Looking for a beginner DSLR (D3100 vs T3?)

cpals

Diamond Member
Mar 5, 2001
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Have a baby on the way and my wife and I want a nice camera to start the barrage of pictures in our future. I have midrange consumer camera currently (Canon SX something or another) and am looking for something with a little better zoom/lens and faster speeds.

I do like Canon and have had a few different ones in my day, but am not an extreme loyalist. After researching I think it's down to the Nikon D3100 or Canon T3.... I think I've read on here that the T2i refurb would be decent too?

Price Range - $500-$700 for a kit (body/lens)
Types of Shooting - Mainly family events, portraits, sporting, etc
Video? - Not a dealbreaker if it's not the best since my wife's phone and camera can take decent video.
Megapixel - No real requirements... I'm sure anything 12+ is fine.
Rotating LCD - My current higher end consumer Canon has one and it is pretty nice to be able to swivel the LCD around, but I know I would have to look at the T3i for that function and the extra $300? it brings.
Weight/Size - Don't want a beast... something that won't break my neck if I'm walking around half a day with it.

Anything else I should be thinking about in my decision? I plan on stopping by Best Buy just to get a feel of the cameras and their lcd interface. Hopefully they have these models.

Thanks!
 

Smoove910

Golden Member
Aug 2, 2006
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You could always look to the Nikon D5100 for a swivel screen. I think your choices would be the Canon T3i vs Nikon D5100. Both have the articulating screen. Video might be slightly better on the T3i, but you are shooting 1080p, so it'll look good regardless. I would look into what sort of lenses you would want, and based on the price of lenses go with the body that would suit you.
 

dougp

Diamond Member
May 3, 2002
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Have you thought about the Sony A33 or A55? Both have swivel, video AF and some of the fastest AF speeds in the DSLR worlds. They're also smaller/lighter than the typical DSLR, and can shoot up to 7 (A33) or 10 (A55) FPS.
 

cpals

Diamond Member
Mar 5, 2001
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You could always look to the Nikon D5100 for a swivel screen. I think your choices would be the Canon T3i vs Nikon D5100. Both have the articulating screen. Video might be slightly better on the T3i, but you are shooting 1080p, so it'll look good regardless. I would look into what sort of lenses you would want, and based on the price of lenses go with the body that would suit you.

Pricing on the D5100 seem out of my range... I think Amazon has it for $900.

Lenses I wouldn't even know where to begin... I'm a true beginner and have never used a DSLR before.
 

AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
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Pricing on the D5100 seem out of my range... I think Amazon has it for $900.

Lenses I wouldn't even know where to begin... I'm a true beginner and have never used a DSLR before.

i don't know WTF happened @ best buy yesterday...

T3i kit = $755
D5100 kit = $755
 

Smoove910

Golden Member
Aug 2, 2006
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Lenses I wouldn't even know where to begin... I'm a true beginner and have never used a DSLR before.

Well, what are you going to be shooting? If you are shooting your baby only, I'd go with a nice 50mm prime (or something close). Other than that we have no idea what you shoot...

Wildlife
Nature
Scenic
Architecture
??

Personally, with my Pentax K7 I find I use my DA 16-45mm most of the time since it shoots wide enough to capture most of my subjects, yet has a slight bit of zoom for adjustment. I also have a DA 55-300mm for the long range shots or shots of the moon if I feel saucy. Then I have a couple manual lenses (50mm and 28mm) for portrait/family functions.

Like I said, it all depends on what you are going to be shooting. I'd base my pick of lenses on your subject, then get the best possible body you can afford.

Realize you are buying into a system... most likely (especially in my case) lenses will not change, but the body will more than likely be upgraded in the future when something bigger/better/badder comes out. Your camera will only take pics as good as your lenses will allow. Crappy lens will produce mediocre results...

In your scenario, I would get the T3i. I'm sure you will not be disappointed. Especially since you've never owned a DSLR before, so anything you do get you'll think is the best thing since sliced bread.

Good luck!
 

Kanalua

Diamond Member
Jun 14, 2001
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You can get a used t2i with a kit lens for your budget. it's a great combo to learn digital photography with.
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
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Read one of the many other threads we already have on this.

Also find a refurb Nikon D40 or D40x for cheap. Make sure it comes with the default 18-55mm lens.
 

twistedlogic

Senior member
Feb 4, 2008
606
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D3100 Refurb $540 w/ kit lens.

Wow, that's not that bad.

Add a used 35 1.8g and you have yourself a nice little starter kit.

