Looking for inspiration for this year’s Christmas shopping? We’ve made this blog to try help with some suggestions of what to get your loved ones this holiday season.
Whether you are buying for a budding photographer, or an already experienced photographer, then we have something for you here at the Galway Camera Shop.
We are the only family run specialist photographic store in the west of Ireland. Operating since the late 70’s we are conveniently located on 1 William St, Galway, and have had our new online store recently launched.
Our first blog of the festive season concentrates on beginner DSLR and Mirrorless camera suggestions for Christmas.
First off let us explain the difference between a DSLR and a Mirrorless camera. For the purpose of this blog I will keep this explanation as brief as possible. Mirrorless is newer technology, the camera body is designed without a mirror in it which a traditional DSLR has this allows for a more compact, lightweight camera body. Lenses are also lighter.
Both types are slr cameras which allows you to change lenses that you have on the camera body. This becomes an advantage as you can build a collection of lenses to suit particular styles of photography that the user wishes to engage in.
Traditional DSLRs also have 2 autofocusing systems depending on if your looking through the viewfinder or using live view. Mirrorless have developed faster autofocusing systems. Light can get to the sensor quicker now, which is an advantage for faster moving objects (sports, wildlife photography).
Mirrorless cameras have electronic viewfinders, which means you are looking at a digital image when your taking your photo. While traditional DSLRs have an optical viewfinder. For some people having an optical viewfinder is a preference
Mirrorless are far superior to traditional DSLR cameras when it comes to taking videos. This has made Mirrorless cameras very popular for the likes of content creators, wedding & event videographers, sports clubs, vloggers, etc.
The Benefits of Purchasing a Mirrorless Camera
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Larger sensor & better image quality than most smartphones / compacts
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Both models use an APS-C sized sensor (for example the R100 uses a 24.1 MP APS-C sensor) which means better depth‐of‐field control (for nice background blur) and improved low-light performance compared to small sensors.
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That means you’ll get sharper, more professional-looking images and video — which is great for content that stands out.
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Interchangeable lenses & growth potential
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By going mirrorless you’re buying into a system — you can upgrade lenses (and accessories) as your creativity grows. Even a basic kit gives you more flexibility than a fixed-lens camera.
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The EOS R range of mirrorless cameras allows for buying RF mount lenses. Which opens up future in lens options ad further photographic capability.
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This means your investment has more-lasting value and you won’t feel stuck after a few months.
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Autofocus and usability features tailored for beginners
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The R50 for instance includes the Dual Pixel CMOS AF II system which recognises and tracks people, animals and moving subjects.
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The R100 also offers Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS Auto Focus (though more basic than the R50) making focusing easier and reducing the frustration when you’re starting out.
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For beginners that means less fiddling with focus and more capturing great shots.
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Compactness + portability
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Because mirrorless bodies tend to be lighter and smaller than equivalent DSLRs, they’re more “grab-and-go”. The R100 is specifically described as “compact and lightweight” enough to take with you anywhere.
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As a content creator or someone filming on the move (city, travel, walk‐throughs), this portability matters a lot.
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Strong video capability (especially for creators)
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The R50 promises 4K 30p video, a vari-angle touchscreen, and strong sharing/connectivity features for online use.
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For your content creation (e.g., Instagram, YouTube, social), you get decent video quality and ease of use without needing a huge budget.
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Connectivity + sharing made easy
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Both cameras support WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity for smartphone transfer and sharing. You canlink EOS R Mirrorless cameras to your smartphone … so you can download your photos and videos … and post to social media.
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That means less barrier to getting your content out quickly, which is great for creators.
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Learning platform with room to grow
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By choosing an “entry-level” but proper mirrorless system you get built-in assistance features (creative filters, auto modes, guided UI) and the ability to grow into manual modes and more advanced techniques.
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For example the R100 has Creative Assist … letting you pick your desired effects … change lighting, colour, background blur and more.
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That means you aren’t overwhelmed by complexity at the start but you won’t feel like you’ve hit a dead-end after a few shoots.
