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Best Beginner DSLR - a Nikon, a Canon, or a Pentax?
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Aug 30, 2018 20:17:59   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
Hal81 wrote:
Flip a coin. You cant go wrong with Nikon or Canon. Go to the camera store and handle both. See where all the controls are. See what one feels best in your hands. They both will give you great photos. What brand do you have now? Your lens may work on your new camera. Both offer all the lens you will ever need. Make sure you deal with a good dealer. Even if you pay a little more you want someone that stands behind what they sell. You can always add more lens when you can afford them.


Hal ... I use all four of the brands, involved in making APS-C DSLRs ... which is why it really doesn't matter to me which brand ....

Since I have a tidy complement of lenses for all of them, that's really not a concern. She can use any of them on hers, if she wants.

But, the important thing is to find the latest and greatest in the "Beginner" price bracket. Someone suggested the Nikon D3500.

The Canon EOS Rebel SL2 (white) is also under consideration - for its handy-dandy flip touch-screen ...

The Pentax K-70 also has the flip-screen, but, it's not Touch. But, I could pick up the silver one, at the targeted price ... thanks, Hal ...

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Aug 30, 2018 22:35:26   #
bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA
 
Chris T wrote:
Of the following models, which would you consider to be the best, overall - for a relative newbie, to photography? ... Canon EOS Rebel T7, Nikon D3400, Canon EOS Rebel SL2, or a Pentax K-70? ... Please bear in mind, relative cost, and, of course - convenience of included features. Thanks so much!


You are not the first person to ask that question. My answer is that YOU ARE ASKING THE WRONG QUESTION. The best starting camera is not always the best choice. Why? Because that first camera will probably lock you into whichever brand you choose and as you advance your skills you may wish you had not locked yourself into that brand.

Consider this. As your skills advance, you will buy more lenses and other devices that only work with your camera manufacturer's equipment. At some point, you will want to upgrade to something more advanced. For most photographers, it quickly becomes financially impossible to switch from one brand to another mid stream. A lack of brand interchangeability is true for almost all camera brands. I.e., Nikon lens, electronic flash units, etc. will not work on a Canon and visa versa and that is similarly true for most other combinations of equipment brands.

So, here is my recommendation. Do not confine your research to your first camera alone. Instead, look at what each manufacture offers in more advanced equipment than you currently need to get started. Talk to professional photographers to learn the pros and cons of each brand's product lines. Every photographer has their own preference for often different reasons. Once you have an idea of which camera line you want to grow into once you have developed skills, choose a starter camera from that company's line up, even if it is a little harder to learn to use then another brand whose more advanced models may not be as desirable.

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Aug 30, 2018 23:43:08   #
Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England
 
bpulv wrote:
You are not the first person to ask that question. My answer is that YOU ARE ASKING THE WRONG QUESTION. The best starting camera is not always the best choice. Why? Because that first camera will probably lock you into whichever brand you choose and as you advance your skills you may wish you had not locked yourself into that brand.

Consider this. As your skills advance, you will buy more lenses and other devices that only work with your camera manufacturer's equipment. At some point, you will want to upgrade to something more advanced. For most photographers, it quickly becomes financially impossible to switch from one brand to another mid stream. A lack of brand interchangeability is true for almost all camera brands. I.e., Nikon lens, electronic flash units, etc. will not work on a Canon and visa versa and that is similarly true for most other combinations of equipment brands.

So, here is my recommendation. Do not confine your research to your first camera alone. Instead, look at what each manufacture offers in more advanced equipment than you currently need to get started. Talk to professional photographers to learn the pros and cons of each brand's product lines. Every photographer has their own preference for often different reasons. Once you have an idea of which camera line you want to grow into once you have developed skills, choose a starter camera from that company's line up, even if it is a little harder to learn to use then another brand whose more advanced models may not be as desirable.
You are not the first person to ask that question.... (show quote)


Thanks for your input, B ... as can be seen, in the previous posts on this thread, this "beginner" cam - will be for a friend ...

