nikonnate Loc: Woodbury MN

Hey everybody

I did a search on the topic (specifically "d5600") but didn't get very far so I'm straight-up asking.

My wife and I recently had a kid, our first, and she's in picture mode. She wants to take a lot of candid snaps so she can have prints and small canvases made up but only has her phone. I'm sure many of you understand. She likes what I do with my D850 and Sunday night said "maybe you can teach me to use your camera because I don't like my phone as much." I think that's great, but yesterday afternoon I introduced her to the concept of aperture and ISO. I figure going from that level to a D850 is like getting your permit at 15 and having your behind-the-wheel training with a Corvette on a track. And she's a little clumsy....

I looked around at Nikon's APS-C cameras and like the D5600 and D7200 specs. I looked at each of them in-hand last night, I like the simpler menus, I like how each feels in-hand (5600 for the light, compact feel like a mirrorless, the 7200 because it's like a small D850), and I like that each has fewer buttons. She'll like that too because she says just looking at my D850 makes her anxious with all the controls.


So, specifically, how does each fare for entry-level users? I want her to have some creative ability - she'll grow in to either I'm sure - but for now I am looking at pleasantness and ease of use, ease of growing in to the next level, and obvious limitations. I am NOT looking at how many dials each has or how many card slots; that stuff doesn't matter to someone who just learned yesterday what aperture is. How does each handle low-light noise? Which one would you pick for someone interested in portrait and candids, and basic wildlife (like the squirrel in the tree or ducks on the dock next to the boat, not birds in flight).

TIA

nikonnate Loc: Woodbury MN

Fair to add, might I be skipping over other options? I'm hoping to keep the entire package - lens or two, body, mem cards, bag, etc - to around a grand, maybe 1300 tops. She will be very resistant to spending much.

deer2ker Loc: Nashville, TN

I would get the D7200 because she would be able to share all of your wonderful D850 lenses with autofocus! No brainer for me and she would also have that camera for life as she would have to be very proficient to outgrow it :D

ngrea Loc: Sandy Spring, Maryland

I find the articulated screen on the d5600 very useful for getting low shots, such as floor level babies. She can always start with auto and then experiment with other settings. Don’t start her off with a lot of explanation. When auto doesn’t give her the results she wants she will figure it out

repleo Loc: Boston

For the purpose you describe, the #1 feature you should be looking for is 'eye focus'. I don't know if the Nikon's or Canon's have it, but Sony's do. 'The eyes have it' - any picture looks good if the eyes are in focus. The A6000 is excellent for low light situations. The Sony A6000 body is available now for about $400. I use my A6000 with the 35mm f1.8 lens for all of my grandkid / family pics. It less obtrusive and easier to pull out than my FF set up and the IQ is superb. The A6500 (IBIS) or A6400 (enhanced eye focus) would be even better if you are willing to spend the money.

Your wife will enjoy the compact size and WYSIWYG viewfinder of a mirrorless. The kit 50-210 would be a perfect choice for the ducks on the dock. Alternatively, with a $10 adapter she can use any of your Nikon lenses in manual mode. The eye focus won't work on a manual lens obviously, but manual focusing is a breeze with the A6000.

If she is just starting out in photography, start her with the future - mirrorless. Don't bog her down with your old DSLR habits and prejudices.

issa2006.

I work for a newspaper and have a nikon 3400. It does everything I want it to do without being complicated and takes excellent for portraits. It even has a portrait mode on the dial that you simply turn on the top of the camera and another mode for action shots.The lenses you get are more important and they will be more expensive if you get a good quality lens. I like the fact that the camera is not very heavy which is important when you are trying to get good pictures of a moving baby. You can get a good fast zoom lens that will let you do that. I like my 17-70 2.8-4 lens for low light. Also the camera is fairly inexpensive at this point. The Nikon 3500 is the newer version.All of the full frame cameras are quite heavy which I think is a hindrance if taking pictures of children.Good luck. Children are wonderful subjects but you have to be quick.

deer2ker Loc: Nashville, TN

If you didn't have a Nikon already, I would have suggested a small mirrorless (I have a Fuji and love it) but the D7200 also has faster focus than the D5500/5600 (I have the D5500 and it is a great camera!) and would be able to handle a moving toddler. I almost traded up to the D7200 though for the added benefit of being able to use older Nikon lenses as well as the FF lenses. I think she would love it! Also, consider buying a used D7200 from KEH, Lensrental, B&H and other "reputable" dealers - it will allow you to get all you need above.

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

I'll second this opinion. I chose the D5500 over the D7200 (my friend has) for the same reason plus the D5500 (or D5600) is lighter and more compact than the D7200. Both have the exact same 24.1 megapixel sensor so that's the same for each. I will admit the D7200 has a few nice "extras," like an internal focusing motor that will allow her to use your D850 lenses so perhaps that's a consideration. On the other hand, a lot of the D7200's more expensive bells and whistles may never be utilized by your daughter if she stays at the "enthusiast" level. Is price a consideration? There are some real inexpensive D5600 packages out there.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, the D7200.

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

You might consider a D500. Your daughter can use all of your lenses and the button set up is very similar to the D850 which might help her with the learning process. I just checked on eBay and found several used or reconditioned (USA) D500s for around $1300 (give or take). Take care & ...

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

I'm not sure about the buttons available on the back of the 5600 but it's When I went from a 5100 to a 7200 I had buttons to use in order to change some of the settings instead of going thru the menu. Also on the 7200 if you want to change your focusing setup you just push the button on the AF\M button, spin a control wheel and done. You also have the small LCD screen on top to view settings. I have had my 7200 since they were released and love it.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Not wanting to confuse things further, you might want to take a look at the Nikon D3500 as an introduction to the DSLR world priced below $400.

https://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/nikon-d3500/nikon-d3500-conclusion.htm

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Sorry, duplicate post.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

If you are set on spending 4-digit money go for either, but thinking you are still jumping from a learner's permit (cell) to a big rig truck (DSLR), when a good P&S camera would serve her needs until the kid is ready to be given the camera. She can start in Auto Mode immediately, use the many Manual settings when (or if) she is ready, and you can use the thousand savings on the baby's needs or your own GAS. (And don't assume a new mother will "grow into it" - it is your passion, maybe not hers).

BebuLamar

If you're into live view (I mean your wife as well) then the D5600 is better but then in that case may be you should consider a mirrorless. If not the D7200 is better. My main reason to pick the D7200 over the D5600 because it has 2 command dials instead of 1.