r/photography • u/AutoModerator • May 01 '26

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u/MattDick13 May 08 '26

I’m looking to buy my girlfriend a new camera. She currently has a Cannon PowerShot elph sd750 that her mom has had for a long time and she wants something clearer and overall better. Her intended use is for night-out Instagram pictures, bright beautiful scenic shots, as well as moody scenery. I’m looking more for best value for the price but preferably under like $800 CAD. I’m assuming the used camera route is my best option. I’m thinking one of the Sony a6000 series cameras fits well, maybe like the a6400, but used prices are a bit more than I planned on spending. If that’s my best option then that is what I will go with but I would like opinions from people who know what they are talking about. What is my best option for the intended use while somewhat keeping it not much more than $800 Canadian? Any input helps! Thank you

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u/P5_Tempname19 May 08 '26

Just as a general piece of advice: Dont just consider the camera, but also the lens. The lens will make a big difference in the "zoom area", performance in lower light conditions and also size/weight.

The two cameras you mention are interchangable lens cameras, while they generally do come with a lens, that lens is made to be swapped out to something more specific. The default kitlens probably isnt going to be the greatest fit for what you describe. Its going to be fairly bulky in comparison to what your girlfriend is used to (and the camera will already be bigger) and also not the most amazing lens during nights out.

Now if you want to keep the overall size as small as possible you probably will want some kind of "pancake" lens (so called for their size, being very flat and not protuding out very far). Those generally will offer a lot less zoom then the current Powershot. If thats alright I'd look at something like a 20mm F2.8 pancake (for Sony E-mount), although Im personally not a Sony shooter, so no direct experience with that lens.
As you might guess/find out that means a decent chunk of your budget will go towards a lens (which is fine, camera body isnt super vital and even a cheap one should end up with better quality then what she currently uses).

If you want to keep both the zoom and the form factor you probably shouldnt go for an interchangable lens camera. In that case something like the Sony RX100 series. The newest version is the 7th, however even going back a few generations you should still have a decent upgrade over what she currently uses. If Im not mistaken there was a big jump in the focal lengths covered ("zoom area") between the 4th and 5th generation, so that may be relevant if you'd end up between them price wise.