Help choosing camera

[HellomynameisRavi]

I have just started photography a few months ago and am looking into getting my first DSLR.
I have been looking at the Canon eos 1000d and the Nikon d3100.
Any suggestions on which one to get? Or any other good entry-level DSLR's that aren't too expensive?

[digirebelva]

My advice, is to go the the camera store and handle the cameras in your price range. See which one feels better to YOU, which one are the buttons more intutive for you..etc.. Then find out the pluses & minuses. Everybody can and will give you advice on the best camera (to them) , but you are the one thats going to spend the money and use it...
Consider what you are going to want to do with, both now & in the future...because you are not just buying a camera, you will be buying into a "system" with a lot more options than any P&S out there..(lens, flash etc...)
Do your homework upfront so you can spend your money wisely.

[jml79]

+ 1 to above.

With that being said, a little more $ will get you a lot more camera than either of those 2. I wouldn't recommend either to a friend.

[buzzrk]

Go with 3100 if that is the price range you are looking for.
If you can pay more 7000 is the best camera in terms of value but you may not find it in stock for few more weeks.

[jml79]

Originally Posted by buzzrk

Go with 3100 if that is the price range you are looking for.
If you can pay more 7000 is the best camera in terms of value but you may not find it in stock for few more weeks.

Why the 3100? That is a camera I almost never recommend because of the limited lens choices.

A Sony A3xx or 5xx, Pentax K-r or Canon T1i or T2i are all better budget choices in my opinion. All of them can use their respective full lens line-up. The Nikon 3100 cannot use all of the Nikon lenses and some of the ones it can't use are some of the better, low cost lenses like the 50mm f/1.8

[ElCapitan]

Cannot stress this enough, but get the camera that feels right to you. Too many people on the internet cry about what camera system is better or what they want the other system to do, but what it really comes down to is you and your ability.

I shoot Canon, have several top quality Canon lenses, and have no plans on switching. Despite that, I would never tell someone to get a Canon over a Nikon, or vice versa. Get what feels right to you, and try not to get caught up in marketing hype. Certain things are nice like megapixels, focus points, etc., but none of those matter if you don't know what you are doing.

In short, get the camera that feels comfortable to you and is in your price range.

[jml79]

Originally Posted by ElCapitan

Cannot stress this enough, but get the camera that feels right to you. Too many people on the internet cry about what camera system is better or what they want the other system to do, but what it really comes down to is you and your ability.

I shoot Canon, have several top quality Canon lenses, and have no plans on switching. Despite that, I would never tell someone to get a Canon over a Nikon, or vice versa. Get what feels right to you, and try not to get caught up in marketing hype. Certain things are nice like megapixels, focus points, etc., but none of those matter if you don't know what you are doing.

In short, get the camera that feels comfortable to you and is in your price range.

But isn't that why people ask the questions? I know what I would buy and I haven't even listed those camera's because they don't fit the OP's question or budget. When one camera out of a whole selection has a major and potentially costly limitation I would want to know up front.

I use Nikon at work, I like Nikon and if I were to buy a camera tomorrow it would likely be a Nikon (budget not considered) but I have seen many people buy an entry level Nikon because we get them at a discount through work, then go to get some lenses and have to spend a lot more than they needed to or not be able to get the lens they want even though Nikon makes one. Other Camera's have minor faults and issues but none this limiting. I would want to know about that before I dropped the better part of $1000. Same as if something significantly better was available with a small jump in price like the jump from a Canon 1000d to a 500d or 550d. A huge jump forward in many ways for a little more up front.

If people don't want an opinion then why would they ask in forums. Yes, use your own judgement and common sense when there are recommendations. I would never expect anyone to just take my word for it. But when asking for an opinion, then expect an opinion and take it for what it is...

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by ElCapitan

Cannot stress this enough, but get the camera that feels right to you. Too many people on the internet cry about what camera system is better or what they want the other system to do, but what it really comes down to is you and your ability.

Sorry but this is a ridiculous statement. The reason people stress about SYSTEMS rather than individual components (especially bodies) for a newcomer is because most of them don't understand the concept of a system over a single camera.

It's silly to go with Canon if you need an exceptional wide angle lens to go with your body in much the same way it's silly to go Nikon if you shoot almost exclusively primes.