Which DSLR

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baldybrewer

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I have been reading for what feels like years on which camera to get and have now boiled it down to 3 the nikon d3100, canon 550d or canon 600d.
I will want it for photo's of the kids and family stuff I also like photographing old churches and graveyards and woodland photos.
For the time being I will be limited to the kit lenses so could you guys recommend which camera would be the best buy and which lens kit to go for thanks.
 
I'm not an expert on either system having never used either but I'd think either of the Canon's would be better, I seem to think that the Nikon D3100 doesn't have a motor in the body which can make it harder to choose lenses as you need to get ones with an autofocus motor built in.

As for lenses again I'm rubbish with Canon stuff but I'm sure someone will be along shortly to help.
 
The 550d and the 600d are a step up from the D3100 both in ability and in price. If you are looking to spend the price a 550D asks then maybe you should be looking into a D90+18-105 VR. In which case I'd take the D90. The D90 gives you a camera to grow with and the kit lens is very good for kit lens standards and with a bit more reach. All that goes out the window if video is high on your priorities as I believe the 550d is much better for that.

If you want to keep the cost down then the D3100 does not have much of a competition between the two brands although if you start looking on other brands things get a lot more interesting. Pentax low end models are very very good as are some of the Sony ones like the A33

Having said that
 
Another vote for the D90 here. The lack of motor in the entry level Nikons is a big disadvantage. I know nothing about Canons.
 
+1 for the D90. As I do not know anything about Canon. You can then get the 50mm f1.8 lens in addition to kit lens.

Have you been instore and held the cameras you have suggested as to which one feels comfortable in your hands.
 
Thanks for the replys I have had the d3100 and 550d in my hands and prefer the canon the nikon feels a tad small but I will go back tomorow and look at the D90 but from what ive read the canon is good for low light photography is the D90 good for low light.
One more thing the canon is 18mp and the D90 is 12mp what effect does the mp rating have in the real world.
 
How are these cameras? What's your budget on spending? It would be better to provide this information and get some recommendations on the money you have..
 
Yes, the D90 is good for low light shooting, and a lot more besides ;) The advantage of the 550D over the D90 is when it comes to video but otherwise the consensus is that the D90 has the upper hand over the 550D.

You will find that the D90 is more substantial than the 500D.

Megapixels mean little enough in this situation - lots of threads here which a quick search will throw up.
 
chrism_scotland said:
I'm not an expert on either system having never used either but I'd think either of the Canon's would be better, I seem to think that the Nikon D3100 doesn't have a motor in the body which can make it harder to choose lenses as you need to get ones with an autofocus motor built in.

As for lenses again I'm rubbish with Canon stuff but I'm sure someone will be along shortly to help.
Click to expand...

I dont understand Why everybody keeps telling about 'no focus motor' in these base camera. Apart from 50mm f1.8 which other modern lens you know of which hasn't got internal motor???

50mm f1.8 is a great portrait lens but then you have a better alternative IMO which is 35mm f1.8 which has got internal motor!
 
The D90 will probably be the better camera of the two for low light photography there is a good chance though that the D3100 would be better than either.

Of course something else you need to consider is the amount of MP. The 550D will provide more room for cropping than the D90 or the D3100
 
The D90 seems to be the camera of choice the 600d is out of the running as its not much of a upgrade form the 550 so its either the D90 or the 550d.
Is the kit lens on the D90 better than the lens that comes with the 550d I know kit lenses arn't up to much but would like something half decent while I get used to the camera.
 
There is softness and barrel distortion at 18mm but other than that the lens is very good optically. It is a good kit lens especially if you consider it sells for less than 170 and second hand for less than 150.

However if I were you I'd look for a second hand 17-50 Tamron and sell the 18-105. It is optically even better especially on the wide side and I value the 2.8 aperture more than VR and greater reach.
 
I really wouldn't bother with the 600d unless a vari angle screen is high on your list.. Minimal difference vs the 550.
I don't know anything about nikon but the 550d is a very nice camera.. I'd have a good look at what lenses you can get bundled.. The 18-55 is a nice start up lens with pretty good iq as kit lenses go.. However you soon feel a wanting for either a faster wider or longer lens.
Check that your happy with the feel if the body aswell.. I disliked the bulkier ones whereas the 550d fits nicely in hand.
 
If you have friends with Canon lenses that might let you borrow them, then buy Canon. The same goes for Nikon.
 
Make the choice based on the ergonomics. Try the cameras in your budget and see which one feels best. There won't be too much between the cameras for someone starting out anyway. Which ever system you buy into make sure it's the one you find easiest to hold and use!
 
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