JeanNate

Hi I want to ask for everyone's opinion on what would be a good camera for a beginner in digital photography but also keep up with me as I grow as a digital photographer. I want a decent camera. I don't want to have to buy a new camera because I have out grown the camera I do buy. I am going to ask about a Canon or Nikon. I have noticed Nikon is a little cheaper than a Canon. Can anyone suggest what make and/or model would be a good mid-range digital camera? I don't want the cheapest but I don't need the top of the line either. All of your opinions matter to me.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Welcome to the Hog JeanNate
Would you buy an airplane without knowing how to fly? The answers to your question will come flying (no pun intended) in with all kinds of recommendations for all kinds of brands. Unless you know what aperture and ISO and rear curtain shutter are a camera is a foreign language. You need to speak and understand the language before you spend the money. You need to know the names of the players also. Where to buy is as important as is what to buy. Most camera manufacturers are highly reputable companies trying to get as much market share as possible. The business is cut throat at time and in places. Be cautious but be sure. Be educated. You seem aware of some areas but you need more information. GL

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Consider ALL camera brands. Olympus, Pentax, Samsung, and especially Sony all sell quality cameras for the same amount of money offering the same or more features in comparable models.

Now is the time to shop around, because once you buy, you are committed to a specific brand and lens mount.

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

In SEARCH: Either Basic Nikon digital SLR or Canon

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Do you know what shutter speed, aperture and iso settings in a camera does to an image? That's what you need to know before considering a mid range DSLR. All cameras on the market are decent cameras, you just have to know what your looking for and how much your willing to spend. BTW, what are you shooting with now? just by reading your question, you don't seem to know much about digital photography.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Jean, welcome to the Hog.
Sit down, put on the seat belt and hang on, your rocket is about to take off and it could be a bumpy ride!!! :lol : lol:
Jean, get the new Canon 6ti.
Why? Canon is the most versatile camera system made, that's why more pros use Canon than anything else. There is more gear available and in more places, both new and used. From printers to paper, it's a seamless system. Every third party accessory is made for Canon first, then the others, and that's if it's ever even made for the others. Jean, to me the few things I mentioned are very important. Consider that today you may be just starting out, but in the future you may need the huge support that's offered by the biggest camera manufacturer in the world!!
If you have individual questions, just ask. There will be plenty here to help answer them.
Again, welcome. ;-)
SS

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

I wondered how long it would be before a poster would try to get Jean to shoot what they shoot with...didn't take long. Good job Sharpshooter.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Also look into mirrorless. Often times one thinks they want a DSLR...until they realize the size and weight of the overall system.

First, what's your budget?

Elcontador

I was in your shoes a year ago. Get an idea of what features you want, and what is your budget. Don't be in a hurry. You need to narrow down your choices a bit before proceeding further.

Once you do, look at camera reviews on the internet, and YouTube videos. There is a lot of information out there. I found YouTube videos which compared the two cameras which made my final cut. Once you limit your selection to just a few, if you are friendly with a knowledgeable person at a camera store, ask him or her.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Right now,for as long as they last, the best bargain in the industry is the canon 7d. It sells for $800 new at B&H (list price is $1600). The 7d is not a beginners camera. It's big and heavy compared to others. But it is still a terrific camera. That having been said, go to a store and handle the various models as feel is very important.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Yes, you will get a lot of true believers who want to steer you to their brand/type of camera. Almost all of the cameras made by the major brands are good cameras today. Some are better for one use than the others.

But, we need to know a few things:
a. what kind of photography are you interested in, or don't you know yet
b. what is your budget
c. do you think this could become a serious thing, or a casual hobby

When you buy a camera that has interchangeable lens you are really buying into a system of lenses, accesories etc etc

System wise, Canon is the most extensive, esp in specialty lenses.
Nikon is #2 but except for the latest high end camera bodies Nikon generally is ahead on bodies, but Canon is bringing out new models and new sensors to try and take that title back.
The others are all good, some excellant, esp in specific uses, but lens and accessory choices are smaller.

This is a major question with lots of answers that all depend on needs/uses/circumstances. Action, portrait, landscape, micro, astrophotography*, all have brands and bodies that will do a better job than some others.

When you make a choice, remember that the lenses can get passed on to newer bodies. Old bodies can sometimes not take advantage of the newest lenses.

*Yes there are bodies dedicated to photographing the stars. Canon 60Da and Nikon 810a being two of the more common. The 50mp Canon 5DS R is not listed as dedicated to astrophotography but has many of the same features as the dedicated bodies.

KenProspero

JeanNate

I'm another new photographer -- for what it's worth,here's what I did a a little more than a year ago.

1. Any DSLR will have more features than a beginner will know how to handle. So ... First, invest in a good beginner photography course.

2. After you finish the course, Any DSLR will have more features than a beginner will know how to handle, but at least you'll know what you don't know (kinda/sorta).

3. Remember that as your skills grow, you're either locked into a lens/mount system, or will start over if you want to change brands. You won't go wrong with Nikon or Canon (though that's not the way I went).

What I decided to do was buy a used camera from a reputable dealer (KEH, B&H Adorama come to mind). I went basic basic. 15 months and 2 major vacations, I'm still learning the basics and haven't found that there's anything I'm ready for that the Camera can't handle.

By the time you outgrow the camera (if ever), you'll know what features you want. Also, if you buy used or refurbed, you may have money to buy a better lens (you'll want one pretty quickly).

FWIW -- I went with a Pentax K200D. I had legacy lenses from a film camera (and the old Pentax lenses would work on my DSLR). I did replace the old zoom lenses pretty quickly (heavy), though it's nice to have my old 28mm F2.8 lens. Also Pentax has in-body anti-shake (ie., works with all lenses, so you can save a bit of money there).

If I were doing it over, I might consider Canon instead, but am not disappointed with my choice.

BebuLamar

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
come to think about it I did know about aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure, focusing etc.. before I bought my first camera.

BebuLamar

In my opinion typically a DSLR is the easiest type of cameras to use.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

If you are going to buy a dslr, that's only half of the equation and half the cost. The other half is the lenses. Wide angle is for scenery or large groups in small places, there are portrait lenses for people and faces, and there are telephoto lenses for birds, squirrels, etc. There are also macro lenses for getting shots of insects, stamps, coins and gems. It's also not likely that the camera you buy now will be your only camera. For one thing you may outgrow it or realize you want a different sensor size which will change the focal length of all your lenses. Or you may want to step up in quality and features. Or you may want to get a lighter more compact model. Or technology will make a camera over your price range available for 1/3 of it's present cost if purchased used on ebay a few years from now.
Model recommendations won't be realistic unless you supply some info on your budget, the types of subjects you plan to shoot, and the maximum weight of camera and lenses you are willing to carry around.
Cameras can range in price from a couple of hundred to several thousand dollars. And carrying a 4 or 5 lb camera and lens can be chore unless you are up for it.
If you are not sure of what you want to shoot, browse through pictures posted on the various sections of UHH to see what pictures others are taking with various types of subject matter.
Bob