marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

I'd do the Nikon D3200. It's a newer model than the T3i and I've seen results from friends using them with the kit lens and I'm extremely impressed. Nothing wrong with Canon but the extra mega pixels is handy. Canon is also up to the T5i now and the Nikon D3200 is a current model.

If you want to take shots of something that you can't zoom into enough, you have more latitude for cropping when you have more megapixels. In other words you can crop a 24MP photo file 50% and still have 12MP left which is sufficient for printing a beautiful 11X14 at 300dpi. Crop a 16MP by 50% and you have 8MP left which is sufficient for a little over 8X10 at 300dpi. So if you do any printing having that extra oomph can be beneficial. It doesn't have anything to do with being professional.

Also, if your budget is limited and you have to use only the kit lens for now, cropping a resulting file 50% is like having a zoom range that is twice as long as what the lens can physically do until you can afford one.

It's just personal preference really.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Sony A65. :mrgreen:

Thumburg1 Loc: Mason City Iowa

I have had Canons in the past-- like one of the other comments-- my brother shoots the other brand 5D and 7D-- I shoot D800s-D700s in the studio-- my go to pleasure cameras are an older D40- A newer D3200 and have gone to a V1 for comfort and also have the 30-110mm for it. I need the higher resolution most of the time..............

TgH

Hafmyne Loc: Jacksonville Fl

Again I would like to thank everyone for their comments and opinions in the two cameras. I went to a camera store and was able to hold each camera and play with the buttons and features. I purchased the Nikon D3200 with a 18-55 VR lens and a 55-200 VR Lens. I liked the feel and button placement better on the Nikon. One feature that sold me was the record button was next to the shutter button which makes it easier to start recording a video without accessing the menu. Now I will have to practice with the camera so I am familiar with all the features before our trip to Alaska in July. I am looking forward to learning a lot of valuable tips and information from this site. Again thanks to everyone.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Well, at least you got a Sony Sensor. ;)

The A65 is a much better camera but you take good pictures with the one you bought.

Plus, you can always step up in the future. :mrgreen:

Carl 383 Loc: Southampton UK

I'd go for the Nikon because you can spell it :D
Seriously though, both are great cameras but the articulating screen would swing it for me.
Regarding the difference of mega pixels, it's not so great a difference. Until recently I used a Canon 300D (Rebel) which is "only" 6.3 mega pixel and it was perfectly good for printing up to A4 and at a pinch (good focus and exposure) A3, so 18M / 24M will be perfectly good for A3.
If you can, check out each one, how it handles, where the buttons are placed, the ease of using the menus, etc.
Do you have an outlet near you? That could sway it.
Now for a spanner in the works - Check out the offerings from Sony.

Carl 383 Loc: Southampton UK

Oops, didn't see your last post.
You should be happy with your purchase, it is a fine camera and you can spell it :)

GordonB. Loc: St. Petersburg, Fl.

Well, he did use a capital 'C' so things may be improving.