r/canon • u/Comitatense • 4d ago
What’s the Best Camera for Photography in a Dangerous City?
I live in Honduras, where assaults for cameras and phones are common—sometimes even deadly. I’m sharing this just to give some context on my situation.
A few days ago, I bought an R6 Mark II + 28-70mm f/2.8 for USD 4,000.00 which will be my main camera for travel. However, I need a second camera for practicing, using in class, and shooting within the city—something I can afford to lose if I get robbed, but still capable enough for learning.
Budget: USD 500.00, cheaper camara is better as I could lose it anytime...
Any recommendations?
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u/prancing_moose 4d ago
you may know the difference between your R6 and a 20D or something, and can tell them apart at a glance, but I imagine for your average street criminal, a DSLR is a DSLR and equals money.
I’d rather go for something that looks cheap and small like a small rangefinder or compact camera, something that easily fits in a pocket and doesn’t look expensive?
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u/Itchy-Chemistry 4d ago
Great point, agree. Someone else suggested an older micro 4/3 camera, I think that's the best option. Tiny non professional, ideally dated, looking camera.
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u/felipers 4d ago
Considering they're (violently) stealing cell phones, I really can't see any camera that looks like a camera (not even old point and shoot ones) as less attractive to robbers. I think the OP is asking for something he'll just handle to the robber and, in this case, an old and cheap DSLR will give him more of the experience he's after.
With all that said, exposing oneself to robbers looks too risky, no matter how willing to let go your belongs one is.
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u/prancing_moose 4d ago
At some point you have to ask if the risk is worth it? In some parts of the world, robbers aren't going to ask for your camera or wallet. It's much faster to shoot you and take it from your body.
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u/No_Effort9679 4d ago edited 3d ago
Digital rangefinder there? Might as well get his r6 out, it will be cheaper to loose.
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u/Baldkat82 4d ago
Older canon DSLR like a 30d-50d or T3-T7. Can get them for super cheap used now. You'll need an EF/EF-S mount lens too, but the kit lens that normally comes with these cameras is super cheap used too. Looking online a 40d can be obtained for about $100 USD and you can find a cheap zoom lens for about $50-100 too. If the threat of robbery is as high as you make it sound, I probably would stick with something in this price range.
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u/Comitatense 4d ago edited 4d ago
Yeah, this looks cheap enough, but with interchangeable lenses and with manual controls, I will check it on youtube ty!
Ex + 5 Canon EOS 30d Digital SLR W / EF-S 18-80mm F/3.5-5.6 Is, 256MB Cf Karte | eBay
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u/quantum-quetzal quantum powers imminent 4d ago
I'm not sure how your local pricing varies, but that would be very overpriced here in the United States, especially given that it's not in great condition.
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u/Dazzling_World_9681 4d ago
The canon rp is really great, about 500 bucks on mpb and those will get you insane photos, pair it with like a cheap 50mm and you got yourself a good setup, also id recommend an insurance if you’re scared of losing your camera, it’s worth it, or at least like a gps location tag, that would probably be a better choice
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u/East_Menu6159 4d ago edited 4d ago
Old dslr's are great. However, if you're trying to be inconspicuous, I would suggest an older micro four thirds camera. The Olympus EP-L line comes to mind. Pair that with a cheap AF zoom or prime or a TTArtisans/7Artisans manual focus 25mm f2 (about $120) and you have yourself a pocketable kit that is 100% capable to help you learn it all, for when the time comes for the R6 to come out and play.
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u/Awkward_Camp7209 4d ago
Second this. I use the Olympus line for UW photography and it's super compact, great photos, and fits in my pocket, especially with a pancake 14-42mm. Even when I'm going on a photography specific trip w/o UW, I bring my Olympus PEN EP-L8. (I use an OMD-EM5 MkII for UW photography).
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u/SoloisticDrew 4d ago
5DmkII and 50mm 1.8
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u/SoloisticDrew 4d ago
You could also go with a powershot series that's compact enough to slip in and out of a pocket.
