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Upgrade from d60 to what?

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captmkg

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Hi everyone!

I'm new to the site here, so if I am posting this in the wrong area or something of that sort, my apologizes in advanced.

Anyways, I have d60. I've had it for close to 4 years old now, and I have about 5 lens.

My shooting is mostly for my own enjoyment of macro photography, and every once in a while, some photo shoots for friends.

Also in my inventory I have a camcorder:

Canon VIXIA HF200 HD Flash Memory Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom

Here's what I'd like to do:

- Sell the camcorder & accessories

- Sell the d60 body and possibly the kit lens, depending on the new body I would buy

- And then buy a new body that would be able to record video and still use my DX lens.

Now, from what I've read, it's look like the d7000 might be up my alley and price range.

My question for everyone here is, would the d7000 be the way to go or is there another body that I should save up for to purchase?

The main goal is to be able to use the DX lens and take video.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I'm not sure if my budget would stretch to the DX pro bodies, but if that would be a better way to go, then I would save up for it.

I'm not going to making this upgrade for a little while since I'll be moving in the next month.

Thanks again!
 
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I would think that a swivel rear screen might be very useful for video work. The D5000/D5100/D5200 have that feature.

You might also look at the limitations of using a DSLR for video. It is not as easy to use as a regular camcorder. There are some limitations with setting exposure and for autofocus for some camera bodies.
 
The D7000 or the less expensive D5100 would be very good upgrades. You could wait for the D5200 which should be available in the US soon. There should be a replacement for the D7000 soon, but it could still be several months before it becomes available. I would hold off at least until the D5200 becomes available.
 
The D5100 (5200 if you can wait a few weeks) is close to the feel of the D60, while the D7000 is slightly larger, and heavier. I prefer the D7000, but you will not go wrong with either.
 
Agree that the D5200 will have better video capabilities. If you've never shot video with an SLR before, you might want to try doing so at your camera store before committing to sell your camcorder. Camcorders, being purpose-built for video, are a lot easier to use for videography. They can go forever, generally autofocus and autoexpose well during shooting, and have good connectivity for microphones and the like. DSLRs, by contrast, are more limited and inconvenient, though they do offer greater quality and DOF control. Recording times on DSLRs are shorter, autofocus and exposure are often not as good or not present, and often the SLR's microphone can pick up the noise of the lens' AF motors - so it's important to have an external mic jack and use it.

Evaluate your new DSLR carefully for its video convenience before taking the leap.
 
Catallaxy said:
Catallaxy wrote:

I would think that a swivel rear screen might be very useful for video work. The D5000/D5100/D5200 have that feature.

You might also look at the limitations of using a DSLR for video. It is not as easy to use as a regular camcorder. There are some limitations with setting exposure and for autofocus for some camera bodies.
Click to expand...
 
mgd43 said:
mgd43 wrote:

The D7000 or the less expensive D5100 would be very good upgrades. You could wait for the D5200 which should be available in the US soon. There should be a replacement for the D7000 soon, but it could still be several months before it becomes available. I would hold off at least until the D5200 becomes available.
Click to expand...
I agree with you and that is what I would like to do is hold off for a bit longer until the replacement for d7000 has been announced or the 5200.

My primary focus is to should photos, but to have the availability to shot little bits of video.

That being said, would the 7000 or the 5100 be the better option?
 
mosswings said:
mosswings wrote:

Agree that the D5200 will have better video capabilities. If you've never shot video with an SLR before, you might want to try doing so at your camera store before committing to sell your camcorder. Camcorders, being purpose-built for video, are a lot easier to use for videography. They can go forever, generally autofocus and autoexpose well during shooting, and have good connectivity for microphones and the like. DSLRs, by contrast, are more limited and inconvenient, though they do offer greater quality and DOF control. Recording times on DSLRs are shorter, autofocus and exposure are often not as good or not present, and often the SLR's microphone can pick up the noise of the lens' AF motors - so it's important to have an external mic jack and use it.

