DSLR Choice

[Threehz]

Looking for the best "entry-level" DSLR, and I'm looking for some input from R3v.

Right now I'm looking at the:
Canon Rebel T2i
Canon Rebel T3i
Nikon D5200

T3i is 575$, T2i is 600$, and D5200 is 800+$

The D5200 has better specs, but the price is quite a bit higher. Just looking for some input or if anyone has any other suggestions.

Thanks

[mrsleeve]

D5200 will limit your choices in Nikon glass if you want A/F to those that have the A/F drives in the lenses them selves. IIRC the 5200 does NOT have the in body Screwdrive A/F motor.

Out of those choices I would just get the T3i.

Also what I did when getting back into the hobby a couple of years ago, is find a good mid level yet little older USED body and then get mid some decent mid level glass. I ended up with a 40d and some decnent Mid level USM glass from canon, which gives you a better set up that just a basic entry level kit.

My self I am slowly falling prey to the mirrorless M4/3 format and my cannon rig gets used less and less. If your not going to be shooting sports and other fast motion stuff in low light (where the A/F has a hard time staying locked on) and dont want the weight of a full on DSLR, look at the EPM-2 from Olympus, it has the same Sensor as their OMD-EM5. Couple it with the 17mm F2.8, the 9-18 f4-5.6 the 45mm f1.8 and maybe one the longer telephotos from Oly or Pan, and you will have one hell of a kit in a very small package all though it might not suit what your wanting to do with it.

[spike68]

I would just get the T3i. I currently have that camera and its a fantastic all around item to have. I mainly choose it because of its video capabilities, but its great for entry level users. The interface is easy to use and it offers more to a entry level user than any other entry level camera.
I actually traded the D5100 for the t3i. Theyre technically equivalents of each other, but i enjoy the cannon more.

[kickinindian]

what i ended up doing but this was a few years back is buying a used t1i body from my photography teacher who was getting a 7D and bought a bitchin' new lens that was a good all rounder and its still is better and cheaper then my rich friends, dad bought it for me with all the bells and whistles t3i.

so moral of the story Glass>Body Most of the time

[Threehz]

Yeah, I do like the idea of getting a used body on the cheap and using the savings for glass.

What lenses do you guys feel are essential?

The 18-55mm seems like an obvious choice, and 55-250 telephoto.

[agent]

Another vote here for the T3i. I bought my wife one for Christmas last year. The bundle came with an 18-55 iS and a 75-300.

[BlackbirdM3]

Save your $ a little longer and get a D7000 or find one used.

Will

[Wschnitz]

T3i is just a T2i with a moving screen if any of you were wondering.

Id say a T2i/T3i (same camera) and save your money for a 50mm 1.4f lens and some sort of 70-200mm lens.

If you want a really nice keeper camera, get a Canon 60D basically the same internals of the T2i/T3i but its filled with a couple extra goodies and wrapped in a water resistant body.

[Devil Inc]

I bought a T2i last year and wish I would've gotten a 60D, I like the better features. I think my next lens purchase will be a 18-135 or 70-200.

[Threehz]

The only advantages I see that the 60D and D7000 have over the others are shutter speed and weatherproofing. What features is the T2i not delivering to you?

I really like the D5200, especially because of 1080 video at 60fps, but the price is too high, it's too new..

A used T2i is so cheap and tempting.

[Wschnitz]

the 60D has a faster shutter, waterproofing, i believe more expandable iso, double the battery, and is just overall a much more bulletproof camera, it feels solid in your hands over the cheaper DSLR's.

[mrsleeve]

everyone get the little plastic fantastic 50mm 1.8 If it were me I would be coughing up the little extra cash and getting the 50mm F1.4. I am not a fan of the EFS lenses. I would stick with the middle of the road USM glass. its not L glass but its not the cheapy entry level either, and will serve you well while you learn and save up form some better L glass.

[herbivor]

Olympus E-M5. I stopped shooting full size SLRs after getting it. It's much smaller than a full size DSLR with all the same controls and benefits.

[mrsleeve]

^

holy shit we agree on something. Like I keep telling people My OMD gets way more usage and my Canon outfit just sits collecting dust even when I am at home.... The only place I and most everyone else have found the OMD falls down a little comapred to a full DSLR is Fast action Low light A/F tracking. I dont do a of that, and 99% of what I shoot it land scape and similar.

What glass are you using, just the kit 12-50mm ????

[brutus87]

love my t3i