Beginer Camera DSLR Purchase Questions

[ryanb4614]

I know there are probably once a day on here. But I am stuck I have read a ton of reviews and everyone recommends a different camera depending on what website I am on. I am just starting out. I am very good with photoshop if photos need to be edited but would prefer not enhancing the colors on all photos.
I have looked at the Pentax K30, Nixon K3200 and 5200, Sony A58 A65..... Which would you recommend I would like to stay under $500 willing to by used.

Not worried about video at all.
I like when colors pop, good low light camera, good resolution. My friend has a Sony A55 her pictures are awesome that she takes.

 

[TCampbell]

No ding on Pentax or Sony... and I have no bias here (I shoot with Canon) -- but given those choices above, I'd probably look more closely at the Nikon bodies.

When you buy a point & shoot camera, the camera is, for the most part, self-contained with little to no accessories. When you buy a DSLR, the camera is the foundation of a larger camera "system" of lenses, flashes, and many other accessories (and since these are digital, the software is part of the "system" as well.)

When you buy a Nikon, you're going to enjoy _very_ broad product support... not just from Nikon, but from a vast array of 3rd party vendors. If anyone makes a product to support some brand-name camera, then Nikon is on that list. Canon and Nikon are broadly supported.

The Nikon D3xxx series are their more basic entry-level bodies. The Nikon D5xxx series are their higher end entry-level bodies.

Apart from that, it's fairly hard to buy a "bad" DSLR these days. It's more shades of how good they are. You can nit-pick over features and find fractional differences. The technology has come a long way.

 

[Designer]

Welcome!

I just did a quick search on B&H. Other national retailers will have similar deals.

You can get the Nikon D3200 with just one lens for your budget, but if you could stretch it another $100, you can get a second lens.

The D5200 seems to be out of your price range, but you might be able to find a D5100 on clearance someplace.

Or as you wrote; find a used camera and lens combo. Good luck!

 

[mrs.hankIII]

No ding on Pentax or Sony... and I have no bias here (I shoot with Canon) -- but given those choices above, I'd probably look more closely at the Nikon bodies.

When you buy a point & shoot camera, the camera is, for the most part, self-contained with little to no accessories. When you buy a DSLR, the camera is the foundation of a larger camera "system" of lenses, flashes, and many other accessories (and since these are digital, the software is part of the "system" as well.)

When you buy a Nikon, you're going to enjoy _very_ broad product support... not just from Nikon, but from a vast array of 3rd party vendors. If anyone makes a product to support some brand-name camera, then Nikon is on that list. Canon and Nikon are broadly supported.

The Nikon D3xxx series are their more basic entry-level bodies. The Nikon D5xxx series are their higher end entry-level bodies.

Apart from that, it's fairly hard to buy a "bad" DSLR these days. It's more shades of how good they are. You can nit-pick over features and find fractional differences. The technology has come a long way.

This. Buy the body based off of what lenses you can get for the price you want to pay. Canon and Nikon are very broad range, as stated. Sigma and Tamron both make lenses compatible with Canon and Nikon.

If you can, go to stores where you can actually handle the camera body. I was stuck on a couple different Canons, but when I held my t3i I knew it was the camera for me. Feel it in your hands, hold it like you would for shooting pictures. None of them feel the same, in my experience.

 

[mltain]

If you don't mind Canon check here Canon Direct Store - Buy Canon Cameras, Lenses & Flashes, Printers & All-In-Ones, Camcorders, Binoculars, Projectors, Scanners, Copiers & Fax, Calculators, Ink, Paper & Toner, Accessories, Build-Your-Bundle, they have pretty good deals on refurbished cameras and lenses.

 

[goodguy]

If you can afford it then go for the Nikon D5200 and if its above your budget then go for the Nikon D3200

 

[Solarflare]

Well, I would recomment Canon or Nikon with their respective kit lens.

They are market leaders in a market with strong competition for a reason. Not only many different offers of lenses, but also overall quite high quality of lenses, compared to the competition. And, as others have pointed out, the support from secondary companies is very good. Also, theres a huge used market as well, especially for Nikon, since Nikon is very backward compatible. On the other hand, Canon is very simple - if a lens mounts, it works. Thats not always the case with Nikon.

Nikon definitely currently has an advantage with the entry level DSLRs, but the most important aspect of interchangeable lens cameras are the lenses, and the most important aspect of the rest of a camera is probably the ergonomics. Once you invested in one system, you'll probably stay there, for changing systems is quite a hassle.

 

[Mike_E]

Try KEH.com.

They judge their inventory harshly so when you see something rated at good then you are pretty certain that it will be Really good.

Stick with either the newest generation or the next to newest to combat buyer's remorse. Even two or three generations back will give you great photos -it's just that without knowing from experience that the camera is fine you'll be wondering about it.

Keh also sell referbs. These have been checked over individually by the manufacturer or someone they've contracted and are almost always a good deal.

I'm fond of Nikon but I have large hands, Canon always seemed to be a little too small to me. In any case, go to a store that has a variety and hold them all to see what feels best to you. This is important because if it doesn't feel quite right then you will tend to find excuses to leave it behind and waste your money.

good luck and good shooting