gary8803

Find the camera you like then look for a used model of that camera so you can save your money and then buy the best lens you can for the type of photos you plan to shoot. There are lots of good buys on used equipment.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Angelo, welcome!

You can't make a mistake with either platform - both make amazing products, are very competitive and will provide you will the ability to make memorable images. I am sure the marketing guys at Nikon and Canon scrutinize everything the other does - which means that you will get quality either way.

I also second the idea to join a club. Used and refurbished is ok, but requires you do research and devote some time to getting "evaluation" skills - I am less inclined to support that recommendation. If you are not familiar with these products, then it will be hard to see some of the uniqueness of each, and how one product may be more to your liking than another. Do the photo club thing. You'll be happy you did, especially when questions start to arise.

The only mistake you can make is to pay any mind to the trolls and malcontents - like Festus - who offer nothing.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

Read the specs for both, then pick a possible Canon and a possible Nikon and go to a camera store and try them both out and see which one "feels" better for you. They are both great systems.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Welcome to UHH Angelo. Deciding on a camera is not always a straightforward decision. Since both Nikon and Canon are excellent brands, I suggest you do some comparisons between those in your price range. Try to narrow it down to one or two of each, then if there is a camera store fairly close, go there and see how they feel in your hands. When I was buying my first DSLR, I had it narrowed down to one of each. The Nikon felt better in my hands, and while that was not the only deciding factor, it helped to know that my choice was good.

You can go to a website like bhphotovideo.com and do some comparisons on your own. You can narrow it down to just Canon and Nikon, crop-sensor or full frame, and price range. Also, choose USA so you will not be looking at anything not warrantied for service in the USA. Jerryc41 has also provided some websites to look at. If there is something in the specifications of cameras and lenses you do not understand, try to find out what it means. Informed exploration is important. There are also choices between buying body only or buying with a bundled kit lens. So you need to research the lenses separately to know if the one offered is what you want. Bundles cost more than body only, but less than buying body and lenses separately.

My theory of buying camera gear is to buy the best you can afford. OP have recommended looking at pre-owned or refurbished gear, which is fine if you buy from a trusted vendor. Most recommended online vendors are B&H, Adorama, Cameta, KEH, and, of course, the manufacturers for refurbished. The new merchandise has a longer warranty, pre-owned usually 90 days except Cameta which provides a 1 year warranty. One thing to keep in mind when buying pre-owned or refurbished is that you need to know there are different models of lenses with the same focal length. So the letters and numbers in the descriptive title are important. Cameras are easy because the newer models get a new number!

This is a decision that you need to make yourself. There is help here for finding and understanding things, but no matter what others recommend, it is you who will be using that camera for a long time. I kept my first DSLR for 5 years before upgrading to a newer camera! And keep in mind that while a great camera is important, once you have it the lenses are key to capturing the best images. With Nikon, you can use crop-sensor [DX] lenses on a DX camera, and you can use full-frame [FX] lenses on both the DX and FX cameras. FX tend to be a better build, have more options, but more expensive.

No matter what camera you decide to purchase, keep in mind that all DSLRs have a lot of functions in common. It is in the differences that you will discover what one can do better than another. So do not let anyone talk you into an "entry-level" camera if your objective is to be serious about photography. The learning curve will be steep no matter which you choose, so it is better to have a camera you can grow into [rather than out of in a short period of time].

Hope this helps.
Susan

CanonShot Loc: Lancaster County, PA

Mark, as we both know, camera bodies are like bicycles. If the fit is not spot-on, distraction--however slight--becomes your companion.

-Mike

afharris777

Hi Susan, Thank you, yes I do plan on doing some serious photography, and I loved what you said buy something I can grow into, not out of, and no, nothing refurbished, I'm stuck on new, lol. But again thank you, you been very helpful. Have a blessed day.

afharris777

Hi Gene51, Thank you, very help, and on that Festust, lol, will stay clear of him, need positive input, nothing negative. Thank you.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

I would suggest that you visit a camera store or best buy store near you and handle the two brands to see which is most comfortable in your hands. Both are well known for quality, so having a camera that you will feel comfortable is most important. I would not suggest an "entry level" camera, as you will soon outgrow it and will desire an upgrade. Figure out what you prefer to photograph and find a camera that will deal with your desires. Most people prefer a DX (cropped sensor) for wildlife, and a full frame (FX) camera for portraits and landscape. Whether you purchase a DX or FX, always buy FX lenses as an FX lens will work well on a DX camera, but a DX lens will not work well on a full frame camera.

alfeng Loc: Out where the West commences ...

CONSIDER ...

Choosing the LENS, first ...

And then, the camera body.

With THAT said (based on only the TWO choices which you have indicated), I would choose a NIKON mount lens-or-lenses -- either a current FX lens (full frame) or a vintage manual lens ...

You do NOT need to use a Nikon body to use a Nikon mount lens ...

Almost ALL Nikon lenses of almost any vintage will fit on current Nikon FX & DX digital camera bodies ... the same cannot be said for Canon lenses and Canon digital camera bodies.

While you generally DO need a Canon body to use a Canon lens, I think there is a Canon-to-SONY adapter (if you want a full frame alternative to a Canon digital camera body) ...

So, consider the Nikon/Nikkor lens(es) + a MIRRORLESS camera body with an EVF (electronic view finder) -- either an m4/3 (if a full frame is not necessary) body or a SONY (if you feel a need for a full frame sensor) body.

You can opt for a DSLR, but they will be larger & heavier AND the debate between optical viewing & electronic viewing is ongoing and may be worth considering.

BTW. In body stabilization is a good thing, but not always necessary (particularly, if you are inclined to using a tripod).

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

You won’t go wrong. I am gradually shifting from Nikon to Fuji. On a recent 10 day trip to France to explore some DDay sites, I took only a Fuji XE2s and the 18-55mm lens It compares favorably to the Canon 18-55 and is superior to the comparable Nikon version. The Fuji line of lenses isn’t as extensive—but the ones they have are excellent. My goal, now, is one camera/one lens.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

There are 2 major makers of DSLRs that offer a huge selection of lenses, Canon and Nikon. You can't go wrong with either. 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. Renting is a way to make sure.

First, to stretch your dollars 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. For Canon https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras?cm_mmc=GA-_-CameraGroup-_-140911Brand%20Paid%20Search-_-canon%20refurbished%20cameras&Ap=EOS%20Cameras&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_ebegeLZ1wIVSY1-Ch1ReAWSEAAYASAAEgJahPD_BwE#

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 zooms or the 18-200mm. These are general purpose "walk around" lenses. A higher body is the 80D which I own and recommend. Spending more on great "glass" (lenses) improves images faster than more on better bodies.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

I started out with Pentax many years ago then moved to Canon. I now shoot totally with Sony mirrorless (and Canon lenses).

Buy whatever feels right and does the job. But do take a good look at the Sony RX10 III/IV.

bwa

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

Yes, Canon and Nikon.

repleo Loc: Boston

Welcome Angelo. The 1st question you should be asking is - DSLR or Mirrorless? If you don't know the answer to that, you need to educate yourself. Choosing between Nikon or Canon for DSLR or between Sony and Fuji for Mirrorless or between Olympus and Panasonic for M4/3 is less important than deciding on DSLR or Mirrorless in terms of choosing for the future.

canon Lee

Hey Gene, miss ya , where ya been?