cthahn

Consider Sony also. They are now included with the other two. You decide. No one can decide for you. Do some research.

whwiden

I would look at what types of lenses you might like to use, and their cost. A Nikon 55-200 mm with VR might be purchased for $147. A new wide angle 10-20mm for $307. If you purchased an entry level Nikon with an 18-55 mm kit lens for under $500, you would have a very nice set up, ready for anything. Be wary of a combo kit with a long zoom that does not have VR. You might see some with a 70-300mm lens with out vr. Also, Nikon has a nice 35mm prime dx lens for under $200 which should be sharper than the kit 18-55 lens, and will give you shallow depth of field and low light performance.

doclrb

You might consider a D7200 refurb. Great trade-off on cost and features.

Les

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

It is not only OK to have Nikon, it is highly recommended by millions of happy Nikon owners.

Dennis

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

"Deja vu all over again." Yogi Berra

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

First, you may want to ask yourself what kind of photos you enjoyed taking with your current Canon SX60. Did you enjoy taking people, landscapes, animals or just simple snapshots?
Second, ask your do I plan on taking the time required to learn photography including reading and learning your camera's manual and other books on exposure and composition.
One you brooch these subject this may lead you in a specific direction on what cameras to consider. For example, if you want to focus on wildlife or birds photos you may want to consider a camera that has a larger buffer to capture the animals in flight or movement. If you are interested in landscape you do not require a large buffer and may want to look at a base model Canon, Nikon or mirrorless camera. Finally, it is a good idea to conduct a lot of research before you decide on a new camera. Use youtube videos, talk to your friends or family members. When you are getting close to making a decision visit a reputable camera store and handle the cameras. Finally, you may want to consider by either refurbished or good used cameras to save money since then you will need good lenses that are more critical to your photography then camera bodies.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Between Canon and Nikon, I prefer Nikon--but that is only because I have shot Nikon much more in my many years. The Nikon D3400 is an excellent entry camera with an aps-c sensor for a very reasonable price. You can get it in a kit with two lenses for about $600 at Costco. Or my friends at Cameta will do a good deal with you. I frankly would go with a body only and pair it with an 18-200mm lens. The 18-140mm is almost as good and a little lighter.

On the other hand, within your budget, consider Sony a6000, or stretch a little to the a6300. I have dumped all my Nikon and Canon equipment and moved to the Sony MILCs. There are many advantages: Smaller, lighter, quieter, every bit as capable as Canon and Nikon.

MidnightManiac

I agree, watch youtube videos to get an idea on which camera will do what you need it to. Granger and Northrup have some great reviews on various cameras and lenses. Maybe a T5i with a 18-135mm lens? Also you can get a 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS (used) for under $75.00 (not a bad lens) It has a crop frame sensor, and gives great results. Full frame camera you are getting into a different pricing world camera and lenses. Research and decide which will do for you...Good luck and happy shooting...

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Actually, there are similarities between the fixed lens/bridge cameras, such as the OP is using and the DSLR models.... And being familiar with the controls, naming conventions, menu navigation might encourage sticking with the same brand.

OTOH, if you've ever considered changing brands, it's certainly best to do so before you get invested in a lot of lenses and accessories. Switching brands after you've got a lot invested can be much more expensive.

Go to a store and check out some of your options in BOTH systems. Also study the systems beyond the camera itself, to be sure the manufacturer offers lenses, accessories etc. that you might want now or sometime in the future.



The OP mentions "wanting a larger sensor"... but that doesn't necessarily mean full frame/FX. $1000 won't go very far, either, a full frame camera & full frame-compatible lenses.

An APS-C/DX crop camera is much more affordable... and still provides a substantial increase in sensor size (for overall better image quality, much higher usable ISOs than possible with the tiny sensors in many bridge cameras).

Personally I use Canon cameras and lenses, so that's the system I know best. To get a little more bang for your buck, you might consider buying refurbished. Those are often little different from new and nicely discounted, recent or current models. Canon USA sells their refurbished cameras directly from their website and they are warranted the same as new. For just over $1000 there you can get a Canon EOS 80D with EF-S 18-135mm IS USM lens. Or for well under $1000 there's EOS 70D with EF-S 18-135mm IS STM... or Rebel T6s with EF-S 18-135mm IS STM and EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lenses... or Rebel T6i with EF-S 18-55mm IS STM and EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lenses.