I started in film days, with Nikons, then, added a Canon or two. My first dig cam was a Fuji, then, a year later, I went to Canon ...

Three Canon DSLRs, and 5 Nikon DSLRs, later, I went to IBIS-based dig cams - the Pentax K-50, and then, Sony SLTs ...

Since I have a large inventory of lenses for all four systems, I'm not concerned about being stuck in a certain brand's system.

But, you know what, B ... you have to start somewhere, don't you? ... Just looking for the best beginner cam for my friend ...

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Aug 31, 2018 05:19:49   #
wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
 
Chris T wrote:
Of the following models, which would you consider to be the best, overall - for a relative newbie, to photography? ... Canon EOS Rebel T7, Nikon D3400, Canon EOS Rebel SL2, or a Pentax K-70? ... Please bear in mind, relative cost, and, of course - convenience of included features. Thanks so much!


Of those mentioned, Pentax K-70. Two not mentioned would be the Olympus E-M10 mrII and E-M10 mrIII.

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Aug 31, 2018 06:58:40   #
dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl
 
Chris T wrote:
Of the following models, which would you consider to be the best, overall - for a relative newbie, to photography? ... Canon EOS Rebel T7, Nikon D3400, Canon EOS Rebel SL2, or a Pentax K-70? ... Please bear in mind, relative cost, and, of course - convenience of included features. Thanks so much!


Of the cameras brands listed (I'm not sure about specific models other than the Nikon 3400, which is okay but a little too automated for me) you wouldn't go wrong with any. Personally, I would stick with either Canon or NIkon because of the available lenses. I would go with Nikon because of the compatibility of lenses, but I would have probably looked at the D7xxx instead because it has more features, can be "automated" or not and is suitable for "automatic" lenses and Manual. But mainly because I know the brand and the reputation. Canon is also good for many of the same reasons but some of their models are Auto or nothing. I would want a model that will grow with my abilities and be able to be used as a "second" camera if I decide to upgrade. Or at least, I can give it to the spouse, kid, grandkid if and when I upgrade.

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Aug 31, 2018 07:13:15   #
jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana
 
PHRubin wrote:
The best is the one that makes cameras the user is most comfortable with. They should check the feel, check the menus to see which is most intuitive. Checking at a store is good, renting to decide is better.



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Aug 31, 2018 07:25:01   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Chris T wrote:
Of the following models, which would you consider to be the best, overall - for a relative newbie, to photography? ... Canon EOS Rebel T7, Nikon D3400, Canon EOS Rebel SL2, or a Pentax K-70? ... Please bear in mind, relative cost, and, of course - convenience of included features. Thanks so much!


Nikon. Why not? : )

There is a new D3500 just announced.

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Aug 31, 2018 07:28:05   #
Bob309
 
I'm a beginner and I have a Canon Rebel T6 and I have a Nikon D3300 and D5100 and I must say I like the Nikons better. It could just be me or the lenses I'm using but I like the Nikons better. I feel the Nikons give me better photographs. I'm trying to use manual modes more and the Nikons are easy to use. I'm afraid my Canon camera is getting neglected. I bought the Canon brand new as a kit. I bought the 2 Nikons off of Letgo and got some really good deals. Both cameras look brand new and have low shutter counts, if you can trust the programs that give that information. I'd say from the looks of the two cameras the counts might be pretty accurate. There are good deals to be had on used cameras if you are diligent and are willing to negotiate with a stranger. I rushed in and bought the Canon and it really wasn't the camera for me. I gave more for the Canon than I did the 2 Nikons combined. You live and learn. As beginners we really don't know what is best for us and for me I think it is better to go used or rent until you know what you want. If I had it to do over I would have bought a nice used camera to learn with and then after my knowledge level was better, then I would have gotten something better if I felt I needed it. By the way I also bought a used Canon 50D off of letgo just to get the lense that came with it and got it dirt cheap but it turned out to be really nice older camera that takes very good photographs. So as you may have guessed, I went crazy buying cameras and could probably have one really nice camera for what I gave for the 4 that I now own. So don't rush in like I did. Do your research and find one nice camera to learn on and then step up later after you are more knowledgeable.