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Value for money / accessible price point
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Entry mirrorless kits like these tend to offer a strong ratio of features to cost (especially beneficial for beginners).
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Especially if you’re switching from smartphone or compact and want a meaningful upgrade without crazy expense.
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Better stills + motion crossover (hybrid use)
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If you shoot stills + video (hybrid creator) the system supports both: decent stills resolution (24 MP range) and solid video specs.
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The R50 is the preffered model for creators and digital marketers shooting stills and video: 24.2MP stills + 4K video.
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That versatility is excellent for content creators who need both.
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Compact system that aligns with handheld rigs, gimbals, travel shoots
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Because the gear is lighter, you can integrate it with tripods, gimbals, rigs for video easily. For a walking tour, city shoot, street content, being not tied to bulky gear makes a difference.
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If the Mirrorless range is more the route you would like to go then 2 suggestions we would make would be the Canon EOS R100 and the Canon EOS R50
Both models have similarities. They both come in packages either with a RF-S 18-45mm lens or as a twin lens kit with Canon RF-S 18-45mm and Canon RF-S 55-210mm lens. Both models shoot in 4k video, both models have Bluetooth and wi-fi capabilities.
They do have differences which are as follows:
- TheCanon R100 has a Digic 8 sensor while the Canon R50 has a faster Digic X sensor
- Both shoot in 4k video, but the Canon EOS R100 has a crop factor of 1.6 which reduces the field of view.
- The Canon EOS R100 has a fixed screen, while the Canon EOS R50 has an articulating touch screen.
- The Canon EOS R100 and R50 have built in flash. They both can take external flash. The R50 however can also take digital audio, and Canon microphones.
I’ve attached links for both The Canon EOS R100 and R50 here:
The Canon EOS R100 twin lens kit:
The Canon EOS R100 & RF 18-45mm lens
The Canon EOS R50 twin lens kit:
The Canon EOS R50 & RF 18-45mm lens
The Canon EOS R50 Content Creator Kit
The Canon EOS R50 Content Creator Kit is a comprehensive package designed for content creators. It includes the Canon EOS R50 camera, which features a high-resolution AP-S C sensor and advanced autofocus system, making it ideal for both photography and videography. The kit also includes a versatile RF 18-45mm f4.5-6.3 IS STM lens, the Canon HG-100 TBR tripod grip, and a 32GB SD card. This all-in-one bundle provides everything needed to start creating high-quality content right out of the box.
The Canon EOS R50 Content Creator Kit
Ready to turn your creative vision into cinematic reality? The Canon EOS R50 V is your all-in-one content creation powerhouse — designed for vloggers, streamers, and storytellers who want professional results without the hassle.
Shoot gorgeous 6K oversampled 4K video at 60p, get crystal-clear audio with the Canon stereo mic, and zoom like a pro with the ultra-wide RF-S 14–30mm power zoom lens. Whether you're filming in a studio, your bedroom, or out exploring Galway’s streets — this kit delivers smooth, stabilised, high-quality footage, every time.
Flip-screen + front record button = perfect for solo creators
Dual Pixel Autofocus with Eye Tracking = always sharp
DM-E100 mic = clean audio with no background fuss
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, & USB-C = instant streaming & sharing
Lightweight + tripod grip = made for creators on the move
THE CANON EOS 2000D
This comes in a kit with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS lens, a camera bag, a 16GB SD card, and a half day training course online run by Canon with a professional photographer.
The 2000D shoots in Full HD video, has a fixed screen, has wi-fi and Bluetooth, built in flash as well as a shoe to take an external flash. Its autofocus can also fix on moving objects.
The Canon EOS 2000D camera kit has everything you need to get you started and is fantastic value for money as this is the only slr camera that comes complete with a bag and SD card.
The 2000D kit is a great option for a beginner looking to get into more serious photography. I’ve attached a link here with full details of this camera
We hope this blog has been of some help. If you have any further queries then feel free to contact us on our websites contact page or call into us in Galway.
Have a merry Christmas from the Galway camera shop.
