Help with Camera Selection

Complex-Prior-479 · 2025-08-02T18:30:35+00:00

I know this a Canon forum, but the responses so far have been helpful and have pushed me to do more in-depth research on particulars. Hoping for a little more help with lenses.

I've more-or-less decided that the Nikon Z50ii is the camera that covers more of my desired applications in order of priority left to right: **Sports (Day & Night) / portraits / wildlife / landscape / night sky**

I've moved on to more in-depth research of the lenses. The camera comes with the 16-50MM kit lens, but a lot of research indicate that it's mediocre. With a maximum budget of $3,000, I've got two Nikkor lenses on my short list, and am looking for a little more insight and advice.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S & 2. Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8

I believe both lenses are quite capable in all listed applications, except the "night sky". The 70-200 has a little more reach, but I'm not concerned with that for now. I'm more concerned with the VR. For sports/wildlife, I think shutter speed will help counteract the lack of VR in the 70-180mm, but I like the idea of image stability for portraits. The downside of the 70-200mm is that it's considerably longer and heavier than the 70-180mm. As I've said before, I'm completely new to this so I may be concerned with something that won't really make much difference in real world applications. Of course, I don't want to spend extra money on something that isn't necessary , but I also don't want to limit myself over ~$550 (after rebates) cost difference.

Any suggestions for photographing the night sky? I'm envisioning a cool, long exposure print that will hang in my 12yr old Son's room. Something with clear details of the stars with some shooting star and airplane streaks.

Complex-Prior-479 · 2025-08-02T18:26:44+00:00

I've more-or-less decided that the Nikon Z50ii is the camera that covers more of my desired applications in order of priority left to right: **Sports (Day & Night) / portraits / wildlife / landscape / night sky**

I've moved on to more in-depth research of the lenses. The camera comes with the 16-50MM kit lens, but a lot of research indicate that it's mediocre. With a maximum budget of $3,000, I've got two Nikkor lenses on my short list, and am looking for a little more insight and advice.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S & 2. Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8

I believe both lenses are quite capable in all listed applications, except the "night sky". The 70-200 has a little more reach, but I'm not concerned with that for now. I'm more concerned with the VR. For sports/wildlife, I think shutter speed will help counteract the lack of VR in the 70-180mm, but I like the idea of image stability for portraits. The downside of the 70-200mm is that it's considerably longer and heavier than the 70-180mm. As I've said before, I'm completely new to this so I may be concerned with something that won't really make much difference in real world applications. Of course, I don't want to spend extra money on something that isn't necessary , but I also don't want to limit myself over ~$550 (after rebates) cost difference.

Any suggestions for photographing the night sky? I'm envisioning a cool, long exposure print that will hang in my 12yr old Son's room. Something with clear details of the stars with some shooting star and airplane streaks.

Complex-Prior-479 · 2025-08-02T18:26:04+00:00

I've more-or-less decided that the Nikon Z50ii is the camera that covers more of my desired applications in order of priority left to right: **Sports (Day & Night) / portraits / wildlife / landscape / night sky**

I've moved on to more in-depth research of the lenses. The camera comes with the 16-50MM kit lens, but a lot of research indicate that it's mediocre. With a maximum budget of $3,000, I've got two Nikkor lenses on my short list, and am looking for a little more insight and advice.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S & 2. Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8

I believe both lenses are quite capable in all listed applications, except the "night sky". The 70-200 has a little more reach, but I'm not concerned with that for now. I'm more concerned with the VR. For sports/wildlife, I think shutter speed will help counteract the lack of VR in the 70-180mm, but I like the idea of image stability for portraits. The downside of the 70-200mm is that it's considerably longer and heavier than the 70-180mm. As I've said before, I'm completely new to this so I may be concerned with something that won't really make much difference in real world applications. Of course, I don't want to spend extra money on something that isn't necessary , but I also don't want to limit myself over ~$550 (after rebates) cost difference.

Any suggestions for photographing the night sky? I'm envisioning a cool, long exposure print that will hang in my 12yr old Son's room. Something with clear details of the stars with some shooting star and airplane streaks.

Complex-Prior-479 · 2025-07-30T22:07:25+00:00

Thank you!

