Canon T3i or Nikon D3200 for Teen (Was: Canon T3 for Teen?)

[robinb]

I've read other threads comparing the Canon T3 with the Canon T3i, but can you stand another one?

My 14 year old sophomore HS DD took two week long video classes this summer. The first was a class on interviewing and documentaries and the second was a class in moviemaking. She asked her teachers at the moviemaking class about cameras and they suggested a small camcorder or a DSLR. She started hanging out with a bunch of other 13-15 year old kids who make their own movies/videos and they all have DSLRs. She picked out a Canon T3i package on Amazon (I nixed the package since I think it's better to put together items myself) and I found a camera bundle at Costco for $699: http://www.costco.com/Canon-EOS-Rebel-T3i-DSLR-Camera-2-Lens-Bundle.product.100075344.html.

I was in Target last night with my 15% off electronics coupon from Cartwheel burning a hole in my pocket and they have the Canon T3 on sale for $299 (http://www.target.com/p/canon-eos-r...A-13318493#prodSlot=medium_1_10&term=canon+t3) and you buy a telephoto lens (http://www.target.com/p/canon-ef-75...pdp|CategorySiloedViewCP|item_page.vertical_1) you get an extra $100 off.

So, the T3 is $299+99 = $398 - 15% = $338 = 5% Target Card discount = $321.

Ugh. I know that she wants the more expensive camera, but the T3 is less than half the price. I know that it only does video in 720p and you can't auto-focus in video mode but will it really be a terrible camera for a beginner teen videographer?

 

[photo_chick]

Some of the packages will save you a bit of cash but you have to really evaluate what they have in them.

The T3 is a fine DSLR to start with. IMO it's not ideal for film making because it lacks some features I would want, but it can get the job done. Personally I'd look at a used T2i if I wanted to stick to that price range. It's a better sensor with more features.

Another consideration if she's getting serious is how you're going to get the audio into the camera. The mic on a DSLR is not great and you really need to be able to record audio in another manner if you plan to move beyond home movies. Some cameras have a jack to plug in a mic, some do not. This might be a feature you want to consider in your search.

On the lens... skip the 75-300. This is the worst lens Canon makes and you can find better options used for less money (like the out of production 70-210 f/4 that goes for $150). As far as new lenses the 55-250 is a little bit more cash but a much, much MUCH better lens all around.

I'm going to throw out another option altogether as well. If she's really serous consider a used Canon XL1. It's an older digital tape model and she would have to actually grab the video off of it. We still use ours and while it's not HD, it produces more than high enough quality for the web. It has a wonderful built in mic and the kit lens is L quality. It's also got professional features that are really nice to have and valuable for a film maker to learn to use. You can find a setup for under $500. This was a top of the line pro camcorder in it's day, about 10 years ago, and it's still a solid workhorse. It's not the right choice for everyone, but it's an option I thought I'd toss out there since there are a lot of these on the market from pros who have updated their gear.

edited because I realized you were aware of the AF limitations I talked about so I deleted that. For what it's worth, the T3i suggest can't AF while shooting either. Neither can the 6D, 5DIII or 1D and some of those are used to shoot by professionals.

 

[robinb]

Some of the packages will save you a bit of cash but you have to really evaluate what they have in them.

The T3 is a fine DSLR to start with. IMO it's not ideal for film making because it lacks some features I would want, but it can get the job done. Personally I'd look at a used T2i if I wanted to stick to that price range. It's a better sensor with more features.

Another consideration if she's getting serious is how you're going to get the audio into the camera. The mic on a DSLR is not great and you really need to be able to record audio in another manner if you plan to move beyond home movies. Some cameras have a jack to plug in a mic, some do not. This might be a feature you want to consider in your search.

On the lens... skip the 75-300. This is the worst lens Canon makes and you can find better options used for less money (like the out of production 70-210 f/4 that goes for $150). As far as new lenses the 55-250 is a little bit more cash but a much, much MUCH better lens all around.

I'm going to throw out another option altogether as well. If she's really serous consider a used Canon XL1. It's an older digital tape model and she would have to actually grab the video off of it. We still use ours and while it's not HD, it produces more than high enough quality for the web. It has a wonderful built in mic and the kit lens is L quality. It's also got professional features that are really nice to have and valuable for a film maker to learn to use. You can find a setup for under $500. This was a top of the line pro camcorder in it's day, about 10 years ago, and it's still a solid workhorse. It's not the right choice for everyone, but it's an option I thought I'd toss out there since there are a lot of these on the market from pros who have updated their gear.

edited because I realized you were aware of the AF limitations I talked about so I deleted that. For what it's worth, the T3i suggest can't AF while shooting either. Neither can the 6D, 5DIII or 1D and some of those are used to shoot by professionals.

