adamsg Loc: Chubbuck, ID

After years of shooting film (something I still plan to do), I bought a D3100 in 2012. It has been a real pleasure to use and accompanied me on a lot of photo jaunts. I am interested in the possibility of stepping up to a 5000 level body (I have the 18-55 and 55-300 lenses, which I like very much). What suggestions can Hogs give me on best choice and the possibility of buying a factory refurb on used from a reputable dealer? Thanks!

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

I would encourage you to look for a D7100/D7200 refurb. I bought a D7100 a year ago for $489. They may be less now.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Refurbished is always a good way to go. B&H, Adorama, Cameta, and Nikon USA websites are a good start to inquire. And with Black Friday coming around the corner, you will see bargains on mainly new crop sensor cameras in all brands. The D5500/5600 bundle kits are good too. I also recommend a refurbished D7100/7200. Those two would certainly be an upgrade. Good luck.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

What will improve or change by changing bodies? This may sound like a smarta$$ question, but you should be able to answer a 'why' question if you've determined you need a new camera. Where and how much are easy answers to give and you'll get plenty of them. But, if you're not going to change your lenses, what is a new crop-sensor body going to do for you?

BebuLamar

Investigate and see how high a step you should take. Merely taking one step to the 5000 series could be expensive in the long run.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Kevin.M Loc: Forked River, NJ

Depending on your budget, I would look at getting better glass.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The D5600 is a nice camera with a movable LCD. Cameta is good for refurbs, but prices can vary, so check Adorama and B&H. Don't rule out the D7200.

Read comparisons and specs, and decide what features are important to you.
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Hard to suggest something here, as only you know how deep you want to go with this hobby. It can get very expensive as you move up the line. One consideration should be how the camera feels in your hand. Each step up in the DX bodies grows a bit in size, and features. Perhaps you should go to a camera store, or larger Best Buy, to look at the features of each and see which might be the best choice for you. You need to understand the features to decide if they are important to you. I always look at factory refurbished bodies and lenses once I have made my decision on what to buy. Never got a bad body or lens. Cameta Camera offers some great pricing on refurbished Nikon equipment and Nikon USA has sales on their refurbished equipment (if you have not already, you can register on their website to be notified of sales). I purchased a factory refurbished D7200 from Adorama about 18 mos ago and paid only $749 for it and it had only 15 clicks on the shutter. Once you know what you want to buy, check the sites - there are great deals out there and should be more coming with holidays sales right around the corner. Good luck, and let us know what you decide.

ELNikkor

D5600 is the only lightweight DSLR with the combination of fully articulated touch screen, built in flash, NFC, Bluetooth, wifi, plus a few other unique doo-dads in the menu, and under $1,000. Go above the D5600, and you'll find more weight and some of these features missing.

lamontcranston

There's not a nickel's worth of difference between the D5500 and the D5600. The most significant difference is Wi-Fi and wireless connectivity. Compare them your self.

http://cameradecision.com/compare/Nikon-D5500-vs-Nikon-D5600

Either model would be an excellent choice. I prefer the 5500/5600 over the 7000 series cameras because of the lower weight and better portability. You really can't go wrong with any of the suggestions offered. Compare them and see which one would fit your needs the best.

Wakko12 Loc: New Hampshire

I would back up to the question of why you want to upgrade... How is the D3300 limiting you? If you can identify that for us, then we can help better. Last year I upgraded after long research here. If you have no reason to upgrade other than you want “better pictures”, go with a good lens instead. Glass will affect your pictures more, unless you are struggling with light or autofocus speed.

3dees

c'mon guys, he wants a new camera. if we upgraded only when we absolutely had to, Canon, Nikon, and all the others would be out of business.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

D5500 or D7200 refurb. If fast autofocus is a must then the D7500 would have the edge but would be significantly pricier, and the others mentioned aren't slow. And the D5500 is the cheapest camera that is ISO-invariant.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

I love my D7200. I'm not sure what your looking for. What are you shooting that your D3100 won't handle?