I need a new camera! Advice please!

[disneygirl2785]

Hey everyone! I am looking to buy a new camera and don't really know what to get. I am partial to Nikon, but not devoted. I have had a Coolpix (I don't have it in front of me to tell you what model) and been pleased, but looking to upgrade. It was just a small P&S.

What I'm looking for is something to take GREAT photos of our daughter and other events in our life, easily. I would love an SLR, but the thought of different lenses overwhelms me. I have been looking at the Nikon P520, but is it going to be that much better than my current Coolpix? Our price range is $400-500.

Thoughts and advice greatly appreciated!

 

[hakepb]

What matters to most photographers is 1) sensor size (larger is better) and 2) fast lens (lower f/ values)

The P520 is a nice camera if your #1 and #2 priorities are zoom and more zoom, but if you want better quality portraits, then the P7800 and P530 have bigger sensors and faster lenses than the P530. The P530 may not be much of an improvement, if any from your current camera.

In terms of different lens scariness, Nikon does have a few super versatile lenses, 18-105 (6x), 18-200 (11x) and a 18-300 (16.6x)
Would be easy and better quality than a Coolpix because the DSLr sensor is so much larger than even the P7800.

 

[hakepb]

FYI, I know you mentioned Nikon, but if you rule out any lens changing, you really should at least seriously consider the Sony RX-100. (Sony makes a lot of the sensors Nikon uses, so there is a slight connection).

 

[cobright]

FYI, I know you mentioned Nikon, but if you rule out any lens changing, you really should at least seriously consider the Sony RX-100. (Sony makes a lot of the sensors Nikon uses, so there is a slight connection).

The RX-100 is a P&S with a 1" sensor Without getting into stupidly expensive P&S' like the Leica or that high end Fuji one the Sony is really the best option for a P&S.

The Nikon J1 is an interchangable lens camera with the same 1" size sensor that's designed to be much more like a P&S than an SLR. the J1 is a year or two old model and can be bought for $300 ish including a nice kit lens. Something like this would get you a little bit of flexibility with lenses sometime down the road when you are ready, or just leave the kit lens on and use it like a P&S.

In the same boat, I just bought a Canon EOS M, which is an interchangable lens compact camera for about $400 with lens and a decent external flash. The EOS M has a dslr sized sensor and the image processing 'guts' of a decent canon DSLR. It doesn't throw out the clicks as rapidly as my DSLR but it's not bad and the actual image quality is downright impressive.

Just a thought on that...

 

[SplashMo]

The RX100 is a great camera. I love mine. It is in its own league with regards to zoom point and shoots.

 

[toomanycars]

If you get over the fear of interchangeable lenses. Roberts camera who is an Nikon dealer has Nikon factory refurbished D5100 cameras with 18-55mm standard lens for $379. http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=141059381335

Here is a review http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond5100/

The D5100 will give you a APS-C size sensor. You also have the ability to grow by adding additional lenses and accessories later.

 

[disneygirl2785]

Thank you for all your info! I have been looking at the Sony RX100, as it was mentioned on another thread, and there are some good deals on Ebay. Since the original RX does not have wifi, will an eyefi card still work? It looks like it will. Is the shoe the only other upgrade for the m2?

I am interested in the Nikon D5100, too. Is it possible to use one lens while at the parks? What's the difference between the 3100, 5100, 7100?

Again, thanks for the input!

 

[hakepb]

Thank you for all your info! I have been looking at the Sony RX100, as it was mentioned on another thread, and there are some good deals on Ebay. Since the original RX does not have wifi, will an eyefi card still work? It looks like it will. Is the shoe the only other upgrade for the m2?

I am interested in the Nikon D5100, too. Is it possible to use one lens while at the parks? What's the difference between the 3100, 5100, 7100?

Again, thanks for the input!

The RX100 M2 has a flip LCD, wifi (with NFC for the "tap" to transfer if your smartphone supports it), Mi Shoe, and a different back-lit sensor that does a bit better at ISO 800+. The "old"RX100 is compatible with EyeFi cards.

Forget the D3100, it has an old sensor that is not very good in low light. The D3200 has a modern 24mp sensor, but some argue the 16mp sensor is a bit better in low light. The 24mp sensor can produce more detail with good lenses in good light.

The D5100 has the very good 16mp sensor. There is now a D5200 with the 24mp sensor and the more advanced AF tracking from the D7000.

The D7100 is Nikon's top "prosumer" crop body DSLr. It had the 24mp sensor and some more advanced features/controls. Nikon model numbers are a bit out of sync, as the D5100 was the little brother of the D7000. (There is no D7200, as the D7100 was released this year)

The D7000+, D5100+, and D3200+ are all good choices for starter DSLr.

The D3000 series is the smallest and most basic (in terms of features, performance, and external controls) and smallest DSLr for Nikon.

The higher models start adding more features and control and performance, plus more metal instead of plastic and higher duty ratings.

The D7000 series has a built in motor for powering older AF lenses. With the 3000 and 5000 series, you have to make sure your lens is compatible.

 

[havoc315]

Lots of good suggestions in this thread.
The original rx100 remains an outstanding camera and the price has come down to a more reasonable range. It's the best at getting the most in the smallest package.

