Discussion
Sorry to start another What Camera thread, ive spent the last week or so reading reviews etc but I was hopefully after some real world experiece rather than a quick "road test".
Currently thinking of getting my first DSLR. short list is Canon 550 or 600 or Nikon 3200 or 5100
Now, I know both are good camera's, but in real terms, is there an overall winner ?
I dont plan on spending £000,s on equipment, i just want a good all rounder that I can put a bigger lense on for airshows and sporting events, and maybe something a little less "phyallic" for everyday photos.
Looking to be spending around £600 - £800 on Camera body / lens / memorycard.
I see Jessops listing a Nikon 5100 with 2 lens's and memory card for £900 - any opinions ?
Currently thinking of getting my first DSLR. short list is Canon 550 or 600 or Nikon 3200 or 5100
Now, I know both are good camera's, but in real terms, is there an overall winner ?
I dont plan on spending £000,s on equipment, i just want a good all rounder that I can put a bigger lense on for airshows and sporting events, and maybe something a little less "phyallic" for everyday photos.
Looking to be spending around £600 - £800 on Camera body / lens / memorycard.
I see Jessops listing a Nikon 5100 with 2 lens's and memory card for £900 - any opinions ?
I had this same decision to make a few months back and opted for the Nikon D5100. I have no regrets about it either, I love the camera.
In reality there is nothing between the D5100 and the Canons; the Nikon edging it here, the Canon there, and so on. But in reality they are an even match. Go in to a camera shop and have a play with both and see which feels right to you. This was what swung it in the Nikon's direction for me; I just preferred how it felt and the user interface was more to my liking.
I ruled out the D3100 and 550D because I wanted a camera with a flip-out screen. The D3100 is also more a competitor to the 1000D and is aimed below the other models you have listed. As such it lacks some nice to have features like auto-bracketing. It has also just been replaced by the D3200. It's still a decent camera though.
You can't really go wrong with any of them. Look to see if either Nikon or Canon are offering any cash back deals as they often do. Also, if buying from Jessops (or WEX, or many other places) it is worth signing up to TopCashBack.co.uk and clicking through to the site from there as you can get some extra cash back by doing that.
In reality there is nothing between the D5100 and the Canons; the Nikon edging it here, the Canon there, and so on. But in reality they are an even match. Go in to a camera shop and have a play with both and see which feels right to you. This was what swung it in the Nikon's direction for me; I just preferred how it felt and the user interface was more to my liking.
I ruled out the D3100 and 550D because I wanted a camera with a flip-out screen. The D3100 is also more a competitor to the 1000D and is aimed below the other models you have listed. As such it lacks some nice to have features like auto-bracketing. It has also just been replaced by the D3200. It's still a decent camera though.
You can't really go wrong with any of them. Look to see if either Nikon or Canon are offering any cash back deals as they often do. Also, if buying from Jessops (or WEX, or many other places) it is worth signing up to TopCashBack.co.uk and clicking through to the site from there as you can get some extra cash back by doing that.
Just to add that the Jessops deal sounds very over priced, but then you haven't specified which lenses that is for.
If it is the twin kit lens bundle, you can get that much cheaper on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D5100-Digital-18-55m...
Jessops' memory cards also tend to be very expensive. For example a 32GB SD card can be had for less on Amazon than a 4GB version of the same brand at Jessops. I think this is the one I bought:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00428N88M/ref=...
The total from those two deals comes in a lot less than £900.
If it is the twin kit lens bundle, you can get that much cheaper on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D5100-Digital-18-55m...
Jessops' memory cards also tend to be very expensive. For example a 32GB SD card can be had for less on Amazon than a 4GB version of the same brand at Jessops. I think this is the one I bought:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00428N88M/ref=...
The total from those two deals comes in a lot less than £900.
Go to a shop and try them (and buy them from the shop, not use them just for a go before buying online, having a good relationship with a local supplier is really really useful). One will feel better in your hands than the other. I really liked Nikon cameras but couldn't get on with them, my dad was the same, Canon just suited me.
Cheers guys.. I know there is little in it. My mates all have higher end Canon's, but t them, its a status thing with D5's and Lens's costing more than a new car.
Ive always been a Nikon fan since the days of my old Nikon F4. Im also in favour of using local shops, but 40% is a big saving.
Off to Jessops for a "play" tomorrow I think.
Ive always been a Nikon fan since the days of my old Nikon F4. Im also in favour of using local shops, but 40% is a big saving.
