I am currently looking into buying a new DSLR. I'm not wanting to spend more than $600 as it will really be an entry level camera for me. I am still looking to be able to photograph: horses, people & landscapes. I'm basically looking for a little input as to what everyone thinks is the best.
Also, are more megapixels always better? I see the Nikon D3200 with 24.2megapixels is on sale for $599.00. Is that an option.
Don't discount a used one ... I bought a used Canon 40D for under $400. It has under 3,000 shots on it. It was a backup for a pro and he just never needed it.
One of the best things that you can do, in my opinion, is go into a shop and have a play, and see which ones feel right in your hands. For example, for me, the Nikon I tried felt a bit too big in the grip, the Sony grip felt HUGE, the Canon Eos 1000D just felt wrong (can't explain it, just wrong) and the one I went for, the Canon Eos 500D felt right to me.
As I understand it, more megapixels are only good if you are intending to print really big. To print 14x11 inch, you ideally need 7 megapixels, though more megapixels are needed if you are going to be cropping. A lot of DSLR's are selling now with 18mp or more, so that's really not that big an issue. Check out this site to learn more: http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/333/do-more-megapixels-mean-better-photo-quality/
What are you wanting in a camera? Is video quality a big issue for you, are you wanting to take lots of sports photos, and hence need a fast frames per second (fps) rate? Does the layout make more sense to you on the Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc?
Once you have narrowed a couple of cameras down, read reviews of them on the internet, see which has the best reviews or common problems, etc.
You also need to consider how you are gonna grow - at some point, you will want new lenses, so take a brief look at the lenses that each maker has on offer and see where you might like to go.
I'm nowhere near a professional, and some people will undoubtedly disagree with me, but this is my opinion :) Hope you have fun looking for, buying and playing with your new camera!
@amoment heya, I got a Nikon D3200 for Christmas and absolutely love it so far! Perfect DSLR for a beginner and the macro shots I've been able to take with it have been impressive :)
@amoment Jessica, the Nikon DSLRs are all excellent, I highly recommend the D3100 - I have seen it on sale for as low as $479 recently. I have one and love it. The D3200 is a great choice, as is the D5100. All under $600 with lens.
I love my D5100 and you can find them on sale for around that price. I have been using that camera exclusively for my 365 project so if you want take a look through my album to see what it can do. Cannon makes great cameras in that price range as well. As far as more megapixels being better, that is simply not true. You can find many articles online about this issue but my recommendation would be anything over 16 is more than adequate, too much and you are just waisting space on a hard drive and eating up processing power trying to deal with huge files. Sure you can print bigger at 300dpi without having to upscale the photo with software but if you are not printing 30x40 everyday I wouldn't worry about it. Other problems come up when using these very large megapixel cameras also. I am not saying the D3200 isn't a great camera, but I think that the D5100 is better overall
I've been looking into starting DSLR's as well and what i found so far is that if you look at nikon, the starting one is the D3100/D3200. The D3200 is the newer version and what i've read so far is that its not better then the D3100 (maybe on some minor points), but just the newer model. So if you want the starter version go for the D3100 and save some money and spend that on lenses etc. If you want something with more options go for the D5100, which is the older version of the D5200 and in the same price range as the D3200. What i've also read is that the D3100/D3200 have explanation/help options because its the starter DSLR, the D5100 doesn't have that. Don't know about other brands, but hope this helps!
@amoment Hi Jessica. Cally has given the best advice. Buying a camera is very personal. It has a lot to do with how it feels in your hands as much as what you want to use it for. Talk to as many professional people as possible, you will learn so much and keep it going as a project for a while before spending the money. Cameras today are all excellent products whatever manufacturer you go for and we all have our own favourites.
I have the Nikon D3000, which I believe is the model which preceded the D3200. Feel free to take a look through some of my pictures, to get an idea of what it does...
I will say, the performance at high ISO levels is not great. (I keep mine capped at ISO 100, to avoid graining.) Other than, I've been pretty happy with it, as a camera - it was my first dSLR, and a great introduction to the breed!
While I am a Nikon Shooter and use a D90 I have to wonder is video important at all to you? If so, I would look toward Canon as they have cornered the market when it comes to video. Enjoy whatever you decide.
You cannot go wrong with Nikon or Canon I shoot with both. I also hear Sony is good. Cally had a very good point. Try them out - see what feels good in your hands. See which one has menus and controls that are easiest for you to understand. I believe Nikon's entry levels are a bit less expensive than Canons.
Be very careful if you purchase used. The processors are only good for so long so find out how many shots have been taken first, if you decide to go that way.
Hi , another D5100 user here and it was my first DSLR , With 12 months under my belt these are the pointers that you must consider in my opinion when choosing a DSLR
1) Must shoot RAW
2) Reliability, search the net for known issues on any brand / model you are considering.
3) Lens availability / price.... believe me the 18-55 that will probably come with your Body will not cover all situations. You will quickly want to expand your available options. and once you go down the road of buying extra lenses you are pretty much committing to a manufacturer, Nikon lenses won't fit Canon's and visa versa.
