Which one to buy D5100 with 18-105mm lens OR D3100 with Twin lens 18-55 and 55-200 ??

[spc1105]

Hello all
this is my first SLR buy. Want to buy D5100 but confused with which lens option to choose.
is it good to have to separate lens kit as D3100 or better to have only one lens 18-105.
Pls suggest which one is good to buy D3100 with two lens or D5100 with single lens 18-105??????
This is my first post from Sydney. Thank you.
Regards
SID

 

[gryffinwings]

Hello all
this is my first SLR buy. Want to buy D5100 but confused with which lens option to choose.
is it good to have to separate lens kit as D3100 or better to have only one lens 18-105.
Pls suggest which one is good to buy D3100 with two lens or D5100 with single lens 18-105??????
This is my first post from Sydney. Thank you.
Regards
SID

I recommend the D5100 with the 18-105mm, it's a very good range to work with and you won't even have to change lens all that often either. Also the D5100 has a better image sensor, the same as the D7000. However, you may want to consider a D90 or even a D7000 if you are even going to consider getting serious about photography.

My Reasons:
1. The D5100 viewfinder is on the small side, it is much easier to compose a photo with the D90 or D7000 because the viewfinder is bigger and brighter.
2. Ergonomics are good, you have more hand grip with the D90 and D7000, you really need to go to a shop and look through the viewfinder and handle each camera.
3. The Autofocus point indicators in the viewfinder is superior in the D90 and D7000.
4. The D90 and D7000 both have in camera focus motors, this may or may not be a problem, but for me it is, because I'm seeing a bunch of lens I'd like to have but require that in camera focus motor.
5. The D90 used can be had for around 600-700 dollars with the 18-105mm lens that your looking at. Those are Amazon prices here in the united states.

For me, since I'm getting more serious about photography, I'm really wishing I had a D90 instead. They say there is a difference in image quality, but in my opinion, just by looking at pictures taken by both, it might be difficult to see the difference.

 

[cgipson1]

D5100 is far superior to the D3100... much better body! The 18-105 is a better lens too!

As mentioned above.. the D90 is better yet.. and the D7000 is probably one of the best crop sensors bodies you can buy today.

 

[pixmedic]

^^^yup. Its all true. I would get the D5100 over the D3100. Getting a D90 or D7000 is even better.

 

[greybeard]

I have had a lot of experience with the 18-55 and th 18-105. I prefer the 18-55. It is smaller, just as sharp, and will close focus 1 to 3. The combination of 18-55 and 55-200 is a great combination.

 

[greybeard]

The 3100 18-55....55-200...is all the camera most people really need, the rest is what they want...lol

 

[gryffinwings]

The camera most people need is the one that they feel most comfortable using. I believe the D3100 is for people that want a good camera that are only going to use it sparingly and only dabble in photography and not get serious.

 

[Derrel]

TOUGH CHOICE! I honestly think a case could be made for either setup. Buuuut...just based on my own personal experience with the 18-105 Zoom~Nikkor (bought one for my wife's first-ever d-slr outfit, and have shot it myself many times), I would pick the outfit that had that one,single lens. The 55-200 is a pretty low-cost lens, so you could easily add it later, as a used lens, with very little cash outlay. 18 to 105 on APS-C is a prety nice,wide range for an all-in-one outfit, and to me, that's what would make the most sense...a small,light body with the 18-105 on it.

 

[spc1105]

Thank you for your time. Price of D7000 in sydney is min 1000AUD with accessories . I cant afford that at the moment. As you said will look into D5100 with single 18-105 lens.

regards
sid