D5500, D7200 or D610?

[Meadows]

Hi, I'm new to the forums. I’ve been using a Canon T3 for several years now. It was a gift and sparked my love for taking photos, but it’s definitely time for an upgrade.

I’ll admit, I pretty much exclusively shoot on auto or a preset camera mode. I have very limited knowledge of ISO, aperture, etc., so I rarely change those settings myself. I let the camera do all the work.

I realize there’s only so good of a shot one can get on auto, but I really do appreciate a bright, sharp photo and would like to invest in a nice dslr and lens. I’d like to eventually self-teach myself to shoot manually, so it’s something I plan to grow into. For now though I’m looking for something that will give me the very best image quality possible on auto and preset camera modes. I don’t take very many action shots and most of my shots are outdoors, but I’d like something that performs good in low light, as that’s the most frustrating thing about my T3…low light shots are horrendous.

I’ve been doing some research and narrowed in on the Nikon D5500, D7200 and D610. I’ve been comparing the 3 for a couple weeks now and know the differences between them. I’m just not sure which one will best suit my needs. I really like the weight and size of the 5500 and, while not make or break options, it’s got the flip out screen and wifi. It seems to get good reviews as well. But I want to buy the best for my money, which is why I keep going back to the 7200 and 610. I feel like the 7200 is a step up with the weather proof body and possible better image quality. Or do I want to go straight to full frame with the 610. I don’t know!

I have about $1500 to spend total, so I know I’m pushing it with the 610, although I’ve found some deals online with a kit lens.

Then there’s the lens question. Do I go with a lesser body and more expensive lens, or better body/kit lens and upgrade the lens later?

I know this is an exhaustive question, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[astroNikon]

Truthfully, I recommend you learn how to use MANUAL on your current camera first.
Then you'll be able to take more precise everything.

You currently have a Canon. The lens/body is not compatible with the mentioned Nikons. So upgrading one of the other initially won't work. You'll have to buy a body and lens.

After that .. I guess .. spend as much money as possible to compensate the AUTO mode.
But I still refer you to learn how to use Manual
or at least learn how to use Shutter or Aperture priority first, then Manual later.

 

[aggavation]

It sounds to me with your experience you should go for the D7200 based on your experience. Use the extra cash to buy a great lens. Glass is where it's at. Go for f/2.8 or better on the glass.

 

[DarkShadow]

In all honesty until you learn,manual mode,aperture priority,shutter priority, exposure compensation etc etc, you have not used your gear to its full potential and there for you have not out grown your current gear. At the same time, I can see wanting newer technology and better image quality. If you don't plain to learn the camera and stick in auto modes,your totally wasting money on the D610 a little less with the D7200 or the D5500. If you plain on taking the time to learn and grow the D5500 or D7200 will suffice for most.JMHO Good luck on what ever you decide.

 

[waday]

I second others notions of keeping your current setup and learning other modes.

However, if you plan to keep shooting in auto (and don't want to use an advanced point and shoot and/or don't want to give up the DSLR and/or you only have those three options), you may want to look into the D5500.

The D5500 will offer you a low enough price point that you can get a nice lens or two, as well as have built-in wifi/smartphone compatibility to share shots instantly.

 

[astroNikon]

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[BananaRepublic]

It may be better to just do a quick online intro to photography and make sure it covers manual mode concepts rather than fork out for a new camera + lenses. Buying a Ferrari is not going to make you a better driver if you can't drive in the first place, I except that this is not your situation but Im merely making a comparison.

I have a D5100 which I have learned on, but don't know everything, and I might move up to a 610/710 maybe this year sometime but they do cost and you would really want to use it allot to justify the spend is my train of thought.

I don't know the T3 specs by comparison to the Nikons you mentioned but I doubt its as good as the 610 which is full frame camera.

 

[Braineack]

your totally wasting money on the D610 a little less with the D7200 or the D5500.

all three will still look great (or terribly bad) shooting in auto modes.

I'd suggest that the D610 would look the BEST of all three using auto modes.

 

[goodguy]

your totally wasting money on the D610 a little less with the D7200 or the D5500.

all three will still look great (or terribly bad) shooting in auto modes.

I'd suggest that the D610 would look the BEST of all three using auto modes.

All three are really good cameras, the D5500 and D7200 share same sensor so expect same image quality and low light performance, the AF on the D7200 will be a step up from both D610 and D5500 but if you dont do sports then that advantage isnt so important.

D610 will give you best image quality and much better low light performance and thats what I would recommend to you too just like "Braineack"

 

[Meadows]

Thanks so much everyone for all the replies. I beat breast cancer last year and vowed to spend more time indulging my passions...one of which is photography. My T3 is pretty uninspiring, so the new camera and lens is a gift to myself. I'm signed up for a class in the summer and have been watching some videos, so like I said, I do plan to grow into whatever I buy. However, my husband and I are doing some traveling over the next couple months and I still want the peace of mind of the best shot possible on auto while I'm learning. I'm still torn, but leaning towards the D610 based on the replies about that being the best image quality. Hopefully the technology won't be wasted on me for too much longer.

 

[goodguy]

God bless you, may you never know illness or sorrow ever again

The D610 will blow your mind away in what it can do compared to your current camera but mind you that lenses are as important if not even more and you will want to get more lenses in the future to match your style.
May I add a recommendation to add one fast prime lens for portraits and low light performance.
If really, really pressed on cash you can start with the Nikon 50mm 1.8D, I owned this lens for a while and loved it, super sharp and is great for low light.
It will do nicely portrait with blurring the background nicely even though there are other lenses that will be doing portraits better but for starters this lens will be great and it cost around 100$ new

 

[Meadows]

Thanks, goodguy! I really appreciate your kind words. And thanks too for the lens advice! I'll definitely look into that one. It sounds like a great prime lens to start with.

 

[Meadows]

I have another question about grey market imports. I'm okay with not having the Nikon warranty, but what will my options be for repairs and service? I see with B&H and Adorama you send it in to them, but what about other retailers like Ebay or smaller (reputable) websites? Regardless of whether I purchased an extended warranty from the seller it will eventually expire and need servicing at some point. I called a couple local camera shops. One said they wouldn't touch it and the other said they've had people just not offer up the info... I wanted to clarify here before I considered it. Thanks again!

 

[astroNikon]

eBay is not a vendor ... they allow individual people, or vendors to sell their equipment there.

You have to do your own research on those vendors and their support policy, and thus have to research if they actually do what they say.

You apparently can get grey market equipment serviced but from only camera places that have their own repair department .. but YOU have to check with a camera shop that has a repair department to see if they fix grey market equipment. THEN you have to hope they can fix what ever the problem is with your camera. They may have to send it in to a Nikon repair facility.

Luckily I've only bought US serial numbered equipment so I've never tested it.