What should I get?

[rekomaged1]

I am deciding between the Canon t3i and the Nikon d5100, I have done hours of research and am still stuck? I will do mostly photography but a bit of video, for youtube and such.

 

[jamesbjenkins]

If you're primarily shooting landscapes, architecture or other stationary subjects, the Canon may be a good choice. For everything that moves, Nikon is a better option. Nikon's autofocus is faster and more accurate pretty much across the board. The D5100 is a great entry-level choice.

The Canon is fully capable of taking good pictures, but the Nikon is better IMO.

 

[rekomaged1]

hmm, ok thank you!

 

[rokvi]

The Nikon has less noise at higher ISO and slightly faster AF. The Canon has slightly better res and a bigger swivel display. Canon has opted to give a little of both worlds with more options for video however lacks in some of the things needed for photography. Try both out in store and see which "feels" best and go from there both are good entry level cameras, with Nikon slightly trumping in the still photo department.

 

[rekomaged1]

Wait, I found out that the d5100 doesn't have an af body, does the t3i have one?

 

[MTVision]

Wait, I found out that the d5100 doesn't have an af body, does the t3i have one?

Neither does. The AF motor is in the lens for both cameras.

 

[rekomaged1]

Alright, I am still stuck, haha. I have held both cameras, both feel very nice, I like both, but I can only have one. =/ Can't decide. My friends say get the Canon, because they have canon's, but people here say get the nikon, or the canon...I am very confused.

 

[Netskimmer]

I have have never used the T3i but the D5100 is a good beginners camera, on the other hand if your friends all shoot Canon and are willing to let you borrow their stuff from time to time then that is something to consider. Too muddy the waters a bit more for you... have you looked at the new D3200?

 

[rekomaged1]

No, I haven't but I googled d3200 vs d5100 and snap sort said d5100 was better.

 

[jrizal]

Other reviews:

Canon T3i 600D vs Nikon D5100 review Cameralabs

Head-To-Head Review: Canon T3i Vs. Nikon D5100 TechCrunch

Nikon D5100 vs Canon T3i (600D) - Which one is better?

One thing to note is that there is no official battery grip for the D5100 (if that's important to you). And as such, third party grips need a wire for the grip to work. Unlike for the T3i, which has an official grip with extra controls in the grip. And even third party grips look and function the same as original grips. Also, you cannot use third party batteries on the D5100 without a battery grip if that's important to you too.

Nikon according to pros seems to have better IQ due to better optics, but features wise including video and also third party accessories, Canon seems to win. Lastly, since the Nikon doesn't have an AF motor in the body, lenses are much more expensive. That too is worth considering as you are not only choosing a specific model but a whole camera system as well. So from a practical (more of financial) standpoint, I'd recommend Canon as a system for newbies even though I have a Nikon. (Note that I do not hate my camera and I am just giving practical advice. And for the most part the quality of these cameras and brands in general are at par.) Good luck with your purchase whatever it may be.

PS The T4i is rumored to come out soon.

 

[Tarayn]

I say Nikon, but don't listen to me because my opinions just biased. ;-)

 

[nmoody]

Both are great cameras. If you have friends who have canons get that then. You will be able to try their lenses and easily be shown techniques.

I btw love my D3100 the one below the D5100

 

[Derrel]

I handled the T3i a couple weekends ago. It feels like a toy. I handled the D5100 at the same store (Best Buy), and it felt slightly less toy-like. I dunno...I would rather have the Nikon, but this price point and these two offerings is NOT a slam-dunk matchup in favor of Nikon. My gut tells me the Nikon has a better, color-aware light metering system, and that the T3i is dumb and color-blind like 90 percent of Canon's camera models are. As a point and shoot type d-slr, my feeling is that Nikon's color-aware, 3-D RGB color matrix light metering, and 3D, RGB-measuring, color-aware flash metering with a GOOD lower tier flash like the SB 600 or SB 700 gives the edge to Nikon for the beginner. I am not impressed with Canon's lower-priced flash. With color-blind metering, Canon always had trouble with consistent, easy flash-metering, for years, until the 580 was upgraded to the EX-II generation. Nikon has a 15 year head-start on color-aware metering. I am assuming that you want a the camera to be able to be used as a P&S camera for all types of images, both with daylight AND flash, so my nod goes to the Nikon system on both ambient light metering in auto mode shooting, and flash metering. AND, on better, lower-tier flash units.

 

[TheBiles]

Alright, I am still stuck, haha. I have held both cameras, both feel very nice, I like both, but I can only have one. =/ Can't decide. My friends say get the Canon, because they have canon's, but people here say get the nikon, or the canon...I am very confused.

Bam. Get the Canon. You can share gear with your friends. You can split hairs all day with these entry-level cameras, so just go with what those around you already have.

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201

 

[KenC]

If you decide to go Canon for the loaners, consider the T2i, which probably would save you some money you could use for a lens. Same sensor and much the same all over, the only significant difference being the movable view screen on the T3i. Most people don't really have a need for this feature. I have it on a Canon G11 and never use it. The only situations I can think of where it might be helpful are macro shots very close to the ground and self portraits.