Hello everyone!
I finally got my hands on a mirrorless camera!
I'm always on the go, hiking and traveling, and I want my photos to be more alive, and I also want to capture the stars and the Milky Way. Up until now, I've been using a Samsung digital camera with manual settings, so I had some experience before switching to a mirrorless one.
I chose this one based on budget, reviews, and features. I needed something that's not too professional, has a lot of manual settings, and delivers great results. After a week of searching online, I settled on the Canon EOS 250D. It costs $650, and, to my luck, the white version was still available in the store!
I'll hide the specs in a blockquote below and share my thoughts on the camera.
Here are the detailed specs of the Canon EOS 250D:
Camera:
Camera type: Mirrorless
Lens: Comes with a lens
Bayonet: Canon EF/EF-S
Image stabilization: Optical
Stabilizer system: Moving element in the lens
Sensor:
Resolution: 25.8 MP
Effective resolution: 24.1 MP
Size: APS-C (22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Maximum resolution: 6000 x 4000
Sensor type: CMOS
Crop factor: 1.6
Focus:
Autofocus type: Phase-detection
Number of Autofocus Points: 9
Autofocus: Manual, Face Detection, Autofocus with LED Illumination
Shooting:
Exposure: Program AE with Flexible Program, Bulb, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual, E-TTL II Autoflash, Bulb, Metering Mode, Center-Weighted Average, Spot Metering, Partial Metering, Auto ISO, Manual ISO, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5 EV in 1/3 EV Steps
Sensitivity: 100 - 25600 ISO
Expanded ISO Range: 51200 ISO
Shutter Speed: 30 - 1/4000 Second
Bulb Shutter Speed: 1/200 Second
White Balance: Auto, Preset, Cloudy, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom WB, Color Temperature, Auto White Balance, Preset, Cloudy, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom WB
Recording Modes: Video Recording, Continuous Shooting
Continuous Shooting Speed: 5 Frames Per Second
Self-Timer: 2, 10 Seconds
Viewfinder: Optical
Viewfinder Coverage: 95 %
Flash:
Flash Range: 9.8 Meters
Flash Modes: E-TTL II, Manual Flash, Flash Bracketing, Built-in Flash
Screen:
Screen Size: 3 Inches
Number of Screen Pixels: 1,040,000
Screen: Touchscreen, Rotating, Live View Shooting
Memory and Interfaces:
Interfaces: Wi-Fi, Video Out, USB, Bluetooth, HDMI, NFC, Microphone Input, Remote Control Input
USB Version: 2.0
Supported memory cards: SDHC, SD, SDXC
Video and audio recording:
Supported image formats: 1:1 format, RAW, RAW+JPEG, 16:9 format, 4:3 format, 3:2 format, MP4, MOV
Maximum video resolution: 3840x2160
Maximum frame rate: 60 fps
Video recording time: 29 minutes, 59 seconds
Maximum frame rate for HD video: 50/60 fps at 1280x720, 50/60 fps at 1920x1080, 24 fps at 3840x2160
Battery:
Battery type: proprietary
Number of batteries: 1
Battery capacity: up to 1070 shots
Dimensions/Weight:
Size: 122.4x92.6x69.8 mm (without lens)
Additional:
Advanced features: dust reduction, orientation sensor
Additional options: stereo sound recording, remote control, tripod mount, timer, interchangeable lens
Body material: metal/plastic
Kit contents:: R-F-3 body cap, EW-400D neck strap, LC-E17 charger, LP-E17 battery, power cord, instruction manual
Additional info: camera weight, including battery and memory card: black/silver - 449 g, white - 451 g
Announcement date: 2019-04-10
I was surprised to see a lot of product info on the box, but not so much in the box itself.
Canon EOS 250DCanon EOS 250DInformationEven More InfoAnd a Bit MoreAnd Even Inside :)When I unboxed the Canon EOS 250D, I was impressed by the sheer number of accessories that came with it. There's the body, the kit lens, two lens caps, one for the body, a charger with a cable, a strap for the camera, and a battery. No manual, but a two-year warranty from the store - as long as you don't go smashing this thing around the streets, that is :)
Canon EOS 250DCanon EOS 250DLensLens with hood (top)Lens with hood (bottom)Charger and cableBatteryStrap is included with the camera, so I didn't see a need to take a separate photo of it.
Warranty VoucherCamera
One thing that's worth noting is that the manual is actually a pretty massive PDF file, over 500 pages, which you can download from the official Canon website. By the way, the camera shoots photos in CR3 format, which is essentially RAW. However, you won't be able to view these photos directly on your PC or smartphone - you'll need to process them first.
Fortunately, the official Canon website has a great program for working with photos, which is essentially a Lightroom alternative. The program has a ton of features that'll let you edit, convert, and view your photos with ease.
