cameras
Dec 30, 2017 21:59:33 #
which camera is the most user friendly for the beginner, want to move up to digital.
Dec 30, 2017 22:28:16 #
You cellphone, after that, any brand of what each considers starter outfit.
Dec 30, 2017 22:36:33 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
latemodel58 wrote:
which camera is the most user friendly for the beginner, want to move up to digital.
The Nikon D3400 or the Canon T5i/T6i. All three are crop sensor cameras that you can get with two lenses bundle kit. You may have to order in the next two days to get the holiday prices. If you are interested. Good luck.
Dec 30, 2017 22:37:32 #
latemodel58 wrote:
which camera is the most user friendly for the beginner, want to move up to digital.
First, Welcome to UHH!!
Second, in order for folks to help you they're gonna need to know some things.
Whst is your budget, what do you hope to shoot, is size/weight an issue, is interchangeble lenses desired or to be avoided? Maybe even a comment on your knowledge/skill level.
Hope this helps a little.
Dec 30, 2017 23:59:14 #
Skill level 0 with digital,size and weight doesn't matter, would like to change lens as I go to different race tracks, can't spend a bunch fixed income budget, thank you for the guiding help.
Dec 31, 2017 00:00:33 #
Dec 31, 2017 00:15:05 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
If you want a DSLR, Nikon and Canon have the most extensive systems and the largest number of different models.... but Pentax, Sony, and Olympus offer some interesting alternatives, too.
Canon Rebel SL2 and Rebel T6 (no "i") are their most basic, entry-level models... comparable to the Nikon D3000 series. These all have fairly basic, simple autofocus systems, fixed LCD screens, use "pentamirror" viewfinders to save weight and cost, and have a great deal of automation, but minimal direct access to user controls. The 24MP SL2 is an especially compact and lightweight model. Not really much larger or heavier, the 18MP T6 and it both use 9-point AF with a single higher performance "cross type" point at the center. All Canon models recent and current have 14-bit.
The earlier, but still widely available Nikon D3300 is in some ways superior to the newer D3400... The older model has a more powerful built-in flash and a self-cleaning sensor, which the D3400 lacks. All current Canon models have self-cleaning sensors. The SL2 and T6 both have built-in flash, too... though I haven't compared them with the Nikon (I don't use built-in flash at all). Both these Nikon models use 11-point AF, not sure if any or how many are "cross type". Both the Nikon models are 24MP and 12 bit.
Canon T6i and now T7i are step up models... comparable to Nikon D5000 series (currently 5600, but D5300 and D5500 are both still widely avail.) These offer slightly more advanced autofocus systems, articulated LCD screens, Touchscreen controls on the latest models, still have a lot of automation but give a little bit more direct access to some user controls. T6s and now 77D are another slight step up, with still more direct access to user controls. All models from both manufacturers are 24MP, 14-bit. The Canon T6i uses a 19-point, all cross type AF system. The T7i uses a 45-point, all cross type. The Nikon models use a 39-point AF system with 9 cross type.
NOTE: Nikon D3000 and D5000 series models can only autofocus AF-S and AF-P lenses (older models may need a firmware update to work with newer AF-P lenses, check compatibility charts). Some other Nikkor (and other) lenses do not have a focusing motor built in and instead rely upon a focusing motor in the camera body to be able to autofocus. Only D7000 series and higher Nikon cameras have the in-camera focusing motor. There also may be some metering issues, using certain lenses on certain cameras. Check compatibility charts that can be found online. There are no compatibility issues at all, using any Canon EF or EF-S lens made the last 30 years on any of the Canon cameras mentioned here.
The above models are commonly available with kit lenses, which can be a good value. All are offered with 18-55mm lenses with image stabilization. The Canon SL2 and T6 come with a slightly slower focusing "micro" motor EF-S 18-55mm lens. The T6i and T7i come with a slightly faster, quieter, smoother "STM" version of that lens. The Nikon D3400 comes with an AF-P 18-55mm, while the D3300 is typically bundled with an AF-S version.
Often there are two-lens kits offered, too. In addition to the 18-55mm, another more powerful telephoto zoom is included and may be a good value. The Canon cameras usually come with an EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lens which is a pretty good choice. Occasionally the more entry level models are offered with a cheaper EF 75-300mm "III" instead.... which should be avoided because the slightly more expensive 55-250mm STM is a much better lens in many ways. The Nikon D3300 was commonly bundled with an AF-S 55-200mm VR DX lens. The D3400 is often instead bundled with an AF-P 70-300mm DX lens, which unfortunately isn't image stabilized (VR).
