What to buy?

[Parishrut Pandey]

Hello everybody.

I am looking to buy my first DSLR and am extremely confused. Help would be greatly appreciated.

I have shortlisted 3 cameras:

- Nikon D5200

- Canon 60D (about the same price)

- Nikon D7000 (about 25% costlier)

I want a camera for non-professional, family use (for trips and stuff) and for creative use. I might also indulge in a little creative videography. I like framing and composing photos and it would make a great pasttime. I own a Nikon Coolpix L110 presently and I feel greatly restricted by its limited capabilities. It is slow to focus, unusable in low light and allows next to no manual controls.

I had a chance to get my hands on Canon 60D and Nikon D5300 yesterday. Unfortunately the D7000 is not available anywhere near where I live for testing. From what I have researched and after using the two cameras, and since I want to buy a camera for non-professional use, I am satisfied with the image quality of both the cameras and that is not a factor. I am also fine with any differences in shutter speed and such factors as long as the cameras are decent. Any camera is a huge step up from my P&S.

The thing is that I have got above average sized hands and and neither of the two cameras is a perfect fit.

For example, on the Canon 60D, after I gripped the grip comfortably, I found that my clicking finger rested on the dial instead of the shoot button and I had to make it reach the shoot button. Alternatively, if I rested that finger on the shoot button and gripped the grip, my pinky went under. Didn't feel very uncomfortable, but since it is not natural, would it be a factor in the long run? The buttons on the rear of the 60D were also very squishy and hard to use.

On the 5300 (which I assume is similar to the 5200) my thumb, which is quite long, had a little trouble in rotating the rear dial and I had to curl my thumb a bit in the normal gripping position.

I have read about the D7000 and I loved it. The controls are the best thing about it and the height of the camera is good enough for my hand to rest comfortably. I wouldn't think twice before choosing if it wasn't that much costlier than the 60D. It is painfully over-budget, but for how good it is, is it worth going over-budget?

The thing is, if I buy either the Nikon D5200 or Canon 60D, I can upgrade after 4-5 years, but if I buy the D7000, I will have to keep it as long as it lasts.

Finally, I have seen that wherever such comparison questions have been asked in such forums (between two brands), people usually ask for the kind of photography the thread maker pursues and tell that the lenses are a big factor. Could you please throw some light on how Nikon and Canon differ in their lenses? Also, are there good NIkon lenses that come without a motor that I may use with D7000, thus saving for the extra money I would have paid for D7000?

Also, what is magic lantern?

Thank you so much.

 

[joyclick]

Parishrut you will be perfectly fine buying the latest entry level Nikon D3300.

The D5300 will be a better option over the D7000 for your stated needs.

 

[Parishrut Pandey]

Parishrut you will be perfectly fine buying the latest entry level Nikon D3300.

The D5300 will be a better option over the D7000 for your stated needs.

 

[NikonNature]

First off, any current camera from either Canon or Nikon will do everything you need it to do. They also both have a full line of lenses for every purpose under the sun.

For Nikon the D3xxx, 5xxx, 7xxx get progressively larger and have more external controls (I am sure Canon is the same t5i, 60D, 7D). The ergonomics - how it feels in your hands - is pretty important. It will contribute to how much fun you have using it, so if you can find a D7000 to handle, that would be a good thing.

For lenses, there are some great older lenses that do not have a built in motor and they are often cheaper than current models. However, to get auto-focus to work you have to have a camera with an auto-focus drive motor. The D7000 has it, the D5200 does not. Not sure about Canon models.

Maybe the best thing to do is keep reading (and saving) until you are convinced what the right camera is for you. The amount you spend and how much you stretch your budget is entirely up to you.

 

[nandbytes]

First off, any current camera from either Canon or Nikon will do everything you need it to do. They also both have a full line of lenses for every purpose under the sun.

Yep, what ever model you choose OP both makers along with 3rd party lens will have everything covered.