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Aug 31, 2018 07:34:36   #
tonal Loc: Greece
 
Chris T wrote:
Of the following models, which would you consider to be the best, overall - for a relative newbie, to photography? ... Canon EOS Rebel T7, Nikon D3400, Canon EOS Rebel SL2, or a Pentax K-70? ... Please bear in mind, relative cost, and, of course - convenience of included features. Thanks so much!


Personally if I had to choose right now I would go for a Canon T6i/s, T7i or 77D camera .
I am not a fanboy, it just happened almost accidentally to be Canon T3i (600D) the first DSLR camera that I got (like new with just 2 clicks) and it was very easy to use from start.

When I decided to get more lenses after a year with the 18-55 kit lens it was a pleasant surprise that I could find easily very affordable and decent quality lenses
to cover a broad focal range from 10 to 250mm focal length with three of the newest STM lenses (10-18, 18-55, 55-250)...

These are not pricey and all have great IS and virtually noise free focusing.

The STM 50mm 1.8 is also a very nice and cheap lens as well (great for portraits) but it is not as quiet and has no IS.

Then there are also 3 options for Canon macro lenses.

Also every EF and EF-S mount lens (Canon or third party) will be fully operational with it.

All I am trying to say is that you can build an affordable system that can cover any amateur use (from macro to the verge of super tele)
because in the end the most important part is not the body (which more or less has similar functionality regardless of the manufacturer)
but the plethora of lenses to choose from.

And if it feels right for an upgrade after a couple of years there are options for better crop bodies as well.

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Aug 31, 2018 07:36:31   #
meyer
 
Well none of the camers mentioned are sealed except for the Pentax. Also the only one with microadjustment is the Pentax. The best of them all is the Pentax. Sony, Nikon, and Canon have great cameras but their intro ones will not take a beating like a Pentax. None of the Cameras like rugged use except for the Pentax.

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Aug 31, 2018 07:41:54   #
riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas
 
A question like this will result in a lot of opinions and some pretty good advice the best thing to do is go to Camera store or somewhere where you can actually put your hands on them, try them out see what feels best to you and what your most comfortable with in your hand.

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Aug 31, 2018 07:49:07   #
mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma
 
Do not spring it on her! Surprise her by taking her to the and then telling her why she’s there. Let her be part of the decision process. It will be more her camera rather than yours... or ours!

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Aug 31, 2018 07:57:00   #
Duane Hanley Loc: Milwaukee Wisconsin
 
I'd go with the Nikon D3400. It was designed with a beginner in mind yet has a lot of featured that will keep you interested as you learn and grow into a photographer. It is light weight and easy to hold and has the best lenses in the business. I have shot Nikon for over 45 years and they never steered me wrong.

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Aug 31, 2018 08:28:15   #
Tim103
 
I am no expert. However, in 2011 received a Nikon D3100 w/ kit lens 18-55 and 55-200. It is easy to use and takes very good pictures. I’ve taken 1000s of mostly point and shoot pics with it and some great family portraits, occasional wildlife, and NASCAR pics. I really like he Nikon but I have friends who enjoy their Canon as well. But consider a brand that the lenses will carry on to the next step. And that lenses can be purchased without a bank loan. Canon and Nikon have a lot of brand and aftermarket lenses available. At $597 I would consider this w/ two kit lenses included: Nikon D3500 DX-Format DSLR Camera Body - Black, with AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G VR, AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3G ED Lenses. I saw it on Adorama website. Probably available at other places. You can save $100 n same camera with only the 18-55 lens.

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Aug 31, 2018 08:40:18   #
47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range
 
Diocletian wrote:
Sony a6000 with an 18-50 lens

Yeah, yeah, I know, OP didn’t say anything about Sony, but this is the biggest bang for the buck.

The a6x00 series are certainly capable cameras but with that menu system, "newby" better be ready for a little confusion. Also, the lens, 18-50? Isn't it either an 18-55 or 16-50?

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