Looking for my first camera

[CNDReef]

Hi all, looking to get my first real camera and have no idea what to look for in a camera that’s reef friendly and might be able to work on the family as well lol.
My budget is around $1000 , any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[fishski13]

I have always liked the Sony alpha a7, used it for a lot of different types of photos and vids.

 

[Fishyfish22]

What took me a bit to learn was that the most important part isn't so much the camera, but the lens.

For around 1000, the budget option I went with was the cannon rebel t7 kit from Costco. It satisfied an itch. It comes with 2 lens, a telephoto and a macro lens. The macro that it comes with is good for most family related matters, as well as basic photography. From there, a few months later I got the Tamron sp 90mm. It's where I am now and what I use to take most of the pics on my IG

 

[Fish_Fry]

the most important part isn't so much the camera, but the lens.

This is very true. You can't go wrong with an a basic camera from any of the major manufacturers (Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuji). Lenses have much more impact on both the type and quality of images you can take.

As you progress as a photographer you'll eventually want to spend more on lenses. But as beginner focus on learning to use whatever camera you choose first.

 

[maroun.c]

Agree on the lenses being a major consideration but at this stage as all camera manufacturers have moved to mirrorless I would go with a mirorless camera. Older lenses can still work on newer mirorless cameras using an adaptor but with tech ology still moving who knows how much that will last. Also mirorless lenses seem to be better than their equivalent non mirorless ones although still a bit more expensive and less chances of buying used as there is shortage in many lenses still...
I would go with the nikon z5 or 50. Not the best camera compared to competition across all its lineup still but their new Z lenses seem to have the edge over competition in every lenses they make and their lenses lineup has grown very fast last 2 years.
Would advise ro go to a store and check the cameras hold them and see how they feel in your hand and how you like button placement as that's also a key factor in camera choice.