For the past few months, you have been dropping subtle hints to your family about the camera you would love to own, and you have also been dreaming about your first shoots with your much-desired new camera. Christmas morning arrives, and the excitement of opening that box under the tree is palpable. It finally arrives in your hands; you tear open the wrapping paper and open the box, only to discover some socks and a knitted sweater inside. All is not lost...
We have all been there, hoping for a certain gift only to discover we got something else entirely, and you have to put that brave, fake smile on whilst you're crying inside. This is where MPB comes in. They offer used camera gear at affordable prices and a six-month warranty. Below, I will choose 5 cameras that I certainly wish I got for Christmas, and I am sure you would not say no to any of these amazing cameras.
Nikon Z9
This feature-packed flagship contains a beautiful 45.7 MP stacked BSI CMOS sensor capable of shooting up to 20 fps in raw and up to 120 fps in JPEG (30 fps in regular JPEG and 120 fps at 11 MP). The camera is electronic shutter only, so there's no mechanical shutter to worry about. The speed of the sensor enables recording at up to 1/32,000 sec, and the stacked structure reduces motion distortion for accurate depiction of fast-moving subjects, like golf clubs, baseball bats, and automobiles.
For sports and wildlife photographers, this camera is a beast, and Nikon has been incredible at releasing lots of outstanding telephoto lenses in the 400 mm+ range.
Sony a1
Another flagship model, the Sony a1, is now almost four years old. With the recent announcement of the Sony a1 Mark II, this could now be a good time to get this beast at a more affordable price. With prices on MPB ranging from $3,789 up to $4,249 for Like New condition, this represents a very large saving compared to the recommended retail price of $6,498.
Packed full of features just like the Z9, this model features a 50 MP full frame Exmor RS BSI CMOS sensor with up to 30 fps shooting. Unlike the Nikon Z9, this model sadly does not have pre-capture or JPEG images up to 120 fps, but do not let that distract from what is an incredibly powerful camera.
For a long time, Sony has been the king of mirrorless autofocus, and this model is no slouch in that department, with many great options available to you.
Canon EOS R3
Like the other cameras, video shooters will also not be disappointed with 6K 60 Raw and 4K 120 10-bit internal video. You really cannot go wrong with any of the cameras mentioned so far, with super powerful processors, sensors, autofocus, and speed.
With the sensor having only 24.1 MP, this should also lead to less noise in low-light conditions compared to the earlier-mentioned camera bodies.
The current recommended retail price is $4,999, but with MPB, the prices range between $3,119 for a Good condition model, up to $3,399 for Excellent condition.
Sony a7S III
This makes the Sony a7S III one to watch for those looking to pick this camera up for a bargain price. The recommended retail price for this body is $3,498, but on MPB, it can be picked up between $2,459 and $2,569 for Excellent to Like New condition, which is a bargain for video and low-light shooters.
The Sony a7S III has a 12MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor, which is incredibly powerful in low light and features beautiful quality video with UHD 4K 120p video, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording. The no-crop 4K 120 fps is a huge win compared to other cameras around this price point.
This camera also has incredible dynamic range with up to approximately 14 stops for stills and 15 stops for video and 10 fps continuous shooting for up to 1,000 uncompressed RAW files for stills using a CFExpress Type A card.
Leica SL2-S
With the recommended retail price of a whopping $5,195, you can currently pick this model up from MPB in Like New condition for $2,709.
Featuring a 24.6 MP full frame BSI CMOS sensor, powered by its Maestro III image processor (I love that—Maestro!), this is a powerful camera from Leica in a beautifully designed body.
Feature-wise, you can shoot up to 25 fps with an electronic shutter or 9 fps with a mechanical shutter, and a 4 GB buffer enables near limitless burst shooting of full-resolution DNG or JPEG files. It also packs a punch for video shooters, too, with DCI 4K video, HLG, and 10-bit 4:2:2 recording. I adore the look of this camera, and the features for me are an added bonus, which is why it makes the final pick of my 5 cameras.
