Hey everybody

I did a search on the topic (specifically "d5600") but didn't get very far so I'm straight-up asking.

My wife and I recently had a kid, our first, and she's in picture mode. She wants to take a lot of candid snaps so she can have prints and small canvases made up but only has her phone. I'm sure many of you understand. She likes what I do with my D850 and Sunday night said "maybe you can teach me to use your camera because I don't like my phone as much." I think that's great, but yesterday afternoon I introduced her to the concept of aperture and ISO. I figure going from that level to a D850 is like getting your permit at 15 and having your behind-the-wheel training with a Corvette on a track. And she's a little clumsy....

I looked around at Nikon's APS-C cameras and like the D5600 and D7200 specs. I looked at each of them in-hand last night, I like the simpler menus, I like how each feels in-hand (5600 for the light, compact feel like a mirrorless, the 7200 because it's like a small D850), and I like that each has fewer buttons. She'll like that too because she says just looking at my D850 makes her anxious with all the controls.


So, specifically, how does each fare for entry-level users? I want her to have some creative ability - she'll grow in to either I'm sure - but for now I am looking at pleasantness and ease of use, ease of growing in to the next level, and obvious limitations. I am NOT looking at how many dials each has or how many card slots; that stuff doesn't matter to someone who just learned yesterday what aperture is. How does each handle low-light noise? Which one would you pick for someone interested in portrait and candids, and basic wildlife (like the squirrel in the tree or ducks on the dock next to the boat, not birds in flight).

TIA

She’s a new mom. That means sleep-deprived. She has, or will have shortly, a bundle of energy running around demanding her attention. I’d be willing to bet she will be lucky if she can shoot in auto mode during the next 2 years. During that time she may have a few chances to play with settings, but will not have the time and energy to read or watch much instruction. Let her start simple and decide for herself. With a new baby she might prefer to spend half that money on something else. It needs to be HER decision.

Hey everybody

I did a search on the topic (specifically "d5600") but didn't get very far so I'm straight-up asking.

My wife and I recently had a kid, our first, and she's in picture mode. She wants to take a lot of candid snaps so she can have prints and small canvases made up but only has her phone. I'm sure many of you understand. She likes what I do with my D850 and Sunday night said "maybe you can teach me to use your camera because I don't like my phone as much." I think that's great, but yesterday afternoon I introduced her to the concept of aperture and ISO. I figure going from that level to a D850 is like getting your permit at 15 and having your behind-the-wheel training with a Corvette on a track. And she's a little clumsy....

I looked around at Nikon's APS-C cameras and like the D5600 and D7200 specs. I looked at each of them in-hand last night, I like the simpler menus, I like how each feels in-hand (5600 for the light, compact feel like a mirrorless, the 7200 because it's like a small D850), and I like that each has fewer buttons. She'll like that too because she says just looking at my D850 makes her anxious with all the controls.


So, specifically, how does each fare for entry-level users? I want her to have some creative ability - she'll grow in to either I'm sure - but for now I am looking at pleasantness and ease of use, ease of growing in to the next level, and obvious limitations. I am NOT looking at how many dials each has or how many card slots; that stuff doesn't matter to someone who just learned yesterday what aperture is. How does each handle low-light noise? Which one would you pick for someone interested in portrait and candids, and basic wildlife (like the squirrel in the tree or ducks on the dock next to the boat, not birds in flight).

TIA

Hey everybody

I did a search on the topic (specifically "d5600") but didn't get very far so I'm straight-up asking.

My wife and I recently had a kid, our first, and she's in picture mode. She wants to take a lot of candid snaps so she can have prints and small canvases made up but only has her phone. I'm sure many of you understand. She likes what I do with my D850 and Sunday night said "maybe you can teach me to use your camera because I don't like my phone as much." I think that's great, but yesterday afternoon I introduced her to the concept of aperture and ISO. I figure going from that level to a D850 is like getting your permit at 15 and having your behind-the-wheel training with a Corvette on a track. And she's a little clumsy....

I looked around at Nikon's APS-C cameras and like the D5600 and D7200 specs. I looked at each of them in-hand last night, I like the simpler menus, I like how each feels in-hand (5600 for the light, compact feel like a mirrorless, the 7200 because it's like a small D850), and I like that each has fewer buttons. She'll like that too because she says just looking at my D850 makes her anxious with all the controls.


So, specifically, how does each fare for entry-level users? I want her to have some creative ability - she'll grow in to either I'm sure - but for now I am looking at pleasantness and ease of use, ease of growing in to the next level, and obvious limitations. I am NOT looking at how many dials each has or how many card slots; that stuff doesn't matter to someone who just learned yesterday what aperture is. How does each handle low-light noise? Which one would you pick for someone interested in portrait and candids, and basic wildlife (like the squirrel in the tree or ducks on the dock next to the boat, not birds in flight).

TIA

I appreciate the above suggestions and recommendations! They are filled with experience and wisdom.

I would head in a slightly different direction and different question.

I would take the princess to a reputable camera dealer and have her to test drive several of the above suggestions. I would then have her rent several of her pics, accompanied by the wisdom of purveyors for several test drives. Only then, in my opine, will she own her camera and its gifts, instead of borrowing others over-under reach!