Typical First Camera Thread...

Raven18 · Mar 1, 2015

Back in early 2012 I was looking into getting a T3i, didn't follow through with a purchase. My Nikon S210 has been an obsolete P&S for a while so never really cracked it out other than taking it to Toronto, in 2012.

My Moto X that I have had for a little over a year definitely takes better pictures.
Though I do not want my phone to be a "One Electronic Tool Does it all".
I carry a small flashlight (Zebralight SC52d) to illuminate the dark when needed instead of wasting the battery on my communication device.
I want to do the same about a camera, I don't want to waste my battery on my phone with taking subpar pictures.

So I have decided that I want to get an interchangeable lens type camera.
Budget would be $1k max. This is meant to include a camera with Kit lens, accessories, bag and potentially another lens.
I would like a sort of compact camera. It doesn't need a million lens options but just enough so I can get a few decent ones eventually.

Some options I have considered are Sony a6000, Nikon D3300,D5300, canon Sl1,T5i.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Raven18 · Mar 1, 2015

Side note/Backstory about me,
I work for a newspaper printing company, I have two co-workers who run professional photography businesses on the side. Multiple co-workers who are avid photographers. Work with a guy that was a forensic photographer for ~10 years, and now just does it casually.

I have learned a bunch from these people and I went to school 7 years ago for graphic design technology (where I learned a little about photography, and A LOT about PS).

So to me, I feel something better than a P&S camera is necessary.

Designer · Mar 1, 2015

I've got the predecessor to this model; the D5000. I bought mine at Best Buy online with two lenses and some other stuff. I think it is a good starter camera, and it's not big and heavy.

Some of the accessories will have limited value as you grow in the hobby, but they're o.k. for starters.

I see the Best Buy has this on sale now $100 off.

Nikon D5300 DSLR Camera with 1855mm VR Lens Black 1522 - Best Buy

This deal is $800, which leaves $200 for something else. IMO you need to start learning a speedlight flash, but you might also be interested in getting a 50mm 1.8 instead.

goodguy · Mar 1, 2015

Another vote for the D5300, in my opinion best camera for the money in your list.

Solarflare · Mar 1, 2015

Its interesting everybody still recomments DSLRs as a system camera for beginners.

But yeah, the D5x00 series is a good choice. The D5300 specifically added WiFi which adds a lot of new possibilities (photos from unsual angles thank to remote control, also backup).

Sony isnt bad, but doesnt have that great a lens selection; the good lenses exist, but are rather rare and rather expensive.

The price for best selection would IMHO currently go to Canon, because their new EF-S 10-18mm f4.5-5.6 IS offers great image quality for wide angle at an affordable price on an entry level DSLR, something that Nikon sadly right now doesnt offer.

It should be noted that neither Canon nor Nikon are that great with their small sensor lens selection in the first place; other systems like Micro Four Thirds (even smaller sensor, though) or Fuji X (very expensive, sadly) are better in that respect. Canon and Nikon are only superior to anybody else when it comes to full frame.

Derrel · Mar 1, 2015

I would suggest going to Best Buy, where you can most likely pick up and handle ALL those cameras, and see which one YOU happen to like the looks and size and feel and price of. The d-slr models will have a slight bit better focusing performance than the small Sony, most likely, but that'll probably only be noticeable on trickier action shooting. EVERY person has his or her preferences.It's very difficult to tell people what to buy, because everybody's camera preferences are subtly different. If SIZE and portability are critical. Today along the Oregon coast, I spoke with a young woman, 25, who had rode Amtrack with her touring bicycle, from Chicago to Portland, and I ran into her at Seal Rock, far from from Portland. She had a SMALL Olympus Pen m4/3....it looked great for her...she has two panniers on the bike, a sleeping bag, and a waist pack, and is headed to Los Angeles, which must be another 1,000 miles south on Hwy 101. She pointed at my camera and said, "I looked at big d-slr's like that one, but this was more the size I felt comfortable carrying." So...YES...size and weight can be a big deal.