The Nikon 1 series uses the same size sensor and interchangeable lenses. The cameras have lightening fast autofocus in good light and the cameras are really designed for "easy use." The image quality is slightly lower than the rx100 due to a slower lens. It's a small camera, but not nearly as compact as the rx100.

The Canon mirrorless -- my fear is that the product was a failure for Canon so they may not be fully supporting the line. I may be wrong, but I believe they still only have 2 lenses. It's autofocus system gained a very bad reputation.

DSLRs are actually the best bang for the buck (against conventional wisdom). If size isn't an issue... Any fairly recent entry/mid level dSLR can typically surpass almost any compact in image quality and performance. (The rx100, with its fantastic lens can sometimes surpass a dSLR using a kit lens, in some limited situations).

 

[toomanycars]

The RX100 M2 has a flip LCD, wifi (with NFC for the "tap" to transfer if your smartphone supports it), Mi Shoe, and a different back-lit sensor that does a bit better at ISO 800+. The "old"RX100 is compatible with EyeFi cards.

Forget the D3100, it has an old sensor that is not very good in low light. The D3200 has a modern 24mp sensor, but some argue the 16mp sensor is a bit better in low light. The 24mp sensor can produce more detail with good lenses in good light.

The D5100 has the very good 16mp sensor. There is now a D5200 with the 24mp sensor and the more advanced AF tracking from the D7000.

The D7100 is Nikon's top "prosumer" crop body DSLr. It had the 24mp sensor and some more advanced features/controls. Nikon model numbers are a bit out of sync, as the D5100 was the little brother of the D7000. (There is no D7200, as the D7100 was released this year)

The D7000+, D5100+, and D3200+ are all good choices for starter DSLr.

The D3000 series is the smallest and most basic (in terms of features, performance, and external controls) and smallest DSLr for Nikon.

The higher models start adding more features and control and performance, plus more metal instead of plastic and higher duty ratings.

The D7000 series has a built in motor for powering older AF lenses. With the 3000 and 5000 series, you have to make sure your lens is compatible.

hakepb did a great job of comparing the cameras. Let me touch upon can 1 lens do it all. A one lens approach is somewhat of a compromise but maybe not as much as you think. Scott Kelby(owner of Kelby training, Photographer and Photoshop expert) a famous photographer recommends only taking one extended range zoom lens for travel photography. I now walk around WDW with a D7100 and 18-140mm zoom. Sometimes I find myself wanting something wider or something longer or even a faster lens. Then On certain times of the trip I plan to go out and photograph and then I will carry a camera bag full of toys and tripod.

 

[wiigirl]

The RX100 is a great camera. I love mine. It is in its own league with regards to zoom point and shoots.

 

[tarak]

I just bought a Nikon D5100, so I'm reassured by the comments I'm reading. I've always had point-and-shoots but wanted to branch out into the world of DLSR. For anyone interested, I bought the camera with the 18-55mm zoom lens for $479 on Amazon.

 

[toomanycars]

I just bought a Nikon D5100, so I'm reassured by the comments I'm reading. I've always had point-and-shoots but wanted to branch out into the world of DLSR. For anyone interested, I bought the camera with the 18-55mm zoom lens for $479 on Amazon.

Congratulations you're going to love it! The Nikon D5100 has lots and lots of training videos on YouTube.

One of my favorite training resources is Kelby training. It's not free but it's only ~$24 a month with no long-term obligation. They have a new series called beginners start here. Also typically they show one of their videos for a whole week for free so you can get a taste of what they offer without having to subscribe.

http://kelbytraining.com/

 

[tarak]

Congratulations you're going to love it! The Nikon D5100 has lots and lots of training videos on YouTube.

One of my favorite training resources is Kelby training. It's not free but it's only ~$24 a month with no long-term obligation. They have a new series called beginners start here. Also typically they show one of their videos for a whole week for free so you can get a taste of what they offer without having to subscribe.

http://kelbytraining.com/

Thanks for the link. There's going to be a learning curve with this, I know. But I work in the city, so I can use my lunch hour to explore the capital. I'm curious about using the color selection mode. The fountain behind the capital building is pink for breast cancer awareness. I'm going to try a few shots on Monday and see how they turn out. Of course. The building is shades of white and gray, so maybe there won't be a big difference.

And I've probably taken this way off topic.

 

[Prisstina]

I'm tossing up between the Nikon D3200 and the D5100.

Any advice as to which one would give me the best value/best camera for the money? I'm a newbie to DSLRs.

 

[disneygirl2785]

Bump! Any advice on D3200 Vs D5100?

I really like the Sony rx100, but if I can get a DSLR for even cheaper, with a good "general" lens, i might go that direction, too... Decisions, Decisions!

 

[toomanycars]

I'm tossing up between the Nikon D3200 and the D5100.

Any advice as to which one would give me the best value/best camera for the money? I'm a newbie to DSLRs.

The Nikon D3200 is an excellent camera however it is really geared around a beginner and offers limited opportunities to advance to the next level. The Nikon D3200 will take excellent photographs and serve you well, however if you choose to continue photography as a serious hobby it may limit you. The Nikon D5200 offers more features than the D5100, but at a higher price. If your mind is set on these two cameras and money is a limiting factor I would most likely choose the D5100. If money is not a limiting factor and you wish to stay in the Nikon world I would go ahead and buy the D5200. There are many other great bargains in the DSLR our world you may also wish to look at the Canon T4i or the Sony Alpha a65VL.