Lets consider what the TS has asked for:
The budget: $3000 is quite generous. Can easily buy a semi professional model like the 7D and do everything that is needed. But the 7D is huge. We don't want the TS to get tired of carrying his camera around.
Good to be considerate for the TS. But then again, it comes down to what TS wants. Maybe he wants a larger better performing camera with more lens options with the option to do some wedding shoots in the future. In the end it is what TS wants. Not what you think he wants.
Most of the TS's needs relate to social events.
TS did mention events, as well as weddings.
The best type of camera for social events is the mirrorless category. Since they are small, unobtrusive, and hence more likely to be used.
It is not an absolute. Best for you may not be best for someone else. It comes down to preferences.
The A55 is a good choice and superior in some ways to many other mirrorless options, but why restrict the TS to this model only? Why not bring in the Olympus EPL-2, new Panasonic G-3, Samsung NX11?
Sure why not? You are free to suggest them as do others. People will only recommend things they have tacit knowledge of, and stuff they are familiar with. If they do not bring up the NX system, it is not wrong. You are free to recommend it as well.
The disadvantages of these proper mirrorless cameras are only very few, not so much a hobbyist would care, and also the makers produce a good range of compact lenses to go with it.
I strongly disagree that there are only very few disadvantages of "proper" mirrorless cameras. We have covered a lot in many exchanges with you in many threads in the past. But it is true many hobbyists will not care about these disadvantages. But many hobbyists do care as well. In the end it is up to personal preferences and where they want to take their hobby.
Sony's compact lens solutions are supposed to pair with the NEX mount, not the Alpha mount. And they have failed to produce a proper lens road map to go with the NEX mount - so these days I tend to not recommend Sony SLT (alpha mount) anymore since even though the bodies are small - the lenses are not so. Also the company suffered a huge loss last quarter so there may be cutbacks.
Yes SLT lenses are not small. But at least they have lens choices when compared to NX system at this current point in time.
Rashkae's thread does not have the word "mirrorless" inside it anywhere.
Not having the word "mirrorless"? so what? it is his thread. You are free to write your own thread. Seeing how much of a NX and mirrorless evangelist you are, I am very surprised you have yet to put the effort to write an information thread on mirrorless camera. Yet you prefer to weigh in on other people's threads. Put your words into action. If you feel so much for mirrorless and NX system, and believe people are losing out not knowing about them, you should act, and write a comprehensive information thread on the subject. Instead of asking everyone else to conform to your beliefs and do things your way.
A newbie will not equate mirrorless image quality to DSLR image quality. This is bad since most newbies buy DSLRs because they want better image quality.
Yes, but some newbies also want image quality better than what mirrorless can offer as well. So newbies should also consider cameras like fullframe or even medium format, if they have the budget for it, and want to take their hobby all the way.
No one here has yet told the TS that wedding photography is really really REALLY hard. It requires specialized skill and equipment and he should really consider getting a professional to do this. I hope the TS plans to use his camera only as a secondary source of photos. No camera recommendation we make here will work unless the TS is a super fast learner and has uncanny organizing skills.
It is hard but with effort and perseverance everyone can get there. So if it is hard, people should stop trying or having goals and dreams to works towards? Many awesome wedding photographers started here as well. Who are you to say TS cannot make it in wedding photography? or any other kind of commercial photography?
I would not recommend the NX10 for the TS since unfortunately the camera in-built jpeg engine is not very good. If you shoot RAW and post process it is as good as an entry level DSLR. But this is a hassle. Not good for beginners. But I would say that the NX10+30mm/F2 kit is by far the best value street-shooting package available for love or for money right now. The camera is tough with great build quality, has great battery life and the kit lens is superb. No other solution compares. But this is my very personal opinion, and I don't want to debate on it.
Good to have your opinion. My opinion is that the NX system is not a viable system for people who even has some sort of an inclination to take their photography beyond the hobbyist level. Simply because the upgrade roadmap is not there should they need a better performing camera body, or if they need more lenses. The proof, is to just look at the lenses currently available now to NX system. Then again this is my opinion.
I write this so everyone else reading this can get a balanced view. my 2 cents.
spend your money on accessories! :bsmilie: you can get 8-9 billingham bags!!
