Old Question: best starter DSLR? I'm looking at getting a first DSLR...budget about $1K. Canon EOS-70D and Nikon D5300 both look like they would be good for my uses, but I'm not...

LeeG Loc: Virginia

I'm looking at getting a first DSLR...budget about $1K.
Canon EOS-70D and Nikon D5300 both look like they would be good for my uses, but I'm not married to those brands, since I've had issues with both with P&S cameras. I want to do nature, family, and aerial photo (not so much sports). Needs to be not too fragile for bumping around a little. Any opinions welcome!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

LeeG wrote:

I'm looking at getting a first DSLR...budget about $1K.
Canon EOS-70D and Nikon D5300 both look like they would be good for my uses, but I'm not married to those brands, since I've had issues with both with P&S cameras. I want to do nature, family, and aerial photo (not so much sports). Needs to be not too fragile for bumping around a little. Any opinions welcome!

I'd recommend a big step up to the Nikon D7100. You can get one refurbished for under $1k, but then you would need lenses.

Costco and similar stores have kits for good prices. The D5300 is a nice camera. Really, for that price, you're not going to get something bad.

http://www.cameta.com/index.cfm?fa=display.search&page=1&keywords=d7100%20refurb

http://www.cameta.com/index.cfm?fa=display.search&page=1&keywords=d5300%20refurb

SueMac Loc: Box Elder, SD

I have a used Nikon D300 with lens, batteries, CF cards and the vertical battery grip for sale for $1000.00 That would be a great DSLR starter kit. It is listed in the for sale section. Here is the link http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-225536-1.html

Victor S Loc: SouthCoast MA

Take a look at my Canon T3i package in the classified section. Great camera for your needs.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

SueMac wrote:

I have a used Nikon D300 with lens, batteries, CF cards and the vertical battery grip for sale for $1000.00 That would be a great DSLR starter kit. It is listed in the for sale section. Here is the link http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-225536-1.html

Depending on the focal lenght(s) of the lenses this would be a really great starter that will carry you a long way. ;)

LeeG Loc: Virginia

Thanks for the input. This helps see what's available.

jerryc41 wrote:

I'd recommend a big step up to the Nikon D7100. You can get one refurbished for under $1k, but then you would need lenses.

Costco and similar stores have kits for good prices. The D5300 is a nice camera. Really, for that price, you're not going to get something bad.

http://www.cameta.com/index.cfm?fa=display.search&page=1&keywords=d7100%20refurb

http://www.cameta.com/index.cfm?fa=display.search&page=1&keywords=d5300%20refurb

LeeG Loc: Virginia

Thanks for the link, SueMac. I'm just starting comparisons, so this helps.

LeeG Loc: Virginia

Thanks again for these links. I see some other UHH for-sale-by-owner posts with attractive prices. But my store-bought cameras often have had flaws, so wondering if you have any experience about reliability of buying from owners through UHH?

jerryc41 wrote:

I'd recommend a big step up to the Nikon D7100. You can get one refurbished for under $1k, but then you would need lenses.

Costco and similar stores have kits for good prices. The D5300 is a nice camera. Really, for that price, you're not going to get something bad.

http://www.cameta.com/index.cfm?fa=display.search&page=1&keywords=d7100%20refurb

http://www.cameta.com/index.cfm?fa=display.search&page=1&keywords=d5300%20refurb

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

LeeG wrote:

I'm looking at getting a first DSLR...budget about $1K.
Canon EOS-70D and Nikon D5300 both look like they would be good for my uses, but I'm not married to those brands, since I've had issues with both with P&S cameras. I want to do nature, family, and aerial photo (not so much sports). Needs to be not too fragile for bumping around a little. Any opinions welcome!

If I may, you are wanting a camera that "is not too fragile", yet both cameras you mention have flip-out screens. I have seen many of these type DSLRs come through my store with broken or damaged screens/hinges, there is a reason why manufacturers do not use them on their higher end bodies.
Buying used is not a bad idea for your first DSLR, providing you get it from a trusted source of course.
Another suggestion that meets all your listed needs might be a brand new, non-current model, such as the Nikon D7000 still available new for right at $800. They are weather-sealed, have two SD card slots for versatility, will use ANY AF type Nikon mount lens ever made, have a great 16.2 MP sensor for wonderful images, and if you ever move up to a full frame body it would make a terrific second body to have.
Good luck with whatever you end up choosing

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

My vote would be the Nikon D7100. I have one and love it. I think that if that is to much MT Shooter's recomendation of the D7000 is the way to go. As he said they will work with any Nikon AF lens. They have a focus motor in the body and there are lots of older moterless AF lenses on eBay that are super bargens. - Dave

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

You will be very happy with the Nikon D5300. Good luck.

LeeG wrote:

I'm looking at getting a first DSLR...budget about $1K.
Canon EOS-70D and Nikon D5300 both look like they would be good for my uses, but I'm not married to those brands, since I've had issues with both with P&S cameras. I want to do nature, family, and aerial photo (not so much sports). Needs to be not too fragile for bumping around a little. Any opinions welcome!

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

LeeG wrote:

I'm looking at getting a first DSLR...budget about $1K.
Canon EOS-70D and Nikon D5300 both look like they would be good for my uses, but I'm not married to those brands, since I've had issues with both with P&S cameras. I want to do nature, family, and aerial photo (not so much sports). Needs to be not too fragile for bumping around a little. Any opinions welcome!

Lee, don't forget Sony and Olympus or Pentax, which each offer high quality DSLR camera models within your price range that compete successfully with both the items mentioned above.

The Sony A65 is an EXCELLENT camera for the price; extremely powerful with very high image quality. Olympus has the OM-D E5, and Pentax has the very good K-5 mark II.

These cameras are as good as or BETTER than their canikon counterparts in may ways, and well worth a look.

GOOD LUCK!

K_Duncan Loc: Whiteville, NC

jerryc41 wrote:

I'd recommend a big step up to the Nikon D7100. You can get one refurbished for under $1k, but then you would need lenses.

:thumbup:

I recently had the same problem. I chose the D7100 for controls and I didn't care for the flip out screen of the D5200.
Here is a pretty good deal, but you would still need lenses.

http://www.adorama.com/INKD7100A.html

:)

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

LeeG wrote:

I'm looking at getting a first DSLR...budget about $1K.
Canon EOS-70D and Nikon D5300 both look like they would be good for my uses, but I'm not married to those brands, since I've had issues with both with P&S cameras. I want to do nature, family, and aerial photo (not so much sports). Needs to be not too fragile for bumping around a little. Any opinions welcome!

You really can't go wrong with either Nikon or Canon.
Other brands make good cameras too, but the big advantage Nikon and Canon have over those is the large range of lenses Nikon and Canon have to offer.

JP/Avery Loc: Australia

For a first camera a refurnished canon 7d.it offers alot for your money.very durable as the link below states.

Watch "Canon 7D - Hardcore Durability Test" on YouTube
Canon 7D - Hardcore Durability Test: http://youtu.be/RCT-YMgjm9k