Recommendations

[Nick Feather]

Hi I am starting fresh after 15years away from photography and want to get a DSLR but what to choose? I am not a brand man but I want a camera that is a good all rounder for photo and video and plenty of features. I have read many reviews but would like to hear from you what you think would be the best under £700

 

[tee_tee]

Canon 600d or nikon d5100, either would be a good choice

 

[Dr_O]

Hi I am starting fresh after 15years away from photography and want to get a DSLR but what to choose? I am not a brand man but I want a camera that is a good all rounder for photo and video and plenty of features. I have read many reviews but would like to hear from you what you think would be the best under £700

If you are really interested in experimenting with video then rule out Nikon as they're still poor at it and it's very limiting. Fingers crossed that will change in the next few weeks but it's unlikely to come in the guise of cameras under £700.
Canon 550D or 600D would be perfectly reasonable.
Of course, you may find the handling of a Canon fairly unintuitive such that even if they are better for video you prefer Nikon and are prepared to put up with their short comings on the video front. Suggest having a play with both systems before you commit.
On the stills front there's little difference off paper between either brand at the same price point.

 

[Boofle]

I agree 100% with Dr O: you can never really go wrong with the best Nikon or Canon model you can afford. Unless you have very specific needs (as he said, if video is important for you then Canon is the better choice), it's a no-brainer.

 

[Nick Feather]

I have been to have a look at some bodies today I found that the new canons and Nikon camera's in my price range seem a bit plastic and not very rugged I looked at Nikons D3100,D5100, that were in my price range and I also looked at canon 600D and 550D. I also looked at the D7000 which felt great with it's magnesium alloy body but it is a lot more money than I can afford. I was told by the guy in the Shop that the Nikon D90 has the same alloy body for a lot less money but does this mean losing alot of features?

 

[tee_tee]

I was told by the guy in the Shop that the Nikon D90 has the same alloy body for a lot less money but does this mean losing alot of features?

Thats not true, although nikon D90 feels nice in the hand its is deffo not magnesium alloy.

 

[Boofle]

Thats not true, although nikon D90 feels nice in the hand its is deffo not magnesium alloy.

Yup, I own a D90 and it's NOT magnesium alloy. Good quality body though, and a good investment, as the fact that Nikon still hasn't given it the boot shows! Unfortunately it sucks for video (it was the first DSLR to shoot video and there were a lot of things done wrong), so I guess that's a dealbreaker for you.