Which Camera to Buy? Shortlisted - Nikon 3300, Nikon 5100, Canon 1200 D, Canon 600D

[vikas_unzip]

Hi,

Already so many threads are running over choosing DSLRs. I have gone through few threads but not able to find the answer of what I want to know.

This will be my first DSLR and have very limited knowledge about DSLR. Gone through few websites, feedbacks, reviews and of courses prices too and I have shortlisted few cameras but not able to make my choice. Kindly give your inputs. Detailed suggestion are most welcome.

Initially I was thinking to buy Canon 600 D but price has gone up now and that will cost me approx 33-34k (with 18-55 lens). My budget is 30k.

1. Nikon 3300 (24 mp/with 18-55 VR II Lens) - 30759/-
2. Nikon 5100 (16.2 mp/with 18-55 AF-S Lens) - 26000/-
3. Canon 1200 D (18 mp/with 18-55, 55-250 IS Lens) - 30400/-
4. Canon 600 D (18 mp/with 18-55 IS Lens) - 33000/-

Any other options from Nikon/Canon are welcome. Request you to give your suggestion based on your experience.

What is the Difference between VR II and IS Lens? Are these lens has auto focus option? What I thinking that Infuture if I want to buy more lens they should be compatible with my machine.

Thanks in Advance.

 

[BHOOTER RAJA]

If I were you I will chose D5100 with kit lens and with a little extra I would buy 50mm.1.8d. In recent picture these things will fit into your budget.
VR and IS are same thing . VR- vibration reduction ,IS- Image stabilization . This thing is used to reduce the blur produced by shaking hands.
They certainly help make your picture more sharp but not the ultimate thing.

 

[vikas_unzip]

If I were you I will chose D5100 with kit lens and with a little extra I would buy 50mm.1.8d. In recent picture these things will fit into your budget.
VR and IS are same thing . VR- vibration reduction ,IS- Image stabilization . This thing is used to reduce the blur produced by shaking hands.
They certainly help make your picture more sharp but not the ultimate thing.

Thanks for your reply Sir, But Can you please elaborate more on this. Means Why D5100, Why not others?

 

[BHOOTER RAJA]

It is tried and tested and fares well in all department.
It has more features related to photography which may helpful to in future.
Though D3200 has new and improved sensor yet it is the basic camera like D3100. D5100 is a bit step ahead.
As a beginner do not think much about the body. In the lower and middle segment all the models are near about same.
Think for the lenses which you will buy later.

 

[anupamtiwari]

so you are into classic trouble which every entry level DSLR buyer goes through. So here is the sequence of important factor in photography which my guru has tought me - 1. Technique 2. Lense 3. Camera Body.

So when you are starting do not bother too much about camera body, just get whatever you can in your budget. believe me for a beginner a 30k camera and 300k camera makes no difference. Nikon and Canon both make excellent cameras so there is no thinking between them buy whatever you like in terms of budget and feel of the body in your hand.

When you come to lenses you have to think and make clear and specific decisions as good lenses are costly and each lense has more or less specific uses. For example if you want to do landscape more then you need some wide angle lense ( wide angle means low focal length like 20mm, 16-35mm etc). these lense range from 5000 (50mm f/1.8 though 50mm is not normally called a wide angle rather 24mm f2.8 would be the cheapest around 22k) to around 1.25 lakhs (14-24 f2.8).

There is normal rule that prime lenses are better than zoom lenses. ( a prime lense is a fixed focal length lense like 50 mm and a zoom has a range like 70-300). a prime lense is sharper and lighter.

50mm as Dada has suggested in previous post is one of the most amazing lense and some of the very successful professional photographers use only this lense. This lense has roughly same angle of view as human eyes hence it is also called normal lense. its cheap (both nikon and canon older versions of f1.8 are around 5k) but of excellent quality. Just make sure that it works in your body. Nikon and Canon both have two versions of some of their lenses - one with motor and another without it (in nikon they are called G version and D version respectively). the second category is cheaper. But with second onces you need a camera which has got the motor to move the lense, so in case you are thinking of buying a D version lense then make sure that your body is compatible with them. (visit website of Nikon and Canon to check it - they have detail information about this or download the manual of body that you are thinking to buy from the website and read it first)

In case you want to do wild life photography then you need a 70-300 VR lense, in this category nikon and canon ones are around 30-35k. Sigma, Tamron are around 13-18k ( i would recommend nikon or canon depending on body that you select as their autofocus is good and they are sharper and lighter.

along with body you can start with a simple zoom (normally called a go to lense which fulfills most of your normal needs) like 18-140 or 18-105. Some time these lenses are also sold with body and you get a very good deal (almost 50% discount).

lenses have long self life, even when you upgrade your camera in future you can use your old lenses provided you move up with same brand.

I am a nikon user and I started with D80 and 18-55 lense and then slowly build my lenses.

So dont worry too much - nikon or canon - nothing to think about it, both are very good camera makers. Just think about your budget and buy whatever fits into it.

I will give only one advice - stretch your budget for lense and not for camera.