4) The BIG manufacturers do seem to bring out new models very quickly and your model can soon become out of date , example A bit of kit I looked at from Nikon and found it wasn't compatible with a D5100 was a WiFi unit that allowed you to control your camera from a Smart phone and send images to your Smart phone for instant uploading / emailing, Not important to a lot of people maybe but I would use that. Available on the latest D3200 and a few others. But not my D5100
4) BEWARE, once you buy a DSLR all the other gear you need and never thought about becomes Must have gear. Photography is a Bank breaker. .. I have spent as much on Editing software as I have on camera equipment. BUT it is worth it ...
Just seen your comment I am wanting to definitely be able to take sports like pix. I love race horse
I have seen comparisons between canon and Nikon where the Canon was significantly faster at focusing on moving subjects, Birds , Horses etc. Something you may want to research.
It's difficult and I wont make that decision for you. I have the D5100 ( very happy with it ) but the D3200 wasn't launched when I bought it. The tilt screen is an excellent extra that I use a lot for ground level shots. don't get bogged down with number of pixels, BUT you have all the info there, over to you. By the way there is a D5200 now
The simplest advice I can give is that Canon, Nikon or Sony will all do similar things. Sure, go into a shop and have a play, but essentially the camera is only recording what is in front of it, a great image is made by the person holding the camera! We get too obsessed by details, megapixels and brands. Don't be fooled into thinking the camera will do the hard work for you!
D5000 series is higher in usability level than D3000 series.
The D5100 will last you much longer in your growth as a photographer than any D3000/D3100/D3200 series.
The D5100 performs better in most situations that average photo-takers come across.
If I remember correctly the D3200 and D5100 have essentially the same size sensor, so the extra megs are pulled from nowhere and it's why it's not recommended for as big of prints at higher ISO's.
And unless you're printing 20x30+ photos, even 10 megs is good enough.
SUMMARY: Try Snapsort.com to compare cameras. It has any information you could possibly need.
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And I have only read good things regarding the 3200 as an entry level, but I haven't used one so couldn't comment
As I understand it, more megapixels are only good if you are intending to print really big. To print 14x11 inch, you ideally need 7 megapixels, though more megapixels are needed if you are going to be cropping. A lot of DSLR's are selling now with 18mp or more, so that's really not that big an issue. Check out this site to learn more: http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/333/do-more-megapixels-mean-better-photo-quality/
What are you wanting in a camera? Is video quality a big issue for you, are you wanting to take lots of sports photos, and hence need a fast frames per second (fps) rate? Does the layout make more sense to you on the Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc?
Once you have narrowed a couple of cameras down, read reviews of them on the internet, see which has the best reviews or common problems, etc.
You also need to consider how you are gonna grow - at some point, you will want new lenses, so take a brief look at the lenses that each maker has on offer and see where you might like to go.
I'm nowhere near a professional, and some people will undoubtedly disagree with me, but this is my opinion :) Hope you have fun looking for, buying and playing with your new camera!
I want to grow more into photographing people.
I will say, the performance at high ISO levels is not great. (I keep mine capped at ISO 100, to avoid graining.) Other than, I've been pretty happy with it, as a camera - it was my first dSLR, and a great introduction to the breed!
Be very careful if you purchase used. The processors are only good for so long so find out how many shots have been taken first, if you decide to go that way.
1) Must shoot RAW
2) Reliability, search the net for known issues on any brand / model you are considering.
3) Lens availability / price.... believe me the 18-55 that will probably come with your Body will not cover all situations. You will quickly want to expand your available options. and once you go down the road of buying extra lenses you are pretty much committing to a manufacturer, Nikon lenses won't fit Canon's and visa versa.
4) The BIG manufacturers do seem to bring out new models very quickly and your model can soon become out of date , example A bit of kit I looked at from Nikon and found it wasn't compatible with a D5100 was a WiFi unit that allowed you to control your camera from a Smart phone and send images to your Smart phone for instant uploading / emailing, Not important to a lot of people maybe but I would use that. Available on the latest D3200 and a few others. But not my D5100
4) BEWARE, once you buy a DSLR all the other gear you need and never thought about becomes Must have gear. Photography is a Bank breaker. .. I have spent as much on Editing software as I have on camera equipment. BUT it is worth it ...
Just seen your comment I am wanting to definitely be able to take sports like pix. I love race horse
I have seen comparisons between canon and Nikon where the Canon was significantly faster at focusing on moving subjects, Birds , Horses etc. Something you may want to research.
Could anyone specifically point out what the differences are between the d3200 and 5100?
http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/digital-cameras/91051-focusing-speed-entry-level-dslrs-canon-vs-nikon.html
So, Hugh...if were you..which would you purchase?
Have a go at this, http://www.toptenreviews.com/configurator/digital-cameras/professional-dslr/
I answered all the questions and it told me I should buy a Canon EOS 1D X
It's only $7000 ....
I've even considered the Nikon D3100 but I'm not sure if 14 megapixels is enough for doing what I do.
The D5100 will last you much longer in your growth as a photographer than any D3000/D3100/D3200 series.
The D5100 performs better in most situations that average photo-takers come across.
If I remember correctly the D3200 and D5100 have essentially the same size sensor, so the extra megs are pulled from nowhere and it's why it's not recommended for as big of prints at higher ISO's.
And unless you're printing 20x30+ photos, even 10 megs is good enough.
SUMMARY: Try Snapsort.com to compare cameras. It has any information you could possibly need.