First DSLR

ascensorem said:

Hey guys!
I will soon be buying my first DSLR and was wondering whether to get the Nikon D3200 or the Canon EOS 1200D (t5). I know there are better cameras than both of these but I only have the money for them so they're the only choices.

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They are both good cameras and you would probably be very happy with either one.

Choose the cheapest.

ascensorem said:

Hey guys!
I will soon be buying my first DSLR and was wondering whether to get the Nikon D3200 or the Canon EOS 1200D (t5). I know there are better cameras than both of these but I only have the money for them so they're the only choices.

Click to expand...

The Nikon is superior in many ways, including a much better sensor.

Lets say I am photographing a red rose. I have a light meter handy and that tells me that I need to use an ISO 400, f/4, 1/125th shutter. These are the settings that would be required with any camera. Why? The only thing a camera really does is record an exposure: a camera records light. If you want a different image, you need different light. So in a very real sense, all cameras do the same thing: record light.

When choosing a camera, you want to decide on form factor: point & shoot, advanced point & shoot, mirror less, DSLR, etc. In very general terms, the larger the sensor the better the high ISO performance. This can make a dramatic difference in various lighting situations. Taking the above example, what if I don't have a lens than opens to f/4? Perhaps it is a kit lens and only does f/5.6. Now I need to adjust either the ISO or the shutter to record enough light for the exposure. So having a camera, such as a DSLR, that has useable higher ISO's can be a benefit.

After form factor, the lens will be more important than the camera? Want a lens that will do a constant f/2.8? That will cost a lot more than a kit lens. However, it also lets in a lot more light! Simply put, the better the lens, the more it is going to cost. And it is the lens that is responsible for collecting and focusing the light... making it infinitely more important than the camera.

After all of that, does the camera have the features you want? Cross off of the list "a camera that takes great photos".... that isn't what any camera does. Again, the camera only records the light. Do you want auto-bracketing? Will you be taking any indoor pictures where flash is required (because you need LIGHT)? And so on. If nothing else, you want a camera that feels good in your hands.

Choose the one that feels best in your hands!

Choose the one that gives you the features and lens choices that meet your shooting needs. As chuxter said, make sure it is comfortable to use, ergonomically and menu intuitiveness.

Instead of the 1200D my choice for Canon would be a used 600/650D. Links for lots of opinions on these cameras -

Canon Rebel ?

Need help choosing a DSLR

'Beginner' DSLR on a budget, don't mind getting old gear

Kelly Cook

ascensorem said:

Hey guys!
I will soon be buying my first DSLR and was wondering whether to get the Nikon D3200 or the Canon EOS 1200D (t5). I know there are better cameras than both of these but I only have the money for them so they're the only choices.

Click to expand...

A Pentax K-50 would be my recommendation.

Why? Because:

Nice, bright pentaprism finder.

Dual Control wheels.

Weather sealed.

Significantly better sensor than the Canon and pretty darn comparable to the Nikon.

In Body Image Stabilization (IBIS).

Since the Pentax has IBIS and every lens you put on it is stabilized, it has a vastly better selection of affordable, stablized lenses than Nikon or Canon do.

Don't let the term entry level fool you. Both of these cameras are capable of outstanding photos. I suggest handling both and choosing the one that feels best in your hands and has controls and menus that you like.

bladerunner6 said:

ascensorem said:

Hey guys!
I will soon be buying my first DSLR and was wondering whether to get the Nikon D3200 or the Canon EOS 1200D (t5). I know there are better cameras than both of these but I only have the money for them so they're the only choices.

Click to expand...

A Pentax K-50 would be my recommendation.

Why? Because:

Nice, bright pentaprism finder.

Dual Control wheels.

Weather sealed.

Significantly better sensor than the Canon and pretty darn comparable to the Nikon.

In Body Image Stabilization (IBIS).

Since the Pentax has IBIS and every lens you put on it is stabilized, it has a vastly better selection of affordable, stablized lenses than Nikon or Canon do.

Click to expand...

If you must have dSLR, then I agree with the above. You simply get more for your money with Pentax.

I personally would never even consider an entry-level Nikon or Canon, (but Canon has faster AF and less shutter-lag).

