Which camera?

[flosseR]

You did notice the first past of my reply right? The part where I ask how much does he want to spend. This has nothing to do with whether he is a beginner or not but only with what his budget is. Second, you make an assumption about what he will or will not be able to handle. Not sure about you but where I come from people are outfitted with this thing called a brain. It allows them to read, understand, comprehend, learn, etc.. So figuring out a camera should be pretty straight forward. You are pretty presumptuous with a person you don't even know.

You are absolutely right... hence my question to you. Now, if you would have read the OPs question correctly you would have figured out how much he has to spend as he clearly states that his options are the three cameras listed. Also considering he is still in school your suggestion is pretty far fetched. Also considering that he gave options for both brands, you can deduct that he does not own a DSLR now or that he is not yet attached to a brand. Again, that assumes a kind of beginner together with the overall picture. and the D3XX series is of course marked for a beginner.. right? that's why they are listed as beginner or even enthusiast cameras.

But yes, you are absolutely right, i need to check my facts and be less presumptuous and next time will follow exactly your suit. Because what I have must be what others need.

 

[sapporobaby]

You are absolutely right... hence my question to you. Now, if you would have read the OPs question correctly you would have figured out how much he has to spend as he clearly states that his options are the three cameras listed. Also considering he is still in school your suggestion is pretty far fetched. Also considering that he gave options for both brands, you can deduct that he does not own a DSLR now or that he is not yet attached to a brand. Again, that assumes a kind of beginner together with the overall picture. and the D3XX series is of course marked for a beginner.. right? that's why they are listed as beginner or even enthusiast cameras.

But yes, you are absolutely right, i need to check my facts and be less presumptuous and next time will follow exactly your suit. Because what I have must be what others need.

At no time did I present the D3(s/x) a a beginner camera. It is for advanced amateurs, pros, etc... However once again I state that it all comes down to what the OP is willing to pay for. If he can only afford the D3100 and the Canon, then go for that, however if he can spring for more and get a higher end camera, well this is still an option. Why not? It's not your money nor mine. At the end of the day, his happiness with what he buys is important. I have two friends who are beginners that decided to make the massive leap and went directly to the top. One likes sports, street photography, and panorama shooting (D3S), while the other wants to eventually make a living from studio, wedding, event photography, thus the (D3x). They are both happy that they spent the EXTRA money now as opposed to trading up later. Again, it comes down to what you can spend.

 

[will waters]

Dont bother

Don't bother arguing over the D3, it is out of my price range, I was unto a maximum of about £500, sorry I should have said earlier. I will be buying in about a month, however at the moment I am leaning towards the Sony NEX-5, has anyone got any other suggestions.

 

[Thom_Edwards]

The thing I learned most in my research is that, for the most part, it's the lenses that are doing the yeoman's work. Pick the body that you like most. And, as someone else posted I believe, think about the system you are buying in to. You mentioned your dad has a lot of Canon gear. Go that route and borrow some stuff.

Another thing that seems to be debated is megapixel count. After reading a lot of stuff, I would suggest that you don't let it be as big of a factor in your purchase as the marketing guys want.

Similarly, I've never been the guy to sit and argue 720 vs 1080 video. Personally, I don't care if something is 720 since I'm not a professional videographer. I'm shooting clips of family gatherings and first days of school and the like. And frankly, I might not want those wrinkles around my eyes showing!

I guess this is really a commentary more than a suggestion on which to buy. Personally, I just picked up the T3 (1100D on your side of pond). This is my first DSLR, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I love it.

 

[sapporobaby]

Don't bother arguing over the D3, it is out of my price range, I was unto a maximum of about £500, sorry I should have said earlier. I will be buying in about a month, however at the moment I am leaning towards the Sony NEX-5, has anyone got any other suggestions.

Hi Will,

No arguments mate. I agree with much of what flosseR says. His points are valid as are mine. Where I was providing a broad spectrum of options his were more refined, which is okay. Take a good look at the D3100, or even the D7000 and compare them to the Sony. Basically go through the menus and see which work for you. Still in this day and age, camera manufacturers simply can not create easy to use menus. Hope this helps.

 

[flosseR]

Don't bother arguing over the D3, it is out of my price range, I was unto a maximum of about £500, sorry I should have said earlier. I will be buying in about a month, however at the moment I am leaning towards the Sony NEX-5, has anyone got any other suggestions.

It's all ok.. its just friendly bantering..

About the Nex.. I personally don't own one but I know at least two people who returned theirs. Not happy. Yes it can produce stunning shots but under specific conditions and you are quite limited in terms of lenses etc. I have also heard that its a really weird ergonomic feel.

I don't know but i wouldn't buy one. Then again, this is merely hearsay so take it with a pinch of salt. I would suggest you go to a store and play with those cameras. Also keep in mind of upgrades later. nikon and Canon have broad ranges of lenses.. Sony not THAT much...

 

[TheDrift-]

It's all ok.. its just friendly bantering..

About the Nex.. I personally don't own one but I know at least two people who returned theirs. Not happy. Yes it can produce stunning shots but under specific conditions and you are quite limited in terms of lenses etc. I have also heard that its a really weird ergonomic feel.

I don't know but i wouldn't buy one. Then again, this is merely hearsay so take it with a pinch of salt. I would suggest you go to a store and play with those cameras. Also keep in mind of upgrades later. nikon and Canon have broad ranges of lenses.. Sony not THAT much...

not sure if they still do it, but I seem to remember sony have there hot shoe backwards or a different to type to cannon/nikon and it means some flash accesories needed a special adapter and that didnt work all that well....

I know its not a major point but I'd thought I'd throw it in there lol

 

[cellpig]

Will there be a time when all we need is our phones instead of a stand alone camera? I think so, but it might be a few more years away.

 

[mackmgg]

Will there be a time when all we need is our phones instead of a stand alone camera? I think so, but it might be a few more years away.

It depends on who you mean by "we." Most people who shoot photos for art will not be satisfied by a cell phone camera, no matter how good they get. (Unless they're fitting a reflex inside my cell phone)

Also, you may want to post some more. The first (and only) post you've written is a link to your site, that's only semi-relevant to the thread.

To the OP: Now there's a new NEX-5N, which you could consider. If you don't need the new features Sony introduced, this will probably mean you can get an NEX-5 for a cheaper price.

 

[h00ligan]

ROFL!! I hear Pentax's 645D is quite "cheap"

Leica s2 please! Another poster stated they bought a nex 3 kit for $300 at target.

 

[jji7skyline]

Don't bother arguing over the D3, it is out of my price range, I was unto a maximum of about £500, sorry I should have said earlier. I will be buying in about a month, however at the moment I am leaning towards the Sony NEX-5, has anyone got any other suggestions.

I wouldn't buy the Sony if I were you... I'd buy the D3100...

Sony has limited lens range and the image quality is not as good as nikon or canon

 

[Badrottie]

If you are going to school..why not ask your teacher or students what to buy for your class? Anyway I think Canon Rebel dSLR is better to start learning and it is cheaper too.

 

[Ravaroo]

Will, I think you have better options than you realize for that price range.
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-T3i-Digital-Imaging-Body/dp/B004M170YC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1314343756&sr=8-2
this option would be a great fit if you are able to borrow a lens or two from your father.
Not sure what Amazon's prices/shipping to Europe are, but currency rates look to be in your favor

It would cost you £520 to get the t3i kit, providing you with a solid starter lens
Consider it just for the video capabilities alone and it's a worthy choice