Tinkerbell Loc: Bethalto IL

I have used Canon for 30 years I have storage tubs of photos taken with my film camera, that I no longer have. I know Nikon is a good camera too. I didn't help much.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Basically, it doesn't matter. Buy one you can afford and begin shooting on Auto. Each manufacturer has its own Menu system, and it can be difficult switching from one to the other.

Read comparisons and specs, and decide what features are important to you.
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

Make a list of features you want in a camera as you learn about different features that are important to you. Exclude cameras, or put them into a "maybe" list if they don't have what you want. I used Excel to make a spreadsheet while thinking I would end up driving a Canon, but after thorough research I was surprised to learn that Sony offered the best cameras for me -- and that was even before Sony introduced the a7 series of full frame mirrorless bodies. Don't count out Sony or even other brands such as Pentax, or if you're okay with a smaller sensor, Micro 4/3 offerings by Olympus, Fuji, and Panasonic which have some very innovative tech in their latest cameras.

So if you're really wanting to get what's right for you, find a way to start documenting your research to keep track of the dozens upon dozens of choices. You might be surprised at what you come up with. I certainly was, and I'm glad I ended up with a Sony to start with rather than switching over later, as I would probably have done.

And be careful with sites such as snapsort.com (a lot of erroneous info regarding specs and features, plus a bias, though not as strong as it once was), and DPReview (uses different reviewers, some of whom are obviously partial to one brand or another and will disparage one camera for the same fault as another reviewer will write that same deficiency on another brand as not important; in other words, lack of consistency). Even the gold standard DxOMark for sensor ratings has been accused of... not bias, but lack of thoroughness -- although it is the best source for considering a sensor's capability. For example, if you want to shoot a lot of night skies, you want something capable with low noise at higher ISO, and DxO is pretty spot-on. Another site for sensor eval is senscore.org (that's sensor with a c). Good luck.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Because I shoot Nikon-you should shoot Nikon.

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burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Look at the Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mark II, and the Panasonic Lumix GH5, and for wildlife, the Leica 100-400mm f/4-f/6.3 zoom that fits both. Plenty of other choices can be had for shorter zooms. Olympus has a 12-40 and a 40-150, both f/2.8. Panasonic has a 12-35 and 35-100 f2.8. All four are pro grade lenses, and will fit either camera. Apply the 2x crop factor to compare with full frame coverage. (The Leica 100-400 covers the same field of view as a full frame 200-800mm super telephoto zoom!)

These are Micro 4/3 mirrorless cameras and not dSLRs, but they are state of the art in every respect. Over 90 native lenses fit, and most other lenses can be adapted. The AF systems in these two models are amazing, the frame rates are ridiculously high, and the bulk and weight savings are substantial over APS-C and Full Frame dSLR systems.

To learn more about the practicality and quality of these and other Micro 4/3 gear, visit http://naturalexposures.com/corkboard/ and read what Dan Cox does with them. He has placed images on many magazine covers, and takes people on photo tours to exotic places, all over the world. He used to be an exclusive NIKON user, but not any more.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Wonderful. Do you definitely want to move into DSLR's or would a good quality Bridge camera suffice??

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I bought my granddaughter a Nikon D3400 and she absolutely loves it.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

Interesting how the recommendations instantly gravitate to Nikon as the obvious solution by so many each time the question comes up. As a minority brand when compared to Canon sales I find it amusing that it seems to be the brand that is pushed most on UHH...

StaneeRae Loc: Lincroft, NJ USA

Do you belong to Costco? They have several DLSRs in stores, both Canon & Nikon. They have a generous return policy and usually throw in an extra 1 year warranty. BJs Club carries DLSRs also.
https://www.costco.com/digital-slr-cameras.html

One thing you'll notice is that basic models just have the rear screen. Nicer models also have a small screen on top of the hand grip, where you can adjust aperture, shutter speed, file size, etc. I like this feature, as it's quicker & handier than having to go through the menu on the rear screen.

BIG ROB Loc: Princeton, NJ 08540

There is more than one choice of course! I have many camera's, of different brands and types. I would suggest that you look into
purchasing the very excellent Nikon D3400 with it's two kit lenses, the Nikkor DX AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 G VR II, that is usually paired with it as a matched set; it's a wide angle to slight telephoto lens that has excellent performance, and sells for $275.00 by itself.

You can get this camera right now, from B&H Photo in NYC, on the Internet, www.bhphotovideo.com, IN A PACKAGE, with that
lens, AND a very nice Nikkor DX AF-S 70-300mm Telephoto lens, FOR ONLY $596.95 !!! THE NIKON D3300 CAMERA BODY, THE
18-55mm AND THE 70-300mm LENSES ALL FOR ONLY $596.95 !!! THIS IS A TOTAL STEAL FOR A REALLY GREAT AND TOTALLY AWESOME, AND VERY EASY TO USE DSLR CAMERA, THAT IS JUST PERFECT FOR ANYONE STARTING OUT! B&H Photo also throws
into the deal, at no additional charge, a top quality San Disk UH-1 16GB, very large capacity and very high speed, memory card,
and a free Nikon School DVD! (All that you need to pick up, is a low cost camera bag. They have dozens of them on their website.)

The Nikon D3400 is one of the finest camera's that's made today. It replaces the D3300, which is a very beloved camera, that has overjoyed hundreds of thousands of people nationwide for many years, and before that, was an entire line of similar models, each
one improved upon as they were released.

