Can you recommend an entry-level DSLR for me?

[Cass234]

Hi everyone!

I am looking to get into photography and wondering which camera you would recommend for me? I am an absolute beginner but very eager to learn. My main need in a camera: excellent image quality. I won't likely be making any videos with the camera, so that isn't a priority. I will mostly be taking nature and pet photography, maybe some portraits. Some night photography. Some indoors, some outdoors. Some motion shots as well, so a camera with a shutter speed that will allow me to take good pictures of objects in motion is a must.

I was looking at the Nikon D3100, the Canon Rebel T1i and the Canon Rebel XS since these are in my budget of $600 (body + lens). Of these, which would you recommend for me? I understand many of the things I am looking for depend on the lens; so is there a certain lenses I should buy as well? I'm so new to the world of photography and have no idea what I might need!

I know this is all kind of vague since I don't know how to use photography terminology but I hope you somewhat get an idea of what I'm looking for. Any and all suggestions are welcome!

 

[nmoody]

When i was doing my research back in November it was down to the Nikon D3100 and the Canon T3. I ended up going with the D3100 and have been very happy with it. The new D3200 is out and amazing but it is a little over your budget. If you can push your budget a little, get the 3200 otherwise I say go for the D3100.

 

[unpopular]

How do people feel about going towered an older mid-range model? Many of these entry level cameras really aren't that great, and I am thinking that for a similar price you'd get similar features but a much better built camera.

 

[belial]

Copied from another thread just a couple rows down but I think it's sound advice

WIth a $600 budget, I think you'd be best off to get one of the Canon entry-level cameras. Which one is it, the T3, that's only $399 for the body??? I looked at it the other day at Fry's, and thought it was small,light, and pretty decent for the price. I have big hands, with long, slender fingers, and for MY own personal hand size, it felt tiny...too tiny...but, by the same token, it was also SUPER-compact and would be no problem at all to carry all day long...but yeah, the low-cost Canon T-series model + 18-55 or 18-135 zoom would be my idea of a good $600 entry to the d-slr game.

My basic advice has long been, "Just pull the trigger. Just simply BUY ONE, read the fine manual it is supplied with (RTFM), and then go straight to using and enjoying it" Do not worry too much about making the right decision. Buy whatever feels and handles well, and falls within your budget! Don't stress out on it too much.

I like what derrel says about just getting one and start shooting. Get one in your price range. None of the entry level cameras are bad.

 

[belial]

Another piece of advice is research the camera you get right away. When I got my t1i (which serves me well enough) I purchased several books on it and lens concepts before the camera had even shipped. This turned out to be a good decision as by the time I took it out to shoot I already had a very good understanding of what the camera could do. Even though I came from mainly shooting on auto with a Sony point and soot I was able to use auto and different metering and exposure modes the very first day and have never used my cameras full auto feature in the slightest.

I would recommend David bucsh's books. He has manuals on most cameras by canon and Nikon. Much better than the manufacturers manual because instead of just telling you how to access features it explains what the features do and when and why you would use them.

 

[OLDSKEWL]

Now that the D3200 is out there are some great deals to be snagged on a D3100. I would scoop one of those. Right in your budget.

 

[belial]

My actual advice for your range is pick up the t3. You can find them as cheap as $400 if you're lucky. Then go ahead and get either the 50 mm 1.8 or the 55-250. Both are decent starter lenses. Whatever you get I'd go ahead and pick up the kit lens. Though if you get canon make sure you're getting the 18-55 IS and not the non IS model as it was a pretty bad lens.

 

[jrizal]

Actually all models are good entry level models. Given your budget, the d3100 seems to fit your budget. Also, the price of the T2i is dropping. You may want to consider that too. Though I have a Nikon d3100, I am still more inclined to recommend Canon as a system to newbies like me with a limited budget. In general these two brands are equal in performance and quality. And let's not get into a religious debate on which is actually better because in any case you cannot go wrong with any of the two. It is so as since entry level Nikon models do not have in-body focusing motors thereby making lenses more expensive. But that's just me. Also I would suggest you also go to sites such as snapsort.com as these sites give a head-on comparison of these models. And f possible, go to your local camera shop and get an actual feel of the product.

 

[FiveAlarmPhotography]

I use the Nikon D3100 and I love it. I also have the 18-55 and 55-200mm lens. I think the D3100 is a good idea.

 

[jrizal]

@oldskewl The best deal for the D3100 AFAIK is the one from Costco. Body + 18-55mm lens, 55-200mm lens, camera bag with 2 instructional DVDs and a 4GB class 10 SDHC. Got mine before the D3200 came out. The price hasn't gone down since though others retailers are selling at the same price minus the bag, DVDs and card.

 

[belial]

Have to love how everyone is pushing toward their camera brand here. I'd try to find a model with mirror lockup if you can. Not sure if the t3 has it but I'm pretty sure the Nikon d3000-3100 do not. Mirror lockup came in handy when the super moon event happened

 

[StandingBear1983]

Personally i would investigate enough about both camera brands before i go to the shop, the basics, what are there features and what they can and cannot do for your needs, you don't have to understand everything right away, though learn what the different specifications mean, that you can know more or less stuff and the salesmen can't scam you into buying something you don't need\want.

Hold both brands in your hand and decide for yourself. generally speaking, any of them will be more then enough, if your low in cash, by the older generation (D3100,T3i), but if you want to most out of your money its recommended to buy the newest possible (D3200,T4i [which will come out sooon]).

Because it will last longer, and you want to use your money to the max potencial you can get for it today...plus you get better image quality from the advance of technology of new sensors (something like computers, to simplify it)...it true that one can shoot great pictures also with a 5 year old camera...but buying today a 5 year old camera might restrict what you can do compared to the new cameras at almost the same price (were talking 100$ bucks here+-), if 100$ bucks for you is a big deal, don't get into photography just kidding .

 

[DiskoJoe]

@oldskewl The best deal for the D3100 AFAIK is the one from Costco. Body + 18-55mm lens, 55-200mm lens, camera bag with 2 instructional DVDs and a 4GB class 10 SDHC. Got mine before the D3200 came out. The price hasn't gone down since though others retailers are selling at the same price minus the bag, DVDs and card.

I saw this one day. It was a pretty decent deal for a beginner kit.

 

[jrizal]

Just saw that the T2i with kit lens is selling for $499 for a limited time while doing my errands today in my local Target. It's worth looking at since it's better than the T3 and sells at the same price.

 

[belial]

Personally i would investigate enough about both camera brands before i go to the shop, the basics, what are there features and what they can and cannot do for your needs, you don't have to understand everything right away, though learn what the different specifications mean, that you can know more or less stuff and the salesmen can't scam you into buying something you don't need\want.

Hold both brands in your hand and decide for yourself. generally speaking, any of them will be more then enough, if your low in cash, by the older generation (D3100,T3i), but if you want to most out of your money its recommended to buy the newest possible (D3200,T4i [which will come out sooon]).

Because it will last longer, and you want to use your money to the max potencial you can get for it today...plus you get better image quality from the advance of technology of new sensors (something like computers, to simplify it)...it true that one can shoot great pictures also with a 5 year old camera...but buying today a 5 year old camera might restrict what you can do compared to the new cameras at almost the same price (were talking 100$ bucks here+-), if 100$ bucks for you is a big deal, don't get into photography just kidding .

Please explain to me how a brand new t4i or d3200 will last longer than a brand new t3 or t2i and a 3100.