I know this might have been asked million times already but...

[SkyCaptain]

Hey peeps,

I wanted to ask you a question, as I am a beginner, considering the difference between the SONY RX100 and the Canon 600D? People already told me that the first is called "Compact" and the second is called "DSLR or Digital Single Lens Reflex" I did some reading about both and knew the difference, advantages and disadvantages of both BUT I am still confused about which one to buy. This is my first "Good" camera purchase, so I am a little frustrated and worried about it.

YES, I am a beginner, I used only to take some pictures with my Galaxy S3 mainly and A rubbish Nikon Coolpix camera, but somehow I managed to take some good pictures even with them so I guess I will do good if I got a better, much better camera.

My question for you is NOT to mention the difference because I already knew it tho I can't decide.. My question is which one do you recommend me to buy? The RX 100 or the 600D?

My usage is mainly taking pictures with friends and people in general, I am not interested in capturing photos about walls and mountains!

Thanks for your prompt answers in advance

EDIT: I also liked the NIKON D5200, which I know is far better than both and its more expensive but its price is not a problem for me, do you recommend it for a beginner usage?

 

[Derrel]

Canon 600D is my suggestion.

 

[SkyCaptain]

Canon 600D is my suggestion.

You think it suites beginners like me?

 

[jwbryson1]

Possibly.

 

[SkyCaptain]

Possibly.

What about the Nikon D5200?

 

[dewey]

A lot of times it comes down to what "feels" better in your hands. Canon, nikon, whatever - pick one up. The 5200 is a fine camera - sounds like a great upgrade for you.

 

[runnah]

Do you like buying proprietary hot shoe accessories? If yes, then get the Sony.

 

[Wildkind]

The pictures you take of people will be wholly different, more natural and showing their selves when you use a LCD screen to frame them rather than shooting them with a gun-SLR up to your face. I've taken my best SLR and a cheaper LCD screen camera to shoot a family's photo and trashed the photos from the SLR. You move the LCD camera around at chest level for best angle while you talk to your subjects and smile to them and then snap and snap and snap, getting natural people. The LCD framing is also suitable for candid shooting and shooting at awkward angles, near macros. The SLR is suitable for sports telephotos.
So, you probably want the Sony.

 

[SkyCaptain]

The pictures you take of people will be wholly different, more natural and showing their selves when you use a LCD screen to frame them rather than shooting them with a gun-SLR up to your face. I've taken my best SLR and a cheaper LCD screen camera to shoot a family's photo and trashed the photos from the SLR. You move the LCD camera around at chest level for best angle while you talk to your subjects and smile to them and then snap and snap and snap, getting natural people. The LCD framing is also suitable for candid shooting and shooting at awkward angles, near macros. The SLR is suitable for sports telephotos.
So, you probably want the Sony.

\

I believe the Nikon D5200 have an LCD screen as well. Whats the point of getting the sony then?

 

[Helen B]

Do you like buying proprietary hot shoe accessories? If yes, then get the Sony.

You would be disappointed in the RX100 if you like buying proprietary hot shoe accessories, because the RX100 doesn't have a hot shoe of any kind.

It's a great camera for the size, and the built-in flash can be used as a bounce flash - which is not all that common. It's very different from the 600D and D5200, so recommendations are difficult to make. I carry my RX100 most of the time, because its size makes it easy to carry, and I have used it for professional stills and video - it is capable of very high quality. To use it to its full potential I would recommend shooting raw and using software called DxO Optics for raw conversion. That probably means nothing to you, and I suspect that is a reason for the RX100 to be less-than-great for beginners who prefer a simple camera with simple or no post processing required. Maybe the D5200 is the best for you, but it really is your choice.

 

[SkyCaptain]

Do you like buying proprietary hot shoe accessories? If yes, then get the Sony.

You would be disappointed in the RX100 if you like buying proprietary hot shoe accessories, because the RX100 doesn't have a hot shoe of any kind.

It's a great camera for the size, and the built-in flash can be used as a bounce flash - which is not all that common. It's very different from the 600D and D5200, so recommendations are difficult to make. I carry my RX100 most of the time, because its size makes it easy to carry, and I have used it for professional stills and video - it is capable of very high quality. To use it to its full potential I would recommend shooting raw and using software called DxO Optics for raw conversion. That probably means nothing to you, and I suspect that is a reason for the RX100 to be less-than-great for beginners who prefer a simple camera with simple or no post processing required. Maybe the D5200 is the best for you, but it really is your choice.

I am glad to hear from you that you also like the RX 100 and own it. All the people who used it told me its amazing. But the thing for me is, I am a beginner I know but I am a quick learner, so learning how to deal with a compact or a DSLR won't be a big deal for me.

