Top APS-C cameras for 2019
Photo by Daniel Jericó on Unsplash
Full-frame cameras are ruling over the market nowadays, but there are still quite a few good reasons to opt for an APS-C model which shouldn’t be ignored. So before you cast an APS-C model aside, take note of a few key benefits. First of all, cameras with an APS-C sensor are usually fairly cheaper than the comparable full frame camera on the market. Second of all, they are much more compact and are often a great deal easier to use as a result.
Because of their large sensor, full-frame cameras are often quite bulky and cumbersome. This can make them difficult to carry with you wherever you may go. While on the other hand, since APS-C models have a smaller sensor, these cameras are usually rather lightweight and compact. This makes them a perfect companion to be at hand for capturing every important moment in your life.
Although you can buy an APS-C camera for much less money than you would usually spend on a full-frame camera, this does not mean that they are any less capable. Without a doubt, the full-frame sensor makes a few subtle differences when it comes to image quality, but you would be surprised at how many career photographers prefer using crop-sensor cameras for their work while managing to impress their audience and successfully sell their photos on a professional scale.
photo by TBA via iStock
Finally, APS-C cameras are usually very easy to use and pretty self-explanatory for the middle of the road user, which makes them the perfect camera for beginners in photography. They provide all of the professional features that are needed for learning about photography basics and the ins and outs of composing nice images. While they also conveniently support a much wider choice of lenses in comparison to what is generally on offer for full-frame cameras.
We know there are many APS-C cameras on the market these days, and this can be overwhelming. That is why we are here to will help you to find a perfect one for your own photography needs and aspirations. Whether you are a budding photographer, looking to capture more memories of your family and friends, or even exploring gift ideas, we will get you there.
What is the best APS-C camera for you in 2019? Find out the answer to this question and learn where you can find great deals on new and used versions oof each camera in this article!
Editor's Tip: One of the best ways to save money on photography gear is to buy used. But don't just buy used gear from anywhere! MPB has established itself as one of the top contenders in the used camera gear market. If you're unfamiliar with MPB, learn all about them in my MPB review.
Top APS-C cameras for 2019: Fujifilm X-T3
The Fujifilm X-T3 is a perfect camera hybrid and one of the best mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor. It may have been released back in September 2018, but ever since its debut, many professional and hobby photographers alike continue to fall in love with this camera model because of its sheer multitude of outstanding capabilities.
The X-T3 combines a 26-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor and an X-Processor 4 image processing engine in order to achieve a superb, top of the market image quality and an undeniably impressive operating speed. The camera performs well in many different light environments and it also has a native ISO range of 160 to 12800 (expandable to ISO 80-51.200).
Additionally, the Fujifilm X-T3 offers a fast, reliable and extremely responsive autofocus with 425 selectable AF points, 11 fps burst shooting with the mechanical shutter (20fps burst shooting with the electronic shutter), 4K video up to 60p, and many other beneficial features for versatile use.
This camera weighs a mere 1.188 lb. (with battery and memory card included), so it is particularly good for those of you who are into street photography, documenting your travels, or simply are catering to a very ‘on the go’ lifestyle. On top of that, you can continue to use the X-T3 in many naturally changing outdoor environments as it is weather-proofed against dust, moisture, and freezing temperatures.
Overall, the Fujifilm X-T3 is an exceptionally well-rounded camera that is definitely worth your investment. Since it is several months old and has already been circulating through the hands of many pleased customers up to now, you might want to consider buying a used or refurbished one to save a few bucks where you can. On platforms such as MPB, you can find one of these top-notch Fujifilm APS-C cameras in very good condition priced for as low as $1,249.00.
Top APS-C cameras for 2019: Sony a6500
The Sony a6500 is another striking mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor that could definitely be worth buying for yourself or a lucky someone in 2019. Although it was recently replaced by a newer model, this camera still holds its place as one of the top Sony APS-C cameras out there, especially if we consider its value to price ratio.
The a6500 revolves around a 24-megapixel sensor and a BIONZ X image processing engine. This stellar combination allows a native ISO range of 100 – 25600, and it is expandable up to ISO 51200.
Not to mention, the camera offers autofocus acquisition speed of as fast as 0.05 seconds, 425 phase detection points and 169 contrast detection areas, 11fps continuous shooting, and 4K videos at 30fps.
Although it is a fairly compact and lightweight choice, the a6500 features 5-axis in-body stabilization to counteract any unavoidable shakiness, and enhances sharpness in images when photographing while handheld. If you add up the outstanding burst shooting capabilities, an impressive autofocus acquisition speed and a big buffer depth (107 RAW files at full speed), this camera seems to be the second to none tool for those of you who might be exploring action photography.
At the present moment, it is possible to buy a used Sony a6500 for the competitively low price of $874.00. This is a great deal for what is on offer here, especially if you want to take images of wildlife, sporting events, or any other action-packed moments.
Check out seven good reasons for buying a Sony A6500 in the video above by DreamDuo Films.
Top APS-C cameras for 2019 - The Nikon D500
The D500 is a gem among the other Nikon APS-C cameras. It was built around a 20.9MP CMOS sensor and EXPEED 5 image processor, and it offers a native ISO range of 100 to 51,200 (expandable to ISO 50 – 1640000).
This camera works perfectly even in those low-light situations due to it having the ability to focus down to -4 EV. However, this is far from the only thing that makes it one of the best DSLR cameras with an APS-C sensor available to us right now.
As it was the case with the previous cameras we touched on in this article, the Nikon D500 combines a great autofocus system (153 AF points/99 cross-type) with 10 fps burst shooting in order to make this camera perfect for photographing moving subjects.
On top of that, this camera offers 4K video recording in 30p, 25p, and 24p.
The Nikon D500 weighs only 1.90 lb. so it is relatively compact. But even more importantly it is fully weather-proofed and you can without question rely on it to have a long shelf life; or long outdoor, mud rolling, speed chasing life for that matter.
At the moment, you are going to be able to find a used Nikon D500 in good condition for the quite reasonably low price of $1,179.00, but just make sure to see the full list of available cameras on used camera sites like MPB before you buy, because you can often find a lot of good quality accessories included in the deal for a small amount of money. Always a bonus!
Top APS-C cameras for 2019 - Canon 7D Mark II
Last but certainly not least on our list, let us present you with one of the hands down, best Canon APS-C cameras out there today– the Canon 7D MKII. This camera features a 20.2MP CMOS sensor without a low pass filter and Dual Digic 6 processor. The native ISO range of this camera is not actually all that more impressive than its APS-C counterparts as it only goes from ISO 100 up to 16,000 (expandable to ISO 25,600). However, this ISO range is usually more than enough to comfortably fulfill most peoples’ needs.
Other notable features of this top tier Canon camera are its continuous shooting speed that fires at up to 10 frames per second, the autofocus system with 61 autofocus points (all of them are cross-type), and its Full HD video recording capabilities at up to 60p.
The Canon 7D Mark II is completely weather-proofed and it weighs around 32.10 oz.
If you do decide to buy a used Canon 7D MII, you can find one in the excellent condition and for as low of a price of $879.00.
Is the Canon 7D Mark II still relevant? Get an answer to this question in the video above by James Watts.
With that, you have a number of high-quality APS-C cameras that you can pick up on the cheap if you buy used. If you're ready to upgrade your kit without breaking the bank or sacrificing on features, give one of these cameras a try.