D5100

[swanysto]

A guy from works son is selling his Nikon D5100 for $500 body only. Les than 1000 actuations. Apparently it wasn't his cup of tea. I have un-agressively been looking to upgrade my Canon T3. I only have a couple lenses at this point for my Canon, so it wouldn't be a huge loss if I switched.

My question is this though. If I bought the D5100 for $500, and didn't like it, do you think I could get my money back out of it fairly easily?. I see Target has them on sale for $699.99(with lens) from $799.99. Is there a new model coming out soon that may cause me to have a difficult time selling it?

TIA

 

[Syborg1211]

Adorama has the camera new for $596.95 right now. So I wouldn't call 500 that great of a deal. Check craigslist or ebay for more references on used prices.

I don't think the D5100 is a huge leap over the T3. Why specifically are you looking to "upgrade"?

 

[blurredvision]

I also wouldn't call $500 for a like-new D5100 body a "great" deal, but it's a good price if it truly looks like it just came out of the box and works that way, too. You'd might be able to find a better deal by looking around. The D5100 just came out in the latter half of 2011, so it's not due for a upgrade for quite a while.

 

[currahee440]

Newegg has the D5100 on sale for $699 with the kit lens. I don't think it's worth it for a used...

 

[sswingle]

There are supposedly 3 more DX refreshes coming this year. 3200 being the most likely since we know specs, but between 5100, 7000 and 300 its anyone's guess which 2 of the 3 are also being replaced, provided the rumor of 3 more was correct in the first place.

 

[elitejp]

Your talking about the t3i, correct? I wouldnt bother making the switch. Save the money and buy a lens or wait a while, save some more money, and upgrade to a used full frame. The 5d2 is dropping in pric to below 1500. As it is now I dont think you will see much of an upgrade by switching to a d5100.

Ive been using my 50d since it came out and in all respects crop sensors havent made any significant improvement to justify an "upgrade" to another crop. The difference I see between having a good lens on the camera and a so so lens is pretty significant. So until my lens collection is where I want it to be im going to just wait things out. And your t3i has a better sensor than my 50d.

 

[AkumaX]

A guy from works son is selling his Nikon D5100 for $500 body only. Les than 1000 actuations. Apparently it wasn't his cup of tea. I have un-agressively been looking to upgrade my Canon T3. I only have a couple lenses at this point for my Canon, so it wouldn't be a huge loss if I switched.

My question is this though. If I bought the D5100 for $500, and didn't like it, do you think I could get my money back out of it fairly easily?. I see Target has them on sale for $699.99(with lens) from $799.99. Is there a new model coming out soon that may cause me to have a difficult time selling it?

TIA

There was a D5100 refurbished body only w/ 1 yr warranty for $499, so not sure about what you'd be able to get...

 

[swanysto]

Newegg has the D5100 on sale for $699 with the kit lens. I don't think it's worth it for a used...

So you are saying that the kit lens is worth the extra $200?

 

[swanysto]

Your talking about the t3i, correct? I wouldnt bother making the switch. Save the money and buy a lens or wait a while, save some more money, and upgrade to a used full frame. The 5d2 is dropping in pric to below 1500. As it is now I dont think you will see much of an upgrade by switching to a d5100.

Ive been using my 50d since it came out and in all respects crop sensors havent made any significant improvement to justify an "upgrade" to another crop. The difference I see between having a good lens on the camera and a so so lens is pretty significant. So until my lens collection is where I want it to be im going to just wait things out. And your t3i has a better sensor than my 50d.

No, I have the T3. It has the same sensor but with 6mp less(not sure how that works). I would really like to go full frame, but that is not near the budget at this time. My issues right now don't have to do with the glass at this point. I am getting beautiful pictures in most cases. However, the camera is really lacking in low light performance. Even with a f/1.8, I am seeing way too much noise. I have been reading up on the T3 more, and it seems to be a complaint by a lot of people. I understand this is what you get with a starter DSLR, so I am looking to bump it up a bit.

 

[twistedlogic]

Even with a f/1.8, I am seeing way too much noise. I have been reading up on the T3 more, and it seems to be a complaint by a lot of people. I understand this is what you get with a starter DSLR, so I am looking to bump it up a bit.

The D5100 is also considered entry level, so I'm not sure its much of a bump.

IMO, save your money or invest in a some better Noise Reduction software.

So you are saying that the kit lens is worth the extra $200?

No they run around $100 easy. Even the 55-200 VR can be had for only $150 refurbished.

 

[AkumaX]

So you are saying that the kit lens is worth the extra $200?

Same deal w/ kit lens = $569

 

[currahee440]

So you are saying that the kit lens is worth the extra $200?

I mean for me it would be worth the extra $200, especially given the sensitivity/fragility of the object you're buying. I want to know it has been taken care of well. Some people are fine with it and some people aren't. Just my opinion on used electronics. Though I guess a majority of DSLR users most likely won't beat the crap out of them

 

[Anteaus]

The D5100 uses the same sensor as the D7000, where as the D3100 uses an older sensor. The D3100 is Nikon's Entry level whereas the D5100 is the bridge between that and the high regarded prosumer D7000. The quality of the D5100/D7000 sensor is well established and I would definitely take a step that way if your interested. The D5100 has reviewed extremely well.

This isn't to take away from the T2i/T3i which are in the same price range. Those are great cameras also, but they are older generation. Higher MP shouldn't be a deciding factor in this. In addition, the T3i is basically just a T2i with some new features. They use the same sensor so if you can find a cheap T2i, thats a viable choice.

The D5100 would be a nice step up from the T3, whereas the T3i is a side step. I really hate how Canon named their cameras it's confusig.

 

[elitejp]

Maybe you can borrow the camera for a week. From what ive quickly researched you are correct in saying that your t3 is the same as the t3i except with less pixels. If that is the case then switching to the t2i or t3i will not offer you anything you dont already have. The d5100 has one of the best sensors currently available for a crop but even so i dont think you will see a big improvement in low light. But this is just guesswork on my part. Even if you could just borrow the camera for a day or two you shuold be able to quickly tell how well it handles low light in comparison to your Canon. If you do buy it and want to sell it several months from now you should still be able to sell it somewhere in the upper 400's. Both Nikon and Canon both have a really good system. Its just up to you which one you think is better. But my opinion is that with your better off saving your money for now, and if your serious about this hobby, wait till your able to do a real upgrade rather than a sidestep. Thats why i am still holding onto my 50d. Like I said earlier. Your sensor should be better than mine which means it should handle low light better than my camera. Even Caons flagship crop model the 7d doesnt hols that much of an improvement in the high iso department as my 50d.