Trying to decide which camera to get

Drewhop · Jul 30, 2011

I am getting ready to take a digital media design class and the instructor said I would need a DSLR. I have four different types in mind and I wanted some feedback and information as to which would better fit my needs. I am looking at Nikon's 5100, Sony's new A-55 (DSLT), Pentax K-r, or Sony's Alpha NEX-3. I was wondering if anyone has had personal experience and would recommend one over the others.

Thank you for any help in this.

By the way, I am not sure what qualities I will need in a camera for these classes.

marmots · Jul 30, 2011

go to a local camera shop, and try each of them out, whichever you feel the most comfortable with is the one you should get

EPPhoto · Jul 30, 2011

I doubt anyone on this forum has experience with ALL of those. Any of those would be a very capable camera for the class you'll are taking. Your best bet would be to go to a store and try them all out and dig thru the menus and see what feels the best in your hands.

I'm a Nikon shooter so I vote for the D5100! lol

veernikonl120 · Jul 30, 2011

Hi, even I thought of gettin d5100 but my ques( is it worth spending 7000 more on d5100 over d3100?

EPPhoto · Jul 30, 2011

veernikonl120 said:
Hi, even I thought of gettin d5100 but my ques( is it worth spending 7000 more on d5100 over d3100?

Either that's a typo or you live outside the USA lol

Smitzel269 · Jul 30, 2011

I shoot Canon, but I would get the nikon out of all those. My friend shoots with a D3100 and she seems to like it alot!

highergr0und · Jul 30, 2011

Did the instructor give any ideas on exactly what the camera had to be capable of?

DennyCrane · Jul 30, 2011

Be sure to check out the Canon line as well. Personally, I'd recommend either a Nikon or a Canon because they simply have the most support, accessories, lenses, etc.

Drewhop · Jul 30, 2011

highergr0und said:
Did the instructor give any ideas on exactly what the camera had to be capable of?

No, I will speak to him again soon and ask what the basic needs are for the course. But I was just wondering if I needed to get a DSLR anyway if I should just get the best I can for the money.

I think asking the instructor what the necessities are and then going into a store and trying them would probably be the best bet. So, thank you for all of the advice.

TheBiles · Jul 30, 2011

DennyCrane said:
Be sure to check out the Canon line as well. Personally, I'd recommend either a Nikon or a Canon because they simply have the most support, accessories, lenses, etc.

Absolutely this. Why aren't you even considering Canon, by the way?

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G

Drewhop · Jul 30, 2011

TheBiles said:
DennyCrane said:

Be sure to check out the Canon line as well. Personally, I'd recommend either a Nikon or a Canon because they simply have the most support, accessories, lenses, etc.

Click to expand...

Absolutely this. Why aren't you even considering Canon, by the way?

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G

I am just getting started with the photography thing. I was just considering the brands that I have used before with just small digital cameras. I don't have anything against Canon. I will try every camera our stores have before I commit to anything, I was just throwing out the brands I have tried before. Thank you for the suggestion though. I also don't want to overwhelm myself with all of the different brands and styles out there. Out of the Canons though, which do you prefer?