Canon 80D and Nikon D7000 series models are the next step up... with higher specification shutters, true pentaprism viewfinders that are bigger and brighter, faster continuous shooting rates, more advanced AF systems, and more. Actually these models still offer a lot of automation, but give even more direct access to the user, for various functions. The 80D and D7200 are both 24MP models (the D7200 has a slower frame rate) and the D7500 is a 21MP camera with a higher frame rate.
Beyond that Canon has the 7D Mark II and Nikon offers the D500, both semi-pro-oriented with minimal automation. They both also offer a selection of so-called "full frame" camera models, which tend to be larger, heavier more expensive, and are limited to using full frame-capable lenses, which also tend to be bigger, heftier and pricier.
Besides DSLRs there are also...
...so-called "mirrorless" cameras, which tend to be smaller and lighter and can accommodate interchangeable lenses.
...non interchangeable lens "bridge" cameras that are SLR-like, but often a bit smaller. Both these and mirrorless have a lot of automation, but also often offer more advanced user controls.
...and "point n shoot", ultra-compact digital that are super automated. This type of camera is largely being supplanted by cell phone cameras, which have improved a lot.
There are simply way too many cameras of these three types to go into much detail... If you give us some more info, maybe someone can recommend certain models.
You might want to go to a store and play around with some of the above models... see if you prefer the ergonomics and control layout of one or another. If possible, turn them on and explore the menus, to see if those seem intuitive and easy to use. You can probably learn to use any of them in time, but if a camera "feels good" and "makes sense", it might be easier and more fun to use. Some folks don't have any preference... others do.
Hope this helps!
Canon Rebel SL2 and Rebel T6 (no "i") are their most basic, entry-level models... comparable to the Nikon D3000 series. These all have fairly basic, simple autofocus systems, fixed LCD screens, use "pentamirror" viewfinders to save weight and cost, and have a great deal of automation, but minimal direct access to user controls. The 24MP SL2 is an especially compact and lightweight model. Not really much larger or heavier, the 18MP T6 and it both use 9-point AF with a single higher performance "cross type" point at the center. All Canon models recent and current have 14-bit.
The earlier, but still widely available Nikon D3300 is in some ways superior to the newer D3400... The older model has a more powerful built-in flash and a self-cleaning sensor, which the D3400 lacks. All current Canon models have self-cleaning sensors. The SL2 and T6 both have built-in flash, too... though I haven't compared them with the Nikon (I don't use built-in flash at all). Both these Nikon models use 11-point AF, not sure if any or how many are "cross type". Both the Nikon models are 24MP and 12 bit.
Canon T6i and now T7i are step up models... comparable to Nikon D5000 series (currently 5600, but D5300 and D5500 are both still widely avail.) These offer slightly more advanced autofocus systems, articulated LCD screens, Touchscreen controls on the latest models, still have a lot of automation but give a little bit more direct access to some user controls. T6s and now 77D are another slight step up, with still more direct access to user controls. All models from both manufacturers are 24MP, 14-bit. The Canon T6i uses a 19-point, all cross type AF system. The T7i uses a 45-point, all cross type. The Nikon models use a 39-point AF system with 9 cross type.
NOTE: Nikon D3000 and D5000 series models can only autofocus AF-S and AF-P lenses (older models may need a firmware update to work with newer AF-P lenses, check compatibility charts). Some other Nikkor (and other) lenses do not have a focusing motor built in and instead rely upon a focusing motor in the camera body to be able to autofocus. Only D7000 series and higher Nikon cameras have the in-camera focusing motor. There also may be some metering issues, using certain lenses on certain cameras. Check compatibility charts that can be found online. There are no compatibility issues at all, using any Canon EF or EF-S lens made the last 30 years on any of the Canon cameras mentioned here.
The above models are commonly available with kit lenses, which can be a good value. All are offered with 18-55mm lenses with image stabilization. The Canon SL2 and T6 come with a slightly slower focusing "micro" motor EF-S 18-55mm lens. The T6i and T7i come with a slightly faster, quieter, smoother "STM" version of that lens. The Nikon D3400 comes with an AF-P 18-55mm, while the D3300 is typically bundled with an AF-S version.
