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

Beginner (or Entry-Level) Cameras (DSLRs) - at least, ones made by Nikon (the D3000 and D5000 series) are rumored to be being retired, leaving only one DX camera afloat - the D7500. Gone will be, also, the D500 (no, not a beginner camera, at all) but - apparently - also, headed for early retirement. (Some have also said Canon's pro-level Crop - the 7D2 - is also off the grid.) I know some of you will feel the need to comment on that, and well you may do. However, I wanted to focus this thread on the value - to you - of the beginner-series cameras, from not only Nikon, but, also, Canon, and Sony and Pentax … the four companies who provide both formats (FF and DXI) in their arsenals. Canon's beginner cameras include the T7 and the SL2/SL3. Their more advanced designs include the T7i and EOS 77D. (No need to worry about THESE going anywhere, currently.) But, with the latest T7 and SL3 being somewhat crippled by the removal of the Center Pin - there is a concern, about where rank beginner Canon DSLRs are going. Sony beginner SLTs have long since gone by the wayside, leaving only the a68 (a more advanced SLT) and the a6000 APS-C MILCs (a5100, a6000, a6300, a6400, a6500) and Pentax's lone beginner DSLR - the K-70. Do you think all of these designs have a future, and, if so - are they of value to YOU, and/or your family?

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

I have a Nikon D70 still in use, resurrected with a conversion to IR.

Bill_de Loc: US

The current entry level cameras will be replaced by mirrorless equivalents.
Folks new to photography, those most likely to want 'entry level' cameras, won't be comparing them to DSLRs.

Time to look forward rather than lament the past.

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khorinek

Agreed.

BebuLamar

Mirrorless for the beginners is good way. Someone who never use an SLR or DSLR would prefer the mirrorless rather than DSLR.

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

Was the Nikon D70 considered to be a "Beginner DSLR" - Pablo?

I always thought of the D70-D80-D90 / D7000-D7100-D7200 - as being Nikon's ProSumer Line.

They are not dropping the newer D7500 (TG!) but there seems to be a rumor all other DX models will go.

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

Bill - I think the models I mentioned - are pretty much current. But the Nikon DX line - is supposedly - being phased out - all but the D7500. I think that's a pretty harsh move - don't you?

There's really not any "BEGINNER" MILCs available, currently - to replace them … is there?

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Entry level DSLR cameras are not going to be phased out overnight. More likely, the release of new models simply won't be as frequent as it has been in the past. I think you are reading too many articles written for shock effect that are over-exaggerating trends in the world of photography.

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

Well - THAT remains to be seen, Bebu …

I don't see a RUSH of beginners OR enthusiasts - rushing to buy non-existent BEGINNER MILCs …

The ones buying FF MILCs - AREN'T beginners!!!!!

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

NOT ME, Rook …. all I'm doing is reading Posts by others here at UHH …

But, I am seeing the trend. Canon is changing their Beginner DSLRs - so that older flash units can't be used on them - which also affects - Third Party Flash Designs - which is setting a trend - FACT!

Nikon is RUMORED to be dropping ALL DX models but the D7500. Meanwhile, Sony has ALREADY dropped ALL beginner SLTs, and Pentax has trimmed their beginner DSLR line down to one model … FACT!

BebuLamar

There are plenty of low end mirrorless from Sony, Olympus and Panasonic.

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

Bebu … the last beginner SLT was the a58 … which I have. There's not been another, since.

The a68 is a much more advanced SLT - not so advanced as the a77 II - but, about halfway there.

The a6000 MILC line I mentioned, even though it really doesn't have a place in this discussion.

Olympus and Panasonic ONLY make MILCs, as does Fuji (although theirs are APS-C) whilst the others are MFT cameras. So, none of those - have a place in this discussion, either. This is focused on BEGINNER DSLRs

BebuLamar

Why not the A6000. It's price and feature are well suited for beginners. The MFT from Panasonic and Olympus are also well suited for beginners. I think today most beginners would be wise to go with a MILC than a DSLR. Also your SLT is really a C*** camera.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

No great loss to me or my family.
(They all ready have DSLRs (and not necessarily additional lenses) or MILC cameras, and phone cameras)

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

If you have older flash units then there is a good chance you are not a beginner.