Canon T4i vs. Nikon D5100 or D3200

[csummerlin55]

I'm looking to upgrade to my 1st DSLR soon and have been doing some research but, being new to the game, am still so unsure what to go with. I had finally settled in with the idea of paying $750 for a Nikon D5100 with a 18-55 and a 55-200 VR lens (with a bag and DVD) but then I went in to play with one at Best Buy today and noticed the grip on the Canon felt a bit better and the camera felt a bit lighter. I also spoke with a very helpful associate who explained how he liked the Canon much more than both of the Nikons but also perferred the Nikon D3200 over the D5100 because of the MPs. The Canon T4i is $850 online with the 18-135 STM lens. I played with the Canon a bit and that just made me even more confused.

I will not be able to buy any new lenses for at least a year. The camera will be used to take pictures and videos of my kids, vacations etc and will become the only camera we use (outside of an el-cheap-o waterproof for waterparks). Does anyone have any suggestions for me in trying to decide which one is the best for me? Any tips regarding taking care of a DSLR? I'm accustomed to a Olympus Tough so I didn't have to worry about care. TIA!

 

[photo_chick]

I wouldn't put a lot of stock into what a Best Buy employee tells you either way. They're normally not very knowledgable. Some can talk a good talk but I've yet to meet one who really knows anything. The biggest clue with this salesperson... the statement about megapixels. They really don't matter like they did ten years ago and more aren't necessarily better.

Now... as to which camera. The D3200 is a step below the D5100 and the T4i. As far as the specs between the three cameras, go to dpreview.com and use their comparison tools. You should also be aware of the limitations on lens functionality with the entry level Nikons. Personally... You said the T4i feels better in your hands. For that reason I'd probably go with that one. You really can't go wrong with any DSLR's out right now. They're all very capable of making great images.

Most DSLR's are tougher than most people think. Just use common sense -keep the lenses clean, don't change lenses in really windy environments.. that kind of thing- and you'll be fine.

 

[KERdad06]

I'm looking to upgrade to my 1st DSLR soon and have been doing some research but, being new to the game, am still so unsure what to go with. I had finally settled in with the idea of paying $750 for a Nikon D5100 with a 18-55 and a 55-200 VR lens (with a bag and DVD) but then I went in to play with one at Best Buy today and noticed the grip on the Canon felt a bit better and the camera felt a bit lighter. I also spoke with a very helpful associate who explained how he liked the Canon much more than both of the Nikons but also perferred the Nikon D3200 over the D5100 because of the MPs. The Canon T4i is $850 online with the 18-135 STM lens. I played with the Canon a bit and that just made me even more confused.

I will not be able to buy any new lenses for at least a year. The camera will be used to take pictures and videos of my kids, vacations etc and will become the only camera we use (outside of an el-cheap-o waterproof for waterparks). Does anyone have any suggestions for me in trying to decide which one is the best for me? Any tips regarding taking care of a DSLR? I'm accustomed to a Olympus Tough so I didn't have to worry about care. TIA!

The same thing happened to me. I was leaning towards the Nikon, but the Canon felt much better in my hand.

I just bought the T4i tonight at Best Buy. My salesperson was actually very helpful, she told me she did photography on the side and was very helpful, seemed quite knowledgable. I got the T4i with the 18-55mm for $634 and the extra 55-250 lens for $147. Seemed like a pretty good deal from what I was finding online. I'm new to the DSLR world, and can't wait to try it out!

 

[csummerlin55]

I wouldn't put a lot of stock into what a Best Buy employee tells you either way. They're normally not very knowledgable. Some can talk a good talk but I've yet to meet one who really knows anything. The biggest clue with this salesperson... the statement about megapixels. They really don't matter like they did ten years ago and more aren't necessarily better.

Now... as to which camera. The D3200 is a step below the D5100 and the T4i. As far as the specs between the three cameras, go to dpreview.com and use their comparison tools. You should also be aware of the limitations on lens functionality with the entry level Nikons. Personally... You said the T4i feels better in your hands. For that reason I'd probably go with that one. You really can't go wrong with any DSLR's out right now. They're all very capable of making great images.

Most DSLR's are tougher than most people think. Just use common sense -keep the lenses clean, don't change lenses in really windy environments.. that kind of thing- and you'll be fine.

Thanks for the info!

I usually don't discuss the items I'm purchasing in depth with any salesperson because I always end up feeling like they are trying to sell me and give me bad info but this one made me feel like he was really knowledgable. As far as the MP goes he told me it only mattered to him because he often blows pics up to poster size. He didn't even tell me he perferred the Canon until I told him how I originally thought that was what I wanted and that it felt good in my hand. I didn't check out his story but he claims to do photowork for a local sports magazine and for our local university. I will say he taught me something about aperture when I told him I was planning on building a skill set since I have none (which I realized after reading another Dis-thread ) and told him some effects I wanted to create. He used the camera I was looking at and took the time to show me how to create two of those effects.

 

[csummerlin55]

The same thing happened to me. I was leaning towards the Nikon, but the Canon felt much better in my hand.

I just bought the T4i tonight at Best Buy. My salesperson was actually very helpful, she told me she did photography on the side and was very helpful, seemed quite knowledgable. I got the T4i with the 18-55mm for $634 and the extra 55-250 lens for $147. Seemed like a pretty good deal from what I was finding online. I'm new to the DSLR world, and can't wait to try it out!

It does sound like a great deal (granted I know nothing about the speed and quality if the lenses you got) since the one I was looking at in the store with the one lens was $999. Online the same was about $860. Today was the last day for the sale I was looking at in store. I wonder how long the deal you got is going on.

If you think of it and don't mind, please let me know how you like it after you get to play a bit.

 

[mikegood2]

You wouldn't go wrong with either of those cameras, but if you prefer the feel of the Canon, than I think that is your better choice. Even though it costs more, I also think the 18-135 lens is a great choice. You said that if you got that combo, you wouldn't be able to get another lens for at least a year, I'd at least look into the $150 off 55-250mm lens which runs thru 2/2/13 I believe. Amazon currently sells it for $241, so it would cost you less than $100.

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