beegal Loc: Pennsylvania

Hello everyone i am in the market to purchase a DSLR and was wondering what your thoughts are on the Nikon D5100 Vs. the Canon T3i. Which one would you purchase and why. What are the advantages/disadvantages of each one. I know it is just your opinion but THAT is what i am asking for.

Thanks for your help.

spokenimage Loc: Bearwaller, KY

I am glad you are asking. I can't choose either. I like them both, Help. Thank you Brenda for asking. Spoken Image

spokenimage Loc: Bearwaller, KY

I don't know if anyone is going to help us maybe we need to tell them we are drowning. lol

piercejj Loc: southern Oregon

I own a nikon d3100 and I absolutly love it wouldnt choose anything else

beegal Loc: Pennsylvania

Did you consider another camera at all????? If so, why did you decide on the Nikon????

Thanks

Yooper Loc: U.P. Michigan

I think I would take a step back first of all, and see whether either Nikon or Canon have lenses and accessories that better fit what your photographic goals are right now, and what they might be in the future, since once you buy one or the other, you are setting your path for the future. There are differences, though I'm afraid that I can't specify what they are; I've been a Canon shooter since I got my first DSLR in 2005. I would also take into consideration whether family or friends have one or the other, as it is easier to get help from someone who has the same brand of camera. In general, either system will give satisfactory results, and it usually comes down to personal preference. If none of those things help you decide, I would check out camera reviews and features and then choose what seems best. You probably won't go wrong either way.

FoxManDan Loc: Nebraska

I purchased a Nikon D5100 for my daughter as a birthday gift and this is a very nice camera. Lightweight, and feature rich. The video-recording capability is amazing, the audio-recording alone is excellent.

I typically use Nikon D80s for my own photography, but the D5100 is a fun distraction. Lightweight, reasonable speed, very compact as DSLRs go, and a great combination of 10 Megs and video-recording capabilities.

laith

NIKON D5100 is better ,wide range lenses , more users and features.

chauncey Loc: Rochester, Mi

This is an important decision because you're not buying a camera body but you're buying a lens system. People rarely change brands once the investment in the glass of a specific brand.
"Bodies come and go but lenses are forever" is an oft made quote among series shooters.
You won't find a significant difference in the image quality between the two brands but you will find that canon lenses are a bit less expensive overall.

Best advice is to go to your local Best Buy and spend some time handling and playing with them...get the one that feels best to you.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The D5100 is a fantastic camera. If you look back just five years, nothing like this available at any price. Technology is moving ahead very quickly. Both Nikon and Canon offer excellent products, and you would have to do a high-tech comparison to find the strengths and weaknesses of each. Anecdotal comments by owners will not be conclusive.

Why not just google Nikon D5100 vs Canon T3i. I can guarantee you will find that both are excellent, but neither is perfect. I have always used Nikons. That's why I got the D5100.

lindann

I just got my new d5100 hardly have had time to explore every thing about it but I love the feel and the lens that came with it. They are great for getting use to it. It came with 18-55 and 55-300. I bought it a Costco. I studied the Cannon and Nikons over and over.
In the end you will be happy with either I think but go with what feels good to you.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Great advice above. And yes, believe it or not Canon and Nikon are not the only cameras. Like when I grew up if you did not have a Chevy or Ford, then you were not conforming, Studebaker??

I may get a Sony Alpha simply because I have Minolta Lenses.
A What!! S O N Y??? Oh! Like the cheap little radios!! Yes, read some more camera reviews, it is a good camera and used it is lower cost than the N & C cameras. For any camera you may be considering, check EBay for the number of "Parts Only" dead bodies and refurbished. Humm, could that be an indicator of problems?? How about the number of old cameras still selling as good cameras on EBay, like the Canon G-2 I bought for conversion to IR. Case beat up, but "keeps on ticken" like to classic Timex ads.

I shoot with a Panasonic TZ3. It is always with me, no one will fight me for it in a foreign country like New York. They will be killing for the expensive SLR. TZ3 is reliable, good quality shots. Home made accessories should I need filters or fisheye. Small, and simple and quick. Never do I say wish I had my 70-200 and/or please wait while I change lenses!! Ever hear of a "super zoom?"

Take a memory chip to the camera store. Shoot distance, macro, etc. with each candidate camera - right there at the counter. Do one-hand hold, which feels best. There will be times when shooting with one-hand shooting is necessary. Can you hold for vertical shots OK. Weight? Slippery? Make a check list, take a buddy, alternate eyes.

To me, screens disappear in bright sun lite!! Is there an eye-viewer. That is a must for me. Use KIS, Keep it simple. A menu within a menu, within a menu... forget it!! Any way in the sun I can not read the screen. Touch screens, ugh, I would change the setting with my nose while using eye viewer. Remember KIS. Next year you will have a SLR with a GPS and Telephone, sure that is all I need, humph. KIS. ( I was shocked one nite at the Camera Club when the best shot of the nite was shot with a telephone!!! A What!!)

Price of accessories? Take your time, numbers $ count? Frankly, it may be a Heads Nikon, Tails Canon. If your shooting buddy has a Nikon, get a Canon. This way you have competitive fun and they have an excuse when your shots are better than theirs; it is not them, huh, it is the camera.

And perhaps best reason of all "Cause I wanna" Go with your predigest and do not look back in six months with the "I Sudda." Only read those reviews that reinforce your final decision. Write down your decision reasons on paper and read it when you have the look back moments; you had good reasons. Tormenting isn't it? AND if you wait to long the new models will be out and you have to start the process over,,, OUCH.

liv2paddle Loc: Wall, NJ

Just a side note..I have several friends with canons..I own nikon..theirs are in the repair shop a lot..can't explain it..just a fact

Tuccij Loc: New England

Brenda,

I have D5000 and a Canon T3. I like my Nikon a little bit better, but Canon tends to give you more features for less.

The T3 had simpler user menus and an Image stablizer function. I like to do a lot of HDR photography and the T3 with self timer and continous shooting allows for more brackets, all though continous shooting is a litter slower on the Canon. The Canon also has a very noisy shutter mechanizism. As far as image quality they were about the same.

It looks like the Canon T3i has a higher image sensor 18MP vs the D5100 16MP, the video looks about the same in spec, and the battery life is longer on the Nikon

Here is an on line review of both cameras

http://www.digitalphotographywriter.com/2011/04/nikon-d5100-vs-canon-rebel-t3i-600d.html

Hope this is useful.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Tuccij, excellent side by side, not a great deal of difference is there. Comes down to what lenses do you have already and who puts what on special rebate sale. Of course I am a guy who like light weight always with me cameras.

Ok I will confess, at times I would like that big sensor heavy weight with big lenses and great external flashes. Photos would be much better, if I only had the camera with me!