Advice Required on New Nikon Cameras

[Bruce86]

Hi everyone, I am very new to this so please excuse my lack of knowledge (I guess we all have to start somewhere!). I have been looking online at new cameras to get my foot in the door to amatuer photography (although I want a camera capable of professional quality pictures). I've been doing a bit of looking round and think I have settle for Nikon (for now). But which camera?

I have found the following three D3100, D5100 and the P510 (I know this is a totally different type of camera but this is where your guys advice comes in). My questions are:

Would a P510 be sufficient for somone like myself or because I can get the D3100 with a 18-55mm lens should I go for that one? As I'd be loosing out on the zoom etc the P510 has but would the image quality etc of the D3100 be worth sacrificing this?

Is it worth forking out the extra to go from a D3100 to a D5100 or would a casual user like myself not really notice any difference between the two cameras?

Finally my father has a set of 25 year old Pentax K lenses, do the still make camera's with these attatchments? If so which brands use it? In addition to this with development in lens quality is it worth using these lenses or would I be better to stick with the Nikon and buy the required lenses?

Thanks in advance for all your help,

Brian

 

[johnnypanic]

You'd also be advised to look at the new Nikon 3200.

 

[heidfirst]

Pentax still make DSLRs that take K-mount lenses.
As for whether it's worth using those or not may depend upon the lenses - what lenses do you have?

 

[vrapan]

Pentax K mount cameras take any K mount lens so a K-r is a brilliant choice. You can get a k-r which in my opinion is better than the 3100 and in some areas even than the 5100 for around £300...

However it all depends on how much you value portability over control and IQ and how much you want a viewfinder or if you are fine using the LCD to frame and take pictures.

There are tons and tons of higher end compacts that provide plenty of control and bigger sensors that if you can sacrifice a bit of the zoom range then they will provide better images than the P510. So add into your list a LX3/5, S100, XZ1 and if you can push your budget a bit the X10 and G1X.

Having said that you can get a GF3+14mm (if you can live with a prime) for less than £300 or even look for an s/h 14-42 X and you have a really capable very portable package.