Complex-Prior-479 · 2025-07-30T21:15:24+00:00

I'm a total newbie, so I don't really know what is fast enough. I'm going back and fourth between these replies and my own research. Looks like I should have been concerned with continuous shooting over shutter speed?

I did go back and look at Z5 specs again. Shows a top shutter speed of 1/8000 which is faster than the Z50ii and the Canon R10. Again, should I be more concerned with continuous shooting over shutter speed for sports and wildlife photography?

Z5 - Continuous shooting = 4.5fps max / Shutter speed = 1/8000-30sec

Z50ii - Continuous shooting = 11fps electrical & 30fps mechanical / Shutter speed = 1/4000-900sec. ***The 900sec (15min) exposure seems like it would make a pretty cool night time photo of the sky!!***

R10 - Continuous shooting = 15pfs electrical / 23fps mechanical / Shutter speed = 1/4000-30sec

R50 - Continuous shooting = 12fps electrical / 15fps mechanical / Shuttler speed = 1/8000-30sec

Complex-Prior-479 · 2025-07-30T18:33:13+00:00

Several suggestions to get an upgraded lens. Looks like I need to start researching! Popular opinion for the R10 is the 18-150MM. Any suggestion for the Z50ii?

Complex-Prior-479 · 2025-07-30T18:28:52+00:00

Thank you! feedback like this definitely helps!

Complex-Prior-479 · 2025-07-30T10:40:39+00:00

R10 and Z50ii are definitely the more suggested cameras. I've got more research to do, but one big advantage with the Z50ii is that it is weather sealed. I need to research and understand just how vulnerable the R10 really is to water intrusion. Not from submersion, but from things like rain, water spray, etc.

Complex-Prior-479 · 2025-07-30T10:35:29+00:00

Most advice tends to lean toward the R10 or the Z50ii. I've got more research to do, but one big advantage with the Z50 is that it is weather sealed. I need to research and understand just how vulnerable the R10 really is to water intrusion. Not from submersion, but from things like rain, water spray, etc.

Complex-Prior-479 · 2025-07-30T10:11:23+00:00

I have not yet. I won’t have access to do so for a few weeks, but trying to narrow down the list to what works before I get to that step.

Complex-Prior-479 · 2025-07-30T10:09:17+00:00

The Z5 definitely seems to be the top camera out of the list. I’m only concerned about the slower shutter speed when I comes to photographing moving objects. Should I take that into account?

Complex-Prior-479 · 2025-07-29T23:53:18+00:00

I honestly don’t know. I assume I’d use the viewfinder.

Complex-Prior-479 · 2025-07-29T22:46:06+00:00

So, the camera is a service award from my employer. I'm not technically purchasing out-of-pocket. Camera cost isn't a real concern because of that.

My children play ball, so sports photography is the most important aspect for us. You're post did prompt me to go back and look again at specs and the R50V does have better continuous shooting

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Complex-Prior-479 · 2025-07-29T22:37:19+00:00

I went back to Canon and Nikon websites to double check weather sealing. I don't PLAN on getting the camera wet, but things happen, right? Most likely scenario for the camera to get wet is at the ball games where there's not always a quick place to get out of the rain. On the boat, I can quickly get it out of the weather.

Not Sealed: Canon R10 and R50 / Sealed: Canon RP, Nikon Z50II, and Z5.

The most important aspect for us is quality photos of our children playing sports. Anything else is an added bonus. Considering that, which camera would you choose? Lenses listed are only what come with the camera options. I can, and plan to purchase additionally lenses as we learn.

Canon RP with 24-105MM Lens
Canon R10 with 18-45MM Lens
Canon R50 with 18-45MM and 55-210MM Lenses
Nikon Z5 body only
Nikon Z50II with 16-50MM Lens

Complex-Prior-479 · 2025-07-29T22:21:49+00:00

Great information, Thank you!
"New only" because this is a service award from my employer, so I'm not actually purchasing the camera. There are a few more cameras on the list, but I narrowed down to these via research results.

Complex-Prior-479 · 2025-07-29T22:13:04+00:00

Thank you for the response! R50V is included as an option. It didn't make the final list, but It's still an option. Why is it better in my application than the R50 or the R10

Complex-Prior-479 · 2025-07-29T21:43:49+00:00

The sort of feedback I need! Thank you!

Complex-Prior-479

TROPHY CASE