Im looking into heading into the DSLR range, at the moment i just have a good ol' point and shoot! so i guess im looking for just an entry level dslr, that would grow with me as my skills did. and i know that there is a wealth of informative people on here, so i thought i should ask!
id like to have a range of possibilies for what i can do with the camera... things like close ups and portraits as well as landscapes!
now i know there is the classic canon vs nikon... so far ive had both canon and nikon p&s (naughty i know) and i didnt have any problems with either... so i guess id be happy to go either way!
i have been looking around and found that i could get a nikon d3100 with a 18-55mm and a 55-200mm for AU$1000 and i thought that was pretty good... but i was wondering what people on here thought... like if you can tell me if this is a good camera and worth it.. or point me in the right direction!! i was thinking of sticking around this kind of price range though!
its so hard to decide to any help would be fantastic!!
You're on the right track. Any product from Nikon or Canon is going to be good. Even the most basic DSLR from either of those (and some other brands as well) is better than the top-of-the-line camera bodies of less than five years ago, in regards to image quality and features.
Choose what you like the feel of best. You're buying into a camera system - not just a camera. Check lenses and such as well - if the camera you like in your hands has the features and lenses and other accessories you want to get later, you're good to go.
@jardika Hi, I am in the same position and been having the same sort of discussions... I have finally chosen the Nikon D3100 as it seems to (just slightly) lean more in the direction I would like and fractionally better for a beginner. I'm hoping to pick it up tomorrow and am SO excited! Good luck making a choice =D
Personally, for DSLR I have switched from Canon system to Nikon a few years ago because I liked their digital bodies more than Canon at the time. I recently switched back to Canon because it is easier to find Canon gear (both used and new) in my country. Availability of lenses is also an important factor as you will likely need to add more lenses down the road.
@jinximages well thankyou. its good to hear that i am heading on the right track! and that is very true about the quality... so thankyou for your advice.. ill go check out some lense and such! @loopy12 hi! wow its great to hear that someone is in the same position! so youve gone with the nikon d3100..? what else were you considering..? good luck! have fun with it tomorrow! how exciting!! @viranod oh okay so you ave been through both..? was there anything you particularly did or didnt like about either...? @moncooga looks like a great camera in the photo! thanks for the link!! and interesting perspective on it all!
For Nikon, I just wish they have all the new nano lenses available, and the prices cheaper. Older Nikon lenses are a bit noisy while operate autofocus.
For Canon, just that 5Dmk2 has faster/better autofocus, and high ISO capability like 3Ds
The rest is fine. I like both systems. You can't go wrong with either Nikon or Canon.
The Nikon D3100 uses the same lense system as the D5000 (which I have). The camera itself doesn't have a built-in autofocus motor, so you have to pay a bit more for the lenses that have the motor built in. However, you would be paying a lot more for a body with the autofocus motor (e.g. D90). It's something to consider. However, if you're happy to manual focus, then it makes little difference. I have two AF lenses which I can't autofocus and it just takes a little more playing to get it right. You'll need AF-S lenses to get it right.
Also, consider the features and capabilities of the D3100 and ask yourself if you'll still be happy with it in 3+ years time when you're more capable. If not, it might be worth saving a bit longer to get a slightly higher model. That's why I went for the D5000.
@viranod well thankyou for your experience and insight... its great to hear from someone who has experienced both! @wormentude oh okay thankyou for all that information... ill definately take that into consideration. good advice :) so you have been happy with the D5000? and you chose that over the D3100?
Yeah, I did. I was torn between the D5000 and D90, but wasn't told about the autofocus motors until after. Got told there wasn't really a difference. Still happy with D5000 though.
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Choose what you like the feel of best. You're buying into a camera system - not just a camera. Check lenses and such as well - if the camera you like in your hands has the features and lenses and other accessories you want to get later, you're good to go.
http://365project.org/moncooga/365/2011-01-27
@loopy12 hi! wow its great to hear that someone is in the same position! so youve gone with the nikon d3100..? what else were you considering..? good luck! have fun with it tomorrow! how exciting!!
@viranod oh okay so you ave been through both..? was there anything you particularly did or didnt like about either...?
@moncooga looks like a great camera in the photo! thanks for the link!! and interesting perspective on it all!
Things I don't like..
For Nikon, I just wish they have all the new nano lenses available, and the prices cheaper. Older Nikon lenses are a bit noisy while operate autofocus.
For Canon, just that 5Dmk2 has faster/better autofocus, and high ISO capability like 3Ds
The rest is fine. I like both systems. You can't go wrong with either Nikon or Canon.
@wormentude oh okay thankyou for all that information... ill definately take that into consideration. good advice :) so you have been happy with the D5000? and you chose that over the D3100?