ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

Welcome to UHH! I hope you thoroughly enjoy all your future photography adventures.

As someone who owns four Nikon DSLR bodies and dozens of lenses it pains me to say this, but mirrorless cameras are the way of the future. Our DSLR boxes that have mechanical flapping mirrors inside are wonderful artifacts, but are probably not sustainable in the long run. We’ll use what we have and enjoy it immensely, but for someone starting fresh, I would recommend a mirrorless camera kit like the Nikon Z50 with lenses.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Welcome to our forum!

If you set a price limit, that will make choosing much easier. Buying used or refurbished will get you more camera for your money. Since I use Nikon, I'll recommend three ranges, the D3XXX, D5XXX, and D7XXX. Each level is more expensive, and it has more features. Do a lot of online reading - not just opinions - before buying. Look for camera reviews and comparisons.

Basically, you can't go wrong. Have fun!

gessman Loc: Colorado

I think you should start with a Sony RX10 IV if your user name is a valid phone number and you haven't moved away from where you got the number. Presuming the above to be true, a good used, or new if it isn't pricey, Sony RX10IV will do whatever you need equal to your skill level assuming your willingness and aptitude to learn and develop your skills. It covers the entire range of your stated interests and does it very nicely, keeping you safe in the process since you have large and dangerous wildlife where you are that many of the members here only dream about. While some suggestions offered so far here are valid for general purpose beginning photography in generic locations, no equipment mentioned here yet takes into account the potential of what you will encounter while out shooting if you eventually challenge the full potential of your presumed surroundings.

The cost of a Sony RX10IV new is around $1500.00 and offers you maximum versatility with minimal $'s wasted, maximum comfort of usage and physical burden while eliminating the inconvenience of finding yourself in a situation where you can't get a shot due to limitations imposed by inadequate equipment. The RX10IV offers the perfect training ground and challenge for an ultimately ambitious beginner so if you soon find that you want the top pro equipment, you will know exactly what to buy for what you want to do. It's the perfect solution for a beginner with talent, intelligence, and determination as you have implied you have and can be relied on to be an adequate backup in case you rapidly move on to your ultimate chosen pro level equipment.

One minor drawback - a new model "V" (5) is expected to be released soon but it will make a model "IV" (4) no less capable and there's no better time to begin than immediately.

An RX10IV has competitive features found in the most expensive pro equipment costing in the tens of thousands of dollars, just not quite as robust and rugged built. If you want to shoot fast flying small birds an RX10IV can do it, big, slow flying birds, deer, elk, moose and stay safe doing it, no problem.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Which would I buy? If I had the money, an H6D-400c with an 80mm f/2.8 lens. Otherwise, I'm pretty set with the 3 I have and the one sensor I use.

As for which you should buy, that's a different question. I'd purchase something you can grow into. Buying a low end (less expensive) camera may not be the best route. If you purchase something that is used from a reputable dealer, might be the best bet. Something like a Nikon D800e would give you a camera that you can easily grow into and will last you years.
--Bob

Canisdirus

Go with DSLR only if you are buying on the lower end...to get your feet wet.
Go with mirrorless for anything on a higher money level...one you will be satisfied with for a few years.
All the brands are very very good these days.
Wildlife is all about frame rates and focus tracking... Landscape is all about dynamic range and MP's.

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

I own both Sony mirrorless and pocket camera's, and I own several Nikon DSLR's.
They all have there advantages over each other.
BUT, with that said, I believe you are better off starting with a mirrorless camera.
Sony makes a nice 6000 series camear's, the a6300, a6400 is nice and so is the a6600.
Nikon makes a really nice Z50.
I will not get into low, medium, and high price stuff. The camera's I have listed will give you (once you have mastered them) professional results.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I would go to a store and find a camera that is comfortable in your hands and ask questions. The other option is find a club and talk to members.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Well, Debra, CHG_CANON has a good suggestion even though the correct model number is the T8i. That kit is probably available in a number of the Denver Costco, if your id is a clue. Also, in the same area is Mike's Cameras. Wander in and put one of the sales people to work with suggestions. Then, walk out and think about what he/she told you, take along an SD card to grab a few demo shots. Return if you like what you see. From compacts, to bridge, to mirrorless, to DSLRs, you have a ton of choices. Some better than others for different scenarios. And think carefully about some suggestions, as UHH folks, we love to spend your money.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Start simple with a fixed lens camera that can serve as a backup when you decide to upgrade to a "system" camera with interchangeable lenses and all those other goodies. If you’re not computer literate, study that too. Digital cameras are basically a computer accessory.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I’d go with a Nikon 5600. That way you’ll have room to grow with it. I speak from experience. I purchased a d60 just as the d90 came out. It was suggested that I go with the newer tech. I ignored the advice & bought the 60. I used it for two years only and traded it in for the d7000 when it first came out. The 60 was a waste of money.

FreddB Loc: PA - Delaware County

And, when you've completed all that research, at the end of your quest, ready to take the leap and make the purchase...Sony/Fuji/Canon/Nikon announce their "coming soon" new and improved models. 😈😈😈

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

I would not invest into a DSLR system anymore. Some people here recommended entry level systems from Canon and Nikon. These are good cameras (I used to own one of each), but the technology with the mirror box is obsolete. Manufacturers primarily invest in mirrorless cameras that offer smaller and technologically more advanced systems.

I would recommend a camera from the Sony A6x00 series with the 18-135mm lens (which is image-stabilized) as a starter kit. The A6000, for instance, is very inexpensive yet performs well. This system also will allow you to move into full-frame later as they use the same lens mount.

I mostly shoot with the full-frame A7 III but also use the A6000 with the 18-135mm lens for when I need to travel light or as a backup. I am very happy with the results.

john451 Loc: Lady's Island, SC/Columbia, SC

As for the Nikon D3xxx, D5xxx, and D7xxx series cameras which some have mentioned, I started with the Nikon D3300 and found that it was just too "entry level". For me, the flip screen which is missing on the D3xxx series is a must for shooting night sky objects on a tripod. I subsequently bought a new D5600 body and added a used 18-200 as a walk-around lens. The D7xxx series is nice but much bigger and heavier if that is an issue. I've added several other lenses but that is for another discussion.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

But don’t get the kits Nikon is marketing with the non-VR 70-300. They deceptively show a pic with VR on the 18-50 but the 70-300 turned so you can’t see it is non-VR.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Huh? The Canon 850 was a film SLR from 1988.