Need camera recommendation for friend: Canon or otherwise

She's been shooting for the longest time with a Canon XSi and 18-55 that died on her recently. At the same time she's getting into street photography and really likes the X100s I recently picked up and showed her, except the 35mm FL doesn't really work for her, she much prefers 50mm. So I'm kinda at a loss as to what to recommend. Here's what she's looking for:

Budget: $1500 or under, lower the better (but she wants brand new equipment).

Something pretty small and discreet for street photography, quick AF, and quiet. Something with a fixed 50mm (does that even exist in her price range?) or interchangeable lens capability.

Outside of street photography she also wants to use this for general use, friends and family type stuff, so good low-light is important to her as well.

Off the top of my head I was thinking of Micro 4/3 with a 25mm prime or the Sony RX-100.

What about the fuji x100s with the recently announced 50mm teleconverter. Granted I'm not too sure if she'll grow to enjoy the 35mm FL but it is a possibility for that budget.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #16707829
She's been shooting for the longest time with a Canon XSi and 18-55 that died on her recently. At the same time she's getting into street photography and really likes the X100s I recently picked up and showed her, except the 35mm FL doesn't really work for her, she much prefers 50mm. So I'm kinda at a loss as to what to recommend. Here's what she's looking for:

Budget: $1500 or under, lower the better (but she wants brand new equipment).

Something pretty small and discreet for street photography, quick AF, and quiet. Something with a fixed 50mm (does that even exist in her price range?) or interchangeable lens capability.

Outside of street photography she also wants to use this for general use, friends and family type stuff, so good low-light is important to her as well.

Off the top of my head I was thinking of Micro 4/3 with a 25mm prime or the Sony RX-100.

That's simple and far less expensive than US $1,500.

Start with any recent Canon Digital rebel, the T5i for example.

Then add a Canon 50mm f/1.8 II.

This combination spends half of the intended budget. A T5i has controls that are nearly the same as the XSi, so there's no challenge of learning how to operate a new toy.

Of course, much of this depends on whether your friend wants a working camera or a fresh gadget.

Lately I've been using my newly acquired 700D with my older 40mm f/2.8 for street candids. Easy to carry, I just stick it into my smallish messenger bag and take it out when I see a shot. Fantastic image quality to boot.

Lately I've down scaled especially for travel and street photography.

Or how about a Canon SL-1 and a 40mm pancake? Small, discreet. Well under budget.

eddieb1 wrote in post #16708473
Or how about a Canon SL-1 and a 40mm pancake? Small, discreet. Well under budget.

Exactly what I was thinking.

eddieb1 wrote in post #16708473
Or how about a Canon SL-1 and a 40mm pancake? Small, discreet. Well under budget.

That is a great suggestion. I use my SL-1 as a carry in the car camera, usually with the 50mm 1.4, because that's what I have. Indeed the 40mm would be a better overall choice.

40 and 50 mm primes on crop are way too narrow for street photography as single prime.
To play on the street all she needs is 28mm Zuiko MF lens. Set her Rebel in B/W and use small hand stripe instead of neck stripe.
It was my last set, before I switched to film for street photography.

New, better fast zoom lens with new, better flash is 1500$.
Keep old camera and get better glass and light for better pictures of family, friends and so on.

Fuji 100 is nice, fancy choice as well. Beatefull camera with good prime on it.

She likes the 50mm true or the 50mm equivalent? I thought the Fuji X100s is a 22mm true and just a mm or two short of 35mm equivalent. So if she likes the equivalent 50mm (35 true), I'd say there is a sale going on until the end of the month, Fuji X-E2 + 35 1.4 that's just under 1400, which leaves some left over for a good bag and strap, or maybe a cheap flash+ radio trigger combo; which if those are on the list a little more $$ can be saved going X-E1 at the expense of AF speed and EVF refresh rate. If size is an issue (or why she is favoring the smaller form factor) their 27mm 2.8 (40 equivalent) pancake is $200 right now. If she wants more reach, they've got an 18-55 to match what she knows, or they have a 56mm 1.2 due out this summer, but it's it's own $1k.

The X-E2, I'd imagine is similar to the x100s in this regard, under 1600 ISO, the files challenge my 5D3; over 1600, they are on par with and beat my 7D by just a little bit. Blows the files from my Xsi out of the water. The AF isn't breakneck speed, and the shutter is louder than the x100 (quieter than much of the DSLRs without the mirror to clank).

All of that said, if she has enjoyed her Canon experience, and you seem to have lenses to pool, then no real reason not to go for another Rebel, 70D, SL1, or find a 6D body only on sale (seems like once a month lately getting under your budget with breathing room); then pair it with a 40 2.8, 50 1.8 or 50 1.4.

Forgot to mention.

My personal choice would be x20. Much better price comparing to x100, same sexy exterior and size of x100. Zoom and cool optical VF. I almost purchased one
Small sensor, but should be OK in RAW. I have ten years old Fuji P&S with small sensor and it was providing good quality family pictures for couple of years.

With $1500 it will be only one third and $1000 will still give better lens and flashlight for existing camera.

One of the real street photographers, I know well, who does it every day with film cameras from Leica M3 to 6x12 Belair, is using Nikon Coolpix P330 for digital and results are very good.

http://www.flickr.com …b/sets/72157638​820355955/

Very affordable, small and black camera. Good for the street

http://www.dpreview.co​m/previews/nikon-coolpix-p330/2

Too bad she only wants used.

I got a great deal from keh.com. 5D, grip, two batteries, charger, and a Rokinon 85mm 1.4 for right at $850.

yogestee wrote in post #16708395
Lately I've been using my newly acquired 700D with my older 40mm f/2.8 for street candids. Easy to carry, I just stick it into my smallish messenger bag and take it out when I see a shot. Fantastic image quality to boot.

Lately I've down scaled especially for travel and street photography.

I love the top picture. The dude is looking at you, and he and I are thinking "busted."

I would recomand a micro 4/3 system, like the Lumix G6 or GF6. A 20mm lens or perhaps a leica 25mm lens. Try also the 45mm Olympus 1,8. I have the GF5 my self and compared to a DSLR, it's like you are not beeing noticed with that type of a camera.

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=IFR1UpwQrvQ

EOS-Mike wrote in post #16717397
I love the top picture. The dude is looking at you, and he and I are thinking "busted."

Thanks Mike

The man in the background is more than likely the father. It was quite an emotional scene at the local bus station, mum saying goodbye to her son.

Heya,

Canon SL1 + EF-S 17-55 F2.8 + EF 40mm F2.8.

Very best,