Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Specifically - the Nikon D5600, the Nikon D7500, the Canon EOS Rebel T7i, the Canon EOS 77D, the Canon EOS 80D, or the Pentax K-3 II ?

Charlie'smom

Either the Nikon D7500 or the Canon EOS 80D. Those two cameras are pretty compatible. The D5600 is more of an intermediate beginner’s camera. I don’t know anything about the other two.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Thanks, Charlie's Mom ... yes, actually - the D5300, D5500, and D5600 - all share the Intermediate mantle in the Nikon line, whilst the D7500 is the "Prosumer" model, actually ... which I guess means - more advanced Intermediate. But, only the D5600 is current, of those three. The D5500 is older, but is basically, the same model. The Canon EOS 80D would seem to be the comparable model to the D7500 - although, larger than that unit, and, of course - using a 24MP sensor, as opposed to the 20MP sensor of the D7500. However, the Nikon is quite a bit newer than the 80D. Both the EOS Rebel T7i and the EOS 77D are much newer than the 80D, but are both quite a bit smaller. All three Canon models feature a Fully Articulating Touch Screen, which the D7500 sports, but only as a Tilting Screen, whilst the D5600 has the flip-out Touch screen (as does the D5500) and the Pentax K-70 (but, that one isn't a Touch Screen.) The K-3 (and K-3 II) also have the 3.2" screen, which all the most recent Nikon models have. The K-70 does not, however.

The characteristic upon which I've focused, in this post - is which of these - comes across - as the most "Pro" Quality. I suspect it's the K-3 II, but am interested to know what others here, think. Over and above, the over-riding factor, is cost. All of these can be picked up at the thousand-dollar mark, or below. I am just interested to know what would feel MOST like a Pro-Quality Camera, in the hands (given that price variable.) This one would be for me.

mrpentaxk5ii

The K3ii is some what older than the others as it is at the end of it's production line, it has the best build and weather sealing of all above, it has no built in flash, so you have to get a flash unit. Adorama has a few K3ii still in stock B&H is sold out. The price in Adorama is about 830$, I was waiting to see what the replacement would be but nothing out as of yet so I bought the K3ii in silver and black for 740$, as of now those are sold out. The Nikons 5500 series are ok but they are lower teir cameras. The Pentax K3ii and Nikon D7200 are the only cameras with dual SD cards, for the Nikon you would have to move to the D500. or the Canon 7DMKii

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Yes, I see from the Wiki charts, the highlighted areas no longer run out to 2018, so I do realize the K-3 and K-3 II are on the way out ... thanks.

The Nikon 7000 series (7000, 7100, 7200) all have dual SD card slots, as do both of the Pentax models. The newer D7500 does not, however.

The Canons are all ahead on the Fully Articulating Touch Screens, but all lack dual SD Card slots. And all have 24MP sensors, as do the Pentax models.

What I'm interested in, here, Jim ... is - which of these - you might think, has a more Pro-Quality "feel" to it - of all of these specified models ....

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Jim ... the Canon EOS 7D / 7D Mk. II and the Nikon D500 are in a class by themselves ... call them PRO APS-C DSLRs. They cost $2000, after all.

The cameras to which I have referred in this post, are all termed INTERMEDIATE DSLRs. The K-3 / K-3 II models were also considered Pro Level.

But, since the introduction of the earlier one, Pentax has introduced the K-1, and then the K-1 II, and now - the KP. But since the former ones are both Full-Frame models ... they don't count as APS-C DSLRs. The KP does, but lacks the 3.2" LCD of the K-3 models, and the dual SD Card slots. The one thing all these (specified) models have in common are their price range - which is around the thousand-dollar mark, or less. Two-thousand dollar DSLRs are not in the cards (for me) ... neither do I wish to pay a grand for outdated technology. The K-3 models are outdated, but not that far ....

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Yes, Jim ... the newer K-3 II doesn't have a built-in flash. Pentax removed it from the K-3 to make room for the GPS.

Funnily enough - I have two APS-C DSLRs, which have BOTH a built-in GPS AND a built-in flash (Sony a77, Nikon D5300) so that holds no water, for me.

