New DSLR camera help?

[justjonny]

Hi,
I want to buy a DSLR camera but I cannot determine which would be the best bang for my buck. My budget is around $500-600 CND and I've narrowed it down to the following options:

Nikon D5200 DSLR W/ 18-55 DX zoom lens $529

Canon SL1 W/ 18-55mm STM lens $549

Nikon D3400 AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR kit $540

Nikon D5200 AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II $619

Any advice ?

 

[Derrel]

My vote goes to new and current-stock:
Nikon D3400 AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR kit $540

 

[Cody'sCaptures]

Why not add a 70-300. Just the first link I found might find another deal
Nikon D3400

 

[justjonny]

I forgot to mention the prices listed above are CND


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[Derrel]

Here's why I suggest the D3400 instead of the Canon SL1....wide dynamic range, better color depth to the Nikon. Better sensor in the Nikon. And some other features too. The Canon's SIPA testing gives it a dismal d-slr battery life of 380 frames; the Nikon shoots 1200 frames per charge. The Nikon has built-in bluetooth. And is 2.6 EV better in dynamic range: that is a significant picture-making advantage for the Nikon D3400.

Canon SL1 vs Nikon D3400

 

[justjonny]

Here's why I suggest the D3400 instead of the Canon SL1....wide dynamic range, better color depth to the Nikon. Better sensor in the Nikon. And some other features too. The Canon's SIPA testing gives it a dismal d-slr battery life of 380 frames; the Nikon shoots 1200 frames per charge. The Nikon has built-in bluetooth. And is 2.6 EV better in dynamic range: that is a significant picture-making advantage for the Nikon D3400.

Canon SL1 vs Nikon D3400

Yes but when comparing the 5200 vs the 3400 the 5200 has better features. Only big difference is the Bluetooth and battery but I doubt I would be taking anywhere near 500 shots a day


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[Derrel]

Yes, the D5200 has about the same sensor performance as the D3400, but the 5200 is not compatible with the NEWEST AF-P series lenses. the NEW AF-P 70-300 with VR is a fantastic performer on the D3400, according to Thom Hogan's review of that camera and lens; he states that the D3400 and 70-300 AF-P VR lens focuses like an expensive 70-200 lens...the D5200 is older, and does not support this NEW AF-P lens protocol. But it does have the flippy screen. The issue is going with an older, not-current model, and not being able to buy and use the AF-P VR lenses. The ability to get a FAST- and SURE-focusing 70-300 AF-P VR lens is a major plus for the D3400 buyer; again...NEW camera models have the very latest technology (AF-P compatibility), but the 5200 has the flippy screen, while the 3xxx series cameras do not.

To me, the biggest feature is AF-P lens support in the D3400, and built-in Bluetooth so you can send a 2MB photo to your smartphone for sharing or for e-mailing, etc..

As far as battery goes....a 1,200 shot CIPA battery comes from test-firing, with every-other frame being a built-in flash shot, and this is Japanese industry's own testing, so it's honest. A 1,200-shot Nikon battery means an entire week of shooting without a recharge for many people, or two big weekend days of shooting, without a charger and charge-time. A 380-shot battery means...charging much more often. CIPA battery life figures are not entirely about the "one day" issue, but also are somewhat indicative as to how long the battery stays up and is charged, and how long the camera is actually ready to be used for.

CHECK OUT the live-view focus speed, and the HUGE advantage the AF-P 70-300 lens brings to a D3400 user.
Nikon D3400 Camera Review | DSLRBodies | Thom Hogan

Faster Live View focus than any Nikon before it. The 18-55 AF-P VR he calls better than any produced before. He states that to get a better camera, spend another $100 for the D5500: QUOTE "consider the D5500, which is US$100 more. For that extra money you get a slightly less rough-at-the-edges camera with a fully positionable touchscreen LCD, a flash with more power, 14-bit raw, exposure bracketing, and a better autofocus system that extends over more of the frame. "

 

[justjonny]

