What is the best Nikon camera for beginners?

[yL2K]

I really like Nikon cameras and I really like photography. What is the best camera by Nikon for a beginner?

 

[jaomul]

Welcome to the forum. Do you want a camera that you can change its lenses, and how much money do you want to spend

 

[molested_cow]

A manual film SLR. I know I may sound like an asshat, but that's where I started and it really helped me build a good foundation on the understanding of how things work. It was a bit painful, but fun.

 

[jkzo]

A manual film SLR. I know I may sound like an asshat, but that's where I started and it really helped me build a good foundation on the understanding of how things work. It was a bit painful, but fun.

a manual film camera !! For the modern times, so painful, expensive and time consuming to learn

 

[acparsons]

I would say a D80 or D90.

 

[Trblmkr]

I think the best to learn on is the one that you can afford. You might be happy with the 5100, 5200, 5300 but out grow it and then you're looking to buy another one. However if you really take a look at what you want to do, and how often you plan on using it you might want a 7000, 7100. Or, you can go the Pro route and really pay for a camera.. all depends on your budget.

 

[JoeW]

I really like Nikon cameras and I really like photography. What is the best camera by Nikon for a beginner?

I'm going to start by assuming you're looking at a DSLR.

First, we don't know what your budget is and also what you want to shoot. So some details about that would be good.

Second, especially for a beginner, the absolutely best camera is one that you have with you. B/c you won't use it if you don't have it with you. So you need to go to a big box store or a camera store and hold a couple of different bodies. The D3XXX and D5XXX series are smaller and lighter (they don't have an autofocus motor in the body--they rely on the lens having an AF motor) so for some people (with smaller hands or muscles or looking for a camera that is simply easier to lug around or through in a bag), they're the cats' pajamas. Others are looking for a do-everything, solid, never-break down camera and so a much bigger (and older) used D90 is the ticket.

A good new D3200 is a nice camera for a beginner. It will small (for a DSLR), good sensor and good ISO (so able to shoot in low light without a flash), can be had new for under $400. Worst case scenario is you buy it and then discover you hate lugging a camera around or have no patience for manipulating settings and see that a point and shoot is the way to go for you. In which case $400 isn't a huge investment. More likely is you'll discover the joy of a DSLR and while you'll want to upgrade, the D3200 will give you enough pixels and flexibility to create some lovely photos.

 

[sonicbuffalo]

I've got a great deal on a D7100 + a 18-140 mm lens! Fewer than 200 actuations (last time I checked)....I just recently bought a D610 so I won't be needing 2 cameras. Everything is in original boxes with manuals, batteries, and copies of David Busch's Guide to the D7100 and a David Busch's Fieldguide to the D7100. I'll throw in 2 memory cards as well. Must sell.

 

[goodguy]

Without giving us a price range its hard to recommend you a camera but I assume you have limited funds so my recommendation is

If you can afford it then Nikon D5200 with its kit lens, fantasticly good camera.
If you cant afford even that then the minimum I owuld recommend is the Nikon D3200 which is at the lowest place in Nikon's cameras lineup but it is still a very good camera, actually in many ways its not far behind the D5200 in many ways.

Good luck

 

[manaheim]

Buy the best camera you can comfortably afford (and keep in mind, leave some room for money for lenses).

Cameras are a study in balanced limitations. The more you spend, the fewer the limitations. Limitations will not keep you from taking pictures, but it will make some pictures harder to capture, and it will occasionally make the experience of capturing them a little more frustrating.

Certain situations (low light, fast movement) require specialized equipment choices, but these rules apply pretty well to all forms of photography.

 

[Solarflare]

The D7100, because you'll never need another camera, unless you have special demands or you're well beyond the 5 year limit of useage of a digital camera.

The D5300 is a not too bad choice too, because of the swivel screen, the lesser weight and smaller size, and IIRC it also has WiFi, which opens new possibilities.

I frankly have no friggin clue why the D3300 exists.

A manual film SLR.

If you're a true masochist, yes.

Digital cameras allow you to take pictures basically for free, review your results instantly, and to photograph in situations in which film cameras are an extreme hassle.

My first camera was a film camera. You know how many photos I shot ? A total of zero photos. Why ? Because it was an insane hassle and I didnt had the nerve.

a manual film camera !! For the modern times, so painful, expensive and time consuming to learn

You forgot to point out SLOW. It can take days and weeks to get your film developed. And to get film in the first place and transport it and having to change it every 38 or so exposures.

I would say a D80 or D90.

Those are pretty old. Dunno about the D80, but the D90 I've handled and yes its a good camera, too.

Buy the best camera you can comfortably afford (and keep in mind, leave some room for money for lenses).

I used that strategy and ended up spending a lot more than I would have, had I just bought a really good camera in the first place.

After spending about 3k€ on various compact, bridge and entry level DSLRs I went all "wtf are you doing, you spend this much money and what do you have to show for it ?"

 

[bigal1000]

D4s

 

[PaulWog]

If you're looking for a point-and-shoot, look up reviews for the year you're buying in (2014), and go with Canon or Nikon depending on what turns out to best fit your needs and budget.

If you're looking for a DSLR, you need to figure out your budget. Let's say your budget is $1000 for a camera and lens. In that case, you might want to get a D5300 with a nice lens to begin with such as the 35mm 1.8G.

 

[dmfw]

if this is for a real beginner, then you might consider a 3200 or 3300. I, personally, would spend more $$ for a D5200.

One issue, the 3200/3300/5200 require a lens with a motor. Having a body with a motor give you the best lens options.

 

[manaheim]

Buy the best camera you can comfortably afford (and keep in mind, leave some room for money for lenses).

I used that strategy and ended up spending a lot more than I would have, had I just bought a really good camera in the first place.

After spending about 3k€ on various compact, bridge and entry level DSLRs I went all "wtf are you doing, you spend this much money and what do you have to show for it ?"

So, what? You want my advice to be to spend more than you can comfortably afford, and leave no room for glass?

I'm a huge proponent of buying the best so you don't have to buy twice, but putting yourself into hock over it is stupid.

Especially when you factor in that some large percentage of DSLRs sit on a shelf and collect dust.