Ddakin56

Ok so I am new to this forum so please be kind, lol. I currently have a nikon D3200. This camera has been a good one and I have had no problems but I am thinking I need to upgrade.

I have grandchildren in several sports and I thoroughly enjoy taking wildlife shots. But at the same time I take a lot of family photos as well.

I am an enthusiast and far from a professional so I am looking for recommendations.

I have been researching the D500 and D750, but I am open to all suggestions.

Thank you in advance

JR45 Loc: Montgomery County, TX

Another poster has a thread going on this.


https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-602329-1.html#10349478

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I'd say the D500. I own one and I like it very much. The D750 is full frame but it's not too in its class. Frankly, you don't really need full frame. The D500 is arguably the best crop sensor DSLR made, even though Nikon will soon stop making them to concentrate more on mirrorless MILC'S. You can't go wrong with the D500.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Stick with the D500 for full lens compatibility. You cannot go wrong buying a Pro level camera.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

My turn to be the pagan whore. No GAS!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the camera you have.
It does everything you said you wanted- and well.
You'll be taking the same pictures, no matter the cost of the next camera.
If you only have the 18-55 lens, the next one should be the 55-200 vr.
Fairly cheap, pretty good, very reliable- and it shoots just like the one you have.
Youtube has a ton of videos on your camera. Look up d3100 also- the cameras are similar.
The more you learn that camera and picture taking, the happier you'll be.

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

I am giving you the same advice i gave to someone with the same dilemma

If you do not know what you want, then you have not outgrown your present camera yet.

Stick with it. Use it until you know what it can not accomplish that other gears can.

It would be better to learn other hobbies or skills that carry over to photography. It may help you find your niche faster than to look at replacement gear.

Hiking for instance may teach you the difference why a full frame is good for landscape and the the APS-C is good for wildlife. Drawing can teach essential composition skills while painting helps to be good with colors.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I was at the point you're at in 2009, when, after using a D70S, then a D200 and a D300 - I got a D700 full frame camera. Simply put, the D700 was a lot better for all of the shooting you do, particularly wildlife and birds. Low light capability, considerably less noise, better autofocus performance - all contributed to a higher degree of satisfaction with my shooting, and nicer "stuff" hanging on my walls and higher sales in the galleries that hung my work as well.

The D3200 is a nice camera and capable of excellent images. But full frame will give you more options and better image quality. The downside is higher weight, greater bulk and and higher cost. It's pretty easy to spot a print made from a crop sensor camera vs a full frame camera. However, I will likely suggest a used D800 or a D810 over a D750. I don't subscribe to the concept that a crop sensor camera is preferable to a full frame camera for sports and wildlife. I wouldn't trade my D800 or D810 for a D500 ever. And if you look at my images on flickr it will all make sense.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums

A fun camera to have is the Sony RX10M4 - which has one of the fastest responding autofocus systems I have ever used, besting a D4 and a D5, and it has a Zeiss lens that provides a field of view equivalent to a 24mm - 600mm at max fstop of F2.4 to F4.

My experience with this Sony and a borrowed A6500 - for wildlife and fast-moving subjects - make Sony a strong recommendation as well. Until recently lens offerings were a bit sparse, but now both the quality and selection has improved significantly.

If you want a change, then go for it! Lots of good choices out there - but these are my favorites.

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

I'm with you on full frame on the issue of cleaner images at low light when most animals are about.
On the other side, i prefer the extra reach of an APS-C. I have used but not tested the D500 outdoors, but it seems to fulfill both of our expectation.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

You do not state what kind of DX lenses you have and if you want to keep them. If you have good DX lenses the D500 is the best choice. The D750 is a full-frame camera.

If you do not have lenses you want to use in the future I would search more widely. Specifically, I would look at mirrorless systems that pretty much outperform DSLRs these days. If you want to stay with a cropped sensor system I would look at the Sony A6400 or A6500. For full frame the Sony A7 series are industry leaders.

You might start with the question why you want to upgrade and what you want to achieve (and what your budget is), and then do some research to find out what works for you.

Collhar Loc: New York City.

The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. Stick with what you have and save the money.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

D500.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

The D500 is great.
Bob

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I had G.A.S. a little while ago.

It passed, sticking with my 9 year old T1i for now. It really meets my needs.
Possibly eventually though...

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

If you really like wildlife photography, the D500 is your camera. If you like low light shooting more, go for the D750. BUT, the D500 is very good in low light.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Just what is making you think, "I need to upgrade"?
--Bob