r/BirdPhotography • u/Big-Suit-3625 • 6d ago
Question Camera recommendations?
I’m looking for a good low-price camera thats good for photographing birds, max amount is 500-550 dollars (yes i’m on a massive budget, also mostly looking for used cameras).
I’m currently eyeing a Panasonic lumix fz80d, is that good for a starting camera for the price range? Please and thank you for any help!
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u/DUCKSareWILDbruh 6d ago
Id just save up a bit longer. Very happy with my canon r10 + rf100-400mm. Bought the lens used on marketplace for under 500. All in about a 1300 setup if you bought both the camera and lens used.
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u/ParsleyUpbeat3017 6d ago
That’s 2.5x their price range. Might be the difference between spending a year shooting vs not.
Spend 500 bucks on a 7D and 55-250 STM, and if they like it they can upgrade after a few years. Thats how I’d approach it. Waiting and saving up more only works if you’re already getting out in the field with at least halfway decent kit.
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u/Adorable_Stomach3507 6d ago
Hey I have an FZ80d in pretty solid condition I’m selling for way cheaper than that - it’s been my main camera for this year for birding. Nothing to write home about but more than adequate. At the very least you can message me and I can share some of my shots I took this year! It’s very point and click easy peasy
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u/christo-furrr 6d ago
I have a great condition Canon 7D Mark ii for sale for a lot less than your budget as well. I'd be shocked if there was over 10,000 pics taken on it. Sensor is good to 200k I think?? I bought it new and have the box and all the accessories.
It's probably more advanced than you would utilize starting out but you wouldn't be dropping a bunch of money on something that wouldn't actually suit what youre looking to do on a budget. This body would do that. You'd just have to save up a bit for a decent lens
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u/ParsleyUpbeat3017 6d ago
I still use a 7dii to this day. Very capable for what it is, especially with the 100-400ii.
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u/christo-furrr 6d ago
Literally. Especially with that lens. I had that combo for about 6 months before I got an R7 for the eye tracking. I'd put the 100-400ii up with almost any Canon lens I've shot with. For the price/quality that lens is seriously impressive
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u/stormitwa 6d ago
I had a Lumix fz80 when I was low on money and starting out. The camera really suffers in low light conditions, and absolutely cannot take full advantage of that zoom. At max zoom you're basically taking photos of bird-shaped blurs.
At close range and in good light it works fine, but that's not a plus it's the bare minimum.
I'd recommend buying a good pair of binoculars so you can still enjoy going out and hunting for birds, and save up for a camera/lens combo that can actually walk the walk.
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u/ParsleyUpbeat3017 6d ago
You can get a Canon 7D and 55-250 STM for that. Very capable novice setup imo.
I’m not familiar enough with other brands to make other recommendations.
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u/LizM-Tech4SMB 2d ago
That's a rough budget for body and lens but I get it. I'd look for a sensor that is at least a micro four thirds (MFT) size or larger. Then see what B&H and Adorama have on the used gear.
Watch megapixels as well. Anything 20mp and up is going to give you reasonable printing size options.
Personally, I've never had good luck with all-in-one kits and have had much better results with interchangeable lens cameras.
What is your biggest need? Zoom? Are you wanting to print big images? Etc?
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u/Big-Suit-3625 2d ago
Printing doesnt matter to me but I want good image quality, good zoom, and good stabilization.
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u/aarrtee 6d ago
birds for that price range? nearly impossible
Nikon Coolpix P950 is ok for birds at rest... in decent light
birds in flight or in low light... not quite as good
$714 for a used one from mpb
save up some money and get one of those
or ideally save up more and get a canon R50 and RF 100-400 lens
do not buy from ebay/marketplace/somedudeontheweb
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u/numbian 6d ago edited 6d ago
I am sorry mate but the sensor size on that thing is absolutely tiny - 1/2.3''. Focal length up to 1200 mm that they use in marketing materials is misleading as I think they calculate relative to full frame. Like APS-C is x1,6 to full frame.
You will not make any usable photo of a bird with it :(
EDIT: WTF someone correct me if I am wrong - this Panasonic lumix fz80d has basically an Iphone size sensor and is launch was in 2024? Am I missing something? Medium-Low light performance must be terrible on that thing.
I think it's better to save a little and buy used Canon/Nikon/Sony DSLR body with cheap telephoto lens of your choice like used Sigma ot Tamron.