$500 to spend, buying a camera HELP ME DECIDE.

[AnimalLover]

Hey, Everyone! I have the choice of two camera's and I'd love some help deciding.

Canon Rebel T3 or Nikon D3100?

 

[goodguy]

Hi

I assume you want the best camera for the money so I recommend not to get either but go for the Nikon D3200
The T3 and D3100 are too basic and not very impressive in low light.
The D3200 on the other hand is a completly modern camera, 24MP, good in low light and all together a great beginers DSLR.
At the moment it goes for 499$ with its kit lens 18-55mm and I am sure as we get closer to Christmes you will be able to find even a better deal.
So my advise get the D3200, you will not be sorry you are getting it over the other two!!!

 

[robbins.photo]

Of the two choices you've listed the T3I would probably be the slightly better option than the D3100, however as goodguy mentioned there are probably better options available in the price range you've listed. The D3200 he mentioned would be a better choice than the T3I, the other recommendation I would make would be to take a look at the Nikon D5100. For an all around camera in that price range it's pretty hard to beat.

Refurbished Nikon D5100 16.2 MP DX-Format DSLR Camera Body - Refurbished 25476 B

That's a listing for a refurbished model, body only - so you'd need to purchase a lens as well but you could do so and still remain in your budget.

 

[Braineack]

I'd go to at least a D5100, D5200, D5300 or D3200.

 

[goodguy]

Of the two choices you've listed the T3I would probably be the slightly better option than the D3100, however as goodguy mentioned there are probably better options available in the price range you've listed. The D3200 he mentioned would be a better choice than the T3I, the other recommendation I would make would be to take a look at the Nikon D5100. For an all around camera in that price range it's pretty hard to beat.

Refurbished Nikon D5100 16.2 MP DX-Format DSLR Camera Body - Refurbished 25476 B

That's a listing for a refurbished model, body only - so you'd need to purchase a lens as well but you could do so and still remain in your budget.

The D5100 is indeed also a good camera.
BTW I believe the question was about T3 and not T3i which is a different camera.
But I would still get the D3200 or D5100 over the T3i or T3

I'd go to at least a D5100, D5200, D5300 or D3200.

I believe the D5200 and D5300 will be out of his price range, in his price range the D3200 or D5100 are the only other options.

 

[robbins.photo]

Of the two choices you've listed the T3I would probably be the slightly better option than the D3100, however as goodguy mentioned there are probably better options available in the price range you've listed. The D3200 he mentioned would be a better choice than the T3I, the other recommendation I would make would be to take a look at the Nikon D5100. For an all around camera in that price range it's pretty hard to beat.

Refurbished Nikon D5100 16.2 MP DX-Format DSLR Camera Body - Refurbished 25476 B

That's a listing for a refurbished model, body only - so you'd need to purchase a lens as well but you could do so and still remain in your budget.

The D5100 is indeed also a good camera.
BTW I believe the question was about T3 and not T3i which is a different camera.
But I would still get the D3200 or D5100 over the T3i or T3

I'd go to at least a D5100, D5200, D5300 or D3200.

I believe the D5200 and D5300 will be out of his price range, in his price range the D3200 or D5100 are the only other options.

Going back for a second look your right, he did list the T3 rather than the T3I - So I guess in that case I'd have to alter my original posting and say if your looking at a D3100 vrs a T3, the D3100 wins hands down.

 

[Solarflare]

Canon vs Nikon:

Its always the same procedure:

1. Get into a good shop
2. Pick both of these cameras up, look at them, check them out
3. Whichever camera makes you want to shoot pictures more, take it. Ergonomics are IMPORTANT and Canon/Nikon follow different philosophies
4. As a beginner, just take the cheap kit lens until you know what you really need
5. Next thing you want is probably a flash because the on camera ones are both low powered and cannot be bounced (turned to reflect on some larger surface, so the light is more evenly distributed and doesnt hit the subject from the front), so they tend to look kind of ugly

Personally I prefer the D5100 or D5200 over the D3100/D3200, because the former have a nice flipscreen which is an uber nice feature to have - you can flip the monitor around and protect it and not use it at all (which I do most of the time), and you can photograph from unusual angles much more easily.

 

[Braineack]

Beyond that the screen in the d3100 really stinks.

 

[goodguy]

Of the two choices you've listed the T3I would probably be the slightly better option than the D3100, however as goodguy mentioned there are probably better options available in the price range you've listed. The D3200 he mentioned would be a better choice than the T3I, the other recommendation I would make would be to take a look at the Nikon D5100. For an all around camera in that price range it's pretty hard to beat.

Refurbished Nikon D5100 16.2 MP DX-Format DSLR Camera Body - Refurbished 25476 B

That's a listing for a refurbished model, body only - so you'd need to purchase a lens as well but you could do so and still remain in your budget.

The D5100 is indeed also a good camera.
BTW I believe the question was about T3 and not T3i which is a different camera.
But I would still get the D3200 or D5100 over the T3i or T3

I'd go to at least a D5100, D5200, D5300 or D3200.

