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Entry level DSLR 400-600 euros range and general advice

sotiris.bos
By sotiris.bos
in Photography and Videography
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Posted

I know, I know. Yet another guy who makes a thread like this. I will cut to the chase.  I have an ancient olympus point-shoot camera as well as an ancient analog video camera that I want to replace with a single affordable DSLR KIT. I am more comfortable going for a Nikon or Canon than Sony, Pentax etc. I will be investing on some good lenses later on and i prefer better lenses than a better camera. Problem is if I invest in a certain brand, I'm not going to switch to another brand later when I feel like upgrading because my pc addiction takes up a lot of money. That's why it is a big decision for me. Models in this price range in my country include:

 

NIKON KITS:

  • d3200 - 418 euros
  • d3300 - 580 euros
  • d5100 - 460 euros

CANON KITS:

  • 600D (T3i) - 450 euros
  • 650D (T4i) - 600 euros
  • 100D (SL1) - 500 euros

PENTAX KITS:

  • K-500 - 466 euros
  • K-30 - 535 euros

I am not going to bother with SONY as I haven't been satified with any of their products that I have purchased. I would prefer staying under 550 euros to start saving up for lenses. I am mostly keen on the D3200.

All kits include 18-55 lens, stabilization and autofocus.

 

I am also looking for advice on SD cards. I want a 32GB one that is both fast and cheap. I think I am not going to be doing a lot of continuous shooting so I don't need the fastest, but one that is fast enough for video. I can afford about 30-40 euros on the card, depending which camera I am getting.

 

I want to keep it as cheap as I can.

Why do i always get blue screens? Why not a red one for a change?

 

 

Spoiler

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Posted

Get the D3200 without the kit lens. I found the kit lens terrible and get this lens. I just cannot recommend the stock lens sorry

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Get the D3200 without the kit lens. I found the kit lens terrible and get this lens. I just cannot recommend the stock lens sorry

That scales up to 75mm on a DX which is not that great for the more wide angled scenery shots I am interested in. I also don't like having a prime lens as my primary one, I think I will feel a bit constricted. But maybe you are right, I really don't know.

Why do i always get blue screens? Why not a red one for a change?

 

 

Spoiler

  CPU: 2920x  GPU: Sapphire HD 7950 Vapor X  MOBO: X399 Taichi  RAM: 4x 8GB Trident Z RGN 3200/14  CASE: 900D  OS SSD: Samsung 960 Evo 512GB  Storage: 20TB NAS  PSU: Corsair RM1000i  CPU COOLER: NH-U14S TR4 OS: Arch Linux Keyboard: Ducky Shine 3 TKL  Mouse: MX Master 2S Headphones: BD DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm

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The 600D is a great camera and their 18-55mm is pretty good for a first lens. As a Canon user myself I don't know how the D3200 performs but it looks good on paper.
I'd go with the 600D, if possible you should get the kit with the 18-135mm but that one is more expensive. It's at $750 on Amazon. Otherwise the 18-55 sould suite you well.

 

Never go with a prime lens for your first and primary lens. If you're just starting you will need a zoom lens to get the desired composition. Once you're more experienced you should buy a prime, preferably a 50mm 1.8 of bigger, you will know there to stand to get the picture that you wanted and as a bonus, those lenses are very sharp, most of the time.

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Never go with a prime lens for your first and primary lens. If you're just starting you will need a zoom lens to get the desired composition. Once you're more experienced you should buy a prime, preferably a 50mm 1.8 of bigger, you will know there to stand to get the picture that you wanted and as a bonus, those lenses are very sharp, most of the time.

I disagree, it teaches you composition, you can still "Zoom" you use your feet. Learning with a prime lens taught me how to angle myself much faster

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600D I love it

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Case Corsair 600T - Storage Intel 330 120GB, WD Blue 1TB - CPU Cooler Noctua NH-D14 - Displays Dell U2312HM, Asus VS228, Acer AL1715

 

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600D or the D3200 are kinda the same.

i5 4670k @ 4.2GHz (Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo); ASrock Z87 EXTREME4; 8GB Kingston HyperX Beast DDR3 RAM @ 2133MHz; Asus DirectCU GTX 560; Super Flower Golden King 550 Platinum PSU;1TB Seagate Barracuda;Corsair 200r case. 

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Actually i disagree with You. The 3200 as well as The other nikon models have better Video imo.

A friend upgraded from a 3200 and said the video quality was better...I guess that was self-induced.I don't know many people with Nikons though D:.

i5 4670k @ 4.2GHz (Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo); ASrock Z87 EXTREME4; 8GB Kingston HyperX Beast DDR3 RAM @ 2133MHz; Asus DirectCU GTX 560; Super Flower Golden King 550 Platinum PSU;1TB Seagate Barracuda;Corsair 200r case. 