Any of the above would be pretty darned good.... the 80D, T6s and T6i are all 24MP models (basically the same sensor that's being used in current models like 77D and T7i). 70D is a generation older, 20MP model (but basically the same sensor is still being used in 7D Mark II model). These are among the most full-featured models... high-end Rebel and the next step up models from that. T6s and T6i are very similar... the "s" has slightly different controls and display, while the "i" uses more traditional top-of-the-Rebel-line layout and design.

You can find cheaper Canon models and bundles... but I'd be a bit careful. T6, T5 etc. (no "i" or "s") are more entry-level models with lower performance AF, older sensor designs, etc. The SL1 (100D outside N. America) is designed to be one of the smallest and lightest DSLRs, but also has very entry-level specifications. When bundled in kit, these cameras are often fitted with more entry-level models of lenses, too... slower & noisier micro-motor focus drive (not faster/quietest STM or fastest/quiet USM), and sometimes even lack image stabilization. Examples of those are the EF-S 18-55 "II" IS, EF-S 55-250mm "II" IS, or the EF 70-300mm "III". If at all possible, I'd recommend stepping up to the 70D/80D, T6i/T6s, as well as the STM or USM lenses they are usually bundled with. Here's a link: https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras#facet:-810369798332554868,-810369798332564868,-8103697983328210198101108328454115,-8103697983328210198101108328454105,-8103697983328210198101108328453105&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:11&pageView:grid&pageSize:72&

Before buying refurbished... be sure to check pricing of the same items new at the major retailers (Adorama, B&H Photo, Amazon.com direct/Prime, Costco, Walmart, etc.) Sometimes sales prices of new or retailer-bundled "bonus" items make buying new a better deal! That happened to me a couple years ago when I was shopping for a pair of 7D Mark II. I was all set to buy a couple refurbished, but when I checked the retailers I found I could actually get a better deal buying new, between some sale prices ("instant rebates") and major items the retailer was including with the cameras, as well as free shipping and other things. In general, refurbished can be a good deal. But sometimes there are even better deals on new, too. Just beware of "fly by night" and "bait and switch" online sellers. There are always a lot of those around. Frankly, be very suspicious of any deal you see that's significantly lower price than what you see at well-established, reputable dealers such as B&H, Adorama, etc. Before you type in your credit card info, search online and ask here or elsewhere for info about any "unknown" online retailers. There are a lot of shysters out there! But there are also some excellent, reputable and reliable retailers.

There are some excellent Nikon cameras and lenses of similar quality and cost. I am less familiar with the specifics of those, but saw that they've also recently begun offering refurbished directly from the Nikon USA website, (though Nikon offers a somewhat reduced warranty, not the the same warranty as new the way Canon does). Check it out... you might find some good deals.

Canon and Nikon have by far the largest systems of lenses and accessories behind their cameras. Canon cameras such as those above can use any of the 125 million + Canon EF or EF-S lens manufactured the last 30 years without any issues. Nikon D3000-series (most entry-level) and D5000-series (more advanced, step up models) are a bit limited in that they require AF-S or AF-P lenses to be able to autofocus (granted, there are now quite a few of those to choose among). Older AF Nikkors and some still being manufactured require at least a D7000-series or higher camera model to be able to autofocus (there also may be some metering limitations). Some of the older Nikon cameras cannot autofocus some of the newer AF-P Nikkors. You won't have any trouble with "kits", but for any additional Nikon lenses be sure to consult a lens compatibility chart first. Nikon USA and some of the Nikon fan sites have compatibility charts online.

