suneth Loc: Sri Lanka

Hi Guys,

As I mentioned in a previous tread I’m using a bridge camera Canon SX60.

Now thinking about upgrade to Nikon D7200 with 18-140mm lens or 18-300mm lens.

I would like to know your professional opinion about this upgrade. Any thoughts, comments, suggestions ?

Thanks and Best Regards,
/Suneth

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Why do you think you need to upgrade?. What is wrong with the SX60?

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

As nice a bridge camera as the SX60 is, the D7200 is in a completely different class and one excellent camera (this from a Canon shooter). I’ll leave the recommendation on the lens to someone more knowledgable in Nikon HW. On the Canon side, you might take a look at the 80D and compare it to the D7200 - similar in price and capabilities.

LarryFB Loc: Depends where our RV is parked

Although I have never used a SX60 the reviews I've read suggest it is an excellent Bridge Camera. My question is why do you want to change?

My background in photography goes back about 60 years. My first "real" camera was a Petrie 1.9. After a mumber of years (in the late 60s I move up to a Minolta SRT-100 and a few other Minoltas. After I retired, I used several bridge cameras because I didn't want to carry a large camera bag and have to change lenses.

Finally, I upgraded to a Nikon D5100 because I was in a location that offered many photography opportunities that my bridge camera could not handle adequately.

Now, from what I have read, the Nikon D7200 is a great camera and would be an excellent upgrade. The 18-140 lens is awesome, in fact I use one for 90% of the photos I take. If I need more reach (birding is a good example) I use my 55-300mm "kit lens" which is excellent.

Bottom line, why do you want to change? Does the SX60 meet your needs or is it lacking somehow. If you can't achieve what you want with the SX60, then considering upgrading (and the D7200 should be a great upgrade). Next, do you need the reach of a 300 mm lens, if you do consider an 18-300mm lens, if you don't need the reach, the nikon 18-140 mm is excellent. Your choice, your decision.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

I think your choice of upgrades is excellent. The D7200 is an exceptionally nice camera and the size and weight are not excessive. I have the 18-140 lens and agree that it is an excellent lens. Moving to a DSLR opens a lot of possibilities for becoming more creative with your photography!

suneth Loc: Sri Lanka

1. It has a small sensor. I thought I can improve quality of my photos with a camera with large sensor.

2. In SX60, to change most of the settings, you have to go to the menu (Eg: ISO). But D7200 has control buttons in the body. (At first I was thinking about D5500. But changed my mind due to the same reason )

suneth Loc: Sri Lanka

Thanks Larry for the detailed comment. Only reason is, I'm thinking about improve my photography skills (as a hobby) with DSLR which have large sensor and more controls.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I own an SX60HS and I also own a D7200, two very different cameras. I also have the 18-140 lens; nice lens. The Nikon will definitely give you much higher resolution images than the Canon, 16 vs 24 megapixels, but if it is range you want, the Canon's 21-1365 lens is one of the top performers out there. The Nikon and lens is larger and heavier than the Canon and worth about 3 to 4 times more. If you are planning on making large prints then the Nikon gives you a definite advantage but if you're images are going to be viewed mostly electronically, or small prints, what you already have is plenty sufficient. If you need the performance of the DSLR then the D7200 is a good choice but you're going to need more than 1 lens to replace what you get with the Canon.

suneth Loc: Sri Lanka

Thanks Morrison for the comment. It is really useful since you have both the cameras.
I'm not planing to make large prints. Only viewing in my computer and some small prints. Also I'm not expecting to have large zoom lens for D7200 to reach 60x zoom like SX60 since I couldn't afford those expensive lenses. I just thought to improve quality of family portraits and macro shots. But after reading your comment, I think I should reconsider about the upgrade. May be I have to learn the capebilites of my SX60 first.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Generally speaking - very generally - a lens with a smaller zoom spread will be better than one with a huge spread. There are exceptions, but trying to put too much reach into a lens involves compromises. Below are lots of sites that let you compare lenses.

http://lensvslens.com/
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/lenses
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx
http://www.diyphotography.net/this-website-helps-you-choose-your-next-lens-based-on-the-photos-you-like/
https://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://lenshero.com/lens-comparison
http://www.lenstip.com/lenses.html
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare
http://www.lenscore.org/

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Maybe there is nothing wrong with he SX60. What's it to ya?
He wants to upgrade anyway.

Boris Ekner Loc: From Sweden, living in Guatemala

Both cameras compared side by side here:
http://cameradecision.com/compare/Canon-PowerShot-SX60-HS-vs-Nikon-D7200

About the lenses.
Note that the longer the total zoom range the less the picture quality at the far ends.

18-140:
https://www.lenstip.com/index.html?producent=77&obiektyw=1133&typ=0&moc=0&sort=

18-300:
https://www.lenstip.com/index.html?producent=77&obiektyw=1041&typ=0&moc=0&sort=

18-140 vs 18-300 side by side:
http://cameradecision.com/lenses/compare/Nikon-AF-S-DX-Nikkor-18-140mm-f3.5-5.6G-ED-VR-vs-Nikon-AF-S-DX-NIKKOR-18-300mm-F3.5-6.3G-ED-VR

If money is NOT an issue I’d recommend the D7200, with the 16-80mm lens for the average all round photographer.

If money IS an issue I’d recommend to spend less on the camera body and more on lenses. I.e. get the D5300 (it has the same 24MP sensor as the D7200) with the 16-80mm lens.

In both cases I would recommend to add the 70-300 for longer ranges.

Jim Bob

If you want to upgrade, regardless of the reason, don't allow these paternalistic numbskulls to influence you. The D7200 with the 18-140 would be an excellent choice. 18-300 is a mediocre lens at best.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Go for it. The 18-140 lens is a great all purpose lens. Thom Hogan rates the D7200 as a great choice, highly recommended, I believe.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

And???? What are you seeing in your pictures that you think would be improved by sensor size? What advantage do you think you would get by different control layout? By that I mean what settings do you find yourself needing to change so urgently that the new layout would improve and be worth the cost of equipment?

You may very well have reasons, but it is hard to evaluate how well this particular body will give you the relief you seek when we really don't know what pains you.