However, I'd like you to know that I need a camera that will at least survive for like 5 years and still deliver good quality images and as far as I have known, you can always modify your DSLR by buying new lens kits and stuff while you can't do that on compact..

Another question is that I was really amazed when I saw the price of the 600D and the RX 100 they are almost the same price however they differ considering the quality of the image as far as I knew, is that correct? If so, would be the D5200 the best buy?

 

[Overread19 7]

My question for you is NOT to mention the difference because I already knew it tho I can't decide.. My question is which one do you recommend me to buy? The RX 100 or the 600D?

It really depends greatly upon yourself. A good quality camera like the RX 100 can do everything in one neat little package (I will admit I don't know the market that well for this kind of camera, but if Helen likes it then that's a very strong recommendation indeed), you have something small and easy to carry around that will do a lot all for one single cost.

The DSLR camera though is more of a setup where you'll add bits to it over time - lenses - flashes etc... It kind of expects you to add these things and its greater power is in being potentially able to be customised for very specific situations. At the downside it is a more costly setup to approach (and can potentially be VERY costly) - however general family shots like the kind you are after and the DSLR with kit lens will likely serve you well for much of that area.

You can certainly jump into a DSLR with little prior experience, myself the first camera I ever bought and used was a DSLR* and it didn't take too long to start learning and using it. But you need to come with the mindset of wanting to learn and wanting to advance to get the best out of it.


*barring the odd snap on disposable film cameras which don't really count

 

[SkyCaptain]

My question for you is NOT to mention the difference because I already knew it tho I can't decide.. My question is which one do you recommend me to buy? The RX 100 or the 600D?

It really depends greatly upon yourself. A good quality camera like the RX 100 can do everything in one neat little package (I will admit I don't know the market that well for this kind of camera, but if Helen likes it then that's a very strong recommendation indeed), you have something small and easy to carry around that will do a lot all for one single cost.

The DSLR camera though is more of a setup where you'll add bits to it over time - lenses - flashes etc... It kind of expects you to add these things and its greater power is in being potentially able to be customised for very specific situations. At the downside it is a more costly setup to approach (and can potentially be VERY costly) - however general family shots like the kind you are after and the DSLR with kit lens will likely serve you well for much of that area.

You can certainly jump into a DSLR with little prior experience, myself the first camera I ever bought and used was a DSLR* and it didn't take too long to start learning and using it. But you need to come with the mindset of wanting to learn and wanting to advance to get the best out of it.


*barring the odd snap on disposable film cameras which don't really count

This is awesome and yes, I am ready to start learning. However, I am not only going to take family shots, I will also picture my friends outdoors and in the public so I wanted a camera to support that whether in the morning or in the dark.

 

[cyber_shot]

I have been a shooter of professional digital gear for the past decade, yet this year I have moved into the smaller compact cameras, why? Their convenience and size have really come a long way from taking that super large DSLR camera along with you when you only needed a point n shoot to get the desired results. Ask yourself whether you would carry around 2lbs+ of camera everywhere you go. A DSLR is a machine of purpose, you take it along because you WANT to take photos, not just because you have it with you.

On the other hand, compacts have moved up in the ranks with their excellent Image quality and portability that its really blurring the lines of whats needed for great still images. I specifically got away from using DSLR because they're just way too cumbersome for anything other than paid jobs. I found that when I had a smaller camera with me I enjoyed my time spent doing what I liked and not time worrying about my camera. I used to carry around a Sony NEX series mirrorless and now have moved into the RX100, I have not regretted the move to this small pocket monster. As an owner of a lot of camera gear, I can tell you that the RX100 is a fantastic camera for anyone to use, it has two automatic modes and a scene mode also for beginners. The autofocus is fast, and is a very discreet camera to carry around.

Its really all up to you what you want in a camera, a DSLR will give you the flexibility of a system, yet is very unforgiving when it comes to taking photos. Cameras with electronic viewfinder or live view screens on the back are much easier to operate "what you see is what you get". Maybe you should look into mirrorless systems? There are many great systems out there that are of the mirrorless type and produce stunning images. Good luck on your choice. I can be messaged if you have specific questions.

I've only had my RX100 for a short while, yet I take it everywhere with me. Here are some photos.

View attachment 46157View attachment 46158View attachment 46159View attachment 46160

 

[brunerww]

If you want a camera that will grow with you, get the D5200.

But if you want a camera that you will actually carry around with you, get the RX100.

...if Helen likes it then that's a very strong recommendation indeed

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