New Camera!

Hi! I just wanted to share something that I'm really excited about - I got a new camera! I was thinking about getting a DSLR camera for a while but I was so put off by the size. I ended up getting a compact system camera, also known as a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, also known as a micro 4/3rds system camera. It's a great in-between for anyone looking for a quality upgrade from a point-and-shoot but isn't necessarily willing to shell out the cash for a DSLR.


I did a bunch of research and ended up settling on the Sony Alpha NEX 5R (in black) for a few reasons. The first thing that appealed to me was the fact that the LCD view screen tilts up and down to make self-portraits and overhead shots easy. The second was the price and the quality received for that $ amount. Also, it has wifi connectivity so that you can quickly transfer photos from your camera to your smartphone or tablet or computer. And lastly, it got a lot of positive reviews on its user interface and quality of photos.

I got the kit with the 18-55mm zoom lens and I was pleasantly surprised to see that it also came with a flash and a camera strap. I got everything shown below (including the lens filters and tripod) for just under $700. The camera kit was $650, the filters were $9, the tripod was $12, and the remote was $5. I expect the price of the camera kit may drop as time passes, but I just wanted it now! (Sometimes I feel like Veruca Salt - Roald Dahl, anyone?)

I'm excited because I think this camera will definitely be travel friendly and I'll be able to take lovely photos when I go on holiday now. I've been using it to death the past few weeks, trying to figure out what all of the buttons do, setting the soft keys to my preferences, and learning how to stop relying on the automatic features and trying to take photos in manual mode.

Does anyone else get this excited about new techie toys?