First DSLR advice

Traumabrew · Jan 3, 2015

Ok, I am buying a DSLR, my first. Well technically not my first. My (soon to be) ex-wife, had several Canon Eos Rebel DSLR's, which I used and got interested in photography. Well, she kept the camera, so I am buying my own now. So, I have experience using Canon but am not only looking at Canon. I have been reading a lot, and it seems the Canon Rebel line has lagged behind Nikon in the "mid level" DSLR category. Canon is pretty easy to figure out the intended audience for its different lines, with the Rebel being the amateur or prosumer line, but Nikon has so many different lines it can be confusing.

So, I am into nature photography, landscapes, scenery, wildlife and also nature portraits. So, my environments can be the beach, forests, parks, etc. I also like to take pictures of flowers etc.

I was looking at the Rebel T5i vs Nikon D5200/5300 or the Nikon D7000. I know the D7000/d5200 are older models (the current one being the D7100/D5300), but there are better deals on the older models. I found a new D7000 with the 18-140mm VR lens for 629. The Rebel T5i with 18-55 lens for 699 or a Nikon D5200 with 18-55 and 55-200 mm lenses for 579.

These are the 3 kits I am looking at. I am wanting something I can learn with and grow into. I think I want to stay with Nikon or Canon as they have the most support and available accessories including Sigma/Tamron lenses available. I have not looked into Sony or Pentax.

goodguy · Jan 3, 2015

D7000 has the better body, its got inbody AF motor, weather sealing and the second command dial.
The D5200 has the more advance sensor, both using same AF system.
I think both cameras are better then the T5i because of the T5i old sensor technology.

Choosing between the D7000 and D5200 isnt easy, do you want the better body or slightly better sensor.
Most will tell you to go with the D7000 and they are probably right, I would go with the slightly better sensor.
Either way both are excellent cameras.

runnah · Jan 3, 2015

Seeing as how you are going thru a divorce and are a male I would assume your budget is diminished. Start with a nikon d3xxx series and grow from there.

Traumabrew · Jan 3, 2015

runnah said:
Seeing as how you are going thru a divorce and are a male I would assume your budget is diminished. Start with a nikon d3xxx series and grow from there.

My budget is around 600-700 dollars. That's why I was looking at those 3 kits. I think I am leaning more towards the Nikon side of things.

runnah · Jan 3, 2015

Traumabrew said:
runnah said:

Seeing as how you are going thru a divorce and are a male I would assume your budget is diminished. Start with a nikon d3xxx series and grow from there.

Click to expand...

My budget is around 600-700 dollars. That's why I was looking at those 3 kits. I think I am leaning more towards the Nikon side of things.

As a canon owner I would say go for nikon as they have the best entry to mid range models. Canon does make some great stuff but it's all $1k plus to start.

Don't worry about switching camps tho. Short of the ultra pricey gear most won't hold value.

SquarePeg · Jan 3, 2015

If you're on a budget consider used or refurbished, you can really stretch your money that way.

Traumabrew · Jan 4, 2015

I have narrowed my choices down to the D5200 kit which is 579 with the 2 lenses (18-55 and 55-200mm) or the D7000 with the 18-140mm lens for 629. Any idea or opinions which is a better value? The fact that the D7000 us sealed is nice since most of my photography will be outdoors and Florida can be rainy or humid. But the D5200 is a bit cheaper with 2 lenses.

SquarePeg · Jan 4, 2015

Have you tested the bodies out in a local store to see which feels more comfortable for you? I love the lightness of my 5100 when I have to carry it all day, especially when compared to the heavier 7000. Also love the moveable liveview screen for getting angles I sometimes can't reach. Others on here love the extra control buttons on the 7000 and the ability to use the older lenses that don't have an internal focus motor.

jaomul · Jan 4, 2015

I'd go d7000 and 18-140mm, but the 18-140mm may not be weather sealed (I am not sure). If the lens isn't weather sealed the camera is not.

Before you make the plunge The Pentax k5 or k5II come with weather sealed kits, sometimes twin lens weather sealed kits. I use Nikon and Olympus, but nearly went Pentax for their rugged build and inbuilt stabilisation (which makes every lens stabilised). The only reason I didn't is Pentax stuff hard to get where I live (Ireland), it might be worth considering

goodguy · Jan 4, 2015

Traumabrew said:
I have narrowed my choices down to the D5200 kit which is 579 with the 2 lenses (18-55 and 55-200mm) or the D7000 with the 18-140mm lens for 629. Any idea or opinions which is a better value? The fact that the D7000 us sealed is nice since most of my photography will be outdoors and Florida can be rainy or humid. But the D5200 is a bit cheaper with 2 lenses.

As I said I would go with the D5200 because of the better sensor, more lenses is a bonus.

robbins.photo · Jan 4, 2015

Traumabrew said:
I have narrowed my choices down to the D5200 kit which is 579 with the 2 lenses (18-55 and 55-200mm) or the D7000 with the 18-140mm lens for 629. Any idea or opinions which is a better value? The fact that the D7000 us sealed is nice since most of my photography will be outdoors and Florida can be rainy or humid. But the D5200 is a bit cheaper with 2 lenses.

I haven't shot the D7000 myself, I currently own a D7100 and prior to that I shot the D5200. The D5200 is a very capable camera, it's biggest advantage over the D7000 would be the 24 mp sensor. It may not sound like a big difference but when it comes to cropping images it really does come into play pretty heavily - so if your going to be a lot of wildlife photography that would probably be my recommendation.

The D7000 is going to have some additional features like a AF motor built into the body which will allow you to use older lenses. Really I think the biggest advantage to the D7000 would be that it has the dual control dials, which can be very nice because it allows finer control of the camera in various shooting situations.

Either way really you can't go wrong - both are excellent cameras.

iolair · Jan 5, 2015

What kind of subjects do you intend to photograph?

In your position, I'd also consider the mid-range Pentaxes (e.g. K-50); they use the same Sony sensors as Nikon, but the camera bodies are weather-resistant and IMHO more user-friendly than Canon or Nikon. However, their autofocus systems aren't as quick as Canon or Nikon (but they're adequate, unless you plan to shoot sports or moving wildlife).

Pentax have an excellent lens range (in this respect not quite as good as Canon or Nikon, but still way more than you need) and are very good value for money.

Also, it may be worth considering mirrorless options such as the Sony A6000 - however the Sony lens options are fewer and more expensive. All accounts describe the A6000 as a dream to use, though.