Camera Which Dslr to start with as a beginner ?

bruno0123

bruno0123

Disciple
So I want to explore myself at photography And was thinking to start by buying a DSLR but i haven't been able to figure out which one to buy.( D3100 or D3200 or D5100 or any other)
I was about to buy d3100 but then thought of why not invest other 6000rs. and get D3200. But since then D5100 has caused me further confusion because the two are so alike.
I would be totally into photography and not much video making.
Please suggest something which is not very high in cost and once I start learning I can use that particular for 2-3 year without it being obsolete.
 
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I am assuming your budget is around 30k (like mine .. I'm in the same beginner DSLR phase right now)..

the D5100 bests the D3200 ..

the Kit 18-55 Lens is kinda crappy .. you will need to invest in a beginner Prime Lens like a 35mm / 40mm (12-16k New) next
 
there was an offer from flopkart for the canon 1100D, with 18-55 lens for 20k, i dont know if the offer is still on!
The D5100, 5200 are mainstream versions.
 
Another option would be, to check out buy/sell boards like here and jjmehta and check out a used DSLR for cheap.
Something like Canon 1000D for <15 K. I think that will introduce you to the concept called DSLR, allow you to retain money so that you can buy more lenses if you need.

Also if you realize that buffalo called DSLR is not really your cup of tea (with respect to ease of carrying, clicking pix) you have only invested a minimal amount.
(The catch is that these old gen DSLRs do not come with video capabilities)

Otherwise I believe you have brand new Canon 1100D for 22-23 K and Nikon D3100 for about 25K in the markets.
 
Buy as per ur budget mate. Pick whatever comes in your budget. If you are anyways going to learn, how does it matter whether you buy a d3100 or 5100. What does matter is the fact that once u r hands on, the 5100 will produce better pics and i hope you dont repent then that you didnt buy a better cam. Just my POV.
 
edge111hussain said:
Buy as per ur budget mate. Pick whatever comes in your budget. If you are anyways going to learn, how does it matter whether you buy a d3100 or 5100. What does matter is the fact that once u r hands on, the 5100 will produce better pics and i hope you dont repent then that you didnt buy a better cam. Just my POV.
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1. Can you please elucidate how 5100 will produce a better pic than others?
2. Or is it that you meant that the image quality from 5100 will be higher than other cheaper cams?

If it is the second point, it is moot.
It doesn't make much difference. The dynamic range and color depth are so close that you cannot tell one apart from the another. The high ISO performance is also pretty close by. Besides, if you really intend to take night time pix without flash/lighting, then even these cams will fail miserably. So it hardly makes any difference.
 
ssslayer said:
1. Can you please elucidate how 5100 will produce a better pic than others?
2. Or is it that you meant that the image quality from 5100 will be higher than other cheaper cams?

If it is the second point, it is moot.
It doesn't make much difference. The dynamic range and color depth are so close that you cannot tell one apart from the another. The high ISO performance is also pretty close by. Besides, if you really intend to take night time pix without flash/lighting, then even these cams will fail miserably. So it hardly makes any difference.
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Ok mate, if u say so.....
 
The D3100 and 1100D are old cameras with dated sensors.

If you can stretch your budget look at the D5200,its got good AF and the latest sensor,swivel screen.

If you can think out side of Canikon ,you can look at the Sony A58 SLT with the latest Sony sensor and a OLED EVF which just dwarfs the tiny dim OVF found in the canon Rebels and nikon D3xxx.D5xxx cameras.

OR

Go with the future which is mirrorless cameras.
 
+1 for D5200 ..I'm planning to get it also.
Its selling for 39k new on Ebay and a 5 month old one on JJMehta for 36k

Otherwise you can get the Sony RX100 for ~30k
 
adder said:
The D3100 and 1100D are old cameras with dated sensors.

If you can stretch your budget look at the D5200,its got good AF and the latest sensor,swivel screen.

