nervous2 Loc: Provo, Utah

My youngest daughter just returned for summer from Indiana U where she is in a graduate program in folklore (I know, who will support me in my old age?). She works in the Traditional Arts Indiana program and needs a pretty good quality camera for publication purposes in this program and beyond. We have been a Nikon family since I purchased my first TTL metering Nikon F in 1965 and I have encouraged her to look at the D7100 with 18-140mm kit lens and a good 35mm or 50mm prime as a start. Her primary emphasis will be on still photography for publication quality shots, but she also wants to get into videography. Her boss has suggested that the Canon (probably the EOS 70D) will do a better job with video and that has been confirmed at our local camera store. I have assured her that she should get what suits her best and if that is the Canon, I will probably put her back in the will within a few years. I would appreciate any thoughts of my fellow hedgehoggers as to which direction she should head. And if that is Canon, some suggestion as to comparable lenses to what I was suggesting for Nikon. I know nothing about the Canon line-up and I am helpless about giving good advice in that regard. At least if she chooses Canon I will not be having to lend her my expensive specialty lenses. As always, thanks a bunch.

wilikioti Loc: Deep South, USA

If you were my daddy, I would go with the D7100 so I could have access to your lenses. If the D7100 doesn't meet her requirements for video, I would suggest a separate HD video camera. Never did like using a DSLR for video. I have the D7000 and love it. Like you, I started with Nikon many years ago.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Either the D7100 or the 70D would be great for her purposes.

HOWEVER, let me throw another camera into the mix.

Take a long hard look at the Sony A77 mkII. It is an EXCELLENT camera... very powerful with extremely fast autofocus and the ability to record AVHD format high definition video. It is the LEAST expensive of the three, produces stills that almost as good as the D7100 but are much MUCH better than the 70D.

BTW, the 70D offers touch screen control during the video recording process; something neither of the others offers. But the A77 is also Magnesium bodied and waterproof; the others are both plastic. And the Sony is EXTREMELY easy to use, right out of the box.

Give it a look...

amehta Loc: Boston

The only thing that is clear here is that sevens are wild! My opinions:
* the D7100 takes excellent photos and very good video
* the 7D takes very good photos and video, with a better video/live view AF system
* the A77 Mark II has an electronic viewfinder; it seems that the original A77 does not have the same image quality as the D7100, but I have not seen information about the A77 Mark II

The good news is that there is no wrong answer (except if your daughter is not comfortable with the A77 Mark II EVF). Also, the prices are very comparable.

amehta Loc: Boston

That's not how the B&H prices are:
* Sony a77II, $1200
* Nikon D7100, $1100
* Canon EOS 70D, $1000

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

I think it would be best to take her to a camera photo shop and let her handle each one to see what feels better in her hands.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

The best option for videography is the new gh4. Hands down...and the stills aren't too shabby

http://www.thephoblographer.com/2014/05/27/panasonic-gh4-autofocus-speed-found-close-nikon-d4s/

amehta Loc: Boston

While the video is not really relevant to your comment, it is very interesting. The blog post does point out some aspects of the "testing" which should have been done differently, especially using an Olympus lens on the E-M1.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Keep in mind that the new Sony A77II has the SAME sensor and BIONZ X processor as the A6000. It also has 79 hybrid phase/contrast detection Autofocus points and the performance is almost identical to the A6000, only faster and more accurate. ;)

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Who's putting up the money?!?!!?

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

I started my daughter out with the D5100 when it 1st came out, with Quality glass. (now, it would be the 5300) or even the D7100, in either case, quality glass, that way if she doesn't take to photography... you have yourself a good lens & backup camera :)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right. No matter what she gets, someone will say that something else would have been better. For still or video, the D7100 would be fine, although if the video is going to be considerable and often, I would use a separate camcorder. I use Cyberlink PowerDirector for editing video.

You might be aware that the D7200 will soon be out.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

FYI, the D7100 has a magnesium body and is waterproof, as well.

PhotoPhred Loc: Cheyney, Pa

I have the d7100 with the 18-140 lens. I have also been a Nikon user for many years. The 18-140 lens is very sharp. I have also used it on my wife's d5100. I did some test shots of my stereo rack from 12 feet and zoomed them up on the camera and the printing was easily readable. My wife has since "stolen" this lens from me. I don't shoot video so I can't speak about this. Have fun shopping.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

the suggested cameras(canon 70d,7d nikon d7100-sony a77) all are excellent choices, Since you are not the intended user, as has been suggested above, have your daughter handle each one. Ergonomics are most important. Her hands may prefer 1 over the others. The only advantage with sony a77 is that Ziess makes lenses to fit. If $ is no object that may the way to go. Other than that I doubt that any one would be able to tell which camera made the photo Just my opinion