What should be my first DSLR?

[bigy4n]

i have never used any slr cameras before, now i want to buy one. after some research i have narrowed my choice to these three entry level camera

Pentax k-r $590 on amazon
Canon T3 $540 on amazon
Nikon D3100 $600 on amazon

i kinda prefer the camera which takes the best pics in low light condition. what should i pic? or are there better options?

 

[analog.universe]

Low light isn't usually a strongpoint of entry level dSLRs. Additionally, the kit lens that comes with most dSLR's (especially at this price point), is virtually useless in low light.

So... if you're extremely budget constrained, I would suggest getting a 50mm f/1.8 lens instead of the kit lens. Also, maybe look at an older model (used even), that is slightly higher up the food chain. Canon T2i? (someone who knows the Nikon lineup can suggest a model I'm sure). I'd recommend sticking with Canon or Nikon, as these systems have the widest selection of lenses available, as well as the largest user base. Pentax was actually recently bought out, so who knows where they're headed. You should probably go to a camera shop and play with a few different ones to decide if you like the ergonomics of Canon or Nikon better. At this price point, it's purely personal preference, and neither brand performs better than the other.

 

[Hardrock]

You live in NY maybe you could go to BH if its not to far and get a feel for these cameras. The lens and flash is very important for low light and none of these kit lens will be any good for low light. Image stabilation will help but no substitute.

 

[KmH]

According to this comparison, you would get the Nikon D3100, because it has the best low-light ISO performance of the 3.

DxOMark - Compare cameras side by side

DXO Mark uses industry standard testing techniques and equipment.

i have never used any slr cameras before, now i want to buy one. after some research i have narrowed my choice to these three entry level camera

Pentax k-r $590 on amazon
Canon T3 $540 on amazon
Nikon D3100 $600 on amazon

i kinda prefer the camera which takes the best pics in low light condition. what should i pic? or are there better options?

 

[analog.universe]

According to this comparison, you would get the Nikon D3100, because it has the best low-light ISO performance of the 3.

DxOMark - Compare cameras side by side

DXO Mark uses industry standard testing techniques and equipment.

i have never used any slr cameras before, now i want to buy one. after some research i have narrowed my choice to these three entry level camera

Pentax k-r $590 on amazon
Canon T3 $540 on amazon
Nikon D3100 $600 on amazon

i kinda prefer the camera which takes the best pics in low light condition. what should i pic? or are there better options?

Just be sure to take data like this in context. The D3100 outperforms the Canon T3 by less than 1/3 of a stop. This is basically the difference between shooting at 1/100sec shutter, and 1/120, a finer adjustment than the camera even allows you to make. The difference between the D3100 and the Canon T2i is even slimmer.

I think that these differences are insignificant when compared to the differences in ergonomics between the two brands. Some people really like Nikon, some people really like Canon... but it's not worth shooting a body you don't really like, just because it has 1/4 of a stop less noise. ymmv.

Maybe you'll get lucky and like the Nikon better, and then you won't have to wonder. : )

 

[BJF]

Actually none of the three models perform well in low light. Image quality will become worse significantly above ISO400. Since you care low light performance so much, you may consider D90 or D7000 instead.

Pentax k-r
Canon T3
Nikon D3100
Nikon D90
Nikon D7000

 

[BrianLy]

I hear of a lot of people pairing the D7000 or the D3100 with the 35mm 1.8.