D3100 or EOS1100D, much difference?

[FatSumo]

I have a budget of £250 for a starter DSLR and these two seem the most popular. Is there much difference between them or is one much better than the other?

I'm currently using a bridge camera (I know I know......) so fancy a step up to something a little better.

Cheers!

[Mr Will]

Nikon has the edge at that level at the moment but they are close enough that you are better off choosing which ever you prefer the look/feel of.

The possible exception to this is if you have a friend/family member who you could borrow kit off (i.e. lenses, flashes, etc). In that case there is an advantage to choosing the same system as them.

Also, have you considered second hand?

[DavidY]

Mr Will said:

Nikon has the edge at that level at the moment but they are close enough that you are better off choosing which ever you prefer the look/feel of.

The possible exception to this is if you have a friend/family member who you could borrow kit off (i.e. lenses, flashes, etc). In that case there is an advantage to choosing the same system as them.

This ^^, the only other main difference is that Nikon has Help documentation on the camera, so for a beginner this may prove helpful (pun intended). I gave my partners daughter this choice for her A level Photography, she felt handling wise there was no difference so we took the Canon as I have lenses/flash that I could lend her.

If you have the choice go for a IS lens, it will be better in low light.

Mr Will said:

Also, have you considered second hand?

This may prove a good option however there are a couple of things to consider here:-

1) Bundled Deals on New Equipment can be very good, Canon have just announced 1200D, so expect prices of 1100D packages to be very competitive, An 100D with IS lens currently can be had for £270, so add a chase an d memory card, and for £300-£320 you have an excellent system.
2) ISO Performance is improving all the time, her 1100D performs much better in low light than my 40D, so worth checking out
3) Warranty is usually shorter on s/h

This webiste is useful

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/

[FatSumo]

Thanks, I found the 1100D for £240 inc 18-55mm lense and the same D3100 is £270.

Will have a play with them both and see which feels best cheers!

[NormalWisdom]

Looking further ahead, the cost of Canon lenses is c30% less and that is where, long-term, most of your money will be spent.

I have a Nikon (7000) primarily because I find N feel more comfortable in my pudgy hands ;-)

[fido]

100D - it's so much better (18MP, AF) and newer for a bit more money. Also light and compact if that is an issue for you (moving from a bridge camera).

[The_Jackal]

A quick search shows the D3100 to have 1080p video and a bigger buffer over the 1100D, if that makes any difference to you.
The Canon is mean to have a better LiveView though and some prefer the access to settings.

[ClayStevens]

Not much difference at least to most of people. Suggest you go to the real shop and have a hand on them. The differences of design and operation may be more important than the specs.

[FatSumo]

Thanks for the responses, while researching I came across a few astrophoograpy forums and in future I quite fancy giving that a go, so apparently the Canon is the way to go as it has the best software support (although the Nikon could be suitable but harder to find advice on)

Will give them both a try though and see what feels better, photographing the night sky is a secondary objective, most of the time I'll be irritating my wife and sons with a bit of sports thrown in!

Thanks again