DSLR to buy?

[rave_gaurav]

Hi

I have to gift a DSLR to my friend - he is a newbie with DSLR.

Which one should I buy - Nikon or Cannon and which model?

I own a Nikon 3200 with 18-55 lens - guess this is outdated hence thought seeking advice from the experts.

Please suggest.

Regards

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[sashbar]

Both Nikon and Canon are good, but Nikon is slightly ahead these days thanks to its superior sensor.
And if you are close friends, both having a Nikon, you will be able to borrow each other's lenses (if you buy more lenses, of course) or a flash or whatever accessories you will own in the future ( and you will avoid this inevitable Nikon vs Canon comparisons and arguments).
I do not think your D3200 is outdated, it lacks some insignificant (I.e. having more marketing than practical value) features of later models, but the basic image quality and main functions are still up there with the latest gear, in my opinion.
As for the model - any D3xxx or D5xxx will do depending on your budget.

 

[nerwin]

I wish my friends would gift me a DSLR. haha.

The D3200 or D3300 are great cameras for a newbie. Very simple and easy to learn. There are also a lot of tuts available on YouTube to help you get started.

If your friend prefer to shoot video more than photos, then the D5200/D5300 would be ideal.

 

[goodguy]

D3200 is still a very good camera, the newer version is the D3300 which is also a good idea if you can afford it.

 

[Solarflare]

Well, no - the D3200 is still very current.

There is a newer model out (D3300) but the changes are really small - really dont waste your money on such a minor upgrade. You still get the same Megapixel, the same Autofocus system, etc. It still has no WiFi or anything.

I would wait until 2016, when the D3400 (or D3500 or how they'll call it) will probably be released.

Alternatively you could get into the D5x00 line. The D5200 is really cheap now, amusingly cheaper than the D3300 despite being clearly the superior camera. It has better autofocus and the useful flipscreen the D5x00 line has since the D5100. The D5300 would add WiFi (this model also has GPS, which however sucks the battery dry quite quickly) and the D5500 a touchscreen (but no more GPS).

 

[jaomul]

Ya, wait a year to buy a camera

 

[TCampbell]

If you are willing to 'gift' a camera to your friend, it sounds like you're probably close friends.

I'm thinking you should stick with Nikon since you probably understand how to navigate the menus, etc. rather well. If your friend is new to photography and will be relying on your help, having familiarity with the camera will be beneficial. It's not to say that a Canon camera wouldn't be good for your friend, but if you don't know the menu system then it may be more difficult for you to be helpful.

I really don't believe one is "better" than the other. Some specific models have features optimized for certain types of situations -- but on the whole there are a lot of trade-offs and both brands have photographers who are able to take fantastic images with them.

“The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it.” – Ansel Adams​

Good luck!

 

[rave_gaurav]

Thnks for the quick response. I would probably stick with Nikon D5200.
Any suggestions on the lens? 18-55 kit lens or 55-200 VR or something else?

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[rave_gaurav]

Thnks for the quick response. I would probably stick with Nikon D5200.
Any suggestions on the lens? 18-55 kit lens or 55-200 VR or something else?

Well, no - the D3200 is still very current.

There is a newer model out (D3300) but the changes are really small - really dont waste your money on such a minor upgrade. You still get the same Megapixel, the same Autofocus system, etc. It still has no WiFi or anything.

I would wait until 2016, when the D3400 (or D3500 or how they'll call it) will probably be released.

Alternatively you could get into the D5x00 line. The D5200 is really cheap now, amusingly cheaper than the D3300 despite being clearly the superior camera. It has better autofocus and the useful flipscreen the D5x00 line has since the D5100. The D5300 would add WiFi (this model also has GPS, which however sucks the battery dry quite quickly) and the D5500 a touchscreen (but no more GPS).

Sent from my XT1092 using Tapatalk

 

[rave_gaurav]

I wish my friends would gift me a DSLR. haha.

The D3200 or D3300 are great cameras for a newbie. Very simple and easy to learn. There are also a lot of tuts available on YouTube to help you get started.

If your friend prefer to shoot video more than photos, then the D5200/D5300 would be ideal.

Thnks for the quick response. I would probably stick with Nikon D5200.

Any suggestions on the lens? 18-55 kit lens or 55-200 VR or something else?

Sent from my XT1092 using Tapatalk

 

[rave_gaurav]

Both Nikon and Canon are good, but Nikon is slightly ahead these days thanks to its superior sensor.
And if you are close friends, both having a Nikon, you will be able to borrow each other's lenses (if you buy more lenses, of course) or a flash or whatever accessories you will own in the future ( and you will avoid this inevitable Nikon vs Canon comparisons and arguments).
I do not think your D3200 is outdated, it lacks some insignificant (I.e. having more marketing than practical value) features of later models, but the basic image quality and main functions are still up there with the latest gear, in my opinion.
As for the model - any D3xxx or D5xxx will do depending on your budget.

Thnks for the quick response. I would probably stick with Nikon D5200.

Any suggestions on the lens? 18-55 kit lens or 55-200 VR or something else?

Sent from my XT1092 using Tapatalk

 

[Solarflare]

The 18-55mm is a normal zoom. You can get the 18-105mm as well.

The 55-200mm is a telephoto zoom. Obviously you shouldnt only get a telephoto zoom.

Some quick comments on lenses:

Normal lenses:
18-55mm - the cheaper kit lens, also offers a bit macro (1:3.5); the II version is collapsible.
18-105mm - the more expensive kit lens, hardly any macro (1:5)
Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 VC - The Tamron zoom is quite popular since you get a lot more light.
AF-S 35mm f1.8 DX - The "DX" is important because there is a FX version thats twice as big, heavy, and expensive.
Sigma 30mm f1.4 - An older lens thats not as sharp as the 35mm DX, but offers more light and great Bokeh

Telezooms:
AF-S 50mm f1.8 - Very popular for portrait with a DX camera.
AF-S 55-200mm f4.5-5.6 VR DX - The smallest telezoom. Very plastic, but good performance especially at the lower end.
AF-S 55-300mm f4.5-5.6 VR DX - The larger telezoom, twice as expensive, but otherwise basically the same deal as the 55-200mm
AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 VR - No "DX" since thats an FX lens. Offers fast autofocus, preferable for sports. Also a quite good lens in every other respect.

 

[rave_gaurav]

The 18-55mm is a normal zoom. You can get the 18-105mm as well.

The 55-200mm is a telephoto zoom. Obviously you shouldnt only get a telephoto zoom.

Some quick comments on lenses:

Normal lenses:
18-55mm - the cheaper kit lens, also offers a bit macro (1:3.5); the II version is collapsible.
18-105mm - the more expensive kit lens, hardly any macro (1:5)
Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 VC - The Tamron zoom is quite popular since you get a lot more light.
AF-S 35mm f1.8 DX - The "DX" is important because there is a FX version thats twice as big, heavy, and expensive.
Sigma 30mm f1.4 - An older lens thats not as sharp as the 35mm DX, but offers more light and great Bokeh

Telezooms:
AF-S 50mm f1.8 - Very popular for portrait with a DX camera.
AF-S 55-200mm f4.5-5.6 VR DX - The smallest telezoom. Very plastic, but good performance especially at the lower end.
AF-S 55-300mm f4.5-5.6 VR DX - The larger telezoom, twice as expensive, but otherwise basically the same deal as the 55-200mm
AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 VR - No "DX" since thats an FX lens. Offers fast autofocus, preferable for sports. Also a quite good lens in every other respect.

Many thanks.

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