Often there are two-lens kits offered, too. In addition to the 18-55mm, another more powerful telephoto zoom is included and may be a good value. The Canon cameras usually come with an EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lens which is a pretty good choice. Occasionally the more entry level models are offered with a cheaper EF 75-300mm "III" instead.... which should be avoided because the slightly more expensive 55-250mm STM is a much better lens in many ways. The Nikon D3300 was commonly bundled with an AF-S 55-200mm VR DX lens. The D3400 is often instead bundled with an AF-P 70-300mm DX lens, which unfortunately isn't image stabilized (VR).
Canon 80D and Nikon D7000 series models are the next step up... with higher specification shutters, true pentaprism viewfinders that are bigger and brighter, faster continuous shooting rates, more advanced AF systems, and more. Actually these models still offer a lot of automation, but give even more direct access to the user, for various functions. The 80D and D7200 are both 24MP models (the D7200 has a slower frame rate) and the D7500 is a 21MP camera with a higher frame rate.
Beyond that Canon has the 7D Mark II and Nikon offers the D500, both semi-pro-oriented with minimal automation. They both also offer a selection of so-called "full frame" camera models, which tend to be larger, heavier more expensive, and are limited to using full frame-capable lenses, which also tend to be bigger, heftier and pricier.
Besides DSLRs there are also...
...so-called "mirrorless" cameras, which tend to be smaller and lighter and can accommodate interchangeable lenses.
...non interchangeable lens "bridge" cameras that are SLR-like, but often a bit smaller. Both these and mirrorless have a lot of automation, but also often offer more advanced user controls.
...and "point n shoot", ultra-compact digital that are super automated. This type of camera is largely being supplanted by cell phone cameras, which have improved a lot.
There are simply way too many cameras of these three types to go into much detail... If you give us some more info, maybe someone can recommend certain models.
You might want to go to a store and play around with some of the above models... see if you prefer the ergonomics and control layout of one or another. If possible, turn them on and explore the menus, to see if those seem intuitive and easy to use. You can probably learn to use any of them in time, but if a camera "feels good" and "makes sense", it might be easier and more fun to use. Some folks don't have any preference... others do.
Hope this helps!
Dec 31, 2017 06:16:39 #
latemodel58 wrote:
which camera is the most user friendly for the beginner, want to move up to digital.
Well, any camera that has a program mode, auto mode and scenes are easy to use. You can more or less set them to one mode, program or auto, and shoot whatever you want with decent or good results. Scene modes work well for specific situations. And all this is easy to use and when you have the time you can study aperture mode, shutter priority mode and manual mode to learn to take full control of your camera.
That said, almost any camera is a good beginner camera. The most expensive ones usually have least or none of those scene modes as they are made for people who have very good understanding of photography and get the best results using other modes than Scene modes.
The future is heading towards mirrorless cameras. I think you should rather jump on a mirrorless than a dslr. And if you have some lenses from the film days that you would like to use on a digital camera then Sony full frame mirrorless is the best option without a doubt.
Dec 31, 2017 06:36:01 #
Since I am a Nikon person I would go with a refurbished D5300 or D3400
Dec 31, 2017 07:51:13 #
Almost any digital camera can be put in "Auto" mode, in which case it will be a much better "point-and-shoot" camera than your cell phone. From there - you need to learn photography, which will make a difference between snapshots and photographs. You need to learn about exposure - and what happens when you change the aperture... And of course, you can work on composition. So - get a camera that is affordable for you with some good basic kit lenses. All of the major manufacturers have several options. And then get going!
Dec 31, 2017 09:17:25 #
Hey, Latemodel, welcome. You are starting a fun adventure. Can we ask? What is your budget??
Dec 31, 2017 09:20:08 #
You can get digital in a nice point and shoot, a bridge camera, or a full blown DSLR. Which do you think you're interested in?
Dec 31, 2017 09:29:28 #
latemodel58 wrote:
which camera is the most user friendly for the beginner, want to move up to digital.
Smart phones.
Dec 31, 2017 09:36:54 #
latemodel58 wrote:
Skill level 0 with digital,size and weight doesn't matter, would like to change lens as I go to different race tracks, can't spend a bunch fixed income budget, thank you for the guiding help.
When you say"0 with digital" does that mean you have film experience? If so how much? Essentially the skills are the same. If you are a proficient film shooter, digital will be an easy transition. If that's the case you can go to more than a "beginner" camera. Please let us know. It might make a suggestion easier
Dec 31, 2017 10:33:01 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
Go to as store and try them out. Have a sales person explain them. Or find a club in area and get the info from them. It might be dangerous to buy bling on line. That's my opinion.
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