Spencer Camera Recommendations

Written By Aye Min

Sub 1000 (Camera + Lens)

Olympus OM-D EM5

This is the most affordable camera on this list but image quality and build quality holds up really well. Weather sealed camera body which means you don’t have to worry about it dust, dirt, sand, or rain getting into the camera and damaging the camera.

Handsome retro design. Small camera body and the lenses are/can be just as small.

Olympus OM-D EM5 Mark II

 
 

This is the mark II version of the camera above. Same great build quality but improved processor, improved in body image stabilization, and improved viewfinder. If you’re okay with the LCD screen changing from tilt to articulating then I’d recommend the mark II over the original solely for the improved viewfinder experience.

  • Sensor: Micro 4/3s

Lenses to pair with the cameras above:

~1000 (Camera + Lens)

Fujifilm XT-30 Mark II

 
 

One of the newest cameras on this list. Amazingly compact with a classic retro design. Fujifilm simulations means you have a variety of jpg color profiles to work with for straight out of camera images. Has some of the best video features on the market with really adaptive auto-focus for both photos and videos including high quality 4K video

Fujifilm XS-10

 
 

This camera trades in Fujifilms retro design and dials for a more streamlined and utilitarian approach to photo and video. It also has in body image stabilization which allows you to shoot slower shutter speeds handheld as well as improved stability when shooting video.

  • Sensor: APS-C

Fujifilm XT-3

 
 

Fujifilm’s pro camera line which means it has a weather sealed body for rugged shooting, an extra command dial on the top of the camera which allows you full manual control over all your exposure settings, and dual memory card slots so you’ll can have a backup of your images/video in case one of your memory card fails.

It’s got a tilt screen for photography and has pretty great video features as well including 4K video

  • Sensor: APS-C

Lenses to pair with the cameras above:

~2000 (Camera + Lens)

Sony A7C

 
 

This is one of the smallest full frame camera bodies out there. Amazing auto focus, in body imaage stabiliztion, and its got a great retro design. Has great video features including 4K video.

Only downsides are the small view finder and limited command dials so you’ll be doing a lot of adjustments through the LCD touch scren

  • Sensor: Full Frame

Lenses to pair with the cameras above:

Panasonic Lumix S5II

 
 

This is one of Panasonics best camera ever. It’s got amazing video features, great autofocus, and great in body image stabilization. If you can deal with the larger camera body and lenses this is a great value camera for its sector

  • Sensor: Full Frame

Lenses to pair with the cameras above:

 

Sensors

Micro 4/3rd

  • Pros

    • Smaller and cheaper camera body

    • Smaller and cheaper lenses

    • (Depending on camera) Good in body camera stabilization

      • Aids to allow shooting at slower frame rates and shoot smoother video

  • Neutral

    • Smallest camera sensor when compared to APS-C and Full Frame

    • 2x Camera Crop i.e. if a camera lens says 17mm focal length multiply it by (2) so you get the Micro 4/3rd focal length of 34mm

    • Less shallow depth of field compared to APS-C or Full Frame e.g. blurry background look

  • Cons

    • Lower megapixel count

      • To clarify, lower megapixels does not mean less sharp. It means you have less resolution for cropping or enlarging.

    • Noisier images in low light compared to APS-C and Full Frame

APS-C

  • Pros

    • Good balance of camera body and lens sizes

    • Most popular sensor size on the market

    • Sensor size allows for great video

  • Neutral

    • 2nd largest camera sensor behind Full Frame

    • 1.5x Camera Crop i.e. if a camera lens says 23mm focal length multiply it by 1.5x so you get the APS-C focal length of 34.5mm

    • Less shallow depth compared to Full Frame e.g. blurry background look

  • Cons

    • Noisier images in low light (compared to Full Frame)

Full Frame

  • Pros

    • Shallow depth of field

    • Best in low light

  • Neutral

    • Largest camera sensor in this group

    • 1x Camera Crop i.e. if a camera lens says 35mm focal length then it is exactly 35mm

  • Cons

    • Large camera body and can be fairly expensive

    • Large lenses and can be fairly expensive

Lens breakdown and naming convention

Prime lens:

  • Single focal length, you’ll need to physically move closer or farther away if you want to change your view point

    • Good for predictable situations where you know how much space you’ll be working with

  • Constant and larger aperture i.e. better for low light situations

  • The trade off for limiting your focal length is that primes are generally smaller, sharper, and cheaper than zoom lenses

Prime lens naming breakdown: 50mm F1.8

  • 50mm; denotes the focal length

    • 12mm - 24mm is considered wide angle

    • 35mm - 50mm is considered normal

    • 70mm+ is considered telephoto

  • F1.8; denotes the aperture size

    • The smaller the number means the lens lets in more light

    • When referring to the aperture

      • apertures that have a number < 2.8 are considered large or high aperture lens

      • apertures that have a number > 5.6 are considered small or low aperture lens

Zoom lens:

  • Multiple focal lengths, you can zoom in or out on the lens to achieve the view point you’re looking for

    • Versatile and great for situations where the amount of space you’re working with is changing

  • The trade of for multiple focal lengths is the lenses are generally larger, variable aperture, and more expensive than prime lenses

Zoom lens naming breakdown: 24 - 70mm F2.8 - F4

  • 24 - 70mm; denotes that the lens has variable focal lengths ranging from 24mm (wide angle) all the way to 70mm (telephoto)

  • F2.8 - F4; denotes that there is a variable aperture on this lens i.e. the farther in you zoom on the lens the smaller your aperture gets

 
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