Need some camera buying advice

[Turf1600]

Long story short - I'm buying a camera with which someone will shoot my wedding. I'm also going to use it for general photography purposes. Here's the catch - I'm a shitty photographer. I'm looking for the best blend of quality and ease of use for under ~$800. Any thoughts on the matter? I have these 3 in mind based on about 45 minutes of "I have no idea what any of this means" shopping and side by side comparisons:

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS 600D (EOS Rebel T3i)

I'm personally leaning towards the SX50. My wife wants a DSLR - and I favor the T3.

Any advice is appreciated.

[nl328i]

I love my Nikon d5000 but I do find that canon lenses tend to go on sale more often, at least where I live.

[Jorgen]

I had a T2i loved it, exwife has it now. I just bought a D5100 but haven'y gotten enough timing playing with it yet. Seems good just getting used to the ergo and controls differences is a little strange.

[eskimo810]

I've had a D5100 for about a year now and would have spent my ~$800 differently. It's not that it's a bad camera, it has lots of features and even shoots great video, but once you've had one of these for a while you're going to realize that it's the lense that is actually more important than the camera for taking really high quality photos.

So my advice is if you are looking for a DSLR in that mid-range consumer area, look for something cheaper and used, and spend the rest of your money on an awesome lense. I can't really be anymore specific than that as I haven't researched the options in a while, but I'm sure somebody more knowledgable can chime in.

[Jorgen]

For reference I bought my D5100 last week. It was a Nikon Refurbished with the standard kit lense. I paid $434.99 shipped (Woot, keep an eye there they will likely pop up again for roughly the same price). We'll see if I regret it but for the price you can find them it was worth a shot and came with the full warranty.

eskimo I do agree the lenses are what can make the shots great, you can have a better lens and slightly lower end image element and have better pictures. I have heard reasonably decent things about the kit lense with the D5100 but also plan to buy another couple soon to get the thing really working well.

[Swanny]

^ right there eskimo. The sensors are getting better and better and unless youre shooting in complete low light and need crazy low iso the mid range dslr's are great right now. Spend the proper money on macro and zoom lenses as well as a proper flash.

You'll quickly learn the limitations of the bundled lens with the listed cameras. Also keep an eye out and look for low f/ numbers on whatever lenses you decide to go with.

With that aside I've mostly used nikons and I enjoy the level of swapability between lenses as they've pretty much kept the same adapter size for forever. Cannon has tons of lenses but they all won't work with the bodies without adapters (cheap enough to buy on ebay)

[Andy.B]

So my advice is if you are looking for a DSLR in that mid-range consumer area, look for something cheaper and used, and spend the rest of your money on an awesome lense. I can't really be anymore specific than that as I haven't researched the options in a while, but I'm sure somebody more knowledgable can chime in.

This.

I bought a d80 last year, used. After adding in 3 lenses, some lights, a tripod, remote, and other assorted accessories like cases, batteries, and SD cards, I am well past $800. I would rather have a lower end camera and a good amount of kit to go with it than just a better camera.

I think the main question is simply which manufacturer to go with, since once you start buying all the brand specific goodies, you'll feel 'stuck' with that brand.

[gtdragon980]

I would recommend the D90. I just bought a used one for $350 and I can say it is a great DSLR for novice and advanced users. It is my first camera but after flipping between buying a d3100 or d5100 vs. d90, I went with the d90 because it carries more features and is a more intermediate-level camera vs. entry-level. The d5100 is newer and offers a better sensor and higher megapixels, but I don't blow many pics up to where I even need that many!

[mrsleeve]

Best of both worlds. 2ed gen sensor in a micro 4/3's camera

[F34R]

Nikon d3200 cost less than 600.00 for a 18-55mm lens and the start up package from ebay brand new. Shoots in clear 24.2MP

This one is under 700 and comes with two lenses that do a great job. The 55-200mm would be great for getting the whole group in the shot while you guys do vows etc. Make sure you find someone that KNOWS what they are doing with the camera...if not you will end up with a bunch of garbage and myspace style shots haha. A camera is just like a racecar, you can have one amazing car and a shitty driver and do the worst out there.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D3200-Digital-SLR-Camera-18-55mm-G-VR-55-200mm-VR-Lens-Kit-Black-USA-/140922087165?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item20cf9c66fd

[carfantiti]

I know the one I would buy Nikon d7000!!!!!!!

[mr.vang]

I would recommend the D90. I just bought a used one for $350 and I can say it is a great DSLR for novice and advanced users. It is my first camera but after flipping between buying a d3100 or d5100 vs. d90, I went with the d90 because it carries more features and is a more intermediate-level camera vs. entry-level. The d5100 is newer and offers a better sensor and higher megapixels, but I don't blow many pics up to where I even need that many!

I also have a d90. My first camera was a d40. get the d90, its better built compare to the t3i. Don't let the t3i high megapixels fool you.

[Turf1600]

Thank you guys for the input. I'm still trying to absorb the terminology - especially as they relate to the lenses. I have, however, decided that it will be a DSLR. Not it's just a matter of which one and new vs used.

[Threehz]

I would definitely go with a DSLR for one. As for which DSLR I can't say much except that I have been using the hell out of my T3i since I got it and I absolutely love it.

I got my T3i with the kit 18-55mm lens (which is actually really nice) in brand new condition with everything in original wrapping in the box for $400. If you're willing to spend $800 you can get the T3i, the kit lens and a great wide angle (28/35 mm).

2cents, GL!

[eskimo810]

^ right there eskimo. The sensors are getting better and better and unless youre shooting in complete low light and need crazy low iso the mid range dslr's are great right now. Spend the proper money on macro and zoom lenses as well as a proper flash.

You'll quickly learn the limitations of the bundled lens with the listed cameras. Also keep an eye out and look for low f/ numbers on whatever lenses you decide to go with.

With that aside I've mostly used nikons and I enjoy the level of swapability between lenses as they've pretty much kept the same adapter size for forever. Cannon has tons of lenses but they all won't work with the bodies without adapters (cheap enough to buy on ebay)

No kidding. I would borrow Rebels from my high school for projects and the ISO would go up to 1600(?). This camera will go up to 6400. Honestly, if it was my [scarce] money there would be few reasons I would ever invest in a full-sized frame. Being able to make use of badass FX lenses would be cool, but the lower end cameras are getting really, really good.

Speaking of the never changing adapter, the only lens I've been able to afford over the kit was a 50mm given to me by my step-dad. He said he got it when he was studying photography at Rutgers... 35 years ago? Works great, it's a little slow, but it works great.