Looking into First DSLR

[rimomma66]

HI Everyone!
I currently have a Canon SX40HS Bridge camera and am looking to jump into my first "real" DSLR for our trip in December.
I've been comparing but without actually using them it's hard to decide. I'm looking at a Canon SL1, a Canon T5i, a Nikon D5100, or Nikon D3200.
Which do you recommend to get great shots with minimal adjustments as well as what's the best walk around lens for the parks.
Thanks for any input!

 

[havoc315]

HI Everyone!
I currently have a Canon SX40HS Bridge camera and am looking to jump into my first "real" DSLR for our trip in December.
I've been comparing but without actually using them it's hard to decide. I'm looking at a Canon SL1, a Canon T5i, a Nikon D5100, or Nikon D3200.
Which do you recommend to get great shots with minimal adjustments as well as what's the best walk around lens for the parks.
Thanks for any input!

Honestly... In terms of "best shots" on auto mode, all 4 cameras will give you virtually identical shots.
Apart from price differences, the differences are basically:

The d5100 is 3 year old mid level body. D3200 is 2 year old entry level. The d5100 has a couple "advanced" features lacking in the 3200 including a flip out screen and exposure auto bracketing. The d3200 has higher resolution.

Both Canon cameras have a resolution just slightly above the d5100, but below the d3200.
In some ways, the sl1 and t5i are the same camera, but the sl1 is shrunken down. The t5i has a slightly more advanced AF system and a tiltable screen. The sl1 is smaller. The t5i has a nicely implemented touch screen. Not sure about the sl1, that Nikons definitely don't have it.

 

[boBQuincy]

One question to consider is: what is it about the SX40 that you are looking to improve upon? It sure won't be the zoom range, at equivalent 24 to 840 (!!!) there are no dSLR lenses that mortals can afford or carry. It may not be the aperture either, at a best of f/2.7 the SX40 beats the average kit lens with f/3.5.
In good light there may not be a great deal of difference between photos from a SX40 and dSLR, especially for web size or small prints. In not so good light is where the difference becomes more pronounced but in not so good light is where we often need to change some settings on the camera to get the best from it.

Being one that loves to help others spend their $$$ I am sure not trying to talk you out of getting a dSLR, just thinking of some things that may help the decision process.

A good walkaround lens is often the 18-55 kit lens which covers a lot of the range you may need. Where this lens falls down is low light photography, the f/3.5 is not enough for most of that.

 

[Suziannie]

I have no real advice for you but I wanted to share that I just went from a
point and shoot (Nikon L820) to a Nikon D5300. I love it so far!

I read through the manual, and the Dummies guide to the camera to get familiar with it. Last weekend I took a basic class a local photographer offers that I found on Groupon and it helped to connect the dots.

I'm having a lot of fun practicing even though I only have the kit lens so far.

Good luck to you with your search!

 

[LittleMissMagic]

I'm not very familiar with Canon, but in comparing the Nikon D5100 to the D3200...

The D3200 has a higher resolution (24.2 MP v. 16.1 MP) and slightly better image quality. Megapixels really aren't as important as they used to be, at the beginning of the digital camera, so I wouldn't make that alone my deciding factor. The D3200 is a bit smaller and more lightweight, so it might be easier for you to carry around the parks. Also, it's a bit less expensive.

The D5100 isn't a huge step above the D3200 as far as overall quality and features. It does have the flip-out screen which could be helpful for taking shots low to the ground, or if you plan on self portraiture. It also has a slightly larger sensor and higher ISO capabilities (one f-stop better than 3200) so you have a bit of advantage over the 3200 with handheld low-light shots.

Personally, I think I'd go with the D3200 over the D5100. It's a slightly newer camera body, more lightweight, and slightly less expensive. In my opinion, the 5200 is not much of a jump from the 3200. If looking for a higher-quality camera than the 3200, I would suggest skipping the 5100 entirely and looking at the D7000 (and ideally, the D7100). But, I think the 3200 is the ideal entry-level camera body and probably what you're looking for.

As for walk around lens for the park, I would suggest skipping any sort of bundle and getting the camera body only and spending more money on a nicer lens. Best walk-around lens is of course personal preference, but my favorite (and I think many others on this board like too) is the Tamron f/2.8 17-50mm lens. Generally, I would suggest splurging on a lens with wider aperture capabilities like an a f/2.8 lens. Most kit lenses are f/3.5-5.6 and that won't really affect your ability to take sharp photos in daylight, but a wider aperture is really helpful for low-light handheld photos.