For Nikon the D3xxx, 5xxx, 7xxx get progressively larger and have more external controls (I am sure Canon is the same t5i, 60D, 7D). The ergonomics - how it feels in your hands - is pretty important. It will contribute to how much fun you have using it, so if you can find a D7000 to handle, that would be a good thing.

For lenses, there are some great older lenses that do not have a built in motor and they are often cheaper than current models. However, to get auto-focus to work you have to have a camera with an auto-focus drive motor. The D7000 has it, the D5200 does not. Not sure about Canon models.

Maybe the best thing to do is keep reading (and saving) until you are convinced what the right camera is for you. The amount you spend and how much you stretch your budget is entirely up to you.

--
Jeff
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29707528@N08/

I just wanted to say something quick, I personally would pick a nikon over canon any day simply for the ergonomics. The Nikon is very good for ergonomics for ME.

This is one point that you have to decide for yourself and no one can tell you. People buy expensive DSLR and don't pay much attention to the ergonomics instead they go by pure specs. Minute differences in fps or ISO performance etc etc can be dealt with easily between brands but ergonomics is something you can't deal with that easily. So go try out the cameras and buy which YOU feel fit in YOUR HANDS best.

Lens wise you will find what you need on any brand. I also prefer nikon/sony sensors in terms of the colour but I am picking hairs...

 

[Parishrut Pandey]

This is one point that you have to decide for yourself and no one can tell you. People buy expensive DSLR and don't pay much attention to the ergonomics instead they go by pure specs. Minute differences in fps or ISO performance etc etc can be dealt with easily between brands but ergonomics is something you can't deal with that easily. So go try out the cameras and buy which YOU feel fit in YOUR HANDS best.

Thanks for the reply.

I have a question: How long to camera bodies last? If they last very long, I might spend extra on D7000.

Also, I live in a place where temperatures get very high. Will overheating be an issue with Canon 60D due to its plastic body? Will the MA body on D7000 be an advantage there?

 

[NikonNature]

This is one point that you have to decide for yourself and no one can tell you. People buy expensive DSLR and don't pay much attention to the ergonomics instead they go by pure specs. Minute differences in fps or ISO performance etc etc can be dealt with easily between brands but ergonomics is something you can't deal with that easily. So go try out the cameras and buy which YOU feel fit in YOUR HANDS best.

Thanks for the reply.

I have a question: How long to camera bodies last? If they last very long, I might spend extra on D7000.

Also, I live in a place where temperatures get very high. Will overheating be an issue with Canon 60D due to its plastic body? Will the MA body on D7000 be an advantage there?

Great question! Some people feel the need to upgrade more often than others simply because new technology makes existing cameras 'seem' old. The real answer is that they last as long as the camera still works. Most likely 100,000 clicks or more.

For what its worth, I am still using my D300s (came out in 2009) and several people on this site are happily using their D200 which came out in 2005. Whatever camera you decide on will last until you wear it out or outgrow it.

 

[KhAjUr]

Parishrut, I own a Canon 60d and am perfectly happy with it. As someone said in the forum, any of these camera will work for a casual photographer. What would matter is the lens. I do not know what your budget is, but I would rather save on cameras (do not mean to get the cheapest one) and spend more on lens. for beginner I would recommend 18-135 and 70-300 (50mm if budget permits). These are good starter lens (better than 18-55 and 55-250 combo). Next step up will be 24-70 or 17-55 and 70-200.

But back to original question, yes I would highly recommend 60D.

 

[joyclick]

Pandeji,

The D7000 has a better body and is likely to be more durable.But the D5300 has the same sensor as the next version of the D7000 i.e. the new D7100.It has a better dynamic range.Though the body is plastic with nice and proper use it should last long enough.The days of old DSLR which lasted a life time have gone.The latest entry level Nikons have better performance than top older models.

Size seems to be a big factor in your requirements which rules out the 5300.You also say the D7000 is way too pricy for you,although it has the best build of all the cameras you are considering.You need not worry about very high temperatures and the 5300.I am an Indian living in Dubai where temperatures cross 48 degrees routinely and no cameras have a problem.

