Looking for Help from Advanced shooters about camera selection

[Actionman0z]

I am new to photography, I mainly want to shoot my kids, sporting events, and nature both animals/insects/flowers and landscapes. I am wondering if getting a Canon 7D as a first camera to grow into will be worth it. I really like the Video feature of the camera as a HUGE bonus for Kids stuff. What does everyone think?

 

[Village Idiot]

Sure.

 

[Big Mike]

Great camera. Even better if you pair it with a great lens(s).

 

[SpeedTrap]

Or you could look at a Nikon.

 

[o hey tyler]

It is a great camera with great video capabilities. Like Big Mike said, it would be best utilized with fancy glass on it, but starting out if you decide to buy an inexpensive kit, you can tack on a 50mm f/1.8 for a few extra bucks. It's always been a good focal length and reliable prime for entry level users to get acclimated to.

 

[bazooka]

Also, for insects, you'll need a macro lens or extension tubes. These can always be purchased later, but don't expect to be able to focus too closely to objects with any non-macro lens without an extension tube.

 

[KmH]

For inside and night time sports you'll need wide apertures and long focal length lenses which both equal $$$'s.

Notice how much higher the $634 less expensive Nikon D7000's image sensor is rated over the Canon 7D: DxOMark - Compare sensors

Be sure and compare the video capabilities also becuawe I believe the Nikon D7000 trumps the 7D there too.

 

[GeneralBenson]

Great camera. Even better if you pair it with a great lens(s).

Even better still if you pair those with a great photographer!

 

[Derrel]

Here's another vote for the Nikon D7000 as a first camera for general all-around use. It's much newer than the 7D, and frankly, it has better ergonomics and a better viewfinder as well. It also has a better sensor than the older Canon. It's newer. It's better. It's about $645 less than the Canon at my dealer's store as well. The D7000 would pair well with any number of older, used Nikon macro lenses, which is an area where Nikon has long had more offerings than Canon. Something like the 105 f/2.8 Micro-Nikkor, of any vintage from the late 1970's to the year 2011, in any price range from $275 to $750, would be a good choice for flower macros and general close-up work. You'll also probably find out that Nikon has better multi-flash off-camera systems, and better light metering than Canon as well.