Bill P

This question cannot be answered. The best one is not the one I like, or the Canon guys like, or the Pentax guy likes. Go to the nearest camera store and pick up and handle each. You will find that some are not all that comfortable to hold. If you get one that's too big or small for your hands, or too heavy, you will be unsatisfied with it and be back with another what's the best camera question. Save your money and time and go hold one!

Just remember to get one that comes from a real camera company, if it's something like Vivitar, avoid it.

Paul1701A

I just purchased my first DSLR and am looking forward to learning how to use it. It’s a Nikon D3500. I looked long and hard and decided on this model due partly to the bundle it came with as well as the features I was looking for to start out of the box. I’ve only had point & shoots before now and am interested in getting my feet wet with a better level of photography. I’m looking forward to getting your newsletters & reading all I can about how to be a good photographer. Thanks for the info I’ve read so far.

Paul1701A

Hey Skittles 7071,
Have you checked out the Amazon site? I was able to get a Nikon D3500 with a bundle that has two lenses & a number of other items included for about $460.00 US. After looking at many different brands, I settled on the Nikon. You may want a different brand, but you have a number of options that are available for about what you’re wanting to spend. Good luck with your purchase and happy hunting!

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

This is a topic the began long before I joined the forum and will continue till the end of time.
First off, I shoot Canon. But I'm not recommending one manufacturer over another. Everyone will chime in on this thread and tell you the one they use is the best. That simply is not fair and will leave you more confused than you are right now.
Second, don't presume that a more expensive camera is better than one that is cheaper. Majority of the price tag is dictated by the bells and whistles a camera has. That doesn't make it better. Learning the basics of photography will make you appreciate a camera. The camera takes one percent of the photograph. The remaining 99 percent of the photograph is done by the nut in the viewfinder.

My suggestion is to go into a camera retailer. You might be spending a lot of time there looking. Pick up one and play with it. How does it feel in your hands? Look and walk around with it. You may buy a camera that day perhaps after 20 or more trials and errors.

You may leave the store without a purchase. You may also rent a camera for a couple of times before you make your choice official and a purchase.

One thematic thread I have noticed amongst photographers is they develop a collection of cameras and stockpile gear.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Be specific. The OP needs a camera lens combination under $375 ish.
Not just brand names. Make a recommendation for specific cameras and lenses like others here have for Canon and Nikon.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Now you know why I recommended the SL2 over the SL3, you get more functionality for the money.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

You have recommended manufacturers, not specific cameras.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

The camera takes one percent of the photograph?! No, no, no; the camera takes 100% of the photograph. The user is responsible for set up and composition but the camera is responsible for taking, in other words, recording the photograph.
Since you didn't make a recommendation, how does your contribution to the conversation actually help the OP?!

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I agree other good cameras but the choices of used equipment as well as other manufactures (ie lenses) is better with the top sellers.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

You are correct when you say I didn't make a recommendation. I deliberately did not do that because I didn't want to start a word war. Everybody would chime in and tell the original poster (skittles7071) the pros of their hardworker and the cons of everyone else's camera. This was not my intention simply because it would serve to confuse. I didn't want you to say your camera is better than mine. Then another photographer would come back with "my camera is better than both of yours." And so it begins. And it will never end.
When choosing a camera my choice is different from yours for different reasons.
On another note, perchance that I applaud the fantastic functionality of my camera, I'm not receiving a royalty for advertising a particular product from a particular manufacturer. I sincerely hope that the original poster takes their time to select a camera.
As for my analysis of being a photographer please understand this is only my way of rationalizing my "hobby."
Yes I'm a hobbyist and not a professional.
The camera is a tool capable of recording an image, any image. The photographer does most of the work to make the image a reality. That is why I say I'm the "nut in the viewfinder."
If you did not appreciate my lack of a camera recommendation, please accept my apology. I am not here at the forum to antagonize anyone.

Happy Shooting!

IslandMom

Don't know about Nikon EU, but Nikon US offers killer deals throughout the year. Last was on Father's Day in US (June). They had packages with a body and two lenses for the Nikon D3500, which is a very nice entry level Nikon. You can grow and learn with it.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Yes, you are correct, photogeneralist did not, and for good reason. If you read the context in which he conveyed his observation, it is evident that he was addressing the membership, not the OP's question. He might even have a valid point!

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Hey, dsmeltz! How you doin'? We conversed a couple of years ago.

While your suggestion to photogeneralist's second of two posts may be appropriate, per se, in the context of the post he made immediately preceding it, it is evident that he is addressing the membership regarding the nature of the suggestions being made to the OP. That’s all.

Yes, it’s too bad that he was unable to combine his two consecutive posts, spaced almost four minutes apart, into one post.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Good point, I think. I know I love my Sony camera system, but I frankly:
A. don’t keep up with prices for entry-level gear, especially since I’m just an American (and the OP appears to reside in the UK);
B. don’t keep up with currency exchange rates;
C. don’t keep up with whether British imports are subject to astounding tariffs, as my Scandinavian neighbors are (that’s why they bought cars here upon arrival and will be shipping them back home when they depart rather than purchasing them in their respective home countries); and
D. don’t keep up with those European V.A.T.s, so why bother?

As for other Sony users not making suggestions, I don’t really know. I suppose the preceding could somehow be twisted into implying that Sony users are more savvy and know when to refrain from giving useless recommendations for the OP's stated budget, but what do I know?

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I saw both posts and my response was valid whether it was Sony or simply not Canon or Nikon.