Evaluate your new DSLR carefully for its video convenience before taking the leap.
Click to expand...
I'm refocusing my goals to be more photo versus video, since I have not had any real opportunity to flex the video muscle, so to speak.

That being said, I feel that the 7000 would be a better option compared to the 5100, especially when the replacement for the 7000 could be announced in the near future.

This also works with my desire to wait a while before purchasing until I can sell my camcorder.

Thanks, and would you agree with going for the 7000 over the 5100, given the stated goals?
 
captmkg said:
captmkg wrote:
captmkg said:
mgd43 wrote:

The D7000 or the less expensive D5100 would be very good upgrades. You could wait for the D5200 which should be available in the US soon. There should be a replacement for the D7000 soon, but it could still be several months before it becomes available. I would hold off at least until the D5200 becomes available.
Click to expand...
I agree with you and that is what I would like to do is hold off for a bit longer until the replacement for d7000 has been announced or the 5200.

My primary focus is to should photos, but to have the availability to shot little bits of video.

That being said, would the 7000 or the 5100 be the better option?
Click to expand...
Image quality wise, the D7000 and D5100 are essentially identical. The D7000 has some additional file storage formats (14 bit vs. 12 bit) that the D5100 doesn't, but they not that important unless you're gunning for absolute maximum RAW data quality for postprocessing. 12 bit is just fine. The D7000 has two control wheels and more direct control of primary shooting parameters, but if you're used to the D60's single wheel and menus the D5100 will not be a hindrance to you. The D7000 has some stuff of interest to very serious enthusiasts, such as AF fine tuning, dual card slots, a 39-point AF system, partial weatherproofing, the ability to AF with pre AF-S lenses, and more metal in the body. It also has a 100% viewfinder with greater magnification and more visible focus zone indicators instead of little glowing points, so it's more of a pleasure to work with. That being said, if you're happy with the D60, the D5100 will be even better. For video work, the D5100's articulating screen is useful, but either one will be fine for short videos.

If you wait for the D5200, you'll get the D7000's 39pt AF and 24MP, plus a bit better ergonomics than the D5100...but you'll pay a lot more as well.
 
mosswings said:
mosswings wrote:
mosswings said:
captmkg wrote:
mosswings said:
mgd43 wrote:

The D7000 or the less expensive D5100 would be very good upgrades. You could wait for the D5200 which should be available in the US soon. There should be a replacement for the D7000 soon, but it could still be several months before it becomes available. I would hold off at least until the D5200 becomes available.
Click to expand...
I agree with you and that is what I would like to do is hold off for a bit longer until the replacement for d7000 has been announced or the 5200.

My primary focus is to should photos, but to have the availability to shot little bits of video.

That being said, would the 7000 or the 5100 be the better option?
Click to expand...
Image quality wise, the D7000 and D5100 are essentially identical. The D7000 has some additional file storage formats (14 bit vs. 12 bit) that the D5100 doesn't, but they not that important unless you're gunning for absolute maximum RAW data quality for postprocessing. 12 bit is just fine. The D7000 has two control wheels and more direct control of primary shooting parameters, but if you're used to the D60's single wheel and menus the D5100 will not be a hindrance to you. The D7000 has some stuff of interest to very serious enthusiasts, such as AF fine tuning, dual card slots, a 39-point AF system, partial weatherproofing, the ability to AF with pre AF-S lenses, and more metal in the body. It also has a 100% viewfinder with greater magnification and more visible focus zone indicators instead of little glowing points, so it's more of a pleasure to work with. That being said, if you're happy with the D60, the D5100 will be even better. For video work, the D5100's articulating screen is useful, but either one will be fine for short videos.

If you wait for the D5200, you'll get the D7000's 39pt AF and 24MP, plus a bit better ergonomics than the D5100...but you'll pay a lot more as well.
Click to expand...
I'm not trying to go for the most up to date model, in this case the 5200.

