Camera suggestions

[theantiquetiger]

Canon or Nikon? (or other?)

I am a Canon man. A nice starter camera is a T3i, great for the money. You could even go with a even something a little older and used, like a Ti1. You could find a nicely used one for less the $200.

[Skyblue]

Thank you...I will check it out.

[theantiquetiger]

The thing to know about DSLR's is the ISO (not the megapixals, like most people think). The cameras I listed above are about 12-15 mpix. Most of the top cameras are just in the low 20's, so 15 mpix is not that bad. Max ISO on the cameras above are 3200, making it difficult to shoot in low light with out a flash. My camera (Canon 60D) has an ISO of 6400. I can grab some low light shots, but not like the new cameras that have ISO's over 20K (up to 100K). These things can produce some amazing images without noise in low light due to the ISO.

The Canon 60D (body only) can be purchased new for under $600. The higher ISO cameras can get up in price quickly.

The higher ISO is not the only reason for the higher prices, there is new processors, etc. Just like the world of computers changes and improves by leaps and bounds day-to-day, so does the DSLR camera world.

[Barefoot]

Knowing what I know now, I think that with the development of mirrorless technology progressing as rapidly as it is, that someone just now stepping into photography with the intent to pursue it with a passion should really consider mirrorless.

[Marko]

Nikon D3200
or
Canon Rebel T5

Both cheap and fab!

I disagree w/BF about mirrorless UNLESS you rarely want to track anything that moves. The autofocus is just not there for moving subjects in my experience.

[Barefoot]

I disagree w/BF about mirrorless UNLESS you rarely want to track anything that moves. The autofocus is just not there for moving subjects in my experience.

I can understand your reservations regarding mirrorless. My point was that the learning curve to becoming a knowledgable and competent photographer is such that by the time a beginner reaches that level, mirrorless will be much more advanced. Perhaps even good enough to track squirrels.

I have not found anything that my a6000 won't do, yet.

[Barefoot]

One of Photography CA's sponsors has this to say about mirrorless vrs DSLR autofocus.

4 Mirrorless Cameras Battle the Nikon D4s in an AutoFocus Shootout