Thanks for your advise! It's hard to tell how serious she is. She's been making videos at home with our iPhones and iPad for over a year and she really enjoyed the classes she took. I just don't want to dump a huge chunk of $$ on equipment with bells and whistles she won't use.

I'll look into a T2i. Any suggestions on where to find a good deal on genuine equipment?

 

[photo_chick]

Thanks for your advise! It's hard to tell how serious she is. She's been making videos at home with our iPhones and iPad for over a year and she really enjoyed the classes she took. I just don't want to dump a huge chunk of $$ on equipment with bells and whistles she won't use.

I'll look into a T2i. Any suggestions on where to find a good deal on genuine equipment?

Canon has great deals on their refurbished items and KEH.com has an excellent reputation and gives a warranty when buying used. Those are my goto places.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Canon has great deals on their refurbished items and KEH.com has an excellent reputation and gives a warranty when buying used. Those are my goto places.

Keh is one of my favorites. They tend to underrate their used equipment. For example, right now the have a T3i in LN- condition for $432 (body only) and a 50-250 LN- for $162. I'm not a Canon guy, so I am making an assumption this is the lens Photo Chick is talking about.

Here's the link to the lens:
https://www.keh.com/350840/canon-55-250mm-f-4-5-6-is-ii-ef-s-mount-lens-for-aps-c-sensor-dslrs-58

And the camera:
https://www.keh.com/298845/canon-rebel-t3i-digital-camera-body-18-m-p

 

[robinb]

I brought my DD to Best Buy so she could hold the 2 cameras and then she also held the Nikon D3200. She really liked the Nikon. She said that it had a built-in guide and that it felt more intuitive. I found that interesting since all of our more recent cameras have been Canons but we do have an old 20th century Nikon film SLR. Now I'm off to research the D3200 . Best Buy has a package with the camera, 2 lenses and a case for $579. I don't know if that's a good deal or not right now.

FWIW, I found a T3i with a lens, a bag, 32G card and a printer (?!) for $489 through Ritz Camera with free shipping.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I brought my DD to Best Buy so she could hold the 2 cameras and then she also held the Nikon D3200. She really liked the Nikon. She said that it had a built-in guide and that it felt more intuitive. I found that interesting since all of our more recent cameras have been Canons but we do have an old 20th century Nikon film SLR. Now I'm off to research the D3200 . Best Buy has a package with the camera, 2 lenses and a case for $579. I don't know if that's a good deal or not right now.

FWIW, I found a T3i with a lens, a bag, 32G card and a printer (?!) for $489 through Ritz Camera with free shipping.

Just remember that all the equipment in package "deals" are not created equal, especially when it comes to lenses. Lenses are the tools in the tool box and you match that tool to the job that you are trying to do. You don't use a hammer when you need a screwdriver. For camera comparisons, I would use www.dpreview.com. They have some very good comparison tools. For lens information, I like www.slrgear.com. As I said earlier, I'm not a Canon guy nor am I a Nikon guy, however I am aware that not all lenses in the Nikon lineup are compatible with the entry level D3200. Maybe someone from the Nikon camp can explain and the same with the Canon lenses. Any lens that they sell in a kit will work, its just how well for the thing your trying to shoot. With today's lineup of camera bodies, they are all excellent. Primarily the differences are what your daughter learned. The camera feel in your hands with the button layout and menu interface are key components for selecting a camera.

 

[robinb]

Just remember that all the equipment in package "deals" are not created equal, especially when it comes to lenses. Lenses are the tools in the tool box and you match that tool to the job that you are trying to do. You don't use a hammer when you need a screwdriver. For camera comparisons, I would use www.dpreview.com. They have some very good comparison tools. For lens information, I like www.slrgear.com. As I said earlier, I'm not a Canon guy nor am I a Nikon guy, however I am aware that not all lenses in the Nikon lineup are compatible with the entry level D3200. Maybe someone from the Nikon camp can explain and the same with the Canon lenses. Any lens that they sell in a kit will work, its just how well for the thing your trying to shoot. With today's lineup of camera bodies, they are all excellent. Primarily the differences are what your daughter learned. The camera feel in your hands with the button layout and menu interface are key components for selecting a camera.

Thanks! I edited the subject to catch the eye of the Nikon folks.

 

[photo_chick]

How the camera feels in your hands should weigh heavily in your decision, IMO. And some of us have a definite preference. If she liked the Nikon better and thought it was more intuitive to her I'd lean that way.

And Nikonians.org has a really good lens compatibility chart. Just google it.