Best entry level DSLR in the $500-800 range

[masraum]

Hey guys, our daughter is having a baby in about 3.5 months. Today she asked me to recommend a good camera for them to get for when the baby is born. She took a photography class with my old Canon EOS 630 film camera several years ago and has a decent eye.

She specifically wants a dslr. I'm a Canon guy myself, but I know that Nikon also makes a great camera, and I've heard that they are putting some seriously high ISO in their recent cameras. I'm thinking that for a budget camera, high ISO capability would be really good for a new/growing baby.

Anyway, I'll do some research myself, but since I'm a few years out of touch with the new of the latest and greatest in dslr, it would be a good idea to check with the brain trust.

She's looking to spend $500-800. I suspect, initially, the most important focal ranges will be a short zoom and probably something like the "nifty 50". I'm pretty sure both Canon and Nikon have a good quality prime 50mm with a decent aperture and optics that is around $100 or so, right?

[LEAKYSEALS951]

I have no clue what to buy in that price range- BUT- I will say to try to also get the best autofocus system you can. I had a Canon 5dII and went to a 5dIII- which had a significantly better autofocus and it made ALL the difference.

The high ISO and wide open 50 prime is the way to go. With babies, you can set things up because they don't move as much, but as they become toddlers and move around, you need to really have a quick shutter speed to capture the moment. It amazed me how much info there is on the internet about taking pics of infants/toddlers/etc.

[MBAtarga]

From my experience Nikon glass is more expensive than Canon. I'm a Nikon guy so when I went from film to digital, I stuck with Nikon to make use of my lenses already owned.

[Eric Hahl]

Canon for me. Just like the layout and feel better than the others.

[rrental]

Got my kid a nikon D3300 with 2 lenses for about $650 Cad. For x-mas. He loves it, and it makes very nice pics. Easy to work with. Did a lot of research and it's absolutely best bang for your buck.

[wdfifteen]

Pay close attention to the time it takes to focus and fire after you press the button. It is very annoying to see your subject turn away while your camera is focusing itself. Some cameras are faster than others.

[Arizona_928]

I'm a Nikon guy here. I think a d7000 and some fast glass would be a good starter. If they like it, get a full frame camera.

[LWJ]

How about a second hand 5D ii? A killer camera and it should be in that price. Also, you can trade glass with her. My hands down favorite lens is a 50MM 1.8 mark i - with the metal mount. Although the plastic mount mark ii is supposed to be the same glass. I have a 5D mark i and those are under $500 now. Fantastic camera. The ISO is better on the mark ii however.
Good luck!

[Scott Douglas]

This may help your research some:


2015 Roundup: Interchangeable Lens Cameras $500-800: Digital Photography Review

[masraum]

Thanks, I'll research the specific models you mentioned. A used, but higher-end model is a good idea too.

[onewhippedpuppy]

We have a Nikon D3000 and my daughter has a D3200, which replaced the D3000. Both are very simple to operate and take fantastic pictures. We bought my daughter the D3200 for a Christmas gift this year as she has taken a liking to photography, it is literally simple enough for an 8 year old to operate. Which is something to consider, as the higher end models will be complicated with more features that your daughter may or may not care about. I think the D3200 was about $400 on Amazon, which included a bag and two VR lenses.

BTW, congrats on the baby grandpa!

[AFC-911]

I shoot semi-professionally and more often than not, I just buy used.

I actually started out with a D70 from Craigslist. I've also bought a D7000, a 50mm f1.8 and a whole bunch of accessories from CL.

To be honest, even entry level dslrs are overkill for most shooters from what I have seen.

Canon, Nikon. They're both good. It just depends on what they prefer in terms of layout and how it feels in their hands. Do they like turning the wheel or do they prefer Nikon's buttons?

And yes to Canon's lenses being more affordable...But then again, if you want all the prime lenses, it's all going to add up anyway.

They should also consider mirrorless cameras. They're pretty amazing too.

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

We have a Nikon D3000 and my daughter has a D3200, which replaced the D3000. Both are very simple to operate and take fantastic pictures. We bought my daughter the D3200 for a Christmas gift this year as she has taken a liking to photography, it is literally simple enough for an 8 year old to operate. Which is something to consider, as the higher end models will be complicated with more features that your daughter may or may not care about. I think the D3200 was about $400 on Amazon, which included a bag and two VR lenses.

BTW, congrats on the baby grandpa!

The Saucy's also rock the D3000. Great camera, easy operation, fantastic quality all at a great price.

I added a Nikon DX 55-300mm lens a few years back and really want for nothing when taking all types of photos.

[javadog]

A used Nikon D70 with a 50mm f1.8 D will set you back about $150. That leaves plenty of money for a second lens (I suggest a wider lens, or a wide angle zoom - buy it used too) and that will be more camera than she'll ever need for baby point-and-shoot pictures. The built-in flash works pretty well, too.

JR

[stomachmonkey]

Is she really going to carry around a bag with a bunch of different lenses? My wife thought she would and the $1,000 Canon I got her sits in a closet and she uses her iPhone 99.9% of the time.

Why not a compromise.

Superzoom War Goes Nuclear With 83x Nikon Coolpix P900 - Reviewed.com Cameras

The P900 zoom looks incredible.

[Scott Douglas]

AFC-911 actually hit it on the head with his statement "....how it feels in their hands..."
A camera that doesn't connect with the shooter when in their hands isn't going to get used.

[1990C4S]

Another Nikon D3000 user here. Love mine.

I also have a Nikon Coolpix that is great when you have limited space. Dirt cheap and just keeps on going...

[flipper35]

My wife has a Canon and yes, she does carry the lens bag a lot of the time. Especially on Vacation. Both make good glass and the sensors are good on both. The image stabilization is nice on the lenses that have it. Some Canons don't go very high into the upper violet range (the UV filter filters to far down the range) and those colors can be off. Don't know about Nikon there.

[Scott Douglas]

Might want to check this out....

Nikon D7100 Camera, 24MP, nikon 18-55mm, accessories

or this one will get you two lenses...

http://houston.craigslist.org/pho/5393810603.html


I'm biased as I have a D7000 and it can be used as a simple point and shoot when on full auto, but does have room for the photographer to grow if the desire is there.

[Rusty Heap]

The newer D5500 Nikon has tugged at my heart for a while, it's got a touch screen on the back.

18-55 Kit lens's and body are around $750. There is a nicer 18-140 lens too in some kits. a 35mm or 50mm fast F1.4 lens is supposed to be seller in low light close in situations.

What I DON"T like about it is in "live view" if you want to use the rear scree, it's almost a 1.5 second delay to shoot, and I found the mechanical shutter noise quite loud for the Click, as well as zoom motor noise while in Video mode.

I don't own the camera, but have researched the D3000 and D5000 series much.

costso, best buy, b&h

watch out for gray market items too cheap to be true, (ebay, ny vendors) which come with zero Nikon USA warrenty.