Also in case you want to do serious photography then another most important equipment that you will need is a very good tripod and a good monopod. So in future save some money for them also and dont buy cheapo once as they are more problem rather than solution. I bought cheaper once to begin with and it was hell. then i went for good branded once (it cost me same as my first camera) and its simply amazing. It makes huge difference in quality of photographs.

feel free to ask more questions.

 

[BHOOTER RAJA]

Now thats a truly detailed explanation you could get vikas.
Thats my point too. go to the shop , take any of your chosen camera and feel the sense. Buy one and keep shooting just keep shooting.
Thats all . Good luck.

 

[vikas_unzip]

so you are into classic trouble which every entry level DSLR buyer goes through. So here is the sequence of important factor in photography which my guru has tought me - 1. Technique 2. Lense 3. Camera Body.

So when you are starting do not bother too much about camera body, just get whatever you can in your budget. believe me for a beginner a 30k camera and 300k camera makes no difference. Nikon and Canon both make excellent cameras so there is no thinking between them buy whatever you like in terms of budget and feel of the body in your hand.

When you come to lenses you have to think and make clear and specific decisions as good lenses are costly and each lense has more or less specific uses. For example if you want to do landscape more then you need some wide angle lense ( wide angle means low focal length like 20mm, 16-35mm etc). these lense range from 5000 (50mm f/1.8 though 50mm is not normally called a wide angle rather 24mm f2.8 would be the cheapest around 22k) to around 1.25 lakhs (14-24 f2.8).

There is normal rule that prime lenses are better than zoom lenses. ( a prime lense is a fixed focal length lense like 50 mm and a zoom has a range like 70-300). a prime lense is sharper and lighter.

50mm as Dada has suggested in previous post is one of the most amazing lense and some of the very successful professional photographers use only this lense. This lense has roughly same angle of view as human eyes hence it is also called normal lense. its cheap (both nikon and canon older versions of f1.8 are around 5k) but of excellent quality. Just make sure that it works in your body. Nikon and Canon both have two versions of some of their lenses - one with motor and another without it (in nikon they are called G version and D version respectively). the second category is cheaper. But with second onces you need a camera which has got the motor to move the lense, so in case you are thinking of buying a D version lense then make sure that your body is compatible with them. (visit website of Nikon and Canon to check it - they have detail information about this or download the manual of body that you are thinking to buy from the website and read it first)

In case you want to do wild life photography then you need a 70-300 VR lense, in this category nikon and canon ones are around 30-35k. Sigma, Tamron are around 13-18k ( i would recommend nikon or canon depending on body that you select as their autofocus is good and they are sharper and lighter.

along with body you can start with a simple zoom (normally called a go to lense which fulfills most of your normal needs) like 18-140 or 18-105. Some time these lenses are also sold with body and you get a very good deal (almost 50% discount).

lenses have long self life, even when you upgrade your camera in future you can use your old lenses provided you move up with same brand.

I am a nikon user and I started with D80 and 18-55 lense and then slowly build my lenses.

So dont worry too much - nikon or canon - nothing to think about it, both are very good camera makers. Just think about your budget and buy whatever fits into it.

I will give only one advice - stretch your budget for lense and not for camera.

Also in case you want to do serious photography then another most important equipment that you will need is a very good tripod and a good monopod. So in future save some money for them also and dont buy cheapo once as they are more problem rather than solution. I bought cheaper once to begin with and it was hell. then i went for good branded once (it cost me same as my first camera) and its simply amazing. It makes huge difference in quality of photographs.

feel free to ask more questions.

Thank you Anupam for your detailed explanation. Now after reading your views Canon 1200 D (Dual Lens Kit) Seems good idea. It has 2 lenses and upgraded processor. Second choice would be buying Nikon D5100, but I have to buy one extra lens for better zoom. What is your opinion on this?

- - - Updated - - -

What if I buy D5100 (26000) with 18-55 Kit Lens and one extra Nikon 50mm Nikkor F/1.8D AF Prime Lens (5300)

Will cost me approx 31500/-.

 

[anupamtiwari]

as i said both machines are good. For lense just think what would be your use. i guess canon would be offering you 18-55 and something around 50-200mm range, which is good. these two combinations will satisfy most of your need and later you can add more lenses to it. 50mm prime is an all time superhit lense, however use of prime is sometime annoying during beginning as it does not give you zoom and you have to move closer or farther from the subject to get proper perspective. So if you are beginner with DSLRs you start with zoom lenses and after some time buy 50mm prime. buying two zooms upto 200mm can give you good reach to begin with. Check in with nikon india website, they also have some scheme of discouts going on for second lense. In mumbai we normally get 10-15% discount from MRP in all nikon and canon cameras (with warranty and bill), so negotiate with the dealer for more.

Nikon India Private Limited - Events and Promotions

 

[Gaurav Chopra]

do try out the sony alpha58 also and buy the camera that FEELS the best in your hand.

 

[BHOOTER RAJA]

I will choose 600d rather 1200.
My ultimate choice would be Nikon D5100 + 50mm1.8d.
After sometime I may buy 55-200 ( rs.- 8000 appx).
Not so hard for your budget I think. and this will suffice all your purpose for some time.
good luck.