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[FunnyBunny]

I need advice, GAF.

Right now, I own a Canon EOS 50D I won in a contest a little more than four years ago. It's the camera that introduced me to photography and I have loved owning and using it.

But I don't know if I should keep it.

I currently own three lenses: the 50mm f/1.8, the 18-55mm f/3.5 kit lens from a Rebel, and the 28-135mm f/3.5 lens that came with the 50D. Nothing spectacular and the auto-focus on the 50mm has stopped working.

Meanwhile, the biggest hurdle I face as an improving photographer is simply taking pictures. I need to take lots more of them. The problem — the Canon DSLR is just so big and heavy. I'm very limited in where I can take it. I also can't afford top tier lenses.

What's the alternative?

I'm falling in love with the idea of a Sony NEX-6 or a6000. Both are much smaller and lighter, both have a bigger sensor than the Canon's 15.1 megapixel, and both take near DSLR quality pictures. The issue, then, is affordability.

I can only buy the Sony if I sell my Canon. But am I foolish to part with a full-fledged Canon DSLR for a mid-range mirrorless camera? Is the tradeoff even a factor considering my skill set and type of pictures I take?


TL;DR I have a Canon EOS 50D DSLR I may sell for a Sony NEX-6 or a6000 — thoughts?

 

[condompickle]

If photography is just a hobby, then sell the canon. Any dslr is a pain to lug around.

 

[CaptainPlanet]

Majority say all need is instagram to be a photographer

 

[de1irium]

Sounds like you'd do well with the a6000. Hit up the camera equipment thread though ... lots of different camera owners over there.

 

[FunnyBunny]

Sounds like you'd do well with the a6000. Hit up the camera equipment thread though ... lots of different camera owners over there.

I didn't know that thread existed. Thanks!

 

[Aurongel]

Camera equipment is expensive and can be large so I'd only keep around what you would actually use. The lenses you mentioned you owned for your 50D exist on other mirrorless brands and the 50D is quite a bit old at this point (although its metal build is second to none). I would sell the whole thing and look into those mirror less options like you listed. Another alternative is the newly announced Sony RX100 mkIII which covers most of the focal range your 50D does with a wide aperture and with a body that is FAR tinier than both the 50D and the a6000. It looks amazing.

Either way, if the size of your DSLR is prohibitive for you then you need to sell it ASAP. Especially if you don't have the money to add a fancy L lens to it and you've just been using the basic (not so great) lower tier lenses.