Yes, the D5200 has about the same sensor performance as the D3400, but the 5200 is not compatible with the NEWEST AF-P series lenses. the NEW AF-P 70-300 with VR is a fantastic performer on the D3400, according to Thom Hogan's review of that camera and lens; he states that the D3400 and 70-300 AF-P VR lens focuses like an expensive 70-200 lens...the D5200 is older, and does not support this NEW AF-P lens protocol. But it does have the flippy screen. The issue is going with an older, not-current model, and not being able to buy and use the AF-P VR lenses. The ability to get a FAST- and SURE-focusing 70-300 AF-P VR lens is a major plus for the D3400 buyer; again...NEW camera models have the very latest technology (AF-P compatibility), but the 5200 has the flippy screen, while the 3xxx series cameras do not.

To me, the biggest feature is AF-P lens support in the D3400, and built-in Bluetooth so you can send a 2MB photo to your smartphone for sharing or for e-mailing, etc..

As far as battery goes....a 1,200 shot CIPA battery comes from test-firing, with every-other frame being a built-in flash shot, and this is Japanese industry's own testing, so it's honest. A 1,200-shot Nikon battery means an entire week of shooting without a recharge for many people, or two big weekend days of shooting, without a charger and charge-time. A 380-shot battery means...charging much more often. CIPA battery life figures are not entirely about the "one day" issue, but also are somewhat indicative as to how long the battery stays up and is charged, and how long the camera is actually ready to be used for.

CHECK OUT the live-view focus speed, and the HUGE advantage the AF-P 70-300 lens brings to a D3400 user.
Nikon D3400 Camera Review | DSLRBodies | Thom Hogan

Faster Live View focus than any Nikon before it. The 18-55 AF-P VR he calls better than any produced before. He states that to get a better camera, spend another $100 for the D5500: QUOTE "consider the D5500, which is US$100 more. For that extra money you get a slightly less rough-at-the-edges camera with a fully positionable touchscreen LCD, a flash with more power, 14-bit raw, exposure bracketing, and a better autofocus system that extends over more of the frame. "

The d3300 and d3400 seem very similar in specs .. I could also get a Nikon D3300 AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II refurbished for $499. I don't see the big important feature within the wifi or bluetooth so that isn't something that is a huge appeal to me. It just comes down to getting the right bang for my buck. What do you think?

 

[Derrel]

Refurbished gear has great prices! The D3300 HAS the sensor-shake cleaning system, and the D3400 does NOT have that. SURE, I see the allure of the D3300 and the 18-55 VR refurbished for $499...I get that, five hundred for the combo of camera and lens. But I also see the allure of the 3400 and the ability to use the AF-P lenses, and get the NEWEST 18-55, the AF-P VR model, AND to be able to use the 70-300 AF-P. For two more twenty dollar bills, I see the value of the 3400 at $540 as opposed to $499 to the 3300.

Again, the 18-55 AF-P VR is **the best ever** 18-55 kit lens, and the 70-300 AF-P VR is Nikon's best-performing 70-300, ever...these new AF-P lenses need the newest cameras to use them...I think shaving that last $40 off and getting an older refurbished setup is not quite the best idea, long-term. MAKE SURE you are comparing apples to apples as well: there are NON-AF-P lenses, and NON-VR AF-P versions, and also the AF-P VR lenses in both the 18-55 and the 70-300 AF-P VR.Make absolutely SURE you are getting 1) a VR model and the AF-P model and not a NON-VR lens of either the old AF-S type, or the new AF-P type.

Re-read the Thom Hogan review of the D3400. "’I'd also say that the D3400 is generating better looking images—both JPEG and NEF—from the same sensor as the D3300." and better video files too. and a 1,200-shot battery spec versus 700 shots for the D3300's battery.

YES, the 3300 and 3400 are "similar". The 3400 has the fastest Live View focusing of any Nikon yet....this is NOT the same, exact camera as the 3300...the 70-300 AF-P VR lens performs extremely well on the 3400...

I think the best bang-for-buck is just $40 more than the refurbIshed 3300.