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AR15.COM
8/9/2014 5:24:23 PM EDT
I have been using my smart phone for a camera. Smart phone took a dump. I have a point and shoot digital
which gives ok pics but it is slow and I can't see the screen in bright light. So I want a DSLR and I thinking about a NIKON D3200.
For $500 is there any other camera I should be looking at?
8/9/2014 5:33:23 PM EDT
[#1]
Probably everything you could want to know about that camera. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-d3200

That is a way better site for camera info than GD.

Personally I like Canon more. Mostly for their lenses.
8/9/2014 5:37:38 PM EDT
[#2]
Yep, pick the Canon and Nikon that are in your price range and sort out which one fits your needs best.
8/9/2014 5:46:34 PM EDT
[#3]
Decide which lens you like the best, Nikon or Canon. Then buy that brand of camera. The camera body is disposable and will probably be replaced in a few years. There isn't enough difference in a Canon or Nikon to make a difference either. They are both good products. The lenses however, will go with you to the new body and you should consider them pretty much a life time investment.
8/9/2014 5:56:09 PM EDT
[#4]
buy the 35mm 1.8 with the 3200 and make some pictures

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
8/9/2014 6:15:31 PM EDT
[#5]
Check into a used Olympus OM-D EM-5.

Phenomenal little camera. Used ones could be had for around $500 or so. There's a good selection of lenses and accessories out nowadays.

If you don't like to do post editing, the EM-5's jpeg engine is AWESOME. IQ with good lenses is awesome as well.
8/9/2014 8:31:53 PM EDT
[#6]
I'm a Canon fanboi and use their cameras in my film classes.

Look at the T3i.  You could get one and a lens for under $500 (the older version of the T5i).  

You could also look at the SL1 if you want a smaller body.  It's pretty much a smaller T3.  If you don't want to shoot video with it the SL1 or T3 would be a good starter for you.
8/9/2014 8:35:03 PM EDT
[#7]
I have a Canon T1i and love it, but Canon and Nikon both make good cameras that will serve you well.  The lenses are FAR more important than the camera body for any big name DSLR manufactures.
8/9/2014 8:49:53 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Quoted:
Yep, pick the Canon and Nikon that are in your price range and sort out which one fits your needs best.
View Quote

This is the correct answer.

Nikon vs Canon for lenses: it really does not matter.  Both make great pro lenses at pro prices.  Both make good consumer lenses at consumer prices.  Both have roughly the same lens choices.

Nikon vs Canon for cameras, it really doesn't matter as far as technology goes.  There is a difference in the ergonomics.  Go to a store and play with the cameras.  Check the size, weight, shape, button placement, etc.  Buy the one that feels best in your hands.

I prefer the Nikons for their ergonomics.  The D3200 is a great camera for the tech.  It is also the smallest DSLR Nikon makes, which may be a problem if you have big hands like I do.

8/9/2014 8:53:46 PM EDT
[#9]
Canon or Nikon, either is good but remember the glass is where it's at. Think of the body as semi-disposable, buy used/refurb'ed'ed and spend money on the lens and external flash.
8/9/2014 9:00:23 PM EDT
[#10]
Nikon fan here. If for no other reason that....What you learn from designing one optic helps  elsewhere in the line.
Coating lenses and rigging precise glass structures.

Top of the line binoculars Nikon has a entry
Telescope comparison Nikon always has a great entry.
Microscope comparison Nikon always near the top.
High dollar rifle scope there usually is a Nikon there.
Cameras sure to be a monster Nikon of some sort from budget to all out pro stuff there.

I really only find three company's with that range of optical products.
Carl Zeiss, Leica and Nikon. That's a tough crowd to keep up with.  

Just my point of view there.
8/10/2014 4:54:18 AM EDT
[#11]

Quote History
Quoted:


Canon or Nikon, either is good but remember the glass is where it's at. Think of the body as semi-disposable, buy used/refurb'ed'ed and spend money on the lens and external flash.
View Quote




 
This is the best answer.
8/10/2014 6:59:05 AM EDT
[#12]
I might step down and look at a Nikon Cool Pix L830 but then again I might keep with the DSRL and am thinking about
Nikon D3300. I like the compact size of the L830 but give up the lens options, see thru lens and some picture quality
If I could see the screen in bright sunlight then the L830 will fit my needs 80% of the time.
Now the D3300 is on the lighter and smaller size for a DSLR. The camera will be used for on the go.
8/10/2014 7:15:21 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote History
Quoted:
buy the 35mm 1.8 with the 3200 and make some pictures

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
View Quote



I have a D3100.  I use the 35mm 1.8 and the 55-200 DX VR lenses more than my other lenses.

