ot - DSLR Camera Help - Suggestions

WeberWho

I'm going to keep this short. My wife wants a DSLR camera. I know nothing about them. I mean nothing. Trying to keep it under $500-$600 dollars. I'm hoping for 24mp, wifi, and some type of zoom lens. (Yes I'm calling it a zoom lens as I don't even know what the correct term might be) I need help! Thanks peeps!

lousubcap

@Botch - paging here as he knows cameras.  I'm sure there are others (no offense) but my recall is a bit clouded. 

theyolksonyou

@tarheelmatt @Stormbringer

Wolfpack

@hapster

bgebrent

@tarheelmatt

Leopoldstoch

If she isn’t crazy into photography and it’s more of a hobby I might suggest the Sony a6000. Lots of interchangeable lenses, great entry level approachability, etc. 

Leopoldstoch

The a6000 can keep it within your price range as well.

DoubleEgger

I recommend buying used. I have bought lens used from KEH that look and function as if they were new. 

WeberWho

DoubleEgger said:

I recommend buying used. I have bought lens used from KEH that look and function as if they were new. 

I was thinking the same thing for the lens. My dad is using his lens that's from the 1970's on his few year old Nikon’s DSLR. 

Botch

I can't give a worthwhile recommendation for camera/lens in that price range.  I fully agree with @DoubleEgger and @WeberWho , used will give you twice the camera/lens for the price, and KEH is an excellent source (I've never called them, but I've read they're very good at giving advice for anyone's price range).  

Hibby

While not a DSLR, take a look at the Nikon Cooix P900. Lens goes from wide to a stunning 83X optical. Price is in your ballpark. I love mine.

odie91

Does she truly need the functionality of a DSLR?  I've gone mirrorless and don't touch my DSLR anymore.  But photography is a hobby, not a money maker for me.  

WeberWho

odie91 said:

Does she truly need the functionality of a DSLR?  I've gone mirrorless and don't touch my DSLR anymore.  But photography is a hobby, not a money maker for me.  

I'm perfectly happy with my camera phone. My wife borrowed her sisters DSLR for some family pictures. She now thinks we need a new camera. Which maybe isn't a bad idea. I buy stupid crap all the time. This purchase might not be such a bad idea in the long run. I'm thinking DSLR over mirrorless just for the simple fact of it being similar to my Dad's camera. I'm sure I'll be asking him millions of questions. My friend also does it professionally. So I might have a better chance of getting help with DSLR. I did just getting done reading about the Sony a6000 though

nolaegghead

At that price range i would go mirrorless despite your dad's legacy.  Higher price points DSLR.

dmourati

http://snapsort.com/

WeberWho

nolaegghead said:

At that price range i would go mirrorless despite your dad's legacy.  Higher price points DSLR.

I'm thinking I'll buy a 2ND hand DSLR or an older model. The Nikon 5500 has me intrigued 

nolaegghead

They are good.  

td66snrf

Go to dpreview.com You can compare tons of models side by side. I've always been a Canon fan myself. 

xfire_ATX

I bought a Nikon D60 Kit at Costco years ago.  OK camera at the time but it was huge upgrade for us for taking Soccer and such pics.

I picked a used 5### series body and 55mm lens.  Camera is much better obviously and it was only $200.  I still have my original 55mm lens and 70-200mm zoom which work for what I need.

Somebody here in my neighborhood was dumping a 3### series for like $200 today but it's sold already

Stormbringer

As suggested above, dpreview.com is a great place to look. Some specifics:

New vs used - every DSLR camera has a life expectancy measured in shutter closures. It's high. Tens of thousands. Sounds like it would last a lifetime? SWMBO takes around 6000 photos on our 3 week USA holidays. Cameras won't suddenly stop working when they hit the limit, however one of our camera shells, an old Canon, was discarded because the shutter stopped working after a few years of service. If you do buy used, look for scuff marks on the base, dropping a camera can be fatal.

Brand - once you buy into a brand, you're stuck with it. Lens are not interchangable. Even the grey market differentiates between brands, e.g. Sigma make a 150-600mm lens for Canon and another for Nikon. Same body to look at, but different adaptor ring. SWMBO bought into Canon a long time ago and we're happy with it. You can google "canon vs nikon" and see arguments for both.

Video - at some point you're going to want this feature. Trust me on this.

Looking at your specific requirements, and with our personal preference of Canon, the EOS 750D and 760D (bit more expensive) ticks the boxes for what you want. It's a good entry level body, can take different lens so allows you to scale up and has wifi.

Photo Egg

Lots of people think they need a DSLR. Very few really do or will ever truly get a benefit from the purchase over a good point and shoot.
Serious sports and wildlife photography is where a DSLR shines. And just a decent lens, even used, will cost you over $1000. My hot shoe mounted flash for DSLR cost between 500-600.
Trying to get into a DSLR system, even used, for 500-600, will get you no better than a point and shoot that you will probably use more and get just as good of photos if not better because they are made for candid family photos.
I just bought a used Canon G7X mark II. Amazing little camera. It will even Wi-Fi the images to my phone. 24mm-100mm lens @ f 1.8-2.8. Low light images with no flash are great. Shallow depth of field that in the past could only be had with prime 50mm or high dollar glass.