In general, seems to me that Nikon cameras and kit lenses can be ever so slightly less expensive than similar specification Canon. But, in general Nikkor lenses and Nikon accessories tend to be more expensive than comparable Canon items. Nikon has greater "backward compatibility" to utilize their own vintage, manual focus lenses from the 1970s through 1990. Vintage Canon FD/FL manual focus lenses are difficult or impossible to adapt for use on modern EOS/EF mount Canon DSLRs. However, those same Canon DSLRs have much great adaptability to utilize other manufacturers' vintage, manual focus lenses (including Nikkors, Pentax, Olympus and more), while Nikon cannot accommodate most other brands. (Note: Sony has the greatest adaptability of all to accommodate other-brand, vintage lenses... especially their "mirrorless" DSLR-like cameras.)

Sony, Pentax and Olympus are all making some great cameras and lenses, too. They all offer somewhat less selection of lenses and accessories than Canon & Nikon. Sony and Pentax offer models with APS-C sensors approx. the same dimensions as Canon and Nikon (in fact, Sony makes many or most sensors used in Nikon and Pentax... Canon makes their own). Olympus are all using somewhat smaller "micro Four/Thirds" size sensors (I don't know the source)... although those are still bigger than and would be a step up from the sensors in most non-interchangeable lens digital cameras, such as your bridge camera. (SX50/SX60 use 1/2.3" sensor, I believe.... which is MUCH smaller than m4/3 or APS-C). I haven't really compared them closely, but in the past it appeared to me that comparable Sony and Pentax lenses tended to be a bit more expensive than either Nikon or Canon. Olympus... I haven't really shopped and don't know.

Canon and Nikon put image stabilization in their lenses. Sony does with a few, too. Sony, Pentax and Olympus put stabilization in their cameras, which can be nice because it will work with virtually any lens, old or new, used on the camera. OTOH, in-lens stabilization can be nice in that it works to stabilize the image in the camera's optical viewfinder, too... sort of like stabilization on binoculars. That can be helpful when trying to track moving subjects with a long telephoto lens.

Third party manufacturers (Sigma, Tokina, Tamron and others) make a variety of lenses and accessories for all the major camera brands, but the emphasis is on things to fit and work with Canon and Nikon. Those can be a lower cost alternative and sometimes are an excellent option. But there can be issues with 3rd party items, such as when trying to use one of their older lenses on a more modern DSLR. There's just no guarantee of compatibility, the way there is more likely to be with the camera manufacturer's own OEM lenses and accessories. (Canon does guarantee full compatibility of their EF L-series lenses on all EOS cameras past, present and future... but they don't officially guarantee it with their non-L-series EF lenses. Even so, they've still managed full compatibility of all EF lenses.)

Hope this helps with your shopping.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

There are 2 major makers of DSLRs that offer a huge selection of lenses, Canon and Nikon. It is important to chose between them carefully at the start, since you quickly accumulate brand specific accessories (lenses, strobe) making it harder to change. The best way is to go to a store that has both on display. Hold them. Which feels better? Look at the menus. Which is easier to understand? Preferences are a personal decision.

First, I recommend reconditioned. Purchase from a reliable company (the manufacturer, one of the ABCs (Adorama, B&H, Cameta) or KEH). Beware of stores that don't make it obvious that offer gray market items. If the price of a new camera is too good to be true, it isn't.

I can speak about Canon, so I would recommend the entry level DSLR T7i (the T7 is a stripped down model) and (though it costs more than the 18-55mm) either of the 2 later versions of the 18-135 mm zoom. A higher model is the 80D

JBPDXOR Loc: Oregon

I bought a refurbished Canon 80D with 18-55 mm STM lens for 799.00. That will leave you enough room to buy extra batteries,SD cards, used carryingbag, and maybe a long zoom lens. Like Tamron 70-300 or a on 50-250

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Where did you buy this? Was it warranted?

royb_36-cox.net Loc: Phoenix

Post redundant and removed.

whitewolfowner

Go to a camera store and see the different models. Hold them and be shown how the menus work. What camera feels best in your hands? Which menus seemed to make more sense to you to use? Does the system you selected have the add ons you need for as far as you want to go with your shooting? Is there room for your expectations to grow? This is how you decide on what system in the DSLR world you want to settle into. You have specifically asked about Canon or Nikon; I can tell you that they are the most expansive systems out there and you cannot go wrong with either one's gear.

suneth Loc: Sri Lanka

Thanks guys for the valuable advises. Really appreciating your comments.