Help finding beginner DSLR camera

[magicammo]

Could anybody recommend a good beginner DSLR camera? I don't want to break the bank or anything just something to get me started

[ZeouLs]

It's not a DSLR but DSLM, the Sony Alpha 6000 is pretty good for it's price and you can fit any lens on it with the proper adapter.

[cc143]

3 hours ago, ZeouLs said:

It's not a DSLR but DSLM, the Sony Alpha 6000 is pretty good for it's price and you can fit any lens on it with the proper adapter.

No! Battery life is crap, lenses are expensive and limited, adapters are expensive and rarely work on anything under an a7rii due to sensor architecture, ergonomics are horrendous, menus are overly complicated, Just stay away. 

 

OP Without a proper budget its sort of difficult to recommend anything, but my usual recommendation currently is a recent entry level Canon DSLR. That is because the new ones (800d) are immensly capable and they give you access to the most comprehensive, currently cheapest and deepest lens system in existence (The EF system has the most options out there available since it just sold so much more than any other, making used lenses easy to find and much cheaper than the competition.)

 

If the 800d is out of your budget, go for a used one, or a used 750d or used 200d. Avoid the 1300d/4000d etc they are overpriced plastic toys. 

 

But do keep in mind that the 800d is a huge leap forward from anything that came before it and is a great option even outside its price range and market segment. 

[magicammo]

5 hours ago, cc143 said:

No! Battery life is crap, lenses are expensive and limited, adapters are expensive and rarely work on anything under an a7rii due to sensor architecture, ergonomics are horrendous, menus are overly complicated, Just stay away. 

 

OP Without a proper budget its sort of difficult to recommend anything, but my usual recommendation currently is a recent entry level Canon DSLR. That is because the new ones (800d) are immensly capable and they give you access to the most comprehensive, currently cheapest and deepest lens system in existence (The EF system has the most options out there available since it just sold so much more than any other, making used lenses easy to find and much cheaper than the competition.)

 

If the 800d is out of your budget, go for a used one, or a used 750d or used 200d. Avoid the 1300d/4000d etc they are overpriced plastic toys. 

 

But do keep in mind that the 800d is a huge leap forward from anything that came before it and is a great option even outside its price range and market segment. 

Yeah I'm just starting I know nothing g about photography. I'm not looking to spend anywhere near $800 haha. I'm looking to spend no more than $400. I would like to pay less that that to be hobest. I don't want to throw all this money at something that I may not like

[cc143]

11 minutes ago, magicammo said:

Yeah I'm just starting I know nothing g about photography. I'm not looking to spend anywhere near $800 haha. I'm looking to spend no more than $400. I would like to pay less that that to be hobest. I don't want to throw all this money at something that I may not like

As I said the used market is full of entry level cameras people have bought and sold at significant loss because they picked up the hobby and realised they just weren't getting their money's worth. So if you do buy a used entry level camera, chances are it will hardly have been used and you will not have to eat a significant depreciation cost. 

[AqHu]

At $400 or less, I would definitely recommend looking at used or old cameras. Just try to find a good deal without worrying about specs too much...

You can get a brand new Canon T6 with an 18-55mm kit lens on eBay for less than $335. The T6 was a super popular entry-level camera before it was replaced by the T7 a couple of years ago, and still a solid option.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-Rebel-T6-dSLR-camera-kit-18MP-w-18-55mm-lens-NEW/173661987075?epid=232027626&hash=item286f0fa103:g:qc4AAOSwYUdbRq~d:rk:3:pf:0

[magicammo]

2 hours ago, AqHu said:

At $400 or less, I would definitely recommend looking at used or old cameras. Just try to find a good deal without worrying about specs too much...

You can get a brand new Canon T6 with an 18-55mm kit lens on eBay for less than $335. The T6 was a super popular entry-level camera before it was replaced by the T7 a couple of years ago, and still a solid option.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-Rebel-T6-dSLR-camera-kit-18MP-w-18-55mm-lens-NEW/173661987075?epid=232027626&hash=item286f0fa103:g:qc4AAOSwYUdbRq~d:rk:3:pf:0

How are the Nikon's? I see them for like $250 -$300for a D3400 and below

[AqHu]

11 minutes ago, magicammo said:

How are the Nikon's? I see them for like $250 -$300for a D3400 and below

Well, I don't have any experience with Nikon cameras, but I have heard the D3400 to be a good beginner camera; it's probably about the equivalent of the Canon 4000D (T100), which is available brand new with the kit lens for $265 here on eBay.

If you are comfortable buying used, you can find cameras for even cheaper.