If you can think out side of Canikon ,you can look at the Sony A58 SLT with the latest Sony sensor and a OLED EVF which just dwarfs the tiny dim OVF found in the canon Rebels and nikon D3xxx.D5xxx cameras.

OR

Go with the future which is mirrorless cameras.
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How does it make a difference?

Frankly I don't understand why everyone on this thread somehow feels that the latest and most expensive sensor is the one that a newbie requires. Forget newbies, your professional photographers in the commercial area next to your house would still be using something like Nikon D90 or perhaps even Canon 450D ...
 
I guess it because we do the same when it comes to Laptops, Mobiles & Bikes etc. We dunk money on them senselessly ..

Get the latest hardware .. Has better resale value, future proof.

The 5200 is much more convenient with its AF system especially for a beginner. The Auto ISO also takes away a lot of the hassles and let's you focus more on your composition rather than twiddling with the controls.

However don't buy based solely on recommendations and reviews.. Always get a good hands on .. Goto a store and try out the actual model for a good hour. Ignore the pesky sales guy. Buy what makes you comfortable ..
 
ssslayer said:
How does it make a difference?

Frankly I don't understand why everyone on this thread somehow feels that the latest and most expensive sensor is the one that a newbie requires. Forget newbies, your professional photographers in the commercial area next to your house would still be using something like Nikon D90 or perhaps even Canon 450D ...
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The sensors in the D5200 are not expensive they will eventually make it to the lower end models,if Nikon marketing decides to.
The EOS1100D has a sensor dating back to the 450D which is really old.Its so old that a smaller m4/3 sensor like in one EPL5 has a better overall performance in all parameters.Even the tiny 1" sensor in the RX100 has a better dynamic range.

Apart from the sensor the 1100D has a poor ergonomics and build is nothing to write about.The AF sensor is a old one with just 1 cross type focus point,it has low resolution lcd screen,lower resolution video and there are lots of other things which is inferior.
The D3100 by comparison is better but it still quite old.It to has a older AF sensor with one cross type focus point.

The professional photographers do use cameras that are old like the D90 or even the D80 but don't forget when they bought it new ,it was one of the best APS-C cameras at that time and overall they are still a much better cam them a 1100d or a D3100.
 
@bruno0123
Check ebay for latest price:
Nikon D3200 = 26,822/-
Nikon D5200 = 38785/-
I don't think you can get better prices than this. Grab ASAP if you finalized the model. For beginner, I will say stick to D3200 and with saved money, buy 55-250 or 55-300 lens. Also keep in mind for some other accessories like tripod, UV filters, lens cleaners, class 10 SD card etc.
 
I am a beginner and bought Canon 1100D with 18-55 and 55-250mm Kit lens for 23.5K from flipkart in recent diwali sales. I am pretty happy with it. Already doing bird photography and result are good. they will improve further. If you are beginner then i think it will do the job. Swivel screens, i feel are for places where you cannot view the shot through the viewfinder. You must also remember that saving money for the lens is also important. Suppose you are going to do a lot of bird photography, then you need a zoom lens. So if you spend all your money on the body, you have none left for the lens. In short identify the scenarios where the DSLR is going to be used majority of the times and choose the lens accordingly
 
vaibhavyagnik said:
I am a beginner and bought Canon 1100D with 18-55 and 55-250mm Kit lens for 23.5K from flipkart in recent diwali sales. I am pretty happy with it. Already doing bird photography and result are good. they will improve further. If you are beginner then i think it will do the job. Swivel screens, i feel are for places where you cannot view the shot through the viewfinder. You must also remember that saving money for the lens is also important. Suppose you are going to do a lot of bird photography, then you need a zoom lens. So if you spend all your money on the body, you have none left for the lens. In short identify the scenarios where the DSLR is going to be used majority of the times and choose the lens accordingly
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+1. Very valid point. Buy a budget/used cam , then invest your money on lenses. The lenses will outlast the camera by years and u can always buy a better body when you feel like you are ready.
 
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