Summary
These are certainly 5 cameras that I wish I got for Christmas, and to be honest, I could have picked even more, as there are quite a few honorable mentions I could have thrown into the mix. The savings available from MPB really make these cameras even more affordable for you, and I am sure that whatever camera you want, you will be able to find it for a great price.
Go on and treat yourself!
Three of these Cameras would be like getting Porsche 911 Turbo for city driving. The Leica, like a really Mercedes and the Sony A7Siii just no.
All good suggestions but curious why the cover photo is of a Fujifilm X-T5 but the camera (or any other Fuji) was not one of the recommended cameras.
That is a good question regarding the cover image. The image shown now, wasn't the original image I chose for the article, but has been changed.
It’s interesting that two Sony’s are on the list. I traded in my a7Sii for the Fx3 and skipped over the a7Siii. If you’re going to include a video centric camera in your post I would have gone with the Fx3.
Thank you Dave. The reason I chose the A7Siii over the FX3, was due to the potential that it is only a matter of time before the next A7S model is announced, so it is one to watch price wise.
I have been with Sony since 2014 with Mod 1's and 2's and have used a lot in the beginning the a7SM1 from 2014 to mid 2017 is still great for Milky Way or any capture, still being sold new or a great deal used. In mid 2017 got the A7RM2 an awesome camera my first with IBIS found how great during a day and night tour at Antelope Canyon where I left the camera tripod plate in truck BUT was onsite so tried a single capture while others did long exposures then a bracketed 3 at 2EV work fine and did the whole tour laying on by back capturing up, on my belly getting low and up and over others and at night also for the tour guide used a LED lantern set at daylight again no tripod needed. Did panoramas at the Grand Canyon using the panorama function on the dial also starry night captures with depth of canyon looking bright. Over time I went A7SM2 then the A7RM5 and A7SM3 both are great for astro only the A7RM5 being 61MP requires faster SS (PhotoPills spot stars) then using the FE 14mm F1.8 also faster SS meaning say a F4 on a A7SM1,2 or 3 you can capture at 20s to 30s but the A7RM5 combo 5s or faster (if you like) meaning you can do a 200 degree MW Panorama in less than 90 seconds when using camera NR and moving to next click on the stepper during.
What i would recommend for Christmas or birthday is any mod 1 or 2 (all still sold new) but a used one with Playmemories apps no longer able to buy or download after this year will be Platinum like to the person receiving. One app that will be used the most is "Digital Filter" never have to carry a filter or holder. You may ask about mod 1 and 2 battery use, I captured MW's in June and July from sunset blue hour to blue hour sunrise and never, Never had to change out one. the problems were with those doing very long time time-lapses or star trails not using the external battery attachment. you also may read about the need for two SD card slots this was for the pro's who were worried about SD card failures just a note never had with any Sony camera.
To add to the gift a couple of lenses 1. FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Full-frame Telephoto Zoom Lens with Optical SteadyShot also 26-360mm in APS-C great range! 2. E 10-18mm F4 OSS (15-27mm) BUT 12-18mm in Full Frame mode just mark the the 12mm point so super small not as big as the 12-24mm F4 or F2.8 or even the EF 14mm F 1.8.
Lenses are both OSS great for a mod 1's and for mod 2's and above with IBIS you get extra stabilization. If you spring for the A7RM5 it will do Bracketing 5 at +/- 2EV hand held also do pixel shift hand held to get 241 MP's
And for history Sony as been doing all before Canon and Nikon and when they went mirrorless every one had to get rid of all lenses to boot. Sony in the beginning gave specs to adapter makers where users also could use old Film lens and Canon/Nikon APS-c/Full Frame lenses and if using Film lenses a Playmemories app "Lens Compensation" but really not need (I found way back) for film lenses were for 35mm anyway!
1 to 4 A7RM2 in 2017 1,2 an 4 FE12-24mm 3. FE 24-240mm at 24mm a great year.
A note a hobbyist and all Sony gear bought with credit card points only so save those points.
Great comment Edwin, thank you :) beautiful images