I still think that to continue to practicing and learning more from a photo perspective, and please keep in mind that that is the goal here, the 7000 would serve a better purpose for advance photo learning versus the 5100, correct?
 
jtsjc1 said:
jtsjc1 wrote:

You can get a 7000 body now for under $900 with a US warranty.
Click to expand...
I saw one earlier for around $750 on cameta camera. So, it's looking better with each day, I just need to sell the camcorder is all.
 
I own the D7000 and love it. These days, you can get great deals but even with that, the best way to make your choice between the D5100 and the D7000 is to go to a store try both and choose the one that you find have the best feeling and handling to your own preferences.

Either way, you get a nice camera and hope a lot of fun.
 
captmkg said:
captmkg wrote:
captmkg said:
mosswings wrote:
captmkg said:
captmkg wrote:
captmkg said:
mgd43 wrote:

The D7000 or the less expensive D5100 would be very good upgrades. You could wait for the D5200 which should be available in the US soon. There should be a replacement for the D7000 soon, but it could still be several months before it becomes available. I would hold off at least until the D5200 becomes available.
Click to expand...
I agree with you and that is what I would like to do is hold off for a bit longer until the replacement for d7000 has been announced or the 5200.

My primary focus is to should photos, but to have the availability to shot little bits of video.

That being said, would the 7000 or the 5100 be the better option?
Click to expand...
Image quality wise, the D7000 and D5100 are essentially identical. The D7000 has some additional file storage formats (14 bit vs. 12 bit) that the D5100 doesn't, but they not that important unless you're gunning for absolute maximum RAW data quality for postprocessing. 12 bit is just fine. The D7000 has two control wheels and more direct control of primary shooting parameters, but if you're used to the D60's single wheel and menus the D5100 will not be a hindrance to you. The D7000 has some stuff of interest to very serious enthusiasts, such as AF fine tuning, dual card slots, a 39-point AF system, partial weatherproofing, the ability to AF with pre AF-S lenses, and more metal in the body. It also has a 100% viewfinder with greater magnification and more visible focus zone indicators instead of little glowing points, so it's more of a pleasure to work with. That being said, if you're happy with the D60, the D5100 will be even better. For video work, the D5100's articulating screen is useful, but either one will be fine for short videos.

If you wait for the D5200, you'll get the D7000's 39pt AF and 24MP, plus a bit better ergonomics than the D5100...but you'll pay a lot more as well.
Click to expand...
I'm not trying to go for the most up to date model, in this case the 5200.

I still think that to continue to practicing and learning more from a photo perspective, and please keep in mind that that is the goal here, the 7000 would serve a better purpose for advance photo learning versus the 5100, correct?
Click to expand...
In terms of real IQ potential in a DX body...the D7000 or the D5100 will serve you very well. You are correct in that the D7000 has features that allow for more advanced techniques to be accomplished easier. Hand held HDR photography can been done easier due to bracketing features. The D7K is better suited to very fast sports action. Advanced use of flash is one area I find the features of the D7000 over the D5100 a big plus. You can do those things with the D5100 or even the D60 but it can be harder and a little more frustrating. Example...A dedicated master flash (SB-700) would be required for the D5100 to control remote Nikon flashes in a CLS setup. With the D7000, the pop-up flash can be that master. If your goal is to really up your game and start really putting effort and time into photography, IMO, you would indeed be well served with the D7000 vs the D5100. Both are great cameras. Almost no picture can't be taken with either. The features of the higher level camera just make it a bit easier to get there. Good Luck. The biggest factor to success will be the effort you put into it.
 
Good thing about the D7000 and better models is that you also have the option of using older lenses. I wouldn't really be bothering with the 3100. I think you'd be bored with it in a short matter of time and if you don't believe me...check a 3100 user http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/post/50602591
 
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