Better camera: Hello. I am new to the site and am looking for suggestions for a new camera for my wife. She take great shots using Nikon P500. I want to get her something better. I...

Jamlan

Hello. I am new to the site and am looking for suggestions for a new camera for my wife. She take great shots using Nikon P500. I want to get her something better. I don't believe a starter camera but something mid level. Thank you.

GARGLEBLASTER Loc: Spain

Jamlan wrote:

Hello. I am new to the site and am looking for suggestions for a new camera for my wife. She take great shots using Nikon P500. I want to get her something better. I don't believe a starter camera but something mid level. Thank you.

General Chit-Chat (non-photography talk)

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

She is doing well with a P500 and I wonder why not staying with that camera? If still you want to get her into something new and more complicated then you have several choices.
A D7100 or D7200 are excellent mid level cameras. One step upward is the D500. I do not know if the D7100 can still be bought new although I am sure you can get one refurb at a reasonable price.
Keep in mind that now her learning curve will be steeper. If she shoots without basic photographic knowledge I see no reasons to buy an amateur camera. Buying a camera like those I just mentioned to set them in AUTO is to let the camera take all decisions.
Just my humble opinion.

twowindsbear

Take her shopping. Let HER decide what camer she likes and even IF she really wants a new one.

That's my WAG

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Something better to do what? What can't she do now that she wants to be able to do?

Jamlan

Ok. I probably should have said my wife wants a new camera and now uses a Nikon P500. She fell used and fell in love with a Canon 5 Mark 3. Is that camera too much too soon?

ole sarg Loc: south florida

No it is not. It is an expensive camera but if photography is her passion get it and she will learn. Remember happy wife happy life!

Jamlan wrote:

Ok. I probably should have said my wife wants a new camera and now uses a Nikon P500. She fell used and fell in love with a Canon 5 Mark 3. Is that camera too much too soon?

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The Nikon P500 is a fixed lens Bridge Camera with 12.1 megapixels. Older cameras still take great photos. It depends who is behind the camera. When you say you want better, a better Bridge camera, or a DSLR?

Jamlan

She shoots a lot of pictures while hiking. Flowers, birds, animals and also likes to shoot landscapes. I know she wants more clear and low light pictures.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Jamlan wrote:

Hello. I am new to the site and am looking for suggestions for a new camera for my wife. She take great shots using Nikon P500. I want to get her something better. I don't believe a starter camera but something mid level. Thank you.

Knowledge is more important than equipment. WAY more important. What is her level of understanding?

That said, what does she want to photograph? It's important to make choices of new gear based upon its intended or anticipated usage.

THAT said, it's important to know how often she will make "serious" photographs. Does she go out intentionally with her camera to capture something, or does she use it casually to snap things at random? Does she have a decent smartphone, but want a better camera? Does she want a camera with adjustable features, or is she a "stick it on auto and leave it" photographer?

Does she want ONE camera system that records great video and stills, or just stills?

Does the thought of changing lenses to vary perspective and angles of view appeal to her?

Does she have a decent computer, monitor, calibrator, software, and photo quality inkjet printer?

Photography is a broad, deep river of possibilities. She needs to pick some targets before diving in...

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Jamlan wrote:

Ok. I probably should have said my wife wants a new camera and now uses a Nikon P500. She fell used and fell in love with a Canon 5 Mark 3. Is that camera too much too soon?

The 5D3 is an excellent, pro quality, rugged camera that will last her many years and has the performance to support her development as a photographer - they can be purchased used for about $1500. Just a couple of caveats. As you may have noticed, it's no lightweight - make sure she's comfortable with that. Also make sure you save enough $ for decent lenses - better to have a less expensive body and good glass than the other way around. Finally, although you certainly don't need to use and understand all the features initially to get good results, the 5D3 has a relatively complex AF system among its many features, so be prepared to invest some time getting to know your new camera - it is most definitely not a point and shoot 😀.

SS319

You say she fell in love with the camera - there are many ways to fall in lust with a camera, but only one way to fall in love. If you look at pictures - taken by excellent photographers - you can easily fall in lust for that model. If you read specifications (do other people actually enjoy reading specifications of cameras you do not own?) you can lust for the camera. But to fall in love with a camera, to know that you and the camera were made for each other and you are willing to go into hell with that camera to get that shot - well, you have to hold that camera, you have to cuddle it and fondle it. If she can do that and not be looking over at that cute Nikon or the flashy Sony, then yes, she is in love and you need to satisfy her - go quickly and buy it for her.

r.grossner Loc: Rockford IL & Sarasota FL

The P500 is a capable little camera. Does she want to lug around 10+ pounds of DSLR and lenses to match the focal length range of the P500?
Sure the DSLR will have more megapixles and wider ISO range ..... I have a D750 and several lenses all of which I can't carry at once and my wife has a little L340 coolpix with a 22-630mm equivalent zoom that weighs under a pound.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Jamlan wrote:

Hello. I am new to the site and am looking for suggestions for a new camera for my wife. She take great shots using Nikon P500. I want to get her something better. I don't believe a starter camera but something mid level. Thank you.

Welcome to our forum!

I'll give you my list of comparison sites for when you narrow your choices.

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

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

M4/3 offers a nice balance between a point and shoot and a full frame camera. Em10ii is on sale for $449 right now...and then pick your poison when it comes their awesome lenses.