See what YOU like, in a store. Ask questions. If you like one, buy it. You'll get used to it, as long as it's not something you leave at home, your chances of having it with you to make great pics of your life goes way,way up.

rudimaes · Mar 2, 2015

The new Nikon D5500 is a little smaller and lighter than the D5300
and has a touchscreen.
Rudi

sashbar · Mar 2, 2015

Derrel is absolutely spot on. These days, when we have such a large choice of decent cameras, size and weight becomes a very important factor, probably a prime factor that is often underestimated. Size and weight will decide how often you will be using your camera. And that overrides all comparatively insignificant technical factors such as AF speed, No of frames per sec, max working ISO, etc etc. All these things are discussed daily by gadget lovers, and impressive specs are great, but it all becomes not really great and significant if you take your camera with you just on some weekends, because it is too big and heavy. "Big and heavy" is of course personal and some are happy to carry around a large photo bag with a full frame DSLR and all the bells and whistles, but many want a quality camera that you can just throw into your bag that you carry to your office every day. And this a huge difference, much bigger than any technical specs. And the next step is just to go to a good specialised shop and try different cameras. Do not buy the camera because of its specs, specs sheets are are often misleading, especially for a beginner, buy the one you like and will be using more often.

Solarflare · Mar 2, 2015

Well, not all of us value size/weight over image quality/autofocus performance.

In the case of that woman, I too would probably get a micro four third, one of these really small ones, and two prime lenses. But it would be a secondary camera for me, not a primary.

fjrabon · Mar 2, 2015

Solarflare said:
Well, not all of us value size/weight over image quality/autofocus performance.

In the case of that woman, I too would probably get a micro four third, one of these really small ones, and two prime lenses. But it would be a secondary camera for me, not a primary.

The best way to improve your photography is shoot more. The best way to shoot more is to buy a camera you love having in your hands.

I agree with Derrel that the only way to really know is try it out. One caveat though, if you plan to use the camera more than casually, get a two control dial/wheel camera, even if you have to get a previous generation camera to do it.

I could be completely fine with any aps-c or full frame camera from the last 10 years if it had two control wheels. One control wheel pushes you to shoot a certain way that lessens your control of the camera. If you want to really take control of the shooting process, it's better to train yourself in this mode from day 1.

To me that's why the d5300 is a no go. It's the ultimate consumer luxury camera, but with one control wheel it's not geared for taking serious control of the camera. In my opinion at that point you might as well get a LX100 or similar top end point and shoot.

That's not to disparage top end point and shoots or the D5300. The tech behind those cameras is awesome and the D5300 in particular produces stunning images. But I just don't really get going the DSLR route in this age of technology if you want to be pushed into always shooting a priority mode. Everybody I've ever seen who buys a d5xoo series camera did one of two things: left it in the shelf or bought a more pro level camera. Nobody buys the d5300 and says "this is it."

JustJazzie · Mar 2, 2015

I started out on an entry level Canon, moved into Sony's mirrorless system and have setteled into Nikon full frame. I gave up my Canon thinking that I would carry around my nex7 more often. Sure that happened for a while but eventually it came with me as often as the Canon did. Maybe even less because the subject I shoot most often is my kiddos. I didn't understand autofocus systems when I bought my Sony, though I did notice a lag right away, I thought I would just get used to it.... Well, the Sony's af is WAAY to slow to shoot running kids, (sports, wildlife, )and it's useless in low light/around the house. I know the a6000 has improved af speeds in good light, but my research inticates that it's still not quite "there"
The electronic viewfinder on the Sony also makes night/star photography, fireworks etc. Nearly impossible. even on a heavy tripod, the tiniest movement sends your screen into a blur, and it's too noisy to tell when you are in focus, it's a ton of guess and check and frustration. Unless they have changed-the lenses don't have an "infanity" focus setting. Invaluable in star shots. The

my advice is to think carefully about what you think you want to shoot or may shoot in the future, and consider if size/weight is more important to you than versaitility. If you start investing into lens' for a mirrorless system it's not so easy to switch over to a dslr if you realize you need something mirrorless doesn't offer.

Yes, a mirrorless system would likely be more than enough for someone starting up! And I still use my Sony sometimess. But if you can try and think a little into the future you may be more prepared to make a solid decision.

As for the Nikon vs Canon, I've used both and never found any love for my Canon. I've used two nikons recently (one "testesd" one bought) and I love them both! Fun to use, amazing files to work with, newer and better sensors than Canon at the moment, auto Iso in manual mode, etc.....