1bunny Loc: Oklahoma

Hoping to get some input on what camera to buy. I have narrowed it down to Nikon D3200, D5200 or D7000. I have found a great deal that the D7000 is only $100 more than the D5200 but I am worried that it may be too hard for a first timer and I will lose interest, but worried I will quickly outgrow the D3200 and I have a hard time going with the D5200 since I can get the D7000 for only $100 more but guess I should be more focused on usability than price difference. If anyone has any advice I would appreciate it. Not a novice photographer but last time I had anything besides point and shoot (Elph) or cell phone camera was back in the 35mm days. It’s been 12 years since I used my 35mm camera. My interests include: landscapes/nature, animals, flower close ups, my dogs - least favorite is portrait. I also would like to try my hand at night photography one day. I used to live in Alaska and loved the Northern Lights and always wanted to photograph them but never did. I live in Oklahoma now out in the country and sometimes we have spectacular moon and clouds that would be awesome to try and capture. Any input between the 3 choices would be so helpful. I keep reading reviews and one day it’s one camera then another review makes me lean toward a different one, sigh wish it was simpler to make up my mind. It’s a lot of money to spend and then regret. Thanks in advance for any advice, input, direction, command...etc.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

Do you still have your 35mm camera and lenses and are they Nikon? If so then go with the D7100. If not then I would suggest the D5200 as it is a 24.2 MP as opposed to the D7000 is only 16.2 MP. Also the price at the Nikon Store has a $300.00 cheaper D5200 than the D7000.

Tom-NM Loc: Southeast New Mexico

I say go for the D7000, but if you haven't handled any of these you may want to do that, mostly to see how they fit your hand or grip. Each of these models are basically the same and you can work your way into the 7000, IMHO.

1bunny Loc: Oklahoma

My previous camera is a Minolta xg9 with several lenses and I inherited a Pentax and lenses from my mom (never used it myself so not sure what is in the camera bag) So I am starting fresh with digital not sure if Minolta or Pentax 35mm lenses would fit any digital cameras.

Tiny Tim Loc: Forest of the Pacific Northwest

Take a look at this site, as it gives reviews on all you are looking at and more.

http://www.techradar.com/us/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/digital-slrs-hybrids?productBrand=Nikon

Good luck.

GPS Phil Loc: Dayton Ohio

The D7000 is a good choice, it has a magnesium alloy weather proof body and a very heavy duty battery that lasts long enough that sometimes I forget to check it. In reality it is easier to use than the 5200 and the 3200 because you don't have to go into the menu, it's on the outside. And when you decide to shoot manual you will find that it is a joy. My D3100 was a bit of a pain to shoot manual. When I purchased a D7100 I decided to keep the D7000 for a back up and still use it as much as the D7100.
A great camera that you will not wear out. Just my two cents.

Phil

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Welcome to UHH. I'm 71 and until nine months ago I hadn't handled a camera since 1963. A Petri 2.8 35mm. I purchased a D7100 and worked very hard to learn. I spent a lot of time here, bought books, hired tutors and watched tons of videos on Youtube and other places. UHH has excellent photographers with lots of knowledge and experience. Best of all the HOG members will bend over backwards to help if they see you are trying to help yourself. Have fun and get involved. Good luck.

amehta Loc: Boston

The D7000 has more buttons, which seems confusing, but it really means two things: you can do more, and you have to use the menus less. The simplest example is that is has both a "main command dial" and a "sub-command dial", while the D5200 only has the command dial. If you want to use manual exposure, where you are setting both the aperture and shutter speed, the two dials on the D7000 let you do it simply. With the D5200, the dial controls the shutter speed, and you have to press the exposure compensation button to change the aperture.

The other significant advantage of the D7000 is the U1 and U2 modes which let you store two complete camera settings.

I don't think the difference between 24mp and 16mp is very significant. Consider that Nikon's best "pro-sumer" camera, the D800, has 36mp but the best "pro" camera, the D4, has 16mp.

sandheinrichc Loc: Illinois

Welcome. I know that it is not on your list of choices but I would highly recomend the Nikon d3300. I just purched this camera and love it. I took it with me to a comic book conevention today and it wasnt overly bulky and it performed beautifully in the lighting conditions that I had available to me.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I was an avid film photographer, but got away from it for a number of years after my kids grew up. The D7000 was my first entry into digital photography and I was taking great photos the day I took it out of the box. The first setting change I made was to change the color to "vivid." That first day I just put the camera in P (program) mode and let the camera make the decisions. Since then, I prefer to select either Aperture or Shutter priority while selecting my preferred ISO. I do use auto white balance as well. I wouldn't worry about the camera being too technical. I'd go for it. The D7000 is a great camera, but if the D7100 is within your budget, that 24mp versus 16mp would be a good investment.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I have used six Nikon cameras since 1972. My sixth body is a D5200 purchased just a few months ago. I use both AF-S and 40-yo manual lenses. I love 24 Mp, and my previous experience with D90 and D5000 (both 12 Mp) DSLRs tells me that I will not outgrow my D5200.

BigWahoo Loc: Kentucky

There are many Minolta lenses that will fit Sony DSLRs.
You might want to read the article here;
http://photo.net/equipment/sony/

The majority of people here seem to be loyal to either Nikon or Canon.

There are other camera manufacturers that make quality cameras.

shagbat Loc: London

A great advantage of the D7000 is that it can meter with older manual Nikkors which can often be picked up fairly cheaply, ie the 55mm micro, a standard F1.8 50mm. the choice is wide.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Recently, I was considering the same three cameras that you are considering. I chose the D7000 based on some recommendations from the UHH readers, and I love the camera. I have since recommended it to many, and for the dollar savings over the D7100, I was able to get some nice lenses to go with it. Learning how to use it was my next challenge, since it has more features that my old film camera had. I purchased Julie Adair King's book "Nikon D7000 for Dummies" which has been an excellent reference for all of the features and controls on the camera, certainly much better than the booklet that is packed with the camera from Nikon. Also, David Busch's Field Guide for the Nikon D7000 is a nice guide that fits in most camera bags and great to carry with you if you need a quick reference. Good luck with your decision and let us know what you decide to do.

50teeslady Loc: Ormond Beach Florida

look on Cameta Camera website for refurbished cameras...they are from Nikon and you get 1 year warranty and no tax or shipping...I recently purchased my D7100 there for $919.00