chapin in utah Loc: Utah

Hi everybody,
after all the great help I got with my last couple of questions, here I got another one:

Currently, I have a Olympus E510 with two kit lenses. 10 megapixels, self-cleaning sensor, live view screen, four third body, image stabilization in the body, no the lenses, with about 11000 shots in the body. No video capture capabilities. two batteries, ultraviolet and circularized polarized lenses.

My questions is: I work in retail, and I can upgrade to a Nikon D3100 with two lenses, (not sure if they are VR lenses) with HD video capture for a little shy of $500.00

I think in my area, I can get about $300 for my Olympus, unfortunately, I can't come up with more noney for a better upgrade right now.

It's the Nikon worth the upgrade? or should I wait, and get me a 7000 series or something else when I can afford it?

I been studying and practicing a lot, and I think soon I will invest in more lenses, like one with better aperture. and other accessories. But maybe no until end of next year.

Help please guys!

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Why not go with the epl5 deal with two lenses for 499?

chapin in utah Loc: Utah

Very interesting!
Its mirrorless though.

Very powerful features for such a small camera though.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Keep up the good work with your practicing. While you are practicing, save your money and buy the camera you want---don't settle.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Correct, so you'd need to use the back screen to focus (unless you buy a EVF). I have it's baby brother (EPM2) and it's newer older Brother (EM1). I had an E-5/620/500 prior to this, and don't miss it a bit. If you have any flashes from your 510 (like the FL36) they will work just fine.

Just some food for thought. That way you'll still get the great olympus colors that you're used to.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

The "upgrade or wait" question is a common one, and the dilemma of course is that with electronic technology-based stuff like digital cameras the pace of improvements is enough to make one crazy. If you buy the 3100 now and a 3300 comes out in a year, will you be miffed? Or if you wait to save for the 7000 (by which time the 7700 will exist no doubt) will that be a problem?

So the rational answer is to buy new when what you have isn't sufficient. 10MP seems old, but I've sold poster-sized enlargements from my D200 (also 10MP) so unless you plan on doing a log of heavy cropping the sensor count may not be important.

But are you limited by your lenses - you need wider wide angles? Longer telephoto reach? Fisheye effects? Macro shots you can't obtain with your gear? Then considering an upgrade makes sense.

At a given price point, all the major manufacturers' offerings are more similar than different in terms of specifications. The real question is ergonomic - which models feels better in YOUR hands (balances more nicely, fingers fall on controls more naturally, etc.) is far more important than some arcane bit of technical difference.

But if you find the Nikon (what you mention above) to be clumsy feeling in some way, or difficult to control due to control using menus or whatever, you will end up enjoying the act of shooting pictures - and nobody wants that.

So first, decide why it is you feel the need to upgrade. Then you can seek the kit that might better fit your needs.

Frapha Loc: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Very similar to my story. I've used Oly since late 1970s, both film and digital. Found myself with an E-520 and E-30 and a good assortment of Oly glass, including the two "kit" lenses that came with the E-520. After much consideration, research and talking with others, I decided to jump to Nikon. My E-520 had ONLY 496 shutter actuations and the lenses were used 1 time -- all still in original boxes, etc. I advertised the E-520 (with the 2 kit lenses, wireless shutter release, wired shutter release, 2 batteries, charger, etc, etc) for sale locally, on two forums, and with my local camera club for $350. Not a single inquiry or taker -- finally ended up letting it go for $250. I kept my E-30 and a few lenses as my "security blanket" while I transitioned to Nikon. I chose the Nikon D7100 and the Nikon 18-200 VRII lens as my starting point.

Although I looked at the D3100 and D5100, I chose the D7100 because of the additional features and (most importantly) because it has a built-in auto-focus motor which means I can use older Nikon AF lenses on my D7100 and still have the benefit of AF. Using those older lenses with the D3100 or D5100 would require that I manually focus them during use, since those cameras don't have a built-in AF motor.

I started by renting a D7100 and a couple lenses from http://www.lensrentals.com/ to see how I liked them and how they fit my hands & shooting style before I made a purchase. After 10 days of rental, I decided the D7100 and 18-200 would be my starting point and I ended up purchasing both from http://www.bhphotovideo.com/. That was in June 2013, and I'm very pleased with my choice and have no regrets. I've since added the Nikon 35mm/1.8 to my bag and am looking at a couple other additions in the near future.

My suggestion to you would be to seriously consider either the D7000 or D7100 (factory refurb or new) rather than the 3100 or 5200 primarily due to the AF advantage.

Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it! Good luck with your decision.

chapin in utah Loc: Utah

Thank you.
My brother has a nikon 3100 he got a few months ago.
Ill borrow it from him to get the " feeling "of it, and see how it goes

chapin in utah Loc: Utah

So, you feel my predicament, right?

jrb1213 Loc: McDonough GEorgia

Upgrade now, don't wait, we have an opening in our Compulsive Computer/Camera Purchasers Organization (C3PO). You need to join now before it gets any worse. Also this is the best place to find buyers for your old stuff and sellers of the stuff you need.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

why not the 3200...
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6-NIKKOR/dp/B007VGGFZU

chapin in utah Loc: Utah

I used to belong there, but they kicked me out with dishonors when I payoff my credit cards. They started the death treatenings when they found out I was planning to payoff my wife suv!

chapin in utah Loc: Utah

I contemplated that one as well, but the two lenses kit of the 3100 sounds kinda sweet.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

answer these questions first...the 3100 sounds more like a lateral move from your 510, but the 3200 is more of an upgrade.

http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/news/540747/nikon-d3200-vs-d3100-6-reasons-why-the-newer-camera-is-worth-an-extra-80.html

chapin in utah Loc: Utah

I think I made my mind.
I am going to wait until my skills demand a better equipment.
In the meantime, I will enjoy learning, and improving my knoledge of the wonderful world of photography.
Thanks for your imputs to everybody!