If at all why not get the D7100.You will spend a lot of rupees only once but the D7100 comes closest to the full frame quality photos,and is being used by many professionals as a second body.It must be matched with the best quality lenses,which have built in stabilization and are expensive.

The canon D60 is replaced by the D70 and the Nikon D5300 performs better than Canon D60.

Hope that helps.

good luck choosing a camera.

 

[BobSC]

The thing is that I have got above average sized hands and and neither of the two cameras is a perfect fit.

You might want to consider the Nikon d300 -- it's bigger. Doesn't have as many bells and whistles, but it is a great camera. I use the d200, and it is plenty camera for me.

 

[Parishrut Pandey]

The thing is that I have got above average sized hands and and neither of the two cameras is a perfect fit.

You might want to consider the Nikon d300 -- it's bigger. Doesn't have as many bells and whistles, but it is a great camera. I use the d200, and it is plenty camera for me.

Thanks for the reply, but d300 is too costly. As I said, even the D7000 is too costly. I think I am going for the 60D. Thanks.

 

[BlbGB]

A useful tool may be www.camerasize.com. This website allows you to compare camera sizes you could see how much bigger the nikon 7000 is, being you are not able to get your hands on it. You could put it side by side with a camera you know.

 

[joyclick]

http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_60D-vs-Nikon-D5300

 

[OpticsEngineer]

I am answering because you mentioned family use.

As a first time DSLR buyer, you may naively expect you can look at the back panel display and the autofocus will be very fast. Not true at all on Nikon cameras. (I have a Nikon D7100)

I find for family, spontaneous shots of the kids, the back panel display is very useful. My Sony and Pentax cameras have much faster AF in Liveview. So I use them for kids photos. Never use my D7100 for family photos.

I do not know about Canon. But if there is a problem, I would expect it would be listed as a Con in the conclusions section for a camera review. (every Nikon DSLR has listed as a Con "slow AF in Liveview")

 

[Parishrut Pandey]

I am answering because you mentioned family use.

As a first time DSLR buyer, you may naively expect you can look at the back panel display and the autofocus will be very fast. Not true at all on Nikon cameras. (I have a Nikon D7100)

I find for family, spontaneous shots of the kids, the back panel display is very useful. My Sony and Pentax cameras have much faster AF in Liveview. So I use them for kids photos. Never use my D7100 for family photos.

I do not know about Canon. But if there is a problem, I would expect it would be listed as a Con in the conclusions section for a camera review. (every Nikon DSLR has listed as a Con "slow AF in Liveview")

I don't think I would be using live view for photography too often.

 

[joyclick]

You have already decided on the rather older Canon D60.

Stick to it and have no regrets later on.

Enjoy your photography.

 

[juvx]

The thing is that I have got above average sized hands and and neither of the two cameras is a perfect fit.

You might want to consider the Nikon d300 -- it's bigger. Doesn't have as many bells and whistles, but it is a great camera. I use the d200, and it is plenty camera for me.

Thanks for the reply, but d300 is too costly. As I said, even the D7000 is too costly. I think I am going for the 60D. Thanks.

Camera tech changes every year. those are both 3+ years old.

Why do you want to get older Mid-higher end cameras when the new entry level Nikons are superior.

D3300, D5300...

Smaller, ligher, better sensor, better processor, better screens, better ISO performance, pretty much better everything OTHER than build quality. (But still not bad)

 

[BobSC]

The thing is that I have got above average sized hands and and neither of the two cameras is a perfect fit.

You might want to consider the Nikon d300 -- it's bigger. Doesn't have as many bells and whistles, but it is a great camera. I use the d200, and it is plenty camera for me.

Thanks for the reply, but d300 is too costly. As I said, even the D7000 is too costly. I think I am going for the 60D. Thanks.

Where I live the d300 sells for about 1/2 what the d7000 sells for and a good bit less than the 60D. Good luck with your purchase though -- they are all fine cameras.