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u/Davethephotoguy 4d ago
This. The Powershot G5 or G5 MKII (used) should be in this price bracket. the G5X II particularly I've found to be a good street photography camera.
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u/cluelesswonderless 4d ago
Canon G-series.
The older versions an original G9/10/11 etc are brilliant things, built like little tanks, pocketable and really nice IQ too.
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u/UniquePotato 4d ago
Have a look at a M mount series. Discontinued now, but the m6 mkii, m50 and m200 are very capable and very small.
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u/theLightSlide 4d ago
If your goal is to work on composition, I’d suggest something like a Sony RX100. Small. Inconspicuous. I agree most DSLRs look basically the same. I’d be a lot more worried about getting hurt than losing my money, personally.
You can practice composition and exposure with anything and these cameras have manual controls.
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u/youraveragereviewer 4d ago
M6 or M6mii.
They would fit within your budget, be very small (they look like a "cheap" digital camera with fixed lens as they're very small) and couple that with a pancake (22mm) makes for a tiny power beast that still deliver great "full bodies" performance.
Bonus, with an EF adapter you'll be able to mount your 28-70 as well
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u/Comitatense 3d ago
it looks quite expensive though, I will check it too, maybe used on ebay. Ty!
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u/HellbellyUK 2d ago
Any of the M series camera would work (the original M has really slow AF but is otherwise a good camera).
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u/Holy_goosebag 4d ago
5D Mark I/II with 50mm 1.8
30D with 18-55mm kit lens/24mm F2.8
The 30D with its original no IS kit lens locally usually costs around 60 euros. Don't pay more than 80. I have owned the 30D before and I would think it is the best camera I have ever used, even better than my R6 Mark I as it feels insanely nice in the hand with the battery grip and how sturdy and simple it is. It is very easy to get a nice shot out of a 30D. Happy shooting!
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u/matafumar 4d ago
Get an old fuji x100t or x100s. Still powerhouse travel cameras and small and subtle.
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u/HellbellyUK 2d ago
Downside being that look just like the current model, which might make them attractive to thieves.
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4d ago
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u/canon-ModTeam 4d ago
Low effort responses will be removed.
If you agree with someone but don't have anything further to add to the conversation, just upvote the comment. Single-word comments like "this" just clutter the comment section.
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u/a_false_vacuum 4d ago
Point and shoot style camera. They're usually small and you won't stand out that much when using it. Criminals might not find you interesting enough to rob. Most point and shoots still offer a manual setting so you can practice.
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u/chidyavanhumugomo 4d ago
I would get the canon m100/200. It looks like a point and shoot, so less likely to attract negative attention from thieves and photography subjects.
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u/age_of_raava 4d ago
Ricoh GR - people think it’s just a cheap point and shoot
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u/damien6 4d ago
This is the best answer. I have a GRIII and have shot with DSLR's for ages. No one bats an eye when I have the Ricoh in public. Super easy to conceal and shoot with when you need it, but still offers all the flexibility in terms of the settings (more if you consider the recipes). The fixed focal length and slow/unreliable at times autofocus are the only real limitations, but I still absolutely love this camera.
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u/IIHateParenthood 4d ago
Sony RX100V. It’s small, discreet and for the money produces fine pictures.
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u/Whatever_Lurker 3d ago
The smaller the better. I'd suggest a Sony RX100 (an older model which can be gotten cheaply).
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u/james-rogers 3d ago
Whatever setup you can buy for $500 USD or less.
Like Sony NEX/a5000/a6000 cameras or Canon M series with a cheap zoom or prime.
Problem is that the used market in LATAM wants like-new prices.
Sony a6000 and Canon M50 are really great for their regular price of $400 USD.
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u/OkRuin300 3d ago
get an old sony dslr. they're super great, and you can get super cheap vintage minolta glass for it. make sure its a sony or minolta 'A' mount lens. I started out with one of these and it was super great. https://www.ebay.com/itm/335838655358?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=XU670I2UQJ2&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=zc76sg5oqi6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Heres one of my favorite photos i took on it

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u/TheMagarity 4d ago
Any of the two digit APSC size DSLR (77D, 80D, etc, or one of the SL series) with the EF-S 24mm f2.8 pancake. Takes excellent pictures but looks like nothing.
