Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

From the way you describe it, it sounds like your wife just likes to take snapshots with her IPhone. It also sounds like you want her to get into photography. You don't say if SHE wants to get into photography as a serious hobby.

That said, before you get her the camera you want, have a sit-down with her and discuss what she wants in a camera, beyond the IPhone 6s Plus. She may not want a DSLR. It will be heavy and requires a dedication that she may not have. Ask her what kind of photography interests her, as it may not be specifically what you like. Then get into what type of camera would be suitable for her needs and desires.

Once you've solved that issue, then discuss brands. She may not want a Nikon, but since it will be her camera, you should go with that. Nothing wrong with Nikon (I have a D7200 and an "old" S8200 P&S camera) but she might like Sony or Panasonic. The choices out there are dizzying. Also, you'll need to have a discussion as to what the differences are between types of cameras, such as a basic P&S, high end P&S, bridge, mirrorless and DSLR. Hopefully all that information won't turn her off to it.

Then after all that, go to a camera store, or a Best Buy, and have her pick up and handle all those cameras and let her decide what she wants based on all that. It may or may not be what you already have. If she gets excited after that and really gets into photography, then you can have that discussion about moving up. If she really gets into it she'll have a serious GAS attack, you know.

Have fun, and let her have fun, too.

hankm1 Loc: Mount Prospect IL

You're trying to get your wife to do something?? How insane is that! How long have you been married? If she's happy with her selfies . . . .

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

At a birthday party for my wife's dad who is 98 yesterday the grandchildren were taking pictures with their cellphones. And they all have a nice camera. My question to them was where is your good camera and their reply was I forgot. It make it easy to forget when you have a cellphone.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Oh yes, you can win!
It would be cheaper to first find out if she really wants a camera, and if so, is she also prepared to put the time into it to learn how to use the black box?
If all you want out of it, is justification for your own purchases, find out what she really wants:
A pair of diamond earrings would be plenty of justification for you to buy yourself a new camera. Or if she likes to sew, how about a new sewing machine or serger? Or a pair of designer shoes with matching handbag...
Whatever, find out from her what she'd really like to have - if you don't, you run the risk of a very expensive investment sitting on a shelf, doing nothing.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

why don't you let her pick something out at the photo store that she likes? that way she will use it and your own perceptions will not interfere with her decision.

you should be asking her what she wants and not us.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

One different suggestion. Consider one of the P Nikons "bridge" cameras. They are really point and shoot but have better zoom and can be shot in most of the automatic or manual modes that DSLRs can. They give surprisingly good pictures and the Nikon controls are very similar to the Nikon DSLRs. My wife has one and is very satisfied and resistant to going further but it allows us to take pictures together.

I have also considered trying to get her to go mirrorless as they are light but she likes her P600. Anyway, just a thought. I won't scare her off from photography like a DSLR may.

ATxGuy Loc: Houston

A bit different suggestion is the Nikon P 510 or 520. I got mine from Nikon as a refurbished model. It is great. It is light and enjoyable to lug around (19 oz.). It is versatile fucus from macro to telescopic (42 X magnification) which is great for scenery or wildlife. Its features are many and are actually useful. Mine cost $369 and I gave up my SLR for it. I am so glad I did. It requires no other lenses although a few are available for macro (filters really). It fits the hand comfortably. If you want to ask me questions about it, drop me a line.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Is there such a thing as a diamond studded camera of any brand?

jayd Loc: Central Florida, East coast

I would give her your old one and get you a newer one and if she doesn't keep it you'll have a backup

duck72 Loc: Laurel Ridge, PA

Not going to read the rest of this thread- you've answered your own OP - Get the 810 now, give the camera - (in box) to your wife - then, enjoy it when she "gives it back." Trying to interest someone in "photography" is, sometimes, a futile pursuit. Maybe not in your case. Good luck.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

I think an alternative that would allow more lens choices would be the D5500.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

I think you went off the rails at "trying to get my wife into photography". If it's not her thing, no kind of convenient advanced toy or proof of better image quality will entice her. You don't need anything expensive for someone who's only photographic interest is a good selfie.

My wife gardens, I golf. She does painting and crafts, I do photography. Make the same deal I did. Whatever I spend on golf, she gets to spend on the yard and garden. Whatever I spend on camera gear, she gets to spend on crafts and girly stuff. May sound twice as expensive, but in the long run it's cheaper than a camera sitting in the closet. She's happy, I'm happy... what price can you assign to that?

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

Mike has a good point about not forcing your wife to take up photography if she has no interest in it. However, as a counterpoint I'd say that if she has any interest in in and you can start her off without a major investment that could work out nicely. I was lucky that my wife takes lots of pictures with her iPhone but as we travel more and I take a lot of pictures she has become interested in taking better pictures. We started off slowly and she mostly uses automatic mode but she loves post processing and organizing her pictures and it's become something we both enjoy. So, just tread lightly, consider what you both like to do and go from there. Enjoy.

texaseve Loc: TX, NC and NH

If I were going to be given a camera and I did not know much about photography, I would want something that took great photos easily. Something that at least has an auto mode, or several scene modes to choose from. Does she have time to learn photography? Does she mind carrying a larger camera around or would she rather be able to stick it in her purse? I'd ask her a few things first so you both end up happy. She might enjoy having your camera if she has shot it before and then you can get another one.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

I would seriously suggest that you ask your wife what she would prefer. Perhaps she is happy with her iPhone6. My husband has absolutely NO real interest in photography. He is perfectly happy with his Sony P&S. Believe me, I've tried. I've decided to just stop banging my head against that particular brick wall.