I have owned many point and shoot Canon "G" series cameras over the years. I'm not going to say they are any better than another brands higher end point and shoot but they are good enough that I seldom ever pull out my DSLRs.
The chicken was my first photo and the camera on program mode. What I really like is the exposure compensation dial exactly where it should be, on the top of the camera. NOT a menu option that has to be brought up to change when needed. I do miss it not having a hot shoe or sync as I have used my past G cameras with larger flash a few times and taken as a back up to test studio lights.
As your wife learns more and more about photography it will make her a better photographer with ANY camera.
Here is my new toy.

I shot a high dollar medical banquet 2 weeks ago. One of the people who hired me ask me to shoot a photo of the desert. Shooting with my $4000 worth of DSLR I could not get a photo I liked. Was using a Canon L glass 24-105 IS lens but it was only strait f4.0. Still over $1000 lens but not great in a dim banquet room. I pulled out my $250 cell phone and got a much better shot.

Bottom line, don't discard the idea that a good point and shoot can do better than a basic DSLR system.

Kayak

Spend some time on Ken Rockwell's website.

fishlessman

i agree with photo egg. went from point and shoot years ago to a dslr. that camera now sits in the floor of my truck, never use it, just too big to carry it around. useless to me for overcast days unless i upgrade the lenses. the point and shoot had just better pics from sunny to overcast days and the zooming is incredible for such small cameras.   i need to buy another small camera, i dont take many pics anymore, it used to be so much more convenient

Shiff

Remember that if you get a camera with interchangeable lenses, you will spend more money on lenses than on the camera.  Also when you have a few lenses, you will find that you always have the wrong lens on the camera and have to take the time to switch. You also have to carry around all your lenses with you when you are out for a walk, etc.

Back in the film days I had an SLR with 3 lenses and eventually hated it for all the reasons I mentioned above.

I switched to a single long zoom camera and had a great time.

When Sony announced the mirrorless A6000, I decided I'd give it a try and bought 2 lenses for it.  After a year, I loved the camera's capabilities but hated it for all the reasons I mentioned above.

I traded it in for a Sony RX10M3 long zoom which just has the 1 lens and a 24mm to 600 mm capability.  It is a very capable camera.  It is a little heavier than other long zooms, but that is due to the better lens.  There are other long zoom cameras that are lighter.

As others have suggested, check out dpreview.com.  They have a buyers guide and numerous reviews.

tarheelmatt

I believe the D5000 series from Nikon would suffice for your wife.  I don't believe good good glass starts at $1000.  Nikon has plenty of lens selections well under that.  Especially in the prime market.  The 50mm 1.8G is $200!  Many of my photos were taken with that lens.  There's a 35 1.8G that the same price, and the 85 1.8G is around $400.   Lenses can be bought used too, just FYI.  

Nikon has some great glass well under that.  

Check out KEH as others said.  Also Adorama has a nice used selection and I believe B&H too.  


The P&S have their place, but if the wife wants a DSLR, then go with what she wants is what advise I'd give.  

One thing to always consider is check out the sensor size (not MP, but dimensions).  The bigger the sensor the better.  Three cameras can have the same MP, but have various sensor sizes, the larger sensor will have a "cleaner file".  

DoubleEgger

If you decide to go Nikon, I have a couple of lens that might work for you. PM if you're interested. 

epcotisbest

If she wants a DSLR, get her a DSLR. It does not really matter what anyone else thinks. If you can wait until Black Friday, Sam's, Costco and Best Buy will have a DSLR kit with camera body, bag and a couple of VR lenses on sale in the $499-$599 range, which is a good price for all you get with it. I have a Nikon with several lenses and multiple accessories and tripods but usually just carry a Canon point and shoot most of the time. Here is a photo  with the point and shoot.

GregW

I would recommend taking a look here:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/

The guy has a mixed reputation in the photography world, but I have found his site useful at times.

He tends to recommend the Nikon D3400 for most casual photographers.

 

bigbadben

I have had good luck with canon’s online refebished store.  Maybe it has been said already, but buy a cheaper body and invest in the lenses. 

odie91

Someone made a good point about lenses. With your budget, or her budget, the lenses won't be that great.  That Canon G7x will probably take better photos, with the exception of zoom. If she needs zoom and uses the DSLR kit lens, it will be mediocre.  Check how much a fast zoom lens costs and you'll cringe.   I have the Sony rx100 point and shoot (which canon tried to copy with the g7 hahaha).  I use the Sony most, then the mirrorless (with an old manual focus 1.8 prime lens on an adaptor, fwiw), then once a year might use my DSLR for a very specific purpose such as using it's macro lens for a project or something.  

Shiff

The lens issue is very important both from a cost and a portability view.  You need to consider what types of photography you wish to do. I enjoy wildlife photography and also close-up macro work with insects, etc.  This is why I like a long zoom camera (like my Sony RX10M3) since it has just one lens that goes from macro to long zoom with pretty good quality.

If you look at dpreview.com you will also see sample pictures taken with various cameras.