cwilletts

Hi - I have been reading and comparing DSLRs until I am cross eyed. Not a beginner with camera usage but certainly no expert. I love to shoot sporting events, of course, friends and interesting people, architecture when traveling on vacation. I don't shoot many videos but would like the ease of transferring pictures from camera to online. Right now, quick autofocus is what I need. Been long time since I worked with aperture settings but will work into it.. I like shooting close ups so would like to get a 70-300mm lens with camera - unless there are other suggestions for lens choice.

Money... my Nikon D3300 was stolen. Spending limit is $600 but of course, would like to find a bargain. Would spend little more if camera is really worth buying for its features.

Please, please help.. too much for my brain to absorb and decide. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.. thank you!!

Christine

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

With $600 you can almost get a referbed d7200 or a D7100 for sure and have a great camera for some time to come. If they stole your 70-300 too, a used 70-300 non vr ($100 used) will serve you well until you can afford the vr model.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

The nikon d5300 has good specs. I'd recommend the nikkor 55-300 vr afs lens over the 70-300. For wide angle add the nikkor 18-55 zoom and you are pretty well set. As far as video, just copy the .mov file to your computer from the memory card using a memory card reader that attaches to your computer with a usb cable.

Chefneil

Canon

michaelseibane Loc: Orlando, Florida

The D3400 has fairly good deals going around from time to time. It's my first DSLR and it's pretty good. I got it for around $400 and it came with a 18-55mm and the 70-300mm lens you're looking for, along with a camera bag so it wasn't a bad deal. Haven't heard to much on the D5300 so I can only really say anything about the D3400, and that is that it's definitely worth it. Good luck on your search! - Michael

nauticalmike

I bought the D3400, and then the D5300 and gave the D3400 to my daughter. From what you described though I would recommend the D3400 as it does what you want that I have no use for, it's the connectivity. You can download all of your photos to your phone automatically with the D3400, I didn't want that. Be sure to upgrade the firmware though for it to work correctly.

michaelseibane Loc: Orlando, Florida

Will do, thanks for the reminder. On my own post somebody mentioned it so I’ll do it soon. But yeah I tend to leave the Bluetooth on so any photo I take instantly goes to my phone, that way if anyone asks I can just text them the photo right there.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

My best recommendation is to look for a refurbed/used D7XXX. Over a year ago, I got a refurbed D7100 (with a shutter count of 0) from Adorama for $489. Much more camera.

CO

Nikon eliminated the ultrasonic sensor cleaner in the D3400. All of Nikon's recent DSLR cameras have had that feature. Amazon still has brand new D3300 cameras. I would probably get that.

If you get a D7xxx series or above Nikon you get a superior penta-prism viewfinder. The D3xxx and D5xxx series cameras have a penta-mirror viewfinder. The glass prism inside the D7xxx series gives a larger, slightly brighter view through the viewfinder. The larger view really helps with composition. You also get the U1 and U2 positions on the mode dial. You can store your own custom settings and recall them in a second.

inclinerr Loc: South Carolina, United States

The D3400 has fairly good deals going around from time to time. It's my first DSLR and it's pretty good. I got it for $499 at Costco and it came with a 18-55mm and the 70-300mm lens you're looking for, along with a camera bag so it was a good deal. I have shot over 5000 photos with it in 6 months and I am have a wonderful time with the camera. I would recommend it to anyone especially someone who taking their first steps in to digital.