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Nikon D5100 or a Canon Rebel T3i
Aug 21, 2011 10:50:40   #
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Hi,

I have a Canon S3 IS camera, and am hoping to purchase an SLR by the end of the year.

I am thinking about a Nikon D5100 or a Canon Rebel T3i. I have a swivel LCD screen on my current camera, and I don't want to give that up. I am at a complete loss as to lens(es) I should get. I am planning to purchase my camera at a local Best Buy store. They have 'packages' with one or two lenses included.

One example is the Nikon including an 18-55mm VR lens and an extra 18-200mm VRII zoom lens. This will be my first SLR camera, so I can use all the hints I can get. Thank you!

Kathy

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Aug 21, 2011 11:21:06   #
dannydperez
 
Hi Kathy,

I just went through this exact choice process, and there are many strong advocates for both Canon and Nikon. The camera models you are looking at are designed to be in direct competition with each other for a particular market, and either one would be a good choice, and produce great pictures for you. I chose the Nikon D5100 after much research based on a couple of items. First, according to the research, the Canon has more megapixel, but the picture quality produced by the Nikon is said to be slightly better, due to some technical reason I can't explain! Also, I have used both Canon and Nikon film cameras, and I personally like Nikon lenses better. If your main focus will be videos, then you may want to go with the Canon, as I understand you can adjust the parameters easier while actually taking the video, but with the Nikon you have to set the aperture, exposure prior to starting the video. To be honest, the video is quite sharp with either, but to me a SLR is not the ideal body configuration for taking videos. Hard to zoom while shooting, etc., but it does make it possible to catch a nice video clip once in a while to add to your memories! So far, I've been really pleased with the Nikon D5100, and am still learning more of it's hidden features every day! Google "compare Nikon D100 vs. Canon Rebel T3i" and go from there! Good luck, and enjoy.

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Aug 21, 2011 13:47:36   #
Len
 
Kathy, I'd agree with Danny (the previous post). Canon and Nikon have been fighting each other "nip & tuck" for eons.
Google the words "digital camera reviews". You will find web sites that professionally review camera equipment.
Go back to the store and hold both cameras to seriously consider which feels better in your hands. Take the time to work all the knobs; manually focus the lens; and try removing and installing the lens; and try to find your way through the menus on both cameras with particular objectives in mind.
I have a Rebel XSI which I really like. But, I think if I were to start over again to purchase into a new system I would very seriously consider the Sony A33, A55 and A580.
Things are so competitive in this market these days it is actually difficult to go wrong. You will find that 3rd party lens and other accessory companies introduce new products into the Nikon and Canon worlds first. And there are probably many more accessories available than other brand cameras.
Keep it fun and ENJOY!!

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Aug 21, 2011 15:12:21   #
61jhawk Loc: Tarrant County, Texas
 
dpreview.com has great, full feature reviews of cameras including sample pictures. This might be a good place to go to help your reseach. I shoot Nikon mostly because that is what the friend who got me started years ago was shooting but I do use Canon for my "pocket" cameras because of the swivel and tiltable view screens.

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Aug 21, 2011 16:03:40   #
Kathyr
 
Thank you all for responding. If anyone else would like to help me, please do. For these two cameras I mentioned, are all lenses equal in quality and just different sizes? Or are some better than others? are some plastic and some glass? Sorry if these are dumb questions. Since I have never had an SLR, I have no idea what makes a quality lens. Also, do you usually have to have one lens for close ups, and another for farther away, such as landscapes? Or is there one lens that would work for all picture taking on either of these cameras...keeping in mind I do not ever hope to be a professional photographer, but would like to have the clearest pictures possible...from macro to landscape. Thanks for any input anyone can give me.

Kathy

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Aug 21, 2011 19:17:38   #
ked Loc: California
 
I have both and I like the Canon but I love the Nikon

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Aug 22, 2011 22:50:41   #
Len
 
You can find lenses whose internal elements are plastic. But if you buy lenses in the "regular" market these elements will be made of glass. Some glass is more expensive than others. Another big difference between a $400 lens and a $1200 lens is the external constructions. Higher price means all metal construction and weather and dust sealing. At $400 you find a lot of plastic in the external composition.

There is one thing you might check on. There is an issue with auto focus drive motors (I believe its AF) on some older Nikon cameras (D40, D70 etc.) and the D3100. It has to do with the motor in the lens v.s. motor only in the camera body. It may not be a factor at all for you as I believe from the D5100 and on up there is no issue. The issue is that some lenses will not work properly on certain camera bodies. Check it out just to be safe. Since I don't use Nikon equipment I pay only minor attention to certain discussions I see online. Again look at the camera review sites on the web.

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