$600 budget

This may be a tough one, hence I'm asking for some ideas.

beginner looking to shoot in a club scenario

Photos + Video

External flash, so godox will likely be it, unless built in flash can point up...

Basic video anything with AF and 1080p

body and lens?????

body needs to be new enough to do AF in video, preferably with decent onboard audio.

lens, f2.8 17-5x zoom? kit zoom?

primes??

budget may simply be too small

Warning Canon Plug:

One of the top small video enabled cameras that bloggers love is the M50. The reviews just rave about the camera. Pop a Viltrox speedbooster on it and then run any EF lens you like to get a FF view and run it through 1080. Just google M50 Video and read the countless reviews.

https://www.youtube.co​m …ts?search_query​=m50+video

Purchase option:
https://www.ebay.com …44AAOSwqF5bju7j​:rk:2:pf:0

Leaves you room to buy an adapter or speedbooster and find somebody's EF lens.

Lumix is another option to consider...

TeamSpeed wrote in post #18794192
Warning Canon Plug:

One of the top small video enabled cameras that bloggers love is the M50. The reviews just rave about the camera. Pop a Viltrox speedbooster on it and then run any EF lens you like to get a FF view and run it through 1080. Just google M50 Video and read the countless reviews.

https://www.youtube.co​m …ts?search_query​=m50+video

Purchase option:
https://www.ebay.com …44AAOSwqF5bju7j​:rk:2:pf:0

Leaves you room to buy an adapter or speedbooster and find somebody's EF lens.

Lumix is another option to consider...

I dont mind Canon, not for me.

Considered the SL2 + sigma 17-50

M100 was something, but didnt look into the m50, will check it out.

M50 is your best bet: great on-board audio, reliable video AF; great AWB (essential for video), useful articulating screen. Paired with 22mm f2 lens if both bought used could fit your budget. Digital video IS with the pancake lens works very well.

Get the fotodiox adapter and save a bit of money. I haven't had issues with mine. The viltrox also acts as an EF adapter but changes the crop factor from 1.6 to 1.1 and you gain 1 stop aperture.

I know some will think I'm on crack, but back in the day I had the original Canon 7D.... shot several concert and bands down on 6th street in Austin TX. Your typical bar/club scene. The original 7D did a reasonable job, does 1080p, and is about all I can think of given the budget constraint.

My son still shoots with my old 7D..... still does a decent job. A fast Canon used prime (28,50 or 85 f1.8) could be a good way to start out.

Forget about on board audio. You didn't specify what you were going to record to video, but there is nothing about a club that makes me thing "sure, on board audio" even modest mics make a huge difference.

SL2 is a good, cheap camera for your needs. I'd go with a modern Canon lens that accels at video AF.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18794875
Forget about on board audio. You didn't specify what you were going to record to video, but there is nothing about a club that makes me thing "sure, on board audio" even modest mics make a huge difference.

SL2 is a good, cheap camera for your needs. I'd go with a modern Canon lens that accels at video AF.

I guess at the club, its so noisy, that on board audio vs a real mic would make little difference.

External mic is simply too much for a complete noob IMO.

Basically anything with a semi big sensor that can do a little of everything. No need for 4K, but good low light performance would be the goal. Semi wide angles preferable.

Might be asking for too much TBH, may need to consider kit lens due to pricing.

The only issue wrt kit lens is small apertures. 55mm and 5.6 is a killer. You'd do well with the Canon pancake lenses and maybe a 85 1.8.

Make sure whatever camera you get has good levels adjustments, or that you can do it with the mic. Little details with video make a big difference, on screen display of sound levels can be critical and "missing" on some cameras.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18794916
The only issue wrt kit lens is small apertures. 55mm and 5.6 is a killer. You'd do well with the Canon pancake lenses and maybe a 85 1.8.

Make sure whatever camera you get has good levels adjustments, or that you can do it with the mic. Little details with video make a big difference, on screen display of sound levels can be critical and "missing" on some cameras.

Most of the club is ground level with a slightly elevated stage, long lens was not particularly useful. The entire place is like a ground level dance floor, in fact it's a dance studio with all members setting it up as a nightclub. 35mm was good enough on the long end, figuring out the wide end... need something wide for sure. 16-35 f2.8 aps-c equivalent would be perfect.

I just need to get an idea of how noisy the video will be. Currently, cell phone is ridiculous blockfest. I'de like to see how f5.6 aps-c handles a night club scenario with video. AF needs to work seemless.

expectations are to get better images and video than cell phone, but it should be easy to use. Processing raw files of any kind is not happening, sooc photo jpgs and video.

Another option would be something like the Sony RX100 Mark III or IV.. or maybe even the V if you can find a good price on a used one. Meets all your criteria.

Canon SL3 is coming out at the end of the month. It will be in your price range; might want to check it out.

I'd consider/suggest the SL2 (same sensor as the SL3) with the ef-s 10-18mm IS STM, especially for video. the ef-s 10-22mm is the crop equiv. of the traditional FF 16-35mm - but I'm told the newer STM lens is preferable for video. Note that there are two other canon zooms that are similar in style, features and performance to the ef-s 10-18mm - the 18-55mm and the 55-200mm - both in the IS STM versions. all stabilized, well performing (decent IQ), light and affordable glass, easy on the budget.

While the new SL3 extends the 4K options it does not offer 1080p at 24 fps. Only God and Canon know why. Similarly, Canon has also omitted the center pin on the hot shoe - making many 3rd party and older flashes incompatible - 'though I just heard that Godox announced a workaround - details unknown. Otherwise, the faster processor extends battery life and overall speed performance - although with an oddly restricted feature set. go figure & enjoy.

daleg wrote in post #18860058
I'd consider/suggest the SL2 (same sensor as the SL3) with the ef-s 10-18mm IS STM, especially for video. the ef-s 10-22mm is the crop equiv. of the traditional FF 16-35mm - but I'm told the newer STM lens is preferable for video. Note that there are two other canon zooms that are similar in style, features and performance to the ef-s 10-18mm - the 18-55mm and the 55-200mm - both in the IS STM versions. all stabilized, well performing (decent IQ), light and affordable glass, easy on the budget.

While the new SL3 extends the 4K options it does not offer 1080p at 24 fps. Only God and Canon know why. Similarly, Canon has also omitted the center pin on the hot shoe - making many 3rd party and older flashes incompatible - 'though I just heard that Godox announced a workaround - details unknown. Otherwise, the faster processor extends battery life and overall speed performance - although with an oddly restricted feature set. go figure & enjoy.

Another issue with the SL3 in 4k is the huge crop factor it puts in it. It puts a 2.6x or so crop onto it. I'm torn about this, because I'm looking at getting my first DSLR in 10+ years, and it was looking great, until I realized I want to be able to do a lot of video, with some photography...the 4k crop and the fixed 30fps is quickly becoming a deal breaker for me.

tunatuk wrote in post #18860419
Another issue with the SL3 in 4k is the huge crop factor it puts in it. It puts a 2.6x or so crop onto it ...

That's precisely why I suggest the Canon EF-S 10-18mm.