d3100 vs d3200 vs d5100 vs Canon

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j07cmt

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Chris
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Hi,

New to the forum, but not so new to DSLR, having used a 350d for 'work'.

I'm looking at buying a new DSLR in the coming months, and can't really decide between the d3100, d3200 and d5100, and I guess I shouldn't rule out a Canon.

I've seen photos taken with the d3100/kit lens, and they are far nice than what I achieved with the Canon, so would be happy, but I feel like if I can afford a better model, I should get what.

What features do the more expensive models have, that you would say are required? And Canon people, which model do you suggest?

Thanks,

Chris
 
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What budget - What are you looking to photograph etc
 
j07cmt said:
Hi,

What features do the more expensive models have, that you would say are required?
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Reverse that and ask yourself what features you require.

If you are happy with IQ of the lower end cameras (and I am) and don't make use of many of the features then no reason why a lower end camera cannot be a long term choice.
The more expensive cameras will be generally better made using better materials and have better performance (maybe higher frames per second, quicker processing, more external buttons, top LCD etc,.) But again, if these make no difference then not worth buying but only you know that.
 
the d3200 gets my interest due to the high MP, thinking behind this is it gives a larger image to crop where needed. Though from my limited experience, a higher pixel density introduces more noise?

Things I would like are exposure bracketing (had this on the 350d), good image quality, more flexibility in lenses (AF motors etc). Budget is up to £700 with a kit lens for now.

The d3100 seems very popular, with many happy users, and would leave more cash for lenses.
 
If I was buying my first camera again and knowing what I know now, I'd go for the cheapest body that feels good in my hand and buy the best lens/lenses I could afford. Any money left over would go on books, software, tuition, a tripod and a flash.
 
As above, see what feels better in your hand.

And as you've had experience with a 350D, it might be easier to get used to a newer Canon than switching to Nikon.

Welcome btw mate.
 
Oh, first subjects would be our puppies and landscapes.
 
j07cmt said:
the d3200 gets my interest due to the high MP, thinking behind this is it gives a larger image to crop where needed. Though from my limited experience, a higher pixel density introduces more noise?

Things I would like are exposure bracketing (had this on the 350d), good image quality, more flexibility in lenses (AF motors etc). Budget is up to £700 with a kit lens for now.

The d3100 seems very popular, with many happy users, and would leave more cash for lenses.
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A quick Google suggests the D3100 doesn't have exposure bracketing so may rule that out if it is a definite requirement. The D3200 does.
 
@Sarky

As you know (being the only Canon man over on Aria), the d3100 seems to be the popular camera at the moment. I'm not against Canon at all, just I see the Nikon's to be far more popular on the Aria forum currently.

If anyone convinces me that the Canon system is just as good (performance/value) I'll happily join you on a meet and stick up for you against all the Nikon fans!
 
ernesto said:
A quick Google suggests the D3100 doesn't have exposure bracketing so may rule that out if it is a definite requirement. The D3200 does.
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It's not a must, just something that for a few extra quid, I don't mind paying for the function.
 
j07cmt said:
the d3200 gets my interest due to the high MP, thinking behind this is it gives a larger image to crop where needed. Though from my limited experience, a higher pixel density introduces more noise?

Things I would like are exposure bracketing (had this on the 350d), good image quality, more flexibility in lenses (AF motors etc). Budget is up to £700 with a kit lens for now.

The d3100 seems very popular, with many happy users, and would leave more cash for lenses.
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The D3100 is decent but it neither has bracketing nor a built in focus motor. If you want these, go for a D90, it's basically been discontinued now but is still available new and offers very good camera. It'll also potentially last you a lot longer than an entry level body as, gimmicks aside it has a lot of fundamentally useful features that entry level cameras lack.

Good IQ stems far more from good technique and a good lens than the camera body itself. I bought a Nikon D2X the other day that is several years old now and would be considered old hat, but stick a decent lens on the front of it, and it's as good as anything else I've used. The only exception to this argument is when you need high iso. In that regard modern sensors are much better.

Don't get too caught up in the whole mega pixel thing. Your theory is correct but in order to make use of that sort resolution, you'll need very fine lenses and even better technique.
 
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j07cmt said:
@Sarky

As you know (being the only Canon man over on Aria), the d3100 seems to be the popular camera at the moment. I'm not against Canon at all, just I see the Nikon's to be far more popular on the Aria forum currently.

