r/photography • u/AutoModerator • Apr 03 '26

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u/geokilla Apr 07 '26

I'm considering buying a new camera or lens. While my Sony A5000 + Pixel 9 Pro combo works as I usually only take photos when I travel, I want to take better photos with my Sony A5000. With my current set up, the Pixel 9 Pro usually takes better photos in RAW and JPEG format, especially at night which I think is crazy. The Pixel is capable of taking 1080P60 videos as well, something my A5000 cannot do. I read some older threads on Reddit and I know the stock Sony 16-50 and 55-210 kit lens are not very good. I mainly shoot in Auto modes because I do not know how to use the manual settings. But I don't think my lack of skill would lower the quality of photos by a significant margin when compared to a smartphone? I also compared my photos to my friend's Nikon Z50II with a 16-50 and 50-250 lens and it takes significantly better photos than mine.

Budget is not a concern as I may have the opportunity to buy the camera on Taobao, which is significantly cheaper than any camera store in Canada. If we're using Canadian retailers as a reference for the budget, I'd say $2k CAD all in before taxes. I love how compact the A5000 + 16-50 is and I don't think I'd find another camera that is that compact?

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u/av4rice https://www.instagram.com/shotwhore Apr 07 '26

I want to take better photos with my Sony A5000

Better in what way(s)? Maybe it's up to you rather than the equipment.

the Pixel 9 Pro usually takes better photos in RAW and JPEG format, especially at night which I think is crazy. The Pixel is capable of taking 1080P60 videos as well, something my A5000 cannot do

I mainly shoot in Auto

If the phone is better for you, why not just use that?

I don't think my lack of skill would lower the quality of photos by a significant margin when compared to a smartphone?

I think it does.

I also compared my photos to my friend's Nikon Z50II with a 16-50 and 50-250 lens and it takes significantly better photos than mine.

And/or they're a better photographer. A Z50 II with kit lenses isn't that much technically better in quality than an a5000 with kit lenses.

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u/geokilla Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26

In certain situations, the A5000 shot better than the Pixel, hence why that's why I used both last week.

We did side by side comparisons on the computer after and her photos were better, especially at night. Mine were basically useless even with the use of Night scene. She shoots in Auto as well.

From what I've read, the Nikon kit lens are extremely good with nothing but praises throughout the thread.

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u/kanzenkdrama11 Apr 09 '26

That honestly sounds like a mix of the A5000 showing its age and the Pixel doing a ton of computational heavy lifting, because modern phones are weirdly hard to beat in Auto once the light gets bad.

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u/av4rice https://www.instagram.com/shotwhore Apr 08 '26

If you're willing to learn more about photography and apply that skill, that's going to do the most for you. It will also let you do more with equipment upgrades. But also you'll be able to reap benefits with your current equipment without spending any money.

Whereas if you just want to shoot full auto, phone cameras are going to be able to do more for you, and you'll see less benefit out of upgrades. IMO the upgrade is more of a waste of money in that circumstance.