jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm glad I started with SLRs many years ago. There wasn't much choice back then. Today, you have to choose between a DSLR and a mirrorless. Once you make that big decision, you have to decide on the brand and model. I always look for refurbished first. I've bought many used DSLRs and never had a problem with them. If you buy a used DSLR get a shutter count first. Below are some comparison sites and other useful links.

Comparison sites -
Read comparisons and specs, and decide what features are important to you.
Comparison sites -
(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

DSLR or Mirrorless -
https://www.lightstalking.com/considerations-mirrorless-cameras/
http://www.lightstalking.com/mirrorless-vs-dslr/
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/dslr-vs-mirrorless-cameras,news-17736.html
https://www.lightstalking.com/six-points-consider-transition-mirrorless-system/
http://www.diyphotography.net/love-breaks-sold-mirrorless-camera/
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-the-switch-from-dslr-to-mirrorless-changed-how-i-edit-photos/

wetreed

You should go with a Nikon because they have always made the best cameras. You should consider the D5600 or the more advanced D500. Nikon also has the best lenses. Additionally Nikon is the absolute best value.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

Fuji mirrorless and their lenses, would be my suggestion. RJM

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

For reputable used dealers try KEH, B&H Photo, Hunt’s, Adorama. If you have a local camera store, go, talk to them and hold them in your hands.

Bison Bud

You state that you generally shoot in "Auto," but want to learn more about using the manual features of a DLSR, yet you also mention a $3000.00+ budget. While this budget can buy you some top of the line equipment, you need to realize that the equipment is just a tool and the results you really want are going to depend more on your skills than a top of the line camera. There are lots of very capable camera systems out there that are well below that budget and can help you to learn the basics and still get excellent results if you do your part. I would also like to state that it is generally best to spend more for quality glass than it is to spend big bucks on a top of the line camera body.

Anyway, you mentioned handling a Canon Rebel and liked the size and feel of it and this is important. While the Nikon D500 is indeed probably the best "Birding" system now available, it is going to be much larger in size and that can be a problem. Anyway, I would personally recommend taking a look at the Canon T6i, as I think it has a lot of bang for the bucks and it would be a long time before you master all it's features. Also with your budget, you could/should purchase an "L" series lens and have a very capable setup to learn on for a long time to come.

In any case, buying refurbished or used would also save some money, but I too would recommend buying from a reputable dealer. I personally have purchased used equipment from B&H Photo and been very happy with every purchase. Buying off of Craigslist or Ebay is also an option, but considerably more of a gamble than dealing with B&H or another reputable dealer like Adorama or KEH. However, with your budget making a new purchase also makes good sense so it's up to you and what you want. Good luck and good shooting to you and yours!

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Seriously look at Olympus with your budget you can get a camera system that will knock your socks off. OMD with a short zoom and the legendary 300 lens you’ll be shooting the birds in no time
“Getmyolympus” google this will take you to the Olympus website.
Also take a peek at “mu43” it’s a nice site for Olympus and Panasonic
Good luck and welcom to the hog

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

You might try renting before you buy since you are unsure even what kind of body you want. Lensrental and Borrowlenses have good selections.

markwilliam1

I totally agree on the Sony! For BIF Incredible! 600mm f/4 lens! The Best bridge camera you can buy. Read the reviews.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

I recently bought a Fuji X-t20 (their budget mirrorless) and five Fuji lenses. 3500 was about the price for all of that.. Good stuff,!!

flferg Loc: Driftwood, TX

I would suggest you google Steve Perry and look at some of his wild life photography papers and videos. He gives good sound advice and I believe it is applicable to any camera brand. You might be able to determine the features you would like from reviews like his and then determine the camera/lens package to best meet those requirements. Also Linda on this forum offers lots of good advice and has chronicled her progression. Watch for her comments and postings. With your budget you have a world of choices and good luck choosing.

jtwind

I've a number of cameras but when I go for a hike and just want a camera along or am going birding I grab my Sony rx10 mark 3! It's a great camera and it's silly to be turned off by whatever name somebody attached to it. I will probably upgrade eventually to the mark 4. The thing just plain performs.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Don't blame you for being turned off by the "Mommy camera" statement. A $3500.00 budget can get you a great camera, first you have to decide what kind of camera you want. Mirrorless, DSLR, advanced point & shoot. To save money towards lens (if needed), don't overlook used or refurbished cameras from one of the reputable dealers online. Good luck.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

Well, $3500 is a pretty major investment. If you decide to go this route, plan on spending a lot more down the road. How much weight can you hold up to your eye for long periods of time? If you follow Bill's advise and get the Nikon D500 and attach to it the 200x500MM lens, will you be able to hand hold the combination? It's a great combination and many are using it but if you can't hold it for long you're going to need a good tripod and head. There goes at least another $1000. You really need to hold some of the popular camera/lens combinations people are using for wildlife photography these days to see if you can handle the weight before you plop down a lot of money. With this advise I am assuming you will be able to master the intricacies of DSLR or mirrorless camera use. To be honest, it really isn't all that difficult.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

A quick look at your camera specs shows that it has a max zoom of 1200mm (full frame equivalent). How does this not reach out far enough? An equivalent prime on a full frame DSLR would break the bank. An equivalent maximum zoom on a crop sensor DSLR would be 900mm. I’ve never seen one close to the spec. You might first want to explore the non-auto modes on your camera. If your goal is to get a more "system" oriented DSLR with interchangeable lenses and tons of acccessory options then, certainly, go for it.

mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

Hello Eagle Whisperer and welcome to the forum. Regarding refurbished camera/s - Adorama, B&H, Cameta and KEH are the top recommended dealers that I have seen mentioned in this forum. I personally have used Cameta as they offer a one year warranty on their refurbs. Here is my two cents worth - since you like bird photography, a cropped sensor camera might be a good fit for you. One of the members posted photos taken with the Nikon D500 and the 200-500 mm lens. That combination is hard to be IMHO. I regretfully don't own it and I love taking pictures of birds. You could get a new D500 for about $1800 and the 200-500 lens for about 1300-1400. Probably, another idea would be to rent this set up for a week from lensrentals.com or borrowlenses.com and shoot to your hearts content to see if it is a good fit for you. I personally use a bridge camera (SX50) to take pictures of non moving birds and am happy with the results. I don't think I could get the type of results as was posted here of flying birds. Good luck in your search. Keep researching and keep learning. Photography is a great, albeit expensive hobby.