I have a Nikon D7200 which cost me $1,290.00 for the body only, when it came out last year, I also have the D3300, as a backup body, and the D3300 takes images that are just as fine as the D7200, under virtually all conditions. This D3400 will take PERFECT images for you consistently, and it has ALL of the functionality of ANY camera that's sold today; for you to use, and to grow into,
as your skills develop. It also has the "Full Automatic Mode", so that you can simply frame your image, half press the shutter release, to auto-focus, and continue to press the shutter release, to capture your perfect exposure every time.

It has multiple drive speeds; matrix, center & spot light metering; adjustable focus modes; EVERYTHING that you'll need and desire your camera to have, and that any other top flight camera has. As a Nikon product, it has an entire world of optional lenses and accessories readily available to it.

It's sensor size is APS-C, which means that you'll get nice large digital images to capture, as opposed to the smaller micro-four thirds size camera's, with their smaller sized image sensor's, that only capture a reduced digital image size...(Olympus, Panasonic, and some others, for example.)

You'll hear people talking about, and suggesting, that you purchase a Canon, brand camera! DO NOT! NOT, with THIS PACKAGE Being Offered Right Now, AT THIS PRICE...It would be foolhardy to pass THIS Deal Up! This, is an EXTREMELY, EXCEPTIONAL DEAL!!!
THEY ARE, GIVING YOU, THAT TELEPHOTO LENS, THE NICE MEMORY CARD, AND THE NIKON SCHOOL DISK! AND THE CAMERA AND IT'S REGULAR WIDE TO SLIGHT TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS AT A VERY GOOD PRICE.

MY OPINION IS that you need to get this great, killer deal, with this very wonderful, top-notch, premium camera.

Regarding Canon vs. Nikon camera's...They ARE BOTH, VERY GOOD, cameras either would serve well.
They are akin to Ford vs. Chevrolet. They're to gigantic parallel corporate brands which keep up with each other in all ways except
for one. Their image sensors. Nikon uses better image sensors than Canon does, in their CROP SENSOR, ASP-C cameras. In their
full frame cameras Nikon is still better, but Canon has good image sensors. Canon's full frame image sensors are good in performance, Nikon's are best. However, in their crop sensor camera's, that use APS-C image sensor's, the cameras that you're shopping for, Canon puts out camera models, which have poor dynamic range in their image sensors, while Nikon's image sensors
are the best that are available. Canon has one APS-C sensor camera model the 80D that has a good image sensor.

The reason for this difference across brand is because Canon manufactures their own image sensor's, while Nikon has them made
for them, by specialized high tech sensor fab companies who only perform this state of the art work which is ultra complex. So, Nikon stays on the edge of technology by changing manufacturers as technology changes and Canon does it all themselves. It's due to the different business models of the two corporations.

This sensor difference is one of the few differences between the Canon and Nikon camera's.

You can see this sensor difference documented on the website www.dxomark.com, and you can also see their, just how good the sensor is on the Nikon D3400.

Canon and Nikon, both make great camera's, as does Sony; whose camera's are more complicated to use due to button layout and the lack of good owner's manuals.

Have a nice day!

(21)
Nikon D3400 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm and 70-300mm Lenses (Black)
B&H # NID3400BK MFR # 1573

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

It's also interesting that the demographic most represented by this forum seems to be so stuck in the past... Most immediately gravitate to technology that has evolved slowly from the late 1950s through the early 2000s, then rapidly adjusted to the digital era from 1995 to 2010, and has evolved at a more leisurely pace since. They seem either unwilling to consider alternatives, or unaware that other technologies exist.

I was a Nikon user from 1969 to 2012. I was a Canon user in 1968, and from 1984 to 2012 (digital on both platforms from 2003–2012). But now, I use Panasonic gear. I could use Olympus, Fujifilm, or Sony gear for some things, and Nikon and Canon dSLRs for others, but choose not to, for a very wide range of reasons. The GH4 is optimal for my needs. And I'll probably upgrade to the GH5 in a year or so.

The reality is that there is SO MUCH really good photo gear available, that you can find almost precisely what YOU need.

As the market for high end gear shrinks, competition has become fierce for the remaining serious photographers. Canon and Nikon are the least likely to improve their gear, since they can rest on their laurels (largely, a huge installed base of lenses in users' hands). The four mirrorless makers I mentioned are very innovative, and worth a look. All have growing stables of first-rate pro lenses, especially Oly and Panny, since they share the M4/3 mount.

While Canon and Nikon make mirrorless gear, they were among the last to the party. Last November, Canon finally released an M5 with modern mirrorless features. I suppose if you wanted to, you could buy their lens adapter and stick those old, heavy EF and EF-S lenses on it. Nikon can fit their F-mount lenses to their super tiny Nikon 1 camera with an adapter too, but in both cases, WHY, other than sharing lenses with your dSLR, would you want to do that? It negates the best feature of mirrorless cameras to begin with, which is saving size, bulk, and weight. Put an M5 or a Nikon 1 on a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom and see whether you like the balance...

No, if you go the mirrorless mount, native lenses should be in your budget. You can adapt your old lenses, but the results are a mixed bag of compromises.

Good luck to the OP, whatever he does.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

cthahn

What you want to do can be done with any camera.

jaduff Loc: Northern NJ

This was among my top choices before I decided to go mirrorless with the Sony A6000, which is also under $600 with the 18-55mm kit lens.

Good luck!

Impressionist

Sony a6000 is a deal that still can't be beat. A long with the already mentioned Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson, a great start can be had. Better cameras? Yup. Better start? No.