If anyone convinces me that the Canon system is just as good (performance/value) I'll happily join you on a meet and stick up for you against all the Nikon fans!
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At the end of the day, the D3100/1100D, 600D/D5100 are very similar, not a significant difference between them which is why people generally say to try them out for yourself and see which one is easier to use.

As you're fairly local I'd happily meet up if you want a try on the 550D
 
j07cmt said:
If anyone convinces me that the Canon system is just as good (performance/value) I'll happily join you on a meet and stick up for you against all the Nikon fans!
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At this level, all of the major brands are much of a muchness. Base your decision on what feels right and can you pinch lenses from your mates.

It's really only when you start getting into fairly specialised equipment that technological differences begin to show.
 
lol, there seems to be a lot of Aria community members signing up. :D
(for those who don't know, it's a computing forum, another expensive hobby)


Nikon D3100 or D3200 doesn't have exposure bracketing, you need to step up to D5100 for that. or Canon 550D/600D/650D.

both D5100 and 550D offer great image quality. Nikon have a wider range of crop sensor lenses designed for DX crop sensor cameras, Canon camera has built in focus motor so there is possibility of cheaper lenses (but optically you get what you paid for).

with £700, i would get D5100 and 18-105mm lens. superb combo, great zoom range.
 
so based on my original comparison, which Canon models fit in my budget so I can hunt for the spec?

Wuyan, what has the d5100 got that you wish you had?

Sarky, whats changed between the 350d and 550d?
 
j07cmt said:
so based on my original comparison, which Canon models fit in my budget so I can hunt for the spec?

Wuyan, what has the d5100 got that you wish you had?

Sarky, whats changed between the 350d and 550d?
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As a rough idea, what is your budget?

As above, D5100 and 18-105mm fits in budget, so does the 600D and 18-135mm lens. I would be tempted to get the body and kit lens and then buy another lens on top, for Canon a 55-250mm is probably the best complimentary lens for the money.

As for the changes....a lot.
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_350D-vs-Canon_EOS_550D
 
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only feature i wish i had was exposure bracketing on my D3100, but i can manage the same manually. so can't say i have buyer's remorse.

the thing is you really want to spend less on camera, more on a good lens. something like Nikon 18-105mm or Canon 18-135mm with the camera. so i'd think 550D or D5100 rather than more expensive 650D.
 
Well I'd be happy spending £700 inc a kit lens, though if a cheaper body will suit, buy a better lens to compliment the kit.

Canon seems to throw in exposure bracketing 'as standard', and having the built in AF motor helps.

Me thinks there is a bit of fanboyism over on Aria lol
 
j07cmt said:
Well I'd be happy spending £700 inc a kit lens, though if a cheaper body will suit, buy a better lens to compliment the kit.

Canon seems to throw in exposure bracketing 'as standard', and having the built in AF motor helps.

Me thinks there is a bit of fanboyism over on Aria lol
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Plenty of fanboyism all over the internet. To all intents and purposes, for what you're looking at, they all (and I include Pentax, sony et al) offer more or less the same thing.
 
indeed d3200 has fantastic sensor. it's something you got to ask yourself, would you manage without exposure bracketing?

in terms of body at same price, Nikon generally has better sensor, Canon generally have more features.

but remember it's the lens system you are buying into, NOT the body.
 
wuyanxu said:
indeed d3200 has fantastic sensor. it's something you got to ask yourself, would you manage without exposure bracketing?

in terms of body at same price, Nikon generally has better sensor, Canon generally have more features.

but remember it's the lens system you are buying into, NOT the body.
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That's the key thing, its a case of researching the lenses and accessories both brands offer and see which would suit you more.
 
