Which Nikon Entry level DSLR?

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Higgy

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Hi Guys,
I am completely new to this and I am really not sure whether this is the right area to ask for camera advice but because I am a newbie I thought I would post in here. Please move if appropriate....

My brain in fried with the amount of cameras out there but I have finally settled on Nikon. My dad has a Canon 600D and I wanted something different.
I have been looking at the Nikon D5100, the 5200 and the 7000. I have about £6-700 to spend for the whole kit but don't know if the benefits of the 5200 would be worth it?
I will be using it mainly on walks and when I take my dog out (a beautiful labradoodle), but I can't see the benefits of the extra megapixels of the 5200 unless I am printing large pictures which I won't be.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

So far I am more inclined to get a D5100 and a few decent lenses as I can't really justify the jump in price to the 5200 or 7000 unless someone can tempt me otherwise???

Thanks guys
 
get the D7000 as it has a internal focusing motor. so it will save you money on lenses and make more lenses available to you.
 
Is there any reason why you are going Nikon instead of Canon other than just be different from your dad? Just asking as if your dad already has some lenses it might be best to go for Canon so you can borrow his lenses.
 
I would go canon too if your dad has one.
 
I do like the Canon's but I have spoken to a lot of people who recommend the Nikon over the Canon. If I was to go for a Canon it would be the 650D probably. I feel that for the same price I could get a slightly older but better quality Nikon. My dad got the body only and bought 1 decent lens.
I must admit I was more inclined to get a Canon at first but after frying my brain with comparison sites and reviews I seem to have switched over to Nikon...
 
Best advice is forget about the reviews and recommendations. Go to your local camera shop and try out some cameras. At the entry level, there's not much difference between cameras, Pentax, Sony, Canon, Nikon etc all offer good entry level cameras, but the important thing is the lens. A good lens will significantly outlast any camera body. The camera and lens kits will get you started, but usually the quality of the kit lens(es) are very average and personally I would recommend buying the body and lens separately.

A camera is all about personal choice, does it feel comfortable to hold, can you reach all the controls. Are the menu system easy to navigate. You can only do this by handling the cameras.
 
All the above sound like good advice to me. While the d7000 is more expensive than the alternatives, the extra cost can be saved very quickly by buying the cheaper, non-AFS versions of lenses (of which there are plenty available 2nd hand). Rather than rely on reviews and recommendations (which 9 times out of 10 will be either what the person asked has or is trying to sell/makes most profit on...), draw up a list of what you need/want from a body and decide on a firm budget. Then get a copy of a magazine with a list of DSLRs and their specs so you can draw up a shortlist of contenders. Once you have a shortlist, you need to have a fondle to see which feels best in the hand and whose controls are in the right place for you. It may be worth checking the availability of 3rd party and 2nd hand accessories (lenses, flashes etc) - Sony have a different flash mount to the rest of the industry (a legacy from Konica/Minolta) and Pentax share a lens mount (and more) with Samsung. Some Sigmas are only available in some mounts.

It can be very handy having a close family member with a compatible camera - if necessary, an expensive purchase could be shared for example (or the bank of Dad could be pressed into financing the purchase on the basis that it's his but in your bag!!!)
 
Higgy, I have been through a similar process in the last few weeks after deciding to go digital! I read and watched hours of reviews and went through many, many changes of mind as to what to do. In the end I did two major things, firstly set a budget and secondly went to a shop and had a play with some to see what felt right in my hands. There was a real lack of second hand bodies local to me I won't buy anything sight unseen - especially second hand), so I went for a new d5100. It felt right in the hand, and was at a price whereby I could go kit lens and still have money in the budget for a nice prime.

So basically I did what Nod and others have said - set my budget and go and have a fiddle!

Cheers
 
If you have £600-700 all in, I would go for the D5100. Then that will leave you £250-£350 to spend on the lenses of your choice (assuming you are buying from new). Based on what you have said, I don't see any real benefit in going for the D5200 or D7000. For one, your budget will be blown on the body only. If you are starting out then the D5100 is more than adequate. I'd recommend the 35 mm f1.8 to go with it - superb lens for a small price.
 
My vote as a Nikon user, is to get a Canon. Not because Nikon is bad, but as above so you can share with your Dad. If you both get into Photography then sharing lenses us great.
 
Agree with Donkey kong, 2 yrs ago I had a 50d and had to sell all my gear, now looking to get back into the hobby, originally thinking I had to have a `better` body, but having asked on this forum, have been advised to go for a lesser body and better glass. I too am looking at the D5100 as opposed to the D7000 I thought of first.
 
Why not go for a low-mileage D90? That way you would have extra money for lenses, a wider variety of lenses to use and an overall good performer!!

Although the 5100 is nice, the 80/90/7000 body is so much better, to me anyway, and the top LCD panel is a really good addition.

Hell, even D300 D300S's go for extremely good money these days, and look at the stunning images people have taken with them.

Well thats my opinion for what it's worth :thumbs:
 
Since your dad has only one lens (unless I'm misunderstanding) then there's not actually anything to share, so you're able to make a choice which is independent. And if you're planning to have more lenses than your dad, going another system will dissuade him from half-inching your glass! ;)

The D7000 is a good choice, but the addition of a body motor is only useful if you're purchasing AF-D or older lenses. New lenses have been AF-S for some time now, and it's highly likely that the body motor will be redundant.

The D5200 is a good choice as it's latest generation, but being rather new it comes at a bit of a premium. The D5100 is one generation behind, but has the innards of the D7000 and so has an excellent sensor with plenty of resolution to make cropped images or to print large.

The D3200 is an option you shouldn't dismiss. It's latest generation and is physically almost exactly the same size as the D5100. It's not got the flip-out screen, though, which can be handy but isn't essential unless you're planning to do a lot of video blogging. The D3200 has quite a useful "Guide" mode, which I think could be beneficial to anyone like yourself who is new to photography. It's like an interactive photography instruction manual which may make learning to make good images a less painful process. I haven't used it, but I've heard it's thoughtfully put together.

Being new to photography, the world's your oyster. Any of the current or latter generation Nikons (or Canons) are sure to serve you well.
 
Guys, thanks for all your help and you have really helped me in making my decision. Like I said my dad only has 1 all purpose lens so sharing glass wouldn't really be something I could do.
Well I bought a camera which arrived yesterday and went for the D5100. It's 6 months old in fantastic condition with a 18-70mm lens and a 50mm 1.8 for £430.
Brilliant value in my eyes, very happy and comes with all original boxes, leads, most of it still in the packaging.
Again, thanks for all your help!!
 
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