Canon and Nikon are both reputable brands, and I don't think choosing one or another will make any significant difference for you.

[magicammo]

1 hour ago, AqHu said:

Well, I don't have any experience with Nikon cameras, but I have heard the D3400 to be a good beginner camera; it's probably about the equivalent of the Canon 4000D (T100), which is available brand new with the kit lens for $265 here on eBay.

If you are comfortable buying used, you can find cameras for even cheaper.

Canon and Nikon are both reputable brands, and I don't think choosing one or another will make any significant difference for you.

Thanks! I'll check those out I actually found a Nikon D3300 for $198 

[AqHu]

39 minutes ago, magicammo said:

Thanks! I'll check those out I actually found a Nikon D3300 for $198 

Sure, no problem!

I would check to make sure that it comes with a battery and charger, and maybe a lens, because those can be relatively expensive on their own. Other than that, it looks like a good deal!

[cc143]

11 hours ago, magicammo said:

Thanks! I'll check those out I actually found a Nikon D3300 for $198 

I'd go with Canon over Nikon for a beginner camera. Nikon's d3x00 and d5x00 bodies lack an in body AF motor which doesn't allow you full use of most of the glass in the Nikon system, and its the glass that is usually pretty cheap and there some excellent stuff as well. That's why I'd go with Canon in those lower market segments, because if you do end up liking it and go on with it, you can grow with it. Also, you can find great cheap glass, which is not always the case with the nikon stuff. 

 

I mean, the 28mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.8 200mm f/2.8, all these are excellent lenses you can carry over to a FF system if you choose to that are available at a relevantly low price used vs buying something equivalent that would work on a nikon camera. 

[magicammo]

12 hours ago, cc143 said:

I'd go with Canon over Nikon for a beginner camera. Nikon's d3x00 and d5x00 bodies lack an in body AF motor which doesn't allow you full use of most of the glass in the Nikon system, and its the glass that is usually pretty cheap and there some excellent stuff as well. That's why I'd go with Canon in those lower market segments, because if you do end up liking it and go on with it, you can grow with it. Also, you can find great cheap glass, which is not always the case with the nikon stuff. 

 

I mean, the 28mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.8 200mm f/2.8, all these are excellent lenses you can carry over to a FF system if you choose to that are available at a relevantly low price used vs buying something equivalent that would work on a nikon camera. 

So would the t6 be a good pick for cannon?

[cc143]

10 hours ago, magicammo said:

So would the t6 be a good pick for cannon?

Not really the value proposition is quite bad in comparison to even a 700d. Your best option is a used 800d or 750d if you can't get an 800d in your budget, but as I said the 800d is a hell of a camera that is both easy to learn on and doesn't need to be upgraded as soon as other beginner dslrs. 

[magicammo]

3 hours ago, cc143 said:

Not really the value proposition is quite bad in comparison to even a 700d. Your best option is a used 800d or 750d if you can't get an 800d in your budget, but as I said the 800d is a hell of a camera that is both easy to learn on and doesn't need to be upgraded as soon as other beginner dslrs. 

Sorry I meant the T6i the 800d is the T7i right

[cc143]

35 minutes ago, magicammo said:

Sorry I meant the T6i the 800d is the T7i right

That's much better, but again, the difference in the AF system and processor from the t7i is substantial enough to more than justify the price differential.

[magicammo]

13 hours ago, cc143 said:

That's much better, but again, the difference in the AF system and processor from the t7i is substantial enough to more than justify the price differential.

What about the SL2? @cc143

[AqHu]

18 hours ago, magicammo said:

What about the SL2? @cc143

The Canon SL2 is a great budget DSLR! It seems to be a little out of your budget, but if you're interested, I recommend checking out the following video. If, however, you intend to spend less than $300, a Rebel T6 or similar may serve you better.

 

[magicammo]

24 minutes ago, AqHu said:

The Canon SL2 is a great budget DSLR! It seems to be a little out of your budget, but if you're interested, I recommend checking out the following video. If, however, you intend to spend less than $300, a Rebel T6 or similar may serve you better.

 

I found it refurbished for $450 on canons website

[AqHu]

1 hour ago, magicammo said:

I found it refurbished for $450 on canons website

Well, that's an excellent deal! If that price isn't too high, I think the SL2 would be a great camera for you.

[magicammo]

41 minutes ago, AqHu said:

Well, that's an excellent deal! If that price isn't too high, I think the SL2 would be a great camera for you.

Yeah I think I'mma go with it based off the video alone. Seems to be feature packed and offer enough to actually grow with you. Thanks again for your help