Need help choosing, new to dslr's

[Teg]

Another noob posting another annoying question.. at least I feel like it. But hey, any input is appreciated.

New to dslr's and trying to decide on which to pick. I keep coming back to the Nikon D5300 probably with just the kit 18-55 lens. This would be the top of my budget. Im mostly interested in portraits but also would like a decent mid-low light performer as well as being fairly decent for action (by which I mean photographing my kids). I've been trying to do a ton of research and boy do I feel like I'm in over my head with spec comparisons, etc.! I know the lens makes a big difference in capabilities too and I eventually want to get a fixed lens, but down the road when I can afford more gadgets. I also want a solid body that will last and has a good selection of low to high quality lenses to upgrade to. And ALSO have the ability to upgrade bodies and still have usable lenses, maybe?

Sooo.... my questions are:
Should the 5300 satisfy my wants?
If not what other models would you suggest within close price range, or cheaper of course.
Would you suggest starting with the kit lens or getting a fixed lens first? For learning purposes.

I did go to the store to handle both the Nikon and Canon models and felt a bit more comfortable with the Nikon. Although I really would be happy with any solid built camera. I've also done some looking into Pentax and was a bit interested in the K-50, but seem a leary with a much smaller selection of bodies and lenses for down the road. And of course theres the rival t5i which has the touch screen which seems like an attractive feature for me. I've done comparing to last years models too but the new ones of each brand just seem to step it up quite a bit... I think my brain just exploded by writing all of this....

Again, I really appreciate any feedback or info.
Look forward to posting more and ordering my first dslr soon!

 

[robbins.photo]

Another noob posting another annoying question.. at least I feel like it. But hey, any input is appreciated.

New to dslr's and trying to decide on which to pick. I keep coming back to the Nikon D5300 probably with just the kit 18-55 lens. This would be the top of my budget. Im mostly interested in portraits but also would like a decent mid-low light performer as well as being fairly decent for action (by which I mean photographing my kids). I've been trying to do a ton of research and boy do I feel like I'm in over my head with spec comparisons, etc.! I know the lens makes a big difference in capabilities too and I eventually want to get a fixed lens, but down the road when I can afford more gadgets. I also want a solid body that will last and has a good selection of low to high quality lenses to upgrade to. And ALSO have the ability to upgrade bodies and still have usable lenses, maybe?

Sooo.... my questions are:
Should the 5300 satisfy my wants?
If not what other models would you suggest within close price range, or cheaper of course.
Would you suggest starting with the kit lens or getting a fixed lens first? For learning purposes.

I did go to the store to handle both the Nikon and Canon models and felt a bit more comfortable with the Nikon. Although I really would be happy with any solid built camera. I've also done some looking into Pentax and was a bit interested in the K-50, but seem a leary with a much smaller selection of bodies and lenses for down the road. And of course theres the rival t5i which has the touch screen which seems like an attractive feature for me. I've done comparing to last years models too but the new ones of each brand just seem to step it up quite a bit... I think my brain just exploded by writing all of this....

Again, I really appreciate any feedback or info.
Look forward to posting more and ordering my first dslr soon!

The D5300 would be a good choice, I might also recommend if that is the top end of your budget to consider a D5200 instead, it won't have the built in GPS feature or the wireless feature but from the sounds of things I doubt you'd miss either that much, it will save you a few hundred that you can later use towards getting either faster glass (50 mm 1.8 AF-S G makes a great compliment to the kit lens) or a good external flash for use with those indoor shots.

 

[Teg]

Thanks Robbins. I do have my eye on the 5200 as well. Like you said the gps and wifi are no big deal, but its seems like a newer processor, double the iso, and no AA filter was worth the upgrade. This is where I get stuck

 

[TheNevadanStig]

If you can afford it, the D5300 is a fine camera. The kit lens would be fine to get you started, and will do well both for learning portraits and taking pictures of your kids.

 

[robbins.photo]

Thanks Robbins. I do have my eye on the 5200 as well. Like you said the gps and wifi are no big deal, but its seems like a newer processor, double the iso, and no AA filter was worth the upgrade. This is where I get stuck

The no AA filter will result in slightly sharper images coming off the camera, but really from the samples I've seen at least the difference isn't really huge and almost unnoticeable after post processing. The Expeed 4 will give you better high ISO performance but again, some difference there but not a night and day sort of thing - really the biggest difference there would be the frame rate on 1080 video so if your doing video that might be worth the upgrade cost.

For me I stuck with the 5200 since I shoot stills pretty much exclusively. Been extremely happy with both my 5200's, can't complain at all about their performance.

 

[Teg]

I'm also wondering about bodies that come with a focus motor. Is that something to be desired? Are the auto focus lenses better or just easier?

 

[71M]

I'm also wondering about bodies that come with a focus motor. Is that something to be desired? Are the auto focus lenses better or just easier?

In-body motor gives you the option of using older 'AF-D' Nikon lenses. Also, the old manual focus 'K' mount Pentax lenses could be used with a Pentax DSLR, and there are lots of those available, made by numerous manufacturers. Pentax K and M42 (screw mount) are possibly the most plentiful lenses to be found second hand of any type, but these are all manual focus.

 

[goodguy]

The D5300 would be a good choice, I might also recommend if that is the top end of your budget to consider a D5200 instead, it won't have the built in GPS feature or the wireless feature but from the sounds of things I doubt you'd miss either that much, it will save you a few hundred that you can later use towards getting either faster glass (50 mm 1.8 AF-S G makes a great compliment to the kit lens) or a good external flash for use with those indoor shots.

For me I stuck with the 5200 since I shoot stills pretty much exclusively. Been extremely happy with both my 5200's, can't complain at all about their performance.

I agree with R.P, the D5200 in most ways is identical to the D5300 and I dont think its worth the extra money.

Thanks Robbins. I do have my eye on the 5200 as well. Like you said the gps and wifi are no big deal, but its seems like a newer processor, double the iso, and no AA filter was worth the upgrade. This is where I get stuck

In low light there is negligible advantage to the D5300 over the D5200, lack of AA filter is indeed the only bonus the D5300 has over the D5200 but to really get the benefit you need TOP glass and even then the added sharpness is more of a pixel pipper dream then something you can see in naked eye.
The D5300 is too close to the D7100 price so the way I see it either go for the D5200 or D7100

 

[ruifo]

Most important than the body is the lens you get.
The D5200 is a hell of a great camera. It still has the best sensor among ALL crop DSLRs.

see here my shots with the D5200:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ruimc/sets/72157641189291803/