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

[robbins.photo]

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)

Well the D5100 is certainly worth a look, especially if you don't mind used or refurbished equipment. If you'd like to see some sample images you can check out my flickr account below (click on the red text in the signature, it will take you right to it) - it will give you at least some idea as to what sort of image quality the D5100 is capable of - I use it and find it to be a great camera especially when you consider features vrs price.

 

[AnimalLover]

I was wrong... The D3200 is $550 brand new. Still out of my $500 price range. My entire paycheck is $450 and I'm borrowing the other $50 so I can't really go over that.

 

[robbins.photo]

I was wrong... The D3200 is $550 brand new. Still out of my $500 price range. My entire paycheck is $450 and I'm borrowing the other $50 so I can't really go over that.

Used Nikon D5100 Digital SLR Camera With 18-55mm 25478 B&H Photo

You wouldn't even need to borrow the extra $50.

 

[BS87]

I was wrong... The D3200 is $550 brand new. Still out of my $500 price range. My entire paycheck is $450 and I'm borrowing the other $50 so I can't really go over that.

Bestbuy, Target, and Walmart all all having Black Friday deals on the D3200 I believe. These deals should bring it within your price range if you have decided on the D3200

 

[bullock1692]

I was wrong... The D3200 is $550 brand new. Still out of my $500 price range. My entire paycheck is $450 and I'm borrowing the other $50 so I can't really go over that.

Used Nikon D5100 Digital SLR Camera With 18-55mm 25478 B&H Photo

You wouldn't even need to borrow the extra $50.

This is one heck of a deal. After having my D5100 for six months now, I would highly recommend it over the 3200. Heck, I already want to upgrade to full-frame, so I would highly encourage aiming for the D5100 minimum.

 

[goodguy]

I was wrong... The D3200 is $550 brand new. Still out of my $500 price range. My entire paycheck is $450 and I'm borrowing the other $50 so I can't really go over that.

Used Nikon D5100 Digital SLR Camera With 18-55mm 25478 B&H Photo

You wouldn't even need to borrow the extra $50.

I would go for a refurbished D5100 in a heart beat over the D3100 or T3.
Also I think the closer you get to Christmes the better the deals will be and I am sure you will be able to get a better deal on the D3200 and D5100.
I would try my best to get these cameras and not the D3100 ot T3 but as I said if you have no other choice then the D3100 is definitly the better of the two.

 

[goodguy]

Another option is get the D3200 BODY ONLY and then get the 18-55mm kit lens used, these go for around 70$ used and maybe even less.
I wouldnt be afraid at buying used lenses, look at the list bellow of my equipment, ALL these lenses I bought used either though ebay or kijiji.
I dont own a single new lenses, all used!!!
D3200 body only cost 400$ so I think this is very doable!

 

[Fox_Racing_Guy]

$499 [h=1]Black Friday Only! Nikon Black D5100 16.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm and 55-200mm Lenses[/h]Black Friday Only! Nikon Black D5100 16.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm and 55-200mm Lenses: Digital Cameras : Walmart.com

 

[goodguy]

$499 Black Friday Only! Nikon Black D5100 16.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm and 55-200mm Lenses

Black Friday Only! Nikon Black D5100 16.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm and 55-200mm Lenses: Digital Cameras : Walmart.com

This is a killer deal!!!

 

[AnimalLover]

I'm going to try to get the d5100 from Walmart. quick question, though!! This is all expensive for me, being someone who makes min wage.. About 80-90% of the filming and photography I take will be on a skate board, following other skates... Even the best of skaters in the world fall.... What happens if I fall with it in my hands and it breaks??

 

[hamlet]

I'm going to try to get the d5100 from Walmart. quick question, though!! This is all expensive for me, being someone who makes min wage.. About 80-90% of the filming and photography I take will be on a skate board, following other skates... Even the best of skaters in the world fall.... What happens if I fall with it in my hands and it breaks??

These things aren't really meant for that type of thing. What you need is a phone camera or a mirrorless camera padded with a rubber suit. Even then there is a chance it will break, but you have to factor this in going into it. But if i were a betting man, i would bet on that dslr will break for sure.

 

[goodguy]

I'm going to try to get the d5100 from Walmart. quick question, though!! This is all expensive for me, being someone who makes min wage.. About 80-90% of the filming and photography I take will be on a skate board, following other skates... Even the best of skaters in the world fall.... What happens if I fall with it in my hands and it breaks??

Getting on a skate board with a DSLR, oooohhhh sounds like you should stick to cell phones as camera.
DLSR is a big and heavy equipment and quite sensitive, I would never get to a situation where I know I have a good chance I will drop my beloved camera, drop it and break it, skate board sounds like a great way to break you camera 5 minutes after you will get it.

 

[robbins.photo]

I'm going to try to get the d5100 from Walmart. quick question, though!! This is all expensive for me, being someone who makes min wage.. About 80-90% of the filming and photography I take will be on a skate board, following other skates... Even the best of skaters in the world fall.... What happens if I fall with it in my hands and it breaks??

If you are going to be filming on a skateboard a DSLR should probably be your last choice. They make all sorts of little cameras you can attach to headsets and such - the image quality is usually iffy at best but they do work. There's also the trusty cell phone camera. A DSLR is not really designed to be banged around and dropped occasionally - and while you might get lucky a time or two odds are good you'll end up fallling damaging the camera if you try to take it on a skateboard with you.

So in answer to your question what happens if it falls and breaks, well then your out $500. Very few warranties cover "accidental damage", most only cover manufacturer defects or "normal" wear and tear. This would not fall into those categories, and even most "accidental damage" plans are only going to cover breakage if it occurs during what they would consider "normal use" - so even most accidental damage plans won't cover "Well, I was on my skateboard"....

 

[AnimalLover]

I went with something else. I put $80 down on a JVC 3CCD and I'm putting the rest ($205) down tomorrow.

 

[lurry]

Sony RX100 is really nice