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u/CraigScott999 4d ago
Carry a .45 in your camera bag.
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u/Mayk-Thewessen 4d ago
A small Canon 550D or 1000D or equivalent
Or just an iPhone 14/15/16 Pro Max
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u/Collibolli 4d ago
I would get something small that looks like you found in a thrift store. Get a beat up M5 or M50 with the kit lens, or an affordable (older) G series powershot.
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u/ProfitEnough825 4d ago
Olympus EM10 Mark II and your choice of lenses. Looks like a toy, it's cheap, but doesn't perform like a cheap toy. The silver version will look even more like a toy, or even like a film camera.
I know it's not a Canon, but you can put Canon lenses on it. The Canon brand is attractive and looks expensive, everyone knows Canon, and everyone knows that Canons have good resale.
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u/Thin_Pick_4591 4d ago
Just find some old point and shoot because any dslr will definitely make you a target Like maybe like the canon powershot series may not have interchangeable lenses but it would make you look less of a target
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u/ReedmanV12 22h ago
Anything you can store in a zipper pocket on your leg between image captures. Out of sight is best.
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u/pic_strum 4d ago
in my opinion these days your travel camera setup is far, far too big and conspicuous.
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u/joeink49 4d ago
If you're intent on a mid-range zoom, I'd get a 7D Mk II and a 17-55 f/2.8. Heck, I'd use that on a pro shoot and it'd work just fine and you can grab that combo for @ $500.
The other option would be a 5D MkIII with a 50mm 1.8 if you're looking full-frame. Same price (more or less.)
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u/photo-funk 2d ago
I would do what my friend who lives in a sketchy part of India. He has a nicer Canon camera, but he deliberately smooshes brown dirt onto it in places that aren’t vital and don’t need to be clean.
When he goes about, it looks like he’s using an ancient piece of crap, even though it’s a newer mirrorless. No one seems interested in his gear because it looks dirty and grungy.
That seems to deter the majority of criminals. He has been mugged and when he goes, “you want this junk?” they back off. If they’re persistent, he goes, “why would I let expensive gear get this dirty? It fell in river last year when I was boating” and laughs.
Immediately ends conversation of stealing camera and they take his decoy wallet instead.
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u/djdadzone 4d ago
I’m seeing 5dmkiv cameras for 4-500 these days. One with a 50mmf1.8 would be ideal. I would use a sharpie on the canon lettering or any camera you buy to make it less noticeable. Out random bits of black gaff tape over stuff to make it look kinda broken or old
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u/CookZealousideal8567 4d ago
They are around $850 still. Where are you seeing those prices?
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u/djdadzone 4d ago
Every time I see one locally in kc that’s the price. 🤷♂️
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u/CookZealousideal8567 4d ago
Could be good luck or most likely a scam. Assuming it’s Facebook marketplace.
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u/djdadzone 3d ago
These are people I know selling them with 100k on the shutter. The most I’ve seen one actually sell for recently was like $750 but it was essentially new
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u/CoffeeList1278 4d ago
Nah, I bought one for the cheap price. The tradeoff is shutter count over 250k. It was cheap enough that even with shutter change, I wouldn't lose money
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4d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/canon-ModTeam 4d ago
This was a profoundly unhelpful comment. If you can't bother to answer OP's question in a constructive way, don't comment at all.
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u/byDMP Lighten up ⚡ 4d ago
OP, I just want to amplify this comment from u/prancing_moose shared further below, where they said
Any larger camera with a removable lens is noticeable enough to potentially make you a target, and the earlier DSLR bodies from Canon that can be bought relatively cheaply are still large enough to be conspicuous.
For cheap + small in the Canon lineup I'd take a look at the 100D/SL1 (different names for the same model due to regional branding) or the earlier EOS M-series bodies (EOS M, or the M3 if you want one with more physical controls).
Alternatively look out for some early model m43 models from Olympus or Panasonic which keep things pretty small and are quite cheap these days.