Which DSLR should I buy?

[Zman9398]

First, before I get into this, I understand that you guys have probably seen threads like this and are going to tell me to use the search bar, but I have and really can't find much on the expect topic and specifics.

Budget: 500 for just body

Lenses: I currently am not invested in any system.

Location: NJ, US

Way of Purchasing: eBay, used

Type of Photography: Surf Photography from beach, landscapes and casual walk-around.

I have seen a few bodies in my price range that I like:

Nikon:
d300- 450
d5100-350
d5200- 450
d3200- 300
D3300- 400
D90- 380

Canon:
60D- 450
50D- 400

My friend was going to sell me a Nikon 55-200 (kit lens) for 100 if I got a Nikon, but after hearing its not so suitable for action I may not get it no matter what.

i like the idea of have a top display and weather proofing sounds like it would do wonders for me.

i shoot videos with my go pro and it goes where ever I go. (HINT: video is not important)

 

[Designer]

I think you should get the D5100 for $350, which leaves you with $150 for a lens. You can purchase an 18-55mm for cheap, which will be your "walking around" lens. Then start saving up for a telephoto for those surfing shots.

 

[Designer]

BTW: have you seen what the pros use for surfing shots? Get ready to spend some money.

 

[jaomul]

I think the d300 is your best choice here. I believe it's the only weather proofish body. The sensor is not as good at high I so as the others but it is the most pro spec camera on your list

 

[W.Fovall]

get this one

 

[ruifo]

Welcome to the forum.

I would go wity the D5200.
Well I really did go with it already.

The D300 is a good option, but it's now too old...
The D5200 is new and has the best sensor among all crop DSLR of today.

Here are my shots with the D5200:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ruimc/sets/72157641189291803/

Good luck!

 

[jaomul]

While the Lego one is def out the 5100 and 5200 neither have weather seals or a top display. They do have more mp and better sensors but the d300 fps, autofocus, build and inbuilt focus motor trump them in my opinion for outdoor action

 

[manaheim]

Look at D200s. Not QUITE as good as a D300, but darn close and will save you a couple bills. Then you can put that money towards a lens.

As far as "not suitable for action"... I once used a 70-300 4/5.6 for some action shots. It worked fine.

"Suitable for X" is a statement made by people who have the luxury of a much larger budget, and specifically many thousands of dollars. I have a 70-200 2.8 VR2 that is "suitable for action" from within a limited range. $2500. What I really need is like a 300 or 400 mm F4, which runs in the more $5000+ range.

The 50-200 will be fine.

You can make almost anything work. It's just sometimes a little more challenging.

 

[goodguy]

I would go with the D5200, best sensor out of your list and its AF is same as the one on D7000 which means its a pretty good AF system.

 

[Derrel]

D3300 is my vote. Much better image quality than any of the old, 10- and 12-MP cameras. A LOT more megapixels than a D200 or D300, which will be hugely useful for surfing photos, where cropping a big, 24-MP image is your "telephoto lens" substitute. ALL of the 3xxx and 5xxx series cameras can accept older, pre-AI lenses, as well as AI lenses and Ai-S lenses, so you might find some good, older, manual focus lenses really affordable as one way to expand your kit; like say, a pre-AI 55mm f/3.5 Micro-Nikko...older rough exterior ones sell for $30 or so on KEH.COM because those lenses are UN-USABLE on most d-slrs, and on many,many film Nikons. The "baby Nikon" d-slrs are basically the only Nikons that can even MOUNT pre-Ai lenses. The D3300 uses a bigger, more-powerful battery than the earlier D3200, and seems to have slightly better video capabilities.

Read the new Thom Hogan review of the D3300.Nikon D3300 Review | byThom | Thom Hogan

 

[Vince.1551]

Agree with Derrel on D3300.

I won't bother with weather proofing unless I can drop my camera in a pool and it still works. Most modern DSLRs can take a little rain or snow or some splashing or some bad weathers as tested with both D610 and D5300 (both not weather proofed).