Fossilxprs

Thank you. I still have the Minolta. Wasn't aware the lenses would fit Sony. I'm really feeling like Nikon is what I want, but you have definitely given me something to consider. I appreciate the input.

Fossilxprs

Thank you. Unfortunately going to a store right now is 2 to 3 hours one way. In a month we change locations and if I hold off till then
I might travel nearer one. Just hate to wait as everytime I snap a shot on my cell I cringe that it won't be what I'm seeing in person.

Fossilxprs

Thank you. The D5600 had been my leading choice for some time, but the D7xxx series is looking better and better. I think I would like to have the standard 55mm, a 70-300 zoom and a 500mm for the long range. I see adapters to make the 55 into close up or fisheye and also ones to double focal length. Thinking those might round out a camera & lens package for me.

Fossilxprs

Thank you. I'm definitely leaning towards the D7xxx series. I appreciate the dealer info. Nice to get shop names that are dependable and have been of service to you. I will include them in my research.

Insp Gadget Loc: St Louis area

Welcome to the forum. My background is similar to yours as well as the time. I also spent years with a medium level point and shoot also. Last year I went through the same process of selection. I decided on the D5600 with the 18-140 and 70-300 lenses. I dearly love the 18-140. It only leaves my camera when I need the extra reach.

I had narrowed down to a few and my decision was made by holding the finalists in my hand. The 5600 was much lighter and fit my hand perfectly. I'm no pro and have no plans to be but I've produced shots of concerts that the bands use for their public advertisements.
I wanted a camera I would want to carry around and not kill my aging body. Go and hold some cameras Best buy doesn't seem to take offense to letting you try them.
Good luck with your search and decision. I love my D5600. A great all around camera.

Fossilxprs

It was a good camera, lots of pictures shot thru it. I still have it but don't care to have it be my main camera. Haven't used it in quite some time and may never again for personal reasons.

Fossilxprs

Thanks.

Fossilxprs

Thank you. Nice to get referrals of suppliers that are reputable.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

If you want a DLSR then you are in a good position. DSLR prices are dropping like a rock now that Canicon has entered the mirrorless market. But does that $1000 budget also include lenses or is that camera body only? If that is your total budget, for camera and lens, then consider buying a used body. Used DSLR prices are falling even faster these days as camera companies cut DSLR prices in response to mirrorless competition. You can get a great deal in the used DSLR market then you could use the balance to buy a good lens.

BebuLamar

I personally would stick to the DSLR but since many UHH members said it's much better than DSLR and DSLR is going to be dead. I do think the Nikon D7200 is a good candidate at $700 for the body and that leave you $300 for perhaps a good lens.

Fossilxprs

Insp Gadget thank you. I'm thinking the lenses you mentioned and a D7xxx refurbished body. Have to see what I can do on my budget.

Fossilxprs

JD750 thanks for your input. The $1000 is suppose to cover it all. I know it may not leave me much for quality lenses, that's why I'm looking at refurbished in both body and lens. I don't want to end up with a great camera and junk lenses. May have to save more to end up where I "want" to be.

Fossilxprs

BebuLamar thank you. I'm really leaning towards the D7xxx series.

Fossilxprs

TO ALL, I obviously need to develope some forum skills. Hope everyone finds my responses to their posts. I'll try to figure out where I am messing up on my next reply. Thanks for your understanding.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Take a look at Nikon D7200... it's heavily discounted right now... can be bought for under $700. That's about $100 more than a D5600, but it's a whole lot more camera for your money. In comparison, D7500 is selling for $1150, and in some ways the D7200 is as good or better.

D7200 and D5600 are both 24MP cameras. D7500 is 21MP.

D5600 doesn't have the in-body focusing motor, so is only able to autofocus AF-S and AF-P lenses. There are a number of AF Nikkors that will be manual focus only on the D5600. Some of them are still in production (such as the Micro Nikkor 200mm f/4 and Tokina 100mm Macro lens). Both the D7200 and D7500 have the in-body focus motor, so are able to autofocus those lenses, as well as the AF-S and AF-P which have the focusing motor built into the lens itself.

D7200 has dual SD memory card slots, the other two cameras have single SD card slots.

D7200 has a 1.2 million pixel LCD screen, compared to a 922,000 pixel screen on the D7500 and 1 million pixel in the D5600. The D7200's LCD monitor is not a Touchscreen and isn't articulated... while both the other cameras have those types of LCD screens.

D7200's top continuous shooting rate is 6 frames per second, not as fast as the D7500's 8 fps, but faster than the D5600's 5 fps.

The D7500 and D7200 have almost the same autofocus system... 51-points with 15 higher performance "cross type" points, able to focus as low as -3EV (approx. moonlight) and "f/8 capable" which allows more lens/teleconverter combinations. The D5600 uses a lower specification AF system: 39-points, 9 cross type, able to focus down to -1EV and f/5.6 limited.

The D7500 and D7200 both use a true pentaprism which makes their 100% viewfinders bigger and brighter the the D5600's 95% viewfinder, which uses a penta-mirror to reduce cost and weight.

D7500 and D7200 have a higher specification shutter with 1/8000 top speed and 1/250 flash sync, rated for 150,000 actuations. The D5600's shutter is rated for 100K clicks, has a top speed of 1/4000 and a 1/200 flash sync.

D7500 and D7200 have more sealing for weather resistance, than the D5600 does.

The D7500 and D7200 both use a somewhat larger battery that gives them a few more shots per charge. Nikon offers an MB-D15 battery grip for D7200, which doubles the battery capacity as well as providing a vertical grip with secondary controls (shutter release, aperture and shutter speed control dials). Nikon DOES NOT offer a grip for either the D7500 or the D5600. There are third party (Vello) grips for all three cameras, which are considerably less expensive than Nikon grips. The Vello grip for D7200 has the same controls and functionality as the OEM Nikon grip. The Vello grips for the other two cameras only have a shutter release button (no shutter speed or aperture control dials). However, the Vello grips for both the D5600 and D7500 rely upon an external cable to connect the shutter release. AND the Vello grip for the D7500 only holds a single battery, doesn't increase battery capacity at all.

I'd recommend the D7200 anyway... but especially now since it's being offered at such a great price! Spend $100 more than the D5600 and get a WHOLE LOT more camera for your money.... But save $450 compared to the price of the D7500. Put that money toward better lenses (which make a bigger difference in your images anyway, than the camera they're used upon).

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/Nikon_D7200_vs_Nikon_D5600_vs_Nikon_D7500/BHitems/1127271-REG_1308818-REG_1333060-REG

https://cameradecision.com/compare/Nikon-D7200-vs-Nikon-D7500
https://cameradecision.com/compare/Nikon-D5600-vs-Nikon-D7200

EDIT: As to lenses... D7200 is offered in kit with either Nikkor AF-S DX 18-140mm VR for just under $1000... or with AF-P DX 18-55mm VR and AF-P DX 70-300mm lenses for just under $900. Frankly, the 18-140mm is a MUCH better lens, although the range of the two lens kit might appear attractive. The kit DX 70-300mm lens doesn't have VR (image stabilization), which is much more helpful on a telephoto like that, than it is on an 18-55mm lens! If it were me, I'd get the 18-140mm and figure out a way to get some funds for a better telephoto zoom to complement it. 18-140mm really won't be long enough for wildlife or a lot of sports. A better quality 70-300mm (such as the FX Nikkor with VR) would be long enough for a lot of sports photography, but still might come up short for some things, such as field sports and small, shy wildlife.