However, the Pentax K-3 II has a more advanced DPAF than the K-3, and makes it a more promising (and more appealing) unit - in the long run.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

For myself it would be:
#1 The sytem with the greatest range of good lenses. That means Canon or Nikon
#2 The body with better erganomics - for that would mean the Canon Rebel is out (I have used "entry level" and mid range Canon DSLRs)
#3 The body that feels best in my hands, and looks better through the viewfinder. I have never used Nikon cameras.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Richard ... hello, my friend ... how've you been?

I think, when you include all the 3rd Party Lenses made for Pentax, and the fact, Pentax goes back farther than anyone ... you'll realize their lens inventory, meets, or exceeds Nikon and Canon ...

Also, if one focuses on Sony A-mount cameras, which include the now-defunct Konica and Minolta arsenals ... they're in - pretty much, the same camp.

Richard ... my T4i ... I believe, is one of the most robust cameras I have ... but, I respect your opinion ... your scenario may've been quite different.

Come on, Man ... you've never even USED a Nikon???? ... The viewfinder in the D90 is the largest I've EVER seen! ... I gather the D500's the same!!!

Anyway, Richard ... thanks for your input ... some of your points are well-taken ... oh, and don't be a stranger ... hear?

jburlinson Loc: Austin, TX

Considering the beating Nikon is taking for having only one card slot in the Z series, you'd have to go with the Pentax K-3ii. It's the only one with 2 slots. And, apparently, you can't be a "pro" with only one.

Plus, in camera stabilization is a nice feature -- for pros and for the rest of us.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Unfortunately, J ... neither of the K-3s are available anymore ... when you click on one on a site - you're taken to a single-card KP ...

So, that means the only viable option for a Pentax APS-C DSLR - now - is the K-70 (other than the aforementioned KP) ...

BTW, J ... all Pentax DSLRs have IBIS, now ... as do all Sony models - stands to reason, as they invented multi-axis in-body stabilization ...

Just looked at a bulletin at the Pentax Forum site, dated in March - and it indicates there WILL be a new flagship to replace the K-3 II, but not anytime soon ... of course - one could always pick up either of the Full-Frame K-1 models, but they are double the cost of the $800 KP ... and, of course - they are Full Frame, after all ... NOT Intermediate APS-C DSLRs ... so, for now - the idea of a dual-card Intermediate Pentax - is just a wind in the brush ...

It seems - the idea of an advanced Intermediate APS-C DSLR is on the way out ... even the Nikon line is rather scant, right now ....

Of course - you can still pick up the D7000, D7100, and D7200 - all Advanced Intermediate APS-C DSLRs ... with dual card slots ...

And, there are still some D5600 and D5500 and D5300 models around - all six of these share the same 24MP sensor ... as do the 3000 series ...

But the newest model in that line - the D7500 ... reverts back to a 20MP sensor, AND drops a slot - in favor of a more compact size ... aha!!!

Of course, some will say ... but the electronics and sensor are the same as in the PRO APS-C / DX D500 - which begs to reason then - why not go and get a new D7500 for $1300 and save yourself $600-$700 on the D500 then? ... ANSWER: because you only get ONE card slot ... oh - okay ...

Of course, with SD Cards, now - hovering around the 1GB mark - does it really matter? ... if you need backup - make a folder on the SD card - right?

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Note: that should've been - 1TB mark ... actually, not sure if those are available, just yet, but I know 256GB and 512GB cards are out there ...

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Add Nikon D500 to the top of your list.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

ID ... THIS post focused on Intermediate Class APS-C DSLRs ... those priced at or near the thousand dollar mark, or under it ...

Since the D500 (and Canon's 7D Mk. II) are classified as PRO APS-C DSLRs (and come with a TWO thousand dollar price tag to match) they're not in the same ball-park!

I don't know about you, but spending TWO thousand dollars for a DSLR - when you can find perfectly good cameras for half as much, makes no sense to me!

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Then you might have left “pro quality” out of the title. To many that requires weatherproofing.

My APS-C is a D5600. It follows a D5100 and D5300. I found I don’t need weatherproofing and really liked the articulated screen. I also much prefer the active info screen control approach to the random unlighted buttons and unreadable green screen of the D7xxx. The D5500 brings it to new sophistication with touch screen. As does the D7500 and 500.