So my suggestion would be to choose the lower-end camera body model, whether Nikon or Canon, and then upgrade the kit lens to an f/2.8 if possible. Also, when looking at lens upgrades, do not feel obligated to stick with Nikon/Canon. There are great lenses from brands like Sigma, Tamron, Tokina that are high-quality but less expensive.

But, as always, it's personal preference. I'm sure there will be someone to disagree with me! Just go with your gut and do what's right for you. Only so much research and debating can be done... then you just have to go for it!

 

[rimomma66]

One question to consider is: what is it about the SX40 that you are looking to improve upon? It sure won't be the zoom range, at equivalent 24 to 840 (!!!) there are no dSLR lenses that mortals can afford or carry. It may not be the aperture either, at a best of f/2.7 the SX40 beats the average kit lens with f/3.5.
In good light there may not be a great deal of difference between photos from a SX40 and dSLR, especially for web size or small prints. In not so good light is where the difference becomes more pronounced but in not so good light is where we often need to change some settings on the camera to get the best from it.

Being one that loves to help others spend their $$$ I am sure not trying to talk you out of getting a dSLR, just thinking of some things that may help the decision process.

A good walkaround lens is often the 18-55 kit lens which covers a lot of the range you may need. Where this lens falls down is low light photography, the f/3.5 is not enough for most of that.

Maybe what I need to do is become a little better at the settings on my SX40. I LOVE the pics it takes but I guess it could be better for things like fireworks. I admit I don't do a whole lot with the settings because I've never taken the time to learn to do it. I sort of let the camera decide.

 

[havoc315]

Maybe what I need to do is become a little better at the settings on my SX40. I LOVE the pics it takes but I guess it could be better for things like fireworks. I admit I don't do a whole lot with the settings because I've never taken the time to learn to do it. I sort of let the camera decide.

Believe it or not, fireworks are the type of shots that don't really benefit much from great cameras or lenses. All you need is a camera that lets you manually set the shutter speed, and a tripod.

 

[xlxo]

The SX40HS has a 35x optical zoom. Do you like zoom?

Nikon offers a 18-300mm lens that you might like that does 16.7x zoom. Canon does not offer anything close to that zoom range.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8ghz3KuQ-w

 

[boBQuincy]

Maybe what I need to do is become a little better at the settings on my SX40. I LOVE the pics it takes but I guess it could be better for things like fireworks. I admit I don't do a whole lot with the settings because I've never taken the time to learn to do it. I sort of let the camera decide.

It looks like your camera may do well with fireworks, try: manual exposure of 2 seconds and f/16; manual focus on a distant object (the moon will do); ISO 100; *tripod* or similar camera support. These are the same settings we would use on a dSLR to start with and they should work on your camera.

 

[fla4fun]

I admit I don't do a whole lot with the settings because I've never taken the time to learn to do it. I sort of let the camera decide.

Well, most people get a DSLR because they want to have control over the settings - so a DSLR might not be what you want.

I have the SL1, and I love the compact size, especially with the 40mm pancake lens. It's actually lighter than my super zoom P&S (even with the kit lens). I bought it specifically because I couldn't get the precise manual settings I wanted for low light photography on the P&S (although it does great in the daylight too).

However, I have four levels of camera and they each have their place. I have the camera in the iPod Touch 5 that is always with me at Disney and is good for that one off snapshot on the days I want to tour very light. I have a super easy P&S that I carry if I think weather or other camera hazards might exist. I carry the super zoom if I'm going somewhere during the day where I need the zoom range, but don't want to carry a lot of lenses, and the DSLR is my companion if I plan to be shooting a lot in low light (indoors without flash, anywhere at night). The picture quality between the zoom camera and DSLR is virtually identical, so it's not a sacrifice to choose one over the other.

If your current camera is covering your basic photography needs, and has the ability to cover your wants (low light, etc.) if you learn a few settings, then I would work with what you have and see if you can get the results you want without doing an upgrade. If you decide you still want to buy a DSLR, the best advice I can give is go to a camera store where you can hold them to see which one is the best fit for you. You won't really know which one is best for you without physically checking them out.

 

[rimomma66]

It looks like your camera may do well with fireworks, try: manual exposure of 2 seconds and f/16; manual focus on a distant object (the moon will do); ISO 100; *tripod* or similar camera support. These are the same settings we would use on a dSLR to start with and they should work on your camera.

Thank you so much!!! I will try this!!