Either Canon or Nikon will serve you well.  Pick whichever camera is easiest for you to work the menu and get shooting.
That's how I picked my D3100.

Speaking of D3100, I bought another D3100 package from a pawn shop for $200 for my GF to use.  
She prefers the D3100 to her D80.
Look around and you might find a good deal on a used or refurb camera.
8/10/2014 7:20:04 AM EDT
[#14]
I have an old Nikon D60. Good enough for what I need.
Like the posters above have stated. It's all about the Glass you put on the camera body.

Camera bodies become outdated rather fast now days.
8/10/2014 7:24:34 AM EDT
[#15]
Look at PENTAX also

they make very nice DSLR's

...and there lenses are backwards compatible to 35mm stuff make in the 1970's
8/11/2014 4:09:14 PM EDT
[#16]

You should also check out Pentax and Fujifilm.

Pentax:
PROs: great ergonomic, seated body, in-body image stabilization that works with any lens. You can use 99% of the pentax lens and any K-mount made in the last 25 years.  
Cons: Not the best menu system, most of the modern lens beside of the Limited series are so-so. Not as much new lens as C&N

Fuji:
Pros: awesome image, most models have good controls for a mirror-less, you can use just about any lens with an adapter
Cons: clunky color-space, inferior menu system, limited lens option
8/11/2014 4:19:09 PM EDT
[#17]
I got into DSLR with the D3200 several months ago.

I'm still a novice, but it has already taught me a ton about photography after a few quick tutorials online and playing around with it in Manual mode with manual focus.   It all seems overwhelming at first, but it's actually quite simple when you begin to get the hang of it.

Three basic things to learn is that the aperature controls depth of field and amount of light entering the camera.  ISO film speed -- higher ISO needs less light, which lets you use smaller aperatures and shorter exposures.  Faster shutter speeds require more light, slower requires less light.  Shutter speed controls how long the "film" will be exposed.

Long exposures will increase motion blur.  Shorter exposures will decrease it.   Zoom will not only bring far shots up close, but bring macro shots up close.

The lenses that come bundled with it are very basic, entry level glass.  They do ok, but I'm itching for better lenses.  The lens is where it's at.
8/11/2014 5:58:50 PM EDT
[#18]
I just got the 3200 yesterday.  I like it.  After only one day, I am taking better pictures than my old "point and shoot" digital.  
8/11/2014 6:09:46 PM EDT
[#19]
I got my wife the D5100 and its great. I think the Nikons are more user friendly than the Canon.
8/11/2014 6:11:25 PM EDT
[#20]
8/11/2014 6:14:01 PM EDT
[#21]
I saw the t3i at walmart for $299 last week.



Err, looks like it might have been the 12 megapixel Canon T3, not the T3i.
8/11/2014 6:14:54 PM EDT
[#22]
In addition to getting a decent DSLR and learning how to use it, I highly recommend Adobe Lightroom. Look into it; it's cheap and very powerful.
8/11/2014 6:16:28 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote History
Quoted:
Nikon fan here. If for no other reason that....What you learn from designing one optic helps  elsewhere in the line.
Coating lenses and rigging precise glass structures.

Top of the line binoculars Nikon has a entry
Telescope comparison Nikon always has a great entry.
Microscope comparison Nikon always near the top.
High dollar rifle scope there usually is a Nikon there.
Cameras sure to be a monster Nikon of some sort from budget to all out pro stuff there.

I really only find three company's with that range of optical products.
Carl Zeiss, Leica and Nikon. That's a tough crowd to keep up with.  

Just my point of view there.
View Quote


I always felt in the microscope world Olympus had a leg up on Nikon. Can't beat Zeiss or Leica though
8/11/2014 6:16:31 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote History
Quoted:
In addition to getting a decent DSLR and learning how to use it, I highly recommend Adobe Lightroom. Look into it; it's cheap and very powerful.
View Quote


$10/month for light room and photoshop.