Need Help Deciding on First DSLR

[DaJellyDanish]

I'm looking to buy my first DSLR and take advantage of some boxing week savings.

 

The two "best" deals I can find right now are:

 

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/nikon-d3500-dslr-camera-with-18-55mm-70-300mm-lenses-accessory-kit/13052995.aspx?

 

and

 

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/canon-eos-rebel-t100-dslr-camera-with-18-55mm-75-300mm-lenses/12948915.aspx?

 

So a few questions:

 

Would spending the extra money for the nikon d3500 be worth it? Will I see a significant difference in quality over the Canon T100? Also, if I'm just starting out, will the the 75-300mm lens be worthwhile or should I be buying a better camera and forego the lens. Feel free to recommend other cameras that you think would be better but I'm trying to avoid going over 650 CAD. 

 

Ty in advance

[19_blackie_73]

If you want to buy new get the d3500, way better sensor. If you pair that with better lenses later you will get stunning results. The t100 is simply an old sensor rebranded.

though I highly recommend shopping used for something like the d5300 with a kit lens like the 18-55,18-105 or 18-140. Will give you the same sensor but more usability features like a flip screen and better auto focus.

 

 

Edit: don't want to say that you can't get good results with the 18-55, it's a good starting point

[DaJellyDanish]

34 minutes ago, 19_blackie_73 said:

If you want to buy new get the d3500, way better sensor. If you pair that with better lenses later you will get stunning results. The t100 is simply an old sensor rebranded.

though I highly recommend shopping used for something like the d5300 with a kit lens like the 18-55,18-105 or 18-140. Will give you the same sensor but more usability features like a flip screen and better auto focus.

 

 

Edit: don't want to say that you can't get good results with the 18-55, it's a good starting point

Taking your suggestion I did a search and found this as well. Rn the used d5300 cameras are looking comparable or higher than this sale price. I take it I should probably go with this one out of the 3?

 

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/nikon-d5300-dslr-camera-with-18-55mm-70-300mm-lenses-accessory-kit/13052994.aspx?

[19_blackie_73]

11 minutes ago, DaJellyDanish said:

Taking your suggestion I did a search and found this as well. Rn the used d5300 cameras are looking comparable or higher than this sale price. I take it I should probably go with this one out of the 3?

 

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/nikon-d5300-dslr-camera-with-18-55mm-70-300mm-lenses-accessory-kit/13052994.aspx?

That looks like a very good deal to me, I'd take it

I started with a d3300 and due to some back and forth with my local shop I ended half a year later with a d5300, 15000 pics later I have to say it was a good choice to upgrade. And these lenses will give you a good starting point to examine in which range to get a better lens with for example better aperture

[cc143]

Go for a used 800d or t7i and kit lens. 

 

Avoid the 75-300mm there's a reason these bundles exist, these are cheap lenses to entice shoppers. Most don't get any use really, some find them useful, but unless you are doing sports or wildlife, the lens is not really useful. You end up lugging it around aimlessly. Better to buy a cheap 50mm or 35mm prime in due course. 

[zH3wlqIuNG7C5Cqm6HeznYq3JR]

I recently bought a Nikon D3500 and am very happy with it. I'd argue it's one of the best beginner DSLRs available and you can get some great shots with it.

[aaronhare]

I recently bought a certified refreshed Nikon D3400 body from amazon for $315 and a used Nikon Nikkor 50mm Series E AIS Manual Focus Lens from KEH Camera for $57 and I highly recommend both of them. The camera body is easy to use (at least in my mind) and is a bargain. The lens is fully manual (no auto features) and can be a challenge to use. I personally prefer this lens for the amazing price point of having a lens with a maximum aperture of 1.8 for only $57. The lens itself is highly durable as it's made out of mostly metal which makes it highly reliable. However, Nikon is having a sale on their Nikon D3500 body with a AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm lens on amazon for $396.95. This is a partial bargain as the original price was $496.95. The camera body it's self has a slightly upgraded sensor compared to the D3400 and the body style changed a little. The body itself is more confusing to me in my mind but it may not be for you. The lens it comes with is a kit lens (lenses that come with a camera body) and I don't recommend kit lenses as they have a lower maximum aperture. However, for a beginner they are easy to use and to learn with but the photo quality can be reduced. I'm not saying you can't get good pictures with kit lenses, I'm just saying they can limit you. The previous generation Nikon D3400 body with a AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm lens on amazon goes for $407 so I would recommend the D3500 camera as long as the deal lasts. Overall I would recommend a certified refurbished D3400 body with a used Nikon Nikkor 50mm Series E lens if you are looking for fewer limitations (due to the non kit lens) but with a challenge of the full manual AIS lens. If you are looking for an easier time, I reccommend the Nikon D3500 deal on amazon as long as it lasts. If you need further information or help, feel free to let me know! Hope this helped, Aaron

[Fetzie]

This might be a helpful video: