I own both the 5600 & the 7500. The 7500 is more versatile in nearly every aspect. The only thing I really use the 5600 for is hiking because it is so light and unobtrusive to keep slung from a good neck strap under even difficult terrain. The 7500 is brighter through the viewfinder, which makes it easier to see make adjustments through it. It has the minor benefit of a 1/8000 vs 1/4000 max shutter speed, along with dual control wheels, and a few other items. They both have more than enough mpx for just about anything I shoot (mostly scenics). I have never found having a single card slot to be a handicap for what I use them for. BTW, I also have owned a 7200, a 500, and currently also have a 750 and prefer my 7500 for almost everything.

Ain't it the truth. Been to a lot of places that have great sunsets, including Hawaii. But the best ones I have seen have been from my own backyard.

I just use a Peak Design shoulder strap and have the camera at my left side. I do have a camera dedicated specifically to hiking.....a Nikon D5600, with the 18-55 kit lens. It is relatively small and the combination is well under two pounds. It is much more versatile and takes way better shots than any camera phone while not getting in the way while hiking or rock scrambling. I have carried it in Bryce Canyon, Sedona, many areas of the desert southwest, and the Colorado Rockies without it once hindering me in any way. Will be taking it to Death Valley and the southern Sierra Nevada mtns next week. It works so well for me that I never feel the need for another method of carry.

I keep mine in a gun safe that is temperature/humidity controlled. Not only is it out of the way but it is all fairly well protected from theft when I'm away.

Look for a refurb D5500. Great camera with more features and a much improved 24 mpx sensor. Even smaller and lighter than your 3100. I have a D750 and a D7500 yet I still use my 5600 (not much different than the 5500) often. You can find them occasionally for around $400 or so.

I love my 5600. The touch screen took a little while to get used to since it is my first camera with that ability. But I love that feature now. It is my go to camera for anytime I will be hiking since it and the 18-55 it came with are so small & lightweight. The 24 mpx sensor is clear, sharp, and color accurate. And the swivel screen is very useful. It is a fun camera to use. The only real downside for me is that since I shoot in manual mode almost exclusively, the settings info through the viewfinder is not bright enough when I am in bright sunlight. If Nikon had made that view as bright as through my 7500 or 750 then those two would get less use. If you use any of the auto exposure modes then that is not a problem. Not saying you can't see the info, you just have to let your eyes adjust to it more than with a full size dslr. But overall it is a keeper.

Agree with the others here who say 24-70 & 70-200. If you only want to bring one (that's all I generally bring to the islands) then the 24-70 would be hard to beat, plus you wouldn't risk getting a dirty sensor in the nearly constant tradewinds. You have more than enough mpx to crop if necessary if 70mm does not get you close enough.

It is my favorite walk around for my D7500. I love the extra 2mm on the wide end over all of the 18-xxx lenses. It is noticeable. 80mm is enough for most of my shooting but I do occasionally crop. The f2.8 - 4 is great when the light isn't so good. It is relatively small & light when compared with most of the 18-300 lenses on the market. It is very sharp and color rendition is accurate. To me, there's not really much to dislike about it except it's rather high price, which you have gotten around. I think it is Nikon's best DX lens.

I just returned from a trip to UT and found the Nikon 10-20 AF-p lens to be very useful on my D7500 for those places where a standard (18-xxx) zoom just wasn't wide enough to capture what I wanted, especially in some of the narrow canyons so prevalent in UT. You can't go wrong with this lens......it is one of a few instances where I feel you are getting more than your money's worth.

Absolutely agree. The 5600 is a great camera, plastic or not. Only a snob would belittle what may be less expensive than what they themselves use. I happen to enjoy my 5600 as much as my 7500 and 750. They all have good and bad points.

Wow! I think it's obvious who's choking on bitter vomit. Maybe you should go elsewhere and let others have an informative discussion without your smug arrogance.

Yeah, for some reason Nikon thought we would rather go through the menu to trigger the shutter instead of using the remarkably simple IR remote. It was included on the 5500 but dropped for the 5600. I do miss it but as you have stated, it works just fine on my 7500.

Repeating what others here have said.....the biggest difference you get with the 5600 is the touch screen. I was one who thought I would never really use it, but now that I have it I have learned to love it (love the one on my 7500 as well). Is it worth trading up for? You'll have to decide that for yourself. I used to have a 5300 and for me, I'm glad I did it. The 5600 is also marginally smaller and lighter I believe, plus it has that intangible "newer technology" feeling to it. Only thing I miss from the 5300 is the infrared remote.

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.

A 150-600 is a great lens for anywhere that you may find wildlife, including Yellowstone. But it's a poor choice for hiking. It will bog you down. If you carry a daypack of some sort and don't mind the weight you might want to toss it in. But you will almost certainly need a tripod to stabilize it as well in spite of the VC feature, adding even more weight. And remember, you'll be hiking at 8,000 feet or more elevation. Certainly a consideration when packing more weight. Personally, when hiking, I carry a Tamron 16-300 attached to my 7500. This combination is relatively small and lightweight considering the wide focal range. Since you have 21 mpx, cropping is not out of the question to bring the animals closer. And honestly, for me, hiking in Yellowstone requires something a little more potent than bear spray. Have a great trip. And bring lots of memory. It's easy to fill a card there. And if you get down to the Tetons, definitely get the sunrise. You won't regret getting up early for it.