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Best Beginner DSLR - a Nikon, a Canon, or a Pentax?
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Aug 31, 2018 08:42:55   #
Bison Bud
 
All respectable choices, but I think the Canon "Rebel" series cameras are a great place to start on a budget and have lots of room to learn and grow. The software they provide with the camera is also a great place to start your post production learning curve. It is very capable and not quite so overwhelming for most. To this day, I think their .JPEG editor called "Zoombrower" is about as good as it gets for editing .JPEGS and although the RAW editor is somewhat basic, it is also quite capable and easy to use. I still use my T1i as my backup camera and for Macro shooting since I have a nice Macro lens for it. Frankly, that camera taught me a lot and was a good choice for me when I started into Digital Photography. When I finally decided to upgrade, I ended up with a used Pentax K3 and found it to be a great value for the bucks and a good choice for an upgrade on a budget. However, the Canon T6i was in the running down to the very last and I still think that I would have been quite pleased with it had I gone that way on the upgrade.

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Aug 31, 2018 08:52:13   #
MarciaES
 
My first & only DSLR camera was the Nikon 5300 and I love it. I waited until Midwest Camera in Columbus had them on sale & went to get it. I'm just an amateur and so don't need all the bells & whistles. I started out with the 18-55 kit lens and have added the Sigma 10-20mm and the Tamron 18-400mm lenses. I love the ease of use of the Nikon and the quality of the pictures I get (have won multiple 1st places with photos in the county fairs).

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Aug 31, 2018 08:54:45   #
Nikon1201
 
Pick the camera you like then buy the next one up . If your serious you will outgrow it very soon.

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Aug 31, 2018 08:56:59   #
Silverman Loc: Michigan
 
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!


I am a 2 year newbie, and my choice for my first DSLR, after much research, was the Nikon D3300, for a number of reasons, good reputation, produced good images, easy to learn, not complicated, etc. Now my Grandson bought the Nikon D3400 just 6 months ago, and has had good success with that Nikon model. So, it comes down to personal choice, but do your research first, you will be offered many, many opinions, both positive and negative concerning different Camera models, but YOU must decide in the end. Hope you find the Camera that will help you to love Photography.

Also, check out Refurbished Cameras too, save quite a bit of money, as you learn, then move up to a more advanced model.

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Aug 31, 2018 09:07:02   #
RKL349 Loc: Connecticut
 
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.


Exactly. Buy what feels and looks best to you. All are great options.

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Aug 31, 2018 09:09:33   #
warrenvon Loc: Ellicott City, MD
 
One easy suggestion is not to consider Pentax. The word about the web is that Pentax is on its way out.
They have stopped innovating and relying on their existing product camera line.

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Aug 31, 2018 09:20:55   #
olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
 
Chris T wrote:
She is a total neophyte, Pete ... and would probably be happy with ANY camera, given her ... even a pocketable compact camera ...

Don't think she even KNOWS the names - Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax, Fuji, Panasonic or Olympus ... or what makes each brand unique.

But, it's my contention - in order to get anything out of photography - she needs something with which she can grow.

I just don't think - that a cellphone camera, falls into the same ballpark as a DSLR (OR, mirror-less, for that matter!!!)
She is a total neophyte, Pete ... and would probab... (show quote)


What about the Canon SL-1 and SL-2 option, might fit her very well. The new Fuji cameras are also very interesting.

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Aug 31, 2018 09:20:58   #
drobvit Loc: Southern NV
 
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!


Pentax K-70. An overlooked but decent camera for a decent price. Period!

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Aug 31, 2018 09:23:02   #
nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY
 
Regardless of brand, the FIRST THING to check is if the camera fits your hands....you can get a good steady grip, you can hold it comfortably, reach controls with fingers easily.

I was all set to buy a Canon Rebel a few years ago, because I did not need anything on my camera that a Rebel did not have. But when I tried one in the store, I found it to be too small for me to hold well and comfortably. The equivalent Nikons are also smaller bodies than higher models. I had to move up to a Canon 60D, for $500.00 more, to get good hand fit.

Of course, a Rebel with a battery grip will give more of a hand-hold, besides all the other benefits of the battery grip.

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Aug 31, 2018 09:23:10   #
Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA
 
Love Nikons. The a6000 seemed small but has that comfortable feeling even with one hand.
If you want a step up the 6300 is really impressive. Great IQ and 4K. Great video. Only missing
Stabilizing most lens for these cameras have it. Just my experience with them. Good luck.

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Aug 31, 2018 09:44:10   #
NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC
 
This is like asking which monitor looks best or which keyboard or mouse is best. These are all personal preferences based upon the likes of the user. What I or anyone else likes or thinks is better is really of no value in your decision with all makes and models being of reasonable features and quality. Go and try them out. See what feels comfortable. In other words, test drive them. Maybe rent the two you like best so you can see how well they perform for you.

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Aug 31, 2018 09:44:14   #
picturesofdogs Loc: Dallas, Texas.
 
None of the above.
Sony A6000.

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Aug 31, 2018 09:47:37   #
shutterbob Loc: Tucson
 
There is no way that anyone can tell you which is best for you. All three that you mentioned make great beginner cameras, along with some others such as Sony. Personally I like Nikon since that's what I shoot. But a Canon shooter will prefer that brand. I suggest that you go to a retailer that is unbiased (good luck) and get a few of them in your hands. Which one feels best to you. Are the controls laid out in a format that is comfortable to you. Do you like the viewfinder. Do you like the standard lens and are there lenses available that you like and can afford. Do you plan to shoot video and if so which one is the easiest for you. And there's always the chance that you'll "get the bug" and want to upgrade in the future. Who offers the best bodies & lenses in your price range. With the quality of today's gear you can't really make a bad choice. Just find the one that YOU like the best.

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Aug 31, 2018 09:56:05   #
Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida
 
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!


The answer here is very easy (based on features, cost, quality, reliability): the Pentax K-70.
A second choice would be the Canon SL2.
But, if you're influenced by mass-market sales volume, then go with a Canon or Nikon as a first choice.

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Aug 31, 2018 09:58:30   #
wallingford
 
As a beginner with the camera , I always liked Canon because of the amount of information and books that I could find in the book stores. The other brands did not seem to have as much available.

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