But NO dSLR has the "features" you will find an any mirrorless that will HELP YOU "learn" exposure and ultimately get better exposure for better IQ.

Only a mirrorless will allow you to see your exposure, (and White-Balance), corrections in the viewfinder before your exposure, (and allow instant image-review afterwards to verify your exposure/pose/smile/eyes and RESHOOT IF NECESSARY before your subject moves/leaves).

If you want interchangeable lenses, I recommend the Sony a6000 if you want a larger sensor for the SAME IQ AS THE CanNikon's you quoted. (they all have the same size-sensors)

If you want a smaller interchangeable lens, look at the Olympus line or Panasonic G7 (w/ 4K-video w/ Frame-Grab for a new paradigm in action "timing").

You might also want to consider a "bridge" camera like the Panasonic FZ-1000. It has a (macro-focusing) 25mm to 400mm, f/2.8-4, lens (with digital-zoom to 3200mm), that would take 3+ lenses to equal.

It has faster AF than any dSLR and better (5-axis Image-Stabilization)

It has the pre-exposure "zebras" and histogram mentioned above to more quickly learn and more accurately set exposure, and instant image-review.

It has auto-bracketing and HDR, (only found on more expensive dSLR's).

And it has the 4K-video w/ Frame-Grab, (which will eventually be on all cameras BUT video is always more complicated and slower on dSLR's than mirrorless).

The fact is that dSLR's are based on a 60+ yo technology which required "mirrors" to accomplish what can now be done w/out the mirror and its inherent limitations. Mirrorless are the FUTURE of cameras as their only remaining advantage is for SPORTS (action "tracking"). Some people argue that the OVF (Optical ViewFinder) is better ... BUT ... an EVF offers a LOT more information than possible on OVF.

Besides the advice given above, I might add that you can buy a refurbished camera or a good used camera that is a few years old. You'll get more for your money!

The big online camera dealers will often have used gear ratings so that you can be fairly confident that you are getting what you pay for.

ascensorem said:

Hey guys!
I will soon be buying my first DSLR and was wondering whether to get the Nikon D3200 or the Canon EOS 1200D (t5). I know there are better cameras than both of these but I only have the money for them so they're the only choices.

Click to expand...

All current model DSLRs are great cameras and can take wonderful images. If you are buying a current model Canon or Nikon, you can't go wrong.

My advice is to see if any of your friends have a DSLR. If they do, then buy the same brand they have. In that way they are more likely to be able to help you when you have questions, and you can borrow lenses and accessories from them.

ascensorem said:

Hey guys!
I will soon be buying my first DSLR and was wondering whether to get the Nikon D3200 or the Canon EOS 1200D (t5). I know there are better cameras than both of these but I only have the money for them so they're the only choices.

Click to expand...

Go to a nearby camera store and see if they have these models on display. If they do, see how they look and feel like in your hands, and also try to take a few test shots. Nikon and Canon are both equally capable cameras, it is just a matter of what fits more naturally to you.

Instead of those 2 options, I would suggest you to take Nikon D3300 as it falls in your budget and therefore you can save a big amount by choosing this camera. It has got more features than D3200 as D3300 has 24.2 mp CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter that can actually record 1080/60p full HD video. Well, at least that's my choice. Try looking in different online stores or ebay as they usually have great prices. just make sure to check the reviews first. I'd recommend T-Dimension, customer service is wonderful. Maybe others can suggest more?

ascensorem said:

Hey guys!
I will soon be buying my first DSLR and was wondering whether to get the Nikon D3200 or the Canon EOS 1200D (t5). I know there are better cameras than both of these but I only have the money for them so they're the only choices.

Click to expand...

Hi,

both are good cameras. Nikon and Canon have achieved a great level, therefore is impossible to state the best.

I suggest you to go a camera store and touch, handle and see settings of two cameras to become familiar with them, then decide what you like it, the choice of a camera is very subjective.

I bought in december nikon D3300 with 18-55mm VRII and I say you that I’m very satisfied, it’s easy to use, light and takes fantastic pictures.

