Shopping for new DSLR: I currently own a Nikon D50 and am looking to upgrade. I am pretty much a novice but plan to take some classes to improve my knowledge and techniques. I am...

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

I currently own a Nikon D50 and am looking to upgrade. I am pretty much a novice but plan to take some classes to improve my knowledge and techniques. I am looking at the Nikon D3200 and D5200. Both are available with two lens packages at $699. and $899. respectively. I want something's that I can grow into that will allow me to photo grandsons sporting events as well as normal vacation and travel photos. Suggestions, please.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Both of your choices are mighty fine cameras (don't forget to look at the 5300 as well) and suit you just fine for the things you have in mind!

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Welcome to the site RKL.

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

I'd recommend either the 5200 or 5300...that should keep you well armed for 4 or 5 years easily. Also consider the lens you all ready have for your D50...you may be able to jump ahead with just a camera body and a better lens...so good luck with the GAS...lol

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

RKL349 wrote:

I currently own a Nikon D50 and am looking to upgrade. I am pretty much a novice but plan to take some classes to improve my knowledge and techniques. I am looking at the Nikon D3200 and D5200. Both are available with two lens packages at $699. and $899. respectively. I want something's that I can grow into that will allow me to photo grandsons sporting events as well as normal vacation and travel photos. Suggestions, please.

I suggest that you take the classes first and learn as much as possible with the D50. At that point you'll know what the D50 can't do that you really would like- this will help you to decide what camera makes sense for you. Don't rush to upgrade and then be sorry.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

If you want something you can grow into, take the D5200 over the D3200.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I would recommend the D7000/D7100 over either of them. Also keep in mind that any of your D50 lenses that are AF or AF-D will NOT AF on the D3200 or D5200, these bodies require AF-S type lenses in order to autofocus.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Sounds more like you need to consider one of the new mirrorless point and shoot's. Consider Sony NEX-6. I understand sony will be out with a new version of the NEX-7 in a month. You might want to wait a bit or not. Nex-6 has Excellent IQ, low weight, and it records video at 60/fps. It comes with an excellent kit lens 16-55. You will want to add the 55-210. With this set up, you can go anywhere and take great travel pictures.

sshinn1 Loc: Phoenix

ecobin wrote:

I suggest that you take the classes first and learn as much as possible with the D50. At that point you'll know what the D50 can't do that you really would like- this will help you to decide what camera makes sense for you. Don't rush to upgrade and then be sorry.

My thoughts exactly - take your new camera budget and put it into a good fast lens to help with those sports pics, you will never outgrow a good lens, then take a class to learn how to use what you have. Once you have explored the limits of your current body you will better know what you really want in a new one.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

RKL349 wrote:

I currently own a Nikon D50 and am looking to upgrade. I am pretty much a novice but plan to take some classes to improve my knowledge and techniques. I am looking at the Nikon D3200 and D5200. Both are available with two lens packages at $699. and $899. respectively. I want something's that I can grow into that will allow me to photo grandsons sporting events as well as normal vacation and travel photos. Suggestions, please.

Refurbished.

t_jay Loc: California

RKL349 wrote:

I currently own a Nikon D50 and am looking to upgrade. I am pretty much a novice but plan to take some classes to improve my knowledge and techniques. I am looking at the Nikon D3200 and D5200. Both are available with two lens packages at $699. and $899. respectively. I want something's that I can grow into that will allow me to photo grandsons sporting events as well as normal vacation and travel photos. Suggestions, please.

Add me to the crowd of learning with what you currently have. If your a novice photographer it's plenty of camera for what you plan to do. You will have a much, much better idea of what your next camera ought to be if you learn as much as you possibly can with the camera you already have.

I've been using a D60 for the past couple of years to learn digital, after having been a film photographer. Now I'm ready for a new camera and I know what I need to have in a camera after coming up against the limitations of my current camera more and more. But it took me a little while to do that. As long as my skills, and not the camera's capabilities, were the limiting factor I didn't really feel I could make an informed decision, or that I needed a new camera.

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Hi,

I'm with MT Shooter. I just bought my wife a refurbished D7000 for $570.00 from Adorama. It is an awesome camera and might be something for you to consider. Take care & ...

stepupandclick Loc: Central Kentucky

In my younger days when I played a lot of golf, I felt as if I needed the very best set of clubs that I could afford and that surely would make me a better golfer. I wasted a lot of money buying golf clubs and my game always stayed the same. I finally realized that I needed to master what I had in hand instead of trying to buy my golf game. I'm just saying . . . . .