K video, shutter speed up to 1/8000s, up to 14 fps, interval timer and flip screen These are just some of its features, but this Fujifilm X-T2 has many more features.
The body of the Fujifilm X-T2 currently costs about 1,000 euros.
9. Canon EOS RP
This full frame sensor EVIL is a delight. These are the main features of the Canon EOS RP:
- Magnesium alloy body
- Full frame sensor (35.9 x 24mm) with 26.2 megapixel resolution. You will be able to print photographs in giant formats at maximum quality.
- 4779 autofocus points.
- ISO sensitivity up to 40,000.
- LCD touch and tilt screen
- Burst shooting 5 fps, unlimited for JPG, and up to 50 for RAW photos.
- Video in 4K and Full HD.
- Dust and water resistant.
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.
In the following video Mario (declared Nikonist 😉 ) tells you why the Canon EOS RP is the ideal Full Frame camera for the advanced amateur photographer, inside you will also find more features of this EVIL:
You will find (the body) of the Canon EOS RP for about 1,200 euros.
10.Sony Alpha 6500
For something we highlight this Sony A6500 among the best Sony EVIL. And it is that it is an off-road mirrorless camera that adapts especially well to complicated situations such as movement or low light.
24 megapixels, autofocus with phase detection of 425 points by phase detection and 169 by contrast detection, 5-axis image stabilizer, touch and articulating screen, up to 11fps, anti-dust system and Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth.
This gem is available for about 1,200 euros.
11.Fujifilm X-Pro2
It is an EVIL camera with a sealed magnesium alloy body, with double card slot, Full HD video, 24 megapixels, with speed up to 1/8000 s (electronic up to 1/32000 s), which makes it ideal to capture super fast moments. If you like high speed photography, this is your camera.
It also stands out for its dynamic range and color management performance, as well as high ISO values. Few drawbacks, except that the video options can be improved.
The body of the Fujifilm X-Pro 2 now costs just under 1,200 euros.
12. Nikon D7500
The Nikon D7500 camera is a camera for an advanced user who is not looking for a professional camera but is really demanding and needs advanced features.
Among its main features we find a sealed body, very good performance in low light situations, 8 fps, speed and precision of focus, touch and folding screen, WIFI connectivity, Bluetooth and 4K video.
At the moment the Nikon D7500 costs about 1,300 euros with the AF-S DX 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens.
13. Nikon D750
Nikon lovers looking for a Full Frame will find the D750 an ideal camera. This is a camera for professional photographers or advanced amateurs who can get the most out of it.
24 megapixels, 51 focus points, retractable screen, sealed body, 6.5 fps burst, interval timer and Wi-Fi are some of its main features. If you want to know the Nikon D750 a little more, here we tell you everything.
At this time the body of the Nikon D750 is available for approximately 1,300 euros.
Have you already chosen your next camera?
Here are 13 fantastic camera options for the advanced hobby photographer. I know that it is something that you should not take lightly, it is important to think carefully about the purchase, but be careful, do not take too long in choosing. It is true that the more options we have before our eyes, the more difficult it is for us to decide. Therefore, my recommendation is that once you find one that fits your budget and needs, look no further!
All that time you keep looking and looking will be time you are wasting with your new camera. And you don’t want that, do you?
However, I leave you with some articles or tools that can help you with the purchase:
And if you are looking for a camera to give as a gift, here are more gift ideas for photographers.
Share this article with whoever you think might be interested, I will be infinitely grateful. And if you have any questions, you know, leave it in the comments and we will answer it with pleasure. Happy photography!