About technician features I can say you that the main differences between nikon D3200 and canon 1200D are the following:

1) size sensor 23,2 x 15,4mm vs 22,3x 14,9mm so it means that pics are sharper ;

2) light

3) canon 1200D has a touch screen LCD;

4) 11 points of autofocus vs 9;

5) battery life

The following link compares two cameras:

http://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Compare/Side-by-side/Canon-EOS-1200D-versus-Nikon-D3200___940_801

Considering all I said above, I don’t know what camera is better for you and only you can know

I was going through the same decision making process few months ago and ended up getting Nikon d3300 which is imo best entry level dslr you can get. I wasn't sold on any brand, but I was mainly looking at Nikon vs Canon. I like Canon 600/650d or 60/70d, but have to say that I wouldn't want 1200d. It's same price as d3300 (app.) and yet it seems inferior in many ways. I've read reviews, specs and 1200d seems just like very stripped version. I even have real life comparison, because my friend got herself 1200d and we've been going out for walks and shooting in similar settings. I can say that I've been consistently getting much better results with d3300. If you wanted to go for Canon, I'd look for used 60d or 600d. It's true that Canon system offers nice choice of lenses which can be very attractive especially if you are on lower budget like me. BTW, Canon 1200d doesn't have touch screen or rotating lcd.

Choice is yours, but since I was going through the same decision and did my research, I disagree that these cameras are the same and that it wouldn't matter. They differ a lot and imo, Nikon is hard to beat in this category. HOWEVER, others are right that you should also get the feel of the camera if you're not sure which one to choose. How it feels in your hand etc is also very important. Good luck

Do you have friends who are into photography? If so, do they shoot Canon or Nikon? If I were trying to decide between these two cameras, I would go with the brand that my friends had.

helps said:

I was going through the same decision making process few months ago and ended up getting Nikon d3300 which is imo best entry level dslr you can get. I wasn't sold on any brand, but I was mainly looking at Nikon vs Canon. I like Canon 600/650d or 60/70d, but have to say that I wouldn't want 1200d. It's same price as d3300 (app.) and yet it seems inferior in many ways. I've read reviews, specs and 1200d seems just like very stripped version. I even have real life comparison, because my friend got herself 1200d and we've been going out for walks and shooting in similar settings. I can say that I've been consistently getting much better results with d3300. If you wanted to go for Canon, I'd look for used 60d or 600d. It's true that Canon system offers nice choice of lenses which can be very attractive especially if you are on lower budget like me. BTW, Canon 1200d doesn't have touch screen or rotating lcd.

Choice is yours, but since I was going through the same decision and did my research, I disagree that these cameras are the same and that it wouldn't matter. They differ a lot and imo, Nikon is hard to beat in this category. HOWEVER, others are right that you should also get the feel of the camera if you're not sure which one to choose. How it feels in your hand etc is also very important. Good luck

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Hi Helen,

I agree with you in terms of performance, but a choice is subjective.

I know that nikon D3200 is better than Canon 1200D, there are a lot of differences (see comparison on dxomark) but needs of any person can be different. It's possible that I like so much Canon menu or grip than Nikon.

When I was looking for my camera I noticed that with the same features Canon is more expensive than Nikon, so I choose Nikon.

About touch screen I make a mistake, I'm sorry.

Luigina

I normally buy old second hand higher end cameras like my canon 30d depends what your after but the 20d 30d i have does the job fine and they are cheap now and good performers.

Id say look back at old reviews there are some classics out there! the what about a 50d? or a Nikon D200 or something?

Given the OP's budget constraints, I am surprised by so many people recommending Canon and Nikon when the lenses for those systems tend to be so much more expensive.

For example, the lest expensive combination of a Nikon 35mm and 50mm lens is $329, with neither of those lens stabilized.

With Pentax, you can get a 35mm and 50mm lens for less than $200 for both. And since Pentax has IBIS, both of them stabilized.

Or let's take a look at a 100mm macro. A stabilized Canon is $849. With Pentax, for a little over $810, you can get a a 55-300 zoom, with three primes: a 35mm 2.4, a 50mm 1.8 and a 100mm 2.8 macro. Again, all of them are stabilized due to IBIS and the zoom lens and the macro lens are weather sealed.

People say that there are more lenses for Canon and Nikon, and sure, if you have unlimited money to you can buy something like this for $26K.

But if you have a more limited, normal persons budget, it is pretty clear that Pentax can really offer some great value and a much better selection of stabilized lenses.