Looking for opinions on what to buy as a first camera

[JerryLove]

Used Nikon D5200: Amazon.com: Nikon D5200 24.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR NIKKOR Zoom Lens (Black): NIKON: Camera & Photo

D5100: Amazon.com: Nikon D5100 16.2MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens: Camera & Photo

Canon T3i: Amazon.com: canon t3i - Camera & Photo: Electronics

In non-SLR, medium frame, interchangeable lens cameras:

A couple of NEX5 options: Amazon.com: nex 5

EOS-M options: Amazon.com: canon eos-m - Point & Shoot Digital Cameras / Digital Cameras: Electronics

Four-Thrids cameras: Amazon.com: four thirds - Point & Shoot Digital Cameras / Digital Cameras: Electronics

 

[manicmike]

I'd suggest going a little over budget and finding a used d5200 kit.

 

[robbins.photo]

Well I doubt a bridge camera is really going to give you the kind of photos you want, particularly for real estate,...

You must not live in the central part of the US. I've seen plenty of realtor's that you p&s cameras to take photos of houses they are listing.

Actually I live pretty much smack dab center of the good old USA - but it might just be our local market too, we've got a couple of really big real estate outfits that are local to Omaha and they tend to kind of set the bar a little higher. I guess my thought is if you want decent interior pictures P&S or bridge really isn't the best option, but I guess that also kind of depends on what sort of expectations you set on the final results.

Also if I sold real estate I'd probably look at this more as a long term investment, better pictures means more potential buyers which means the faster you sell it and move on to the next one, and I'd rather have something that would still be viable for taking pictures 3-4 years from now so really entry level DSLR would be the best option I think, at least from my perspective.

But hey, as always, YMMV.. lol