The camera also has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can transfer your photos directly to your phone. Just keep in mind that the quality will be slightly reduced in JPG format, but the transfer process is pretty quick.
Now, let's talk about the display. The Canon 250D has a flip-out touchscreen display, which I have to admit took some getting used to at first. But now I see the point - it's super convenient, especially when you're shooting the sky. You don't have to strain your neck or contort yourself to see what you're getting. It's a really nice feature, and the display itself is responsive and easy to read. Just be sure to get a screen protector to avoid scratching it.
Display in useDisplay on startupManual settingsThe camera has a ton of settings for the camera itself and various scenes – portrait, landscape, prioritizing shutter speed and aperture, and so on. This is great for those who don't want or don't enjoy messing around with manual settings. And let's be honest, the manual settings have a ton of options.
I think a mirrorless camera is pointless if you're just going to use it on Auto mode – it's not going to give you any better results than a standard point-and-shoot. It's worth taking the time to learn the manual settings for each type of shooting, though. When you do, the camera will really impress you.
ScenesPriority of exposurePriority of apertureCamera settingsOn the camera lens, you'll find the image stabilization button and the mode switch button for scenes like portrait, landscape, or night mode. It's pretty straightforward once you get used to it, and it's a great value for money considering the features you get.
One thing that caught my attention was the autofocus vs manual focus feature.
Stabilizer and focus switch buttonI found the placement of the red indicator on the lens to be a bit annoying. It's hard to find the right spot to attach it, especially when it's not as prominent as the old cameras with two red dots.
Red indicator and squareSquareThe lens lock button is pretty standard and easy to use.
Lens lock buttonThe camera comes with a built-in flash, which is decent, and the option to attach external flashes. Be aware that some users claim that only native lenses and flashes are compatible with this model, so it's worth double-checking if you plan on buying additional accessories.
FlashFlash in actionOne thing I really like about this camera is the leatherette padding on the right-hand grip - it's nice and grippy, and it doesn't budge. It's a great feel in the hand. The faceplate is a bit crammed with buttons - there's a lot going on here, from zooming in on photos to adjusting settings and navigating menus. And on the left, you can see the LCD screen in its folded position, which is handy and won't get scratched.
Faceplate with buttonsThese buttons also include the Life View button, which flips the image to the LCD screen and vice versa, as well as a small diopter wheel for adjusting focus.
Diopter and Life View buttonsThe viewfinder has a removable rubber eyecup, which you can replace if it gets worn out. You can buy spares on Aliexpress.
Viewfinder eyecupOn the left, you'll find two ports for the remote control and external microphone, which are sealed with a rubber gasket.
SlotI was a bit stumped by the USB cable situation - I couldn't find one in my city, which made transferring RAW files to my PC a bit tricky. But, I had a trusty adapter that saved the day... at least until I can get my hands on a proper USB cable. The adapter is a total bargain and can be found at any phone accessory store.
Card readerSlotsThe top also features a decent speaker - the sound quality is great, and it even reproduces audio without any issues. And, of course, you've got your standard set of buttons and dials.
DynamoMenuPower button and mode wheelShutter buttonMirrorEye :)I'm blown away by the camera's ability to capture stunning 4K video - it's way better than anything I've seen on my old phone or PC!
I highly recommend taking the time to read the instruction manual, even though it's over 500 pages long. You'll find loads of useful info in there, like how to use the 10x zoom feature when shooting video, setting up your preferred settings, and controlling the aperture, shutter speed, and more. I'm thoroughly impressed with the camera - it's surprisingly lightweight, making it perfect for travel, and the colors are simply stunning. It's also super responsive when shooting in series, and it handles RAW file saving with ease. I managed to get around 900-1000 shots on a single charge, and that's with using the viewfinder, even in cold weather. That's with my memory card filling up, but the battery still had plenty of juice left.
Some sample photos:
PierSunsetEveningWaterCatDewdrop (ice). MacroOthers can be found here, because they add a lot of weight to this site 🙂. I wish you all great shots!
---------------------------------------------------------------
Other gear
Polaris hair clipper
I've been using the Samsung Galaxy M12 for a while now, and I have to say, it's a great value for money.
I also picked up the Borofone BE38 wireless earbuds, and I'm super impressed with the sound quality.
The Xiaomi Redmi 8A is another device I've been testing, and it's been a solid performer in terms of ease of use.
My trusty Mi Band 5 has been a lifesaver, providing me with all the fitness tracking features I need.
Unfortunately, the NR 15 laptop hasn't been living up to my expectations, especially when it comes to shipping and build quality.
And finally, I've been toying with the Land Rover XP1, which is a pretty cool phone, but it's got some quirks when it comes to battery life.