Off to Jessops for a "play" tomorrow I think.
markmullen said:
Go to a shop and try them (and buy them from the shop, not use them just for a go before buying online, having a good relationship with a local supplier is really really useful). One will feel better in your hands than the other. I really liked Nikon cameras but couldn't get on with them, my dad was the same, Canon just suited me.
This is the only real reason I've got a Canon (versus a Nikon).I like the Canon menus better.
I'm not like that Rob Dickinson, who thinks that Nikon users are wrong in the head.
JVaughan said:
Cheers guys.. I know there is little in it. My mates all have higher end Canon's, but t them, its a status thing with D5's and Lens's costing more than a new car.
Ive always been a Nikon fan since the days of my old Nikon F4. Im also in favour of using local shops, but 40% is a big saving.
Off to Jessops for a "play" tomorrow I think.
If you can borrow their gear then Canon would make a good choice.Ive always been a Nikon fan since the days of my old Nikon F4. Im also in favour of using local shops, but 40% is a big saving.
Off to Jessops for a "play" tomorrow I think.
I've just bought a D5100 this week too, only had a day with it at Longleat with the kids yesterday but so far I'm really impressed, having not played with anything more than a compact camera for 20+ years (I had an old school Practica 35mm when I was a teenager!), I'm already getting shots I'm pleased with without reverting to full auto!
I looked at the D3200 as well and also the Canon 600D, I actually preferred the slightly larger grip size/shape of the Canon but the shutter button felt abnormally angled forward and didnt sit where my finger felt it natually wanted to sit, so that was a score draw. Just from a quick play with both I felt the Nikon was the more intuitive menus and button layout etc which surprised me as Ive got a Canon compact camera with broadly similar controls as the 600D, so expected to feel more at home on the Canon. The D3200 had the slightly newer more newbie friendly guide mode menu system but I felt I'd quickly get past that so it wasnt a prime concern, and the higher cost of the 3200 for what feature wise is slightly lower spec than the D5100 (other than megapixels) just because it's a new release also swayed me towards the D5100, plus the D5100 is also £50-100 cheaper than the 600D kit depending on where you shop, and although I wouldnt have sacrificed my choice purely on cost, its an added bonus when the one you prefer most is also the cheapest!
I was literally ready to hand over my card in Jessops on Wednesday (£479 with the 18-55 kit lens, quite competitive price wise) but the store were playing silly b*ggers insisting they could only give me their 10 months interest free offer if I also bought a bundle of 8Gb memory card, case and cheap filter at another £60 or so even though the posters clearly say "10 months interest free on any item over £299". I wasnt desperate for any of bundled kit and their ridiculous overpricing of SD cards just so they can knock them down to make people feel like they're getting a bargain annoyed me (the 8Gb Sandisk they wanted to bundle for mine is £40 in Jessops, £6.50 from Amazon!), so I walked and got it elsewhere.
I looked at the D3200 as well and also the Canon 600D, I actually preferred the slightly larger grip size/shape of the Canon but the shutter button felt abnormally angled forward and didnt sit where my finger felt it natually wanted to sit, so that was a score draw. Just from a quick play with both I felt the Nikon was the more intuitive menus and button layout etc which surprised me as Ive got a Canon compact camera with broadly similar controls as the 600D, so expected to feel more at home on the Canon. The D3200 had the slightly newer more newbie friendly guide mode menu system but I felt I'd quickly get past that so it wasnt a prime concern, and the higher cost of the 3200 for what feature wise is slightly lower spec than the D5100 (other than megapixels) just because it's a new release also swayed me towards the D5100, plus the D5100 is also £50-100 cheaper than the 600D kit depending on where you shop, and although I wouldnt have sacrificed my choice purely on cost, its an added bonus when the one you prefer most is also the cheapest!
I was literally ready to hand over my card in Jessops on Wednesday (£479 with the 18-55 kit lens, quite competitive price wise) but the store were playing silly b*ggers insisting they could only give me their 10 months interest free offer if I also bought a bundle of 8Gb memory card, case and cheap filter at another £60 or so even though the posters clearly say "10 months interest free on any item over £299". I wasnt desperate for any of bundled kit and their ridiculous overpricing of SD cards just so they can knock them down to make people feel like they're getting a bargain annoyed me (the 8Gb Sandisk they wanted to bundle for mine is £40 in Jessops, £6.50 from Amazon!), so I walked and got it elsewhere.
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