Advice Please - 1st DSLR

[Ducky]

Hi All,

I’m currently contemplating buying a new camera & needed some help before selecting a rig. I thought that this would be a great place to ask a few questions & I would sincerely appreciate it if you could provide me with some help/advice.

I feel that it is time to upgrade my trusty & still amazing Panasonic FZ-20 which has given me 8 years of near perfect service, withstanding most of the elements in the process. I am very keen to progress to an entry level DSLR & need some help deciding which one would suit me best taking my preferences in to account.

Budget – Approximately £500 (can be flexible if it is worth it.
Sensor – CMOS 23X15mm
Flash – Not essential
First lens – 18-55mm & I would not need many more in the future, maybe just a couple
Viewfinder – Not essential
Shutter – Min of at least 30 seconds as I like taking night shots
Image quality & colour depth – Best possible within budget. Should be good in low light

I have done some research & managed to narrow it down to four cameras –
Sony NEX-5N
Pentax K-01
Nikon D5100
Nikon D3200

What are your thoughts on those? If you think I am missing anything then please let me know. The NEX-5N is pretty good but I’m quite concerned about the fact that it is touch-screen. Most of my photography tends to be outdoors so I’m quite apprehensive about the touch-screen.

I don’t really know the benefits of either of the Nikons or how good the K-01 actually is as the NEX-5N seems to be extremely hyped up & getting all the attention.

I would sincerely appreciate any help.

Cheers & Thanks in advance,

Ducky

 

[ecniv]

Have you gone and handled them (and any others that happen to be there) in a store? I'd go and do that!

Plus if you get a bug to buy more lenses, check into the favourite cameras that you handle to see that there are options...

Also check out the xpro1 (and the new version of fujis!), panasonics gf3 and the gx/gh. Nikons V1/J1 may be (perhaps I am going too small?).
Canon have a few entry models as well...


Then consider whether you'd prefer an older model (used) as a first camera with kit... If so then find a local(ish) used camera store and see what they've got (handle it feel weight and try the menus etc)

Post up around 100 posts and hang around for a month and you can get to the classified section (or its some limits like that) where people here put up their kit for sale...

Remember there is no 'right' camera, just the one the feels good for you (not the salesperson neither!)

Good hunting!
For camera comparison (stats) - D P Review