I believe the D5200 and D5300 will be out of his price range, in his price range the D3200 or D5100 are the only other options.

Going back for a second look your right, he did list the T3 rather than the T3I - So I guess in that case I'd have to alter my original posting and say if your looking at a D3100 vrs a T3, the D3100 wins hands down.

If forced to choose only from these 2 only then I agree, the D3100 is the better of the two but as mentioned for the money there are other better choices like the D3200 and D5100.

 

[KmH]

Between the T3 and the D3100 I would also recommend the D3100.
Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens

The T3 does not have Spot metering mode, nor does it have color-aware light metering like the D3100 has.
The D3100 has 2 stops more auto focus range, and has 11 focus points (1 cross type) to the T3's 9 regular focus points.
The D3100's built-in flash unit is a bit more powerful than the T3's flash unit.
The D3100 offers 4 stops of flash compensation, the T3 only offers 2 stops.
The D3100 offers 1080 and 720 video, the T3 only offers 720 video.

 

[ronlane]

What are your intents with photography? If you are just wanting it for fun and don't ever plan on taking it really serious, I would say the the above suggestions are totally accurate.

But, if you are planning on becoming really serious about it, I would suggest waiting and saving money for the D5200 or 60D or even higher models.

I second the suggestion to go to a camera store and try out some of the models. Find out what feels best to and will meet your needs.

 

[KmH]

I disagree with waiting, I also disagree that 'feel' is a consideration worthy of adding to the decision making process.

The more expensive cameras mentioned are all still entry-level cameras that don't have only incrementally more performance.

You do not yet know if photography will be an ongoing hobby for you. Many discover that making high quality photographs is A LOT more involved, both technically and artistically, than they first suspected.
The T3 and D3100 both are capable of making high quality photographs, if the photographer has the knowledge and skill to use the cameras at their full potential.

 

[robbins.photo]

What are your intents with photography? If you are just wanting it for fun and don't ever plan on taking it really serious, I would say the the above suggestions are totally accurate.

But, if you are planning on becoming really serious about it, I would suggest waiting and saving money for the D5200 or 60D or even higher models.

I second the suggestion to go to a camera store and try out some of the models. Find out what feels best to and will meet your needs.

Ok, well I don't disagree that it's probably a good idea to actually try out a few camera's as opposed to purchasing based soley on what some nameless faceless person over the internet tells you, I have to be honest - I mean it may just be me but I don't really find a lot of difference in ergonomics when handling a Canon vrs handling a Nikon. Don't get me wrong I'm sure they are subtle differences, but maybe they are just too subtle for me to pick up on. The menu systems are certainly different but I don't really find one "superior" to the other in any appreciable fashion, I mean I have a slight preference for the Nikon menu but that's almost all attributable to the fact that I'm more used to the Nikon menu since I've used it more.

As to the D5200 vrs D5100, when I purchased my first DSLR after a long hiatus from photography it was the D5100 - and if I had to do it all over again I'd still probably opt for the 5100. As far as bang for your buck she's hard to beat, the 5200 of course has the higher resolution and a better autofocusing system - but really other than that the two are pretty comparable. When I bought mine a couple of months ago the differences in price were averaging around $200-$250 used which was a pretty good chunk of change towards the 70-300mm nikor zoom I wanted to purchase at the time as well, so the 5100 pretty much fit my budget perfectly.

Eventually sure I'll upgrade, but when I do it will most likely be to the D7100, I did look at the D5300 and while the built in wireless and GPS thing would be nice I think the D7100 is probably a better upgrade path at least for me personally. Just my 2 cents worth of course, YMMV.

 

[ronlane]

I disagree with waiting, I also disagree that 'feel' is a consideration worthy of adding to the decision making process.

The more expensive cameras mentioned are all still entry-level cameras that don't have only incrementally more performance.

You do not yet know if photography will be an ongoing hobby for you. Many discover that making high quality photographs is A LOT more involved, both technically and artistically, than they first suspected.
The T3 and D3100 both are capable of making high quality photographs, if the photographer has the knowledge and skill to use the cameras at their full potential.

I was speaking from my personal experience. I wished that I would have waited, on the purchase of my T3i. If I had waited, I would have purchased a 7D instead and wouldn't be fighting some of my frustrations. I knew when I got mine, I wanted to be more serious with my photos and wanted to learn and put in the effort that is a LOT more involved.

Obviously, we don't have enough information from the OP to say which way is the best way to go (buy now vs wait). The one positive about buying now is that you have a dslr in your hands and can start learning how to use it and take advantage it has over camera phones and P&S's.

 

[AnimalLover]

Hi

I assume you want the best camera for the money so I recommend not to get either but go for the Nikon D3200
The T3 and D3100 are too basic and not very impressive in low light.
The D3200 on the other hand is a completly modern camera, 24MP, good in low light and all together a great beginers DSLR.
At the moment it goes for 499$ with its kit lens 18-55mm and I am sure as we get closer to Christmes you will be able to find even a better deal.
So my advise get the D3200, you will not be sorry you are getting it over the other two!!!

I really want it but it's like $750 (locally)