35 1.8 f2 ISO 320 1/60
5728777650_b47b35c085.jpg
 

Rottie

Diamond Member
Feb 10, 2002
4,795
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All I know Canon DSLR camera has fold-out tilt/swivel screen and Nikon does not have or have tilting screen...I could be wrong...I rather have a vari-angle/fold out tilt/swivel screen.
 

twistedlogic

Senior member
Feb 4, 2008
606
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As mentioned, the D5000 and the D5100 offer swivel screens. But beware the D5000 swivels from the bottom while the D5100 swivels from the side.

25478_D5100_vari.png


353_25452_D5000_vari.png
 

AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,643
3
81
i should have mentioned the d5000 also, but i didn't want him to bring up the 'o it doezn't d00 vide0 FAILZ', so yeah, both the d5000 and d5100 :p
 

alexruiz

Platinum Member
Sep 21, 2001
2,836
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Get a Pentax K-7 as Smoove910 has, it is in a different class than the Ti2/Ti3 or the D5000/D510.

If you want new, a Pentax K-r kit with the 18-55 and 50-300 DA-L is what you need. It should be at around $700. The DA-L kit lenses are very good for kit lenses (probably only second to Olympus Zuiko 14-42) and the 50-300 is definitely worth the extra money ovcer the 50-200 DA-L. A good macro is in your future, but any DSLR with kits lenses will take much much nicer pictures than the very best PS camera.
 

Smoove910

Golden Member
Aug 2, 2006
1,235
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There's a used K7 for $600 here... has more actuations than what mine had, but they are bomber anyways.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographic-equipment-sale/143884-sale-k-7-body-conus.html

Couple any Pentax with a 16-45mm and you're all set! FWIW - I picked up my 16-45mm for $230 and my 55-300mm for $200. See if you can score those sort of prices for high quality glass for Canon/Nikon.

Either way, I think the T3i I linked earlier for $540 is a steal. It's all what you want though.
 

JohnnyRebel

Senior member
Feb 7, 2011
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Get a Pentax K-7 as Smoove910 has, it is in a different class than the Ti2/Ti3 or the D5000/D510.

If you want new, a Pentax K-r kit with the 18-55 and 50-300 DA-L is what you need. It should be at around $700. The DA-L kit lenses are very good for kit lenses (probably only second to Olympus Zuiko 14-42) and the 50-300 is definitely worth the extra money ovcer the 50-200 DA-L. A good macro is in your future, but any DSLR with kits lenses will take much much nicer pictures than the very best PS camera.

A reburb or a new K-7 body cost within $50 (either way) of a new D5100 body. Please elaborate as to why the K-7 is "in a different class". I have no experience with the K-7.

http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon-D5100-vs-Pentax_K-7

JR
 
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Smoove910

Golden Member
Aug 2, 2006
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A reburb or a new K-7 body cost within $50 (either way) of a new D5100 body. Please elaborate as to why the K-7 is "in a different class". I have no experience with the K-7.

These were the selling points for me. That, and I typically support the 'underdog' in most applications. I'm an AMD guy too FWIW

1.) Fully weather sealed magnesium body
2.) In body stabilization
3.) K mount (Pentax K mount has been around for what... 30 years? So a shit-ton of lenses to choose from)

I played with the 60D, T2i, T1i, D3100, D5000, & D90 and quite frankly they didn't feel as nice as the K7 in the ergonomic arena. That's just me though...

When Alexruiz says 'different class', he probably means the offerings from the Nikon/Canon lines are not their prosumer products. Canon would be something like the 7D and Nikon would be the D7000 or D300s... either way, the Rebel line and the D3100/D5100 are more for beginners, but offer alot of 'pro' specs. The K7 was, at the time, the best dSLR Pentax offered. It's now the K5, but I couldn't afford that at the time.
 

cpals

Diamond Member
Mar 5, 2001
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Well, what are you going to be shooting? If you are shooting your baby only, I'd go with a nice 50mm prime (or something close). Other than that we have no idea what you shoot...

Wildlife
Nature
Scenic
Architecture
??

It was in my first post what types of things I'll be shooting. ;) Mostly family things and used on vacation outings, etc.
 

twistedlogic

Senior member
Feb 4, 2008
606
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I agree that does sound nice... Amazon has it new for $600 though - wouldn't it be safer for so little to go new? Or are the refurbs regarded pretty much as being close to new?

Are the warrantys refurb vs new close?

I'd hop on the new if the price difference is only $60.

Warranty for Refurbished is 90 days ,new is 1 year.