I'm guessing Canon for lenses? Based on their built in AF motor.
 
j07cmt said:
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors/Compare-cameras-side-by-side/(appareil1)/801%7C0/(brand)/Nikon/(appareil2)/664%7C0/(brand2)/Nikon/(appareil3)/645%7C0/(brand3)/Canon

This says d3200 is the better quality sensor - I'd feel daft buying an inferior product.
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The thing is though, you'd be buying a superb sensor and potentially sticking a mediocre lens on it (the kit lenses are good, but there is much better stuff out there). You could buy a £100 Nikon D70 and stick a £50 50mm 1.8 lens on it and take photos that would spank almost anything that a D3200 and kit lens could produce. I'm not saying that this should be the direction you take, I'm just trying to make the point that you don't need the latest and greatest camera technology if it's just results you are after.
 
wuyanxu said:
Nikon have a wider range of crop sensor lenses designed for DX crop sensor cameras, Canon camera has built in focus motor so there is possibility of cheaper lenses (but optically you get what you paid for).
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:thumbs:

for example there are no cheap Canon 50mm equivalent lens for crop sensor prime lens. but you can have Canon nifty fifty, great for portraits, but i personally find this focal length to short for anything else.

have to say i've not had any problem buying my 4 additional lenses and discovering they can't auto focus. besides, in-lens AF are pretty much always better.
 
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What if I was planning on getting a 35 or 50mm prime anyway?

If I looked second hand with my budget, what could i get camera wise?
 
j07cmt said:
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors/Compare-cameras-side-by-side/(appareil1)/801%7C0/(brand)/Nikon/(appareil2)/664%7C0/(brand2)/Nikon/(appareil3)/645%7C0/(brand3)/Canon

This says d3200 is the better quality sensor - I'd feel daft buying an inferior product.
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Thing is which the users at Aria don't realise is what does this mean in real world usage? These meets I was talking about...would be interesting to actually do a first hand comparison and look at the resultant photos, I bet that there'll be little/no difference and results may be surprising :thumbs:

And they'd probably be still using the kit lens.
 
Sarky said:
Thing is which the users at Aria don't realise is what does this mean in real world usage? These meets I was talking about...would be interesting to actually do a first hand comparison and look at the resultant photos, I bet that there'll be little/no difference and results may be surprising :thumbs:

And they'd probably be still using the kit lens.
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challenge accepted! come down to London, lol.
 
hyeongsoong said:
Not quite true. It is the anther way around. All ef and efs lens have got AF motor built in. ;)
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I'm now confused!

I thought the Canon had a motor in the body, so that you can use 3rd party lenses, such as Tamron, Sigma etc with AF
 
How's about a meet in the middle, Milton Keynes. You can share photographs of roundabouts - at least give some common themes to compare image quality!
 
i hate driving into Milton Keynes, you are always either accelerating or slowing down, complete waste of fuel. stupid roundabouts. lol.

Luton would be better :D


i'm also confused regarding AF motor. i thought lenses like nifty fifty doesn't have AF motor built it? like Nikon D series lenses?
 
wuyanxu said:
i hate driving into Milton Keynes, you are always either accelerating or slowing down, complete waste of fuel. stupid roundabouts. lol.

Luton would be better :D


i'm also confused regarding AF motor. i thought lenses like nifty fifty doesn't have AF motor built it? like Nikon D series lenses?
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My nifty fifty has AF. All canon lenses have a built in motor I think.

I'm up for anywhere as long as I can get there at reasonable cost :D
 
how about a meet at the peak district? i don't mind driving up for that during a weekend with good weather.
 
Sarky said:
My nifty fifty has AF. All canon lenses have a built in motor I think.

I'm up for anywhere as long as I can get there at reasonable cost :D
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To try and clear up this confusion. All Canon bodies have a built in auto focus motor. That means that they can auto focus with any auto focus compatible lens. If a lens has its own built in motor, it will use that instead as it is generally faster and quieter.

Nikon's lowest end bodies do not have built in auto focus motors. Any body without a top LCD screen will not have its own AF motor, including the D3100, D3200 and D5100. This means that to have auto focus you need to use a lens with its own built in motor. Nikon offer such a huge range of these that this is of no real concern these days. Third parties, such as Sigma, Tamron and Tokina generally now fit auto focus motors into their lenses as standard as well as it generally offers faster focusing.

Erm, basically, what I'm saying is, I wouldn't worry too much about it either way.
 
I would back the idea of living with the cheaper bodies and spending the money on the lens.

I have had my D3000 for coming up 3 years and the biggest jump in image quality came from ditching the kit lens and getting a 50mm f1.4, I've also added a second hand 17-55mm f2.8 to my collection. Both lenses are worth way more than the body but make way more improvement to image quality than if I had a D3200 or D5100.
 
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