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A friend upgraded from a 3200 and said the video quality was better...I guess that was self-induced.I don't know many people with Nikons though D:.

I do, my only issue with the nikon is the mic, but that can be fixed cheaply

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I am leaning towards Nikon because my uncle has a 7100 and a lot of lenses so he may give me one he doesn't use or at least lend me so i know where to go lens wise later. I know about the misplaced mic problem with the nikons but as said it is an easy fix. D3200 or 5100?

Why do i always get blue screens? Why not a red one for a change?

 

 

Spoiler

  CPU: 2920x  GPU: Sapphire HD 7950 Vapor X  MOBO: X399 Taichi  RAM: 4x 8GB Trident Z RGN 3200/14  CASE: 900D  OS SSD: Samsung 960 Evo 512GB  Storage: 20TB NAS  PSU: Corsair RM1000i  CPU COOLER: NH-U14S TR4 OS: Arch Linux Keyboard: Ducky Shine 3 TKL  Mouse: MX Master 2S Headphones: BD DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm

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I own the 700D (T5i) but from that list the Nikon D3200 is the stand out camera.

 

I looked into buying either the D3200 or D5200 but only went for the Canon as it felt better in my hand.

 

I am very sure you would be very happy with the D3200.

Nothing to see here - move along.

 

 

 

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I decided to go with the D3200 and upgrade some time in the future. First alternative: There is one kit that comes with the 35mm f/1.8G lens for 540 euros instead of the 18-55 and another that comes with the 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR for 550 euros. Second alternative: Is to buy body only (370 euros) and get a 50mm f/1.8D for 120 euros or a 50mm f1/1.8G for 195. I don't know what is different between the two but I think I will feel a bit restricted because those scale up to 72.5mm on DX cameras. Third alternative: Is to buy the standard 18-55mm kit and use it to get a feel of where I want to go lens wise. Help... Please... Desperate for advice...

Why do i always get blue screens? Why not a red one for a change?

 

 

Spoiler

  CPU: 2920x  GPU: Sapphire HD 7950 Vapor X  MOBO: X399 Taichi  RAM: 4x 8GB Trident Z RGN 3200/14  CASE: 900D  OS SSD: Samsung 960 Evo 512GB  Storage: 20TB NAS  PSU: Corsair RM1000i  CPU COOLER: NH-U14S TR4 OS: Arch Linux Keyboard: Ducky Shine 3 TKL  Mouse: MX Master 2S Headphones: BD DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm

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1st choice, 50mm is a large zoom and I find 35mm around eye zoom

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I would go with the kit lens while you learn how to use the camera then decide where you want to go from there.

 

The 50mm 1.8 is a good cheap introduction into the world of prime lenses.

 

Also borrow from your uncle.

Nothing to see here - move along.

 

 

 

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Changed my mind. I will go for the D5200 with 18-55 kit lens which I found for 540 euros and try to save up for a Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 and a Sigma 50-150 f/2.8. I figured if I am going to buy a DSLR and keep it for 4-5 years until I hopefully upgrade to a full size sensor one, it might as well have a good AF, 60 fps 1080i and exposure bracketing.

Why do i always get blue screens? Why not a red one for a change?

 

 

Spoiler

  CPU: 2920x  GPU: Sapphire HD 7950 Vapor X  MOBO: X399 Taichi  RAM: 4x 8GB Trident Z RGN 3200/14  CASE: 900D  OS SSD: Samsung 960 Evo 512GB  Storage: 20TB NAS  PSU: Corsair RM1000i  CPU COOLER: NH-U14S TR4 OS: Arch Linux Keyboard: Ducky Shine 3 TKL  Mouse: MX Master 2S Headphones: BD DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm

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Changed my mind. I will go for the D5200 with 18-55 kit lens which I found for 540 euros and try to save up for a Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 and a Sigma 50-150 f/2.8. I figured if I am going to buy a DSLR and keep it for 4-5 years until I hopefully upgrade to a full size sensor one, it might as well have a good AF, 60 fps 1080i and exposure bracketing.

 

Nice. I so wanted the 5200 until I actually held it and the Canon 700D and the Canon just felt "right". I was so dissapointed as I wanted to love the Nikon so much.

Part of me still wishes I had got it. If I had an uncle with a load of lenses I would have.

 

Good luck and keep us posted.

Nothing to see here - move along.

 

 

 

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Consider Panasonic Lumix G5 or G6. Great video options and also good lenses.

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Consider Panasonic Lumix G5 or G6. Great video options and also good lenses.

 

But they are mirrorless and not DSLR's.

Nothing to see here - move along.

 

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

But they are mirrorless and not DSLR's.

 

The only differense between DLSR and mirrorless is the electronic viewfinder instead of the mirror.

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