Nikon D-5100 & D-7000

[kgreen]

Hi, I don't have a question tonight. Just posting out of pure excitement. I have been looking for a dslr to purchase, which has been quite the adventure. There are so many out there & I'm new to dslr. With the help from all of you nice people, I had decided the Nikon d-5100 would be the camera for me. It was posted that I need to go to a store where I can hold the camera, & try it out. The closest camera store for me would be best buy, & it's an hour & a half away. Tonight I was in the area & was able to get to a best buy. So I headed staright to the camera's & picked up the Nikon D-5100 with 18-55mm VR lens-(899.99) Right away I really liked the feel of the camera. I was able to take some photo's, & check out the camera. Next to the D-5100 was the D7000 18-105mm VR lens-(1,499.99) Oh how I love this camera!! My husband just laughs at me... Now I really like both of these camera's! I think the 5100 will be a good entry level camera for me, & I'll have lots of learning to do. I also really like the 7000, but it's a bit out of my price range.

 

[saintstickets]

I'm in a similar boat. I want to upgrade from my Kodak point-n-shoot and wanted a mid-range DSLR that I could "grow" into as a newbie but still have plenty of features. I have looked at the Nikon D5100 but also the Canon EOS Rebel T3i and the Sony Alpha A55. These 3 are all similarly priced. Just like you, I went to a camera store yesterday to be able to hold each camera and see if my internet research opinions matched the actual camera. I really liked the feel of the Sony so I'm leaning that way. Fortunately the salesperson at the store did not try to convince me one way or the other on either brand or try to get me to buy a more expensive model. Now if I can just convince DW we really, really, really need this new camera!

 

[kgreen]

Does anyone currently own either the nikon d-5100 or nikon d-7000? I am stuck between the 2, would you recommend spending the extra money for the d-7000?

 

[d3mckinl]

I believe that those 2 cameras use the same sensor so the pictures will be essentially the same. The 7000 is a pro model with a heavier build and more weather sealing.

Have you considered the D90? it is pro-sumer kinda half way between the two you have listed and a price of around 900-1000 for a kit with 18-105 lens. The 90 is a few years old but is built well and still beats a lot of newer models in comps. Just another one to consider. It has the feel closer to the 7000.

There are lots of people here who love the sony and pentax entry levels because of the bang for the buck that those brands give.

 

[kgreen]

First off Thank You all so much for the recommendations and answers to all of my questions along the way! I am so excited, I will have enough to purchase the Nikon D-7000 this week! I really liked both the D-5100 & the D-7000, but money was the ultimate factor. I do like the swivel screen of the 5100, but comparing them side by side I have decided the 7000 is the one I'm going for. Thank you all