Which to buy

Looking to pick up a second hand camera with standard kit lens cheap and have a number of options. It has three purposes, importance in this order:

1) Photos of kids (Needs to focus quick enough for that).. jpeg

2) Travel (Size and weight considerations).. jpeg

3) Beginners looking to get more serious with photography.. raw

My options include:

a) 1100D (T3) for ~$230

b) 600D (T3i) for $300 w/2 lens (18-55 + a longer zoom)

c) 1200D (T5) for ~$250

d) 1200D (T5) for ~$300 w/ lens (18-55 + 55-250)

e) 700D (T5i) for ~$300

f) 1300D (T6) for ~$250

g) 100D (SL1) for ~$310

Leaning towards the 1300D (T6). 1200D (T5) with the second lens is tempting for wildlife shots, but wildlife is not a high priority. I know the 100D (SL1) also has an excellent reputation, and is the smallest, which suits travel. But is it significantly better than the T6? On specs alone it doesn't look $60 better, but of course specs don't tell the whole story. Opinions much appreciated! What would you do?

Well, you did mention travel.  So, that would put the Sl1 in first place, even at the extra cost.  You should also check the Canon Refurb Store.  There are often good deals on a practically new camera with a warranty.  You might pay more than used, but get a piece of mind if anything is wrong with the camera, you can get it replaced or repaired.

I can only speak on the 1300D, that was my first DSL. Pros: great starter camera, light body and in my eye medium to small body (I have long fingers). With a decent lens like the two you mentioned takes nice sharp photos. Also like you mentioned geared towards hobbyist that want to take casual family photos etc but of course can be used for anything any dslr can with proper settings and glass.

Cons, not great when higher Iso settings are needed (Lower light conditions)

Here are a few shots from a recent air show I was at where I carried it with the 55-250 lens and my 80D with the 100-400mm tamron. By the way what ever one you get the 55-250 is great lens choice, very sharp fast little lens that you can find for around $100 pretty easily. Also with that lens being so light great for travel.

timbeach wrote:

Looking to pick up a second hand camera with standard kit lens cheap and have a number of options. It has three purposes, importance in this order:

1) Photos of kids (Needs to focus quick enough for that).. jpeg

2) Travel (Size and weight considerations).. jpeg

3) Beginners looking to get more serious with photography.. raw

Beg, borrow, or steal if you have to, to get yourself this current deal on an SL2 + 18-55 STM from Canon refurb...

SL2 + 18-55 STM at the Canon Refurb Store for $399

Head and shoulders above anything you have listed. Canon's latest 24 MP Dual Pixel sensor, Dual Pixel autofocus (for outstanding Live View and Video AF), Flippy LCD screen, fast processor and operation. The STM kit lens is fast, silent, and decisive.

I just can't recommend this one enough.

R2

Agree with Digi, comparing T6i photos to the T6  you definitely can see the difference the i makes.

R2D2 wrote:

timbeach wrote:

Looking to pick up a second hand camera with standard kit lens cheap and have a number of options. It has three purposes, importance in this order:

1) Photos of kids (Needs to focus quick enough for that).. jpeg

2) Travel (Size and weight considerations).. jpeg

3) Beginners looking to get more serious with photography.. raw

Beg, borrow, or steal if you have to, to get yourself this current deal on an SL2 + 18-55 STM from Canon refurb...

SL2 + 18-55 STM at the Canon Refurb Store for $399

Head and shoulders above anything you have listed. Canon's latest 24 MP Dual Pixel sensor, Dual Pixel autofocus (for outstanding Live View and Video AF), Flippy LCD screen, fast processor and operation. The STM kit lens is fast, silent, and decisive.

I just can't recommend this one enough.

R2

Ooops. Just noticed that you’re the same author (as your other recent “prospective camera” thread). Ignore the Canon Refurb Store link.

BTW are these two separate cameras that are needed?

You might find a good SL2 kit used for around that price tho ($399), since that’s about the going rate. Do you still need info on those cameras you mentioned?

R2

R2D2 wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

timbeach wrote:

Looking to pick up a second hand camera with standard kit lens cheap and have a number of options. It has three purposes, importance in this order:

1) Photos of kids (Needs to focus quick enough for that).. jpeg

2) Travel (Size and weight considerations).. jpeg

3) Beginners looking to get more serious with photography.. raw

Beg, borrow, or steal if you have to, to get yourself this current deal on an SL2 + 18-55 STM from Canon refurb...

SL2 + 18-55 STM at the Canon Refurb Store for $399

Head and shoulders above anything you have listed. Canon's latest 24 MP Dual Pixel sensor, Dual Pixel autofocus (for outstanding Live View and Video AF), Flippy LCD screen, fast processor and operation. The STM kit lens is fast, silent, and decisive.

I just can't recommend this one enough.

R2

Ooops. Just noticed that you’re the same author (as your other recent “prospective camera” thread). Ignore the Canon Refurb Store link.

BTW are these two separate cameras that are needed?

You might find a good SL2 kit used for around that price tho ($399), since that’s about the going rate. Do you still need info on those cameras you mentioned?

R2

Double ooops.  Just noticed you went over to the Dark Side   .

Enjoy your new camera!

R2

timbeach wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

R2D2 wrote:

timbeach wrote:

Looking to pick up a second hand camera with standard kit lens cheap and have a number of options. It has three purposes, importance in this order:

1) Photos of kids (Needs to focus quick enough for that).. jpeg

2) Travel (Size and weight considerations).. jpeg

3) Beginners looking to get more serious with photography.. raw

Beg, borrow, or steal if you have to, to get yourself this current deal on an SL2 + 18-55 STM from Canon refurb...

SL2 + 18-55 STM at the Canon Refurb Store for $399

Head and shoulders above anything you have listed. Canon's latest 24 MP Dual Pixel sensor, Dual Pixel autofocus (for outstanding Live View and Video AF), Flippy LCD screen, fast processor and operation. The STM kit lens is fast, silent, and decisive.

I just can't recommend this one enough.

R2

Ooops. Just noticed that you’re the same author (as your other recent “prospective camera” thread). Ignore the Canon Refurb Store link.

BTW are these two separate cameras that are needed?

You might find a good SL2 kit used for around that price tho ($399), since that’s about the going rate. Do you still need info on those cameras you mentioned?

R2

Double ooops. Just noticed you went over to the Dark Side .

Enjoy your new camera!

R2

Haha, thanks for the tips, its really appreciated. I made a new post here as I discovered new deals, then later discovered the Nikons. I'm not bias either way towards Canon or Nikon yet so both sides were the light to me. Sadly couldn't find a good deal on the SL2 in my country. A refurbished one from the Canon store at that price would have been hard to say no to. In the end, there wasn't a lot separating the cameras, they can all produce great photographs. But I got a nice lens with the Nikon, no postage costs, and the lack of an AA filter was appealing. We'll see how I feel about that in a few months time I guess

No prob.  Congrats!  I have a bunch of friends who own Nikons (and they are very biased   ).

It all comes down to personal preference and priorities anyways (I shot Nikon SLRs back in the days before digital).  Love these new cameras tho!  Enjoy!

R2

So, what camera did you decide on?

Lepewhi wrote:

So, what camera did you decide on?

D3300

Cool! Enjoy.

Well, enjoy your new camera, and the Nikon forum;-)

Don't forget us here.