Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Kaydence,
What subjects do you think you would like to shoot? People on the street? Close up portraits of friends? Parties and family get togethers? Pictures of mountains? Buildings? Sports like basketball or race cars? Close up shots of birds flying in the distance?

Different cameras and lens combinations work better for each subject.

Also, a lot of UHHers have old equipment hanging around that they sell at reasonable prices in the "Members Buy/Sell/Trade -- Classifieds" forum at https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-6-1.html

Nuthatch

As the owner of a Cannon SX720HS 40x Optical zoom , a SX530 HS 50x optical zoom, as well as an EOS 90D with 4 lens, and an EOS Rebel T3i, strictly amateur photographer, I love the SX720 HS with the zoom lens. It has been discontinued, but found a new one when I googled it - under $300.00. I do mostly birds and it is quick to focus. I use it on manual, but started out with auto and live. The SX 530 is a bit slower to focus, but is also a favorite.

Taken yesterday with the SX720 HS

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

A "professional" camera can cost over 6 grand, put a lens on it and you are over 8. Wanting to "look" like anything is not a reason to buy, or use, a camera of any kind. My .02

n4jee Loc: New Bern, NC

There are many good camera brands on the market, but the two brands that get the largest market share are Canon and Nikon. You will notice from the suggestions that you have received so far that these two brands are prominent. One of the main reasons is that they do so is that they maintain lens compatibility from model to model. For example the top of the line Nikon D6 at $6500 for the body alone will take a picture with a lens used on the original Nikon F SLR. It may not do all the automatic stuff that a newer lens will do, but it will take a picture.
You will find fierce brand loyalty among camera owners. Much of this is economic due to investment in lenses. Canon and Nikon seemed to leapfrog the other with each new camera release. Each offering some new feature that outshined its competitor. If you had a half dozen lenses for your brand it would be very expensive to replace everything.
For the economic reasons above been a Nikon user since buying a used Nikon F in the 1970’s so my knowledge of the evolution of that brand is much greater than for Canon.
Nikon’s model numbering system:
Dn High end professional quality and ruggedness. (D1, D1x, D2, D3 Etc.)
Dnnn A step down from the flagship models targeting professionals as well as amateur photographers. Often referred to as the “Prosumer market” (D100, D200, D300, Etc.)
Dnnnn Designed to be less cost, less rugged and lighter weight then the above cameras for the consumer that wasn’t as demanding of his/her equipment. Nikon further subdivided this group into D3nnn, D5nnn, and D7nnn models with the higher numbers having more features and costing more. One individual suggested a used D3300 with lens from KEH for $269 which would be a great starter camera.
Price ranges (body only unless noted :)
D1x (5.3 MP) $75-100) D2x (12.4 MP) $200-250) D3 (12.4 MP $400-600
D100 (6.1 MP0 <$100 with lens, D200 (10.2 MP) $50-100), D300 (12.3 MP) $150-175 D3000 (10.2 MP) $100-150 w/lens, D3100 (14.2 MP) $100-150, D3200 (24.2 MP) $2-300 W/lens, D3400 (24.2 MP) $200-250 W/lens, D3500 (24.2 MP) $290 new

(only first model used and current model new shown to demonstrate range for the following:)
D5000 (12.3 MP) $90-200, D5600 (24.2 MP) $450
D7000 (16.2 MP) $100-200, D7500 (20.9 MP) $792 new
What do you need in resolution? An older camera with 10 MP will allow you to print good 11x14 prints and acceptable prints even larger. What higher resolution offers you is an ability to crop you pictures in post processing more than a lower resolution file.
You will acquire a number of lens over your lifetime but to start a moderate zoom lens from slightly wide angle to slightly telephoto will serve you will. Many manufacturers will offer such a lens as part of a kit with the body.
Good luck to you and maybe someone will provide this type of data for a brand that they are familiar with.

willaim Loc: Sunny Southern California

That's a pretty lame excuse to buy a camera so you'll look professional. And if that is the only reason, stay with your iPhone. There's more to shooting pictures then just point and shoot.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I think people are taking the OP's comment too literally. The OP does not say looking "more professional" is the ONLY reason. I put much more stress on the "my iPhone 6s it just doesn't have all the settings that I want" The OP's primary concern is control. And that is a great reason to make the switch.

And, be honest, didn't you like the feeling of being a little "more professional" when you got your first "real" camera?

I know I did.

ehall123 Loc: From Philly live in Tucson

Hi PHRubin - I was just wondering why you would avoid the 75-300 mm lens that comes with the T7? Is it because it has no Image Stabilization or because of the limited Aperture settings? I have the T7 with this lens and although it takes pretty good pictures, I am second guessing myself now as to whether I should have gone with the Nikon D5600. If I were to keep the T7 and replace the 75-300mm lens that came with the camera, what would you recommend I buy instead. Thanks for any input you could provide.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Sprice1h

The best thing to carry around.if you want to be mistaken for an experienced professional is an enormous, very worn backpack stuffed with Styrofoam and an old Nikon SLR sold on eBay as suitable for parts only.

ggab Loc: ?

ggab Loc: ?

The Canon Version of that lens is terrible. Always has been.
Canon makes a very affordable 70-300mm lens that is killer.
Some would say it is a "Sleeper", or at least I would.

ehall123 Loc: From Philly live in Tucson

And which lens is that?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Used both, the 70-300mm is much better.
On Ebay can be had very cheap like new.

tonyantony

looks are not everything, i am proud of my point and shoot...it does everything my friends $3,000 outfit does and better. and it fits in my pocket. a good eye helps, it"s not the camera.!