Choosing my first DSLR

[guitarist2]

Hello everyone,

I am a beginner photographer looking for my first SLR camera. I will probably use it mostly for portraits and city scenes, so I guess I'll also need a prime lens whatever I choose.

I am currently pondering between the Nikon D5100 and the Canon EOS 600D.
I incline towards the D5100 as it's cheaper and from photo samples and reviews it seems to perform better in low light and frankly I don't see myself buying a separate flash straight away. I kinda like the warm light anyway.

However, the 600D seems to have more accessibility features, e.g. dedicated ISO button and easier access to settings in general.

Also, I found out that D5100 does not have an autofocus engine, though I'm not sure the 600D has it either.

So, my questions are:
1. Is the autofocus engine a difference between the two or are they both lacking it? And is it an important feature (Would I be able to buy cheaper lenses for a camera that has one)?
2. Is the lack of an ISO dedicated button or a second dial important?

Any thoughts are welcome.

Thank you
guitarist2

[Doug Pardee]

The Canon doesn't need an autofocus motor in the camera. All Canon AF lenses have the AF motor in the lens.

Nikon, on the other hand, has some lenses that require the AF motor in the camera and some lenses that have the AF motor in the lens.

As for buttons and dials, that's a personal preference. What matters is how you feel about them.

[inkista]

Neither of those cameras has a second dial, either.

Play with them in a store, see which one has controls and menus that feel more natural to you.

If your eyesight is good, and you're planning mostly on shooting portraits and city scenes not having autofocus probably won't be a big deal. Manually focusing still works, it's just slower. You usually only need autofocus if you're shooting fast action, like sports or wildlife. Posing people and buildings tend to wait for you. And you can always stop down to get a deep DoF to make critical focusing less necessary.

Whether you need a prime is also a matter of some debate, but I don't necessarily think that either one of your subjects requires it. Street scenes, actually, may be more easily captured with a zoom than a fixed focal length lens. Portraits are commonly shot with fast primes, but some folks prefer to light with slower lenses. So, again, it's a matter of personal taste and style.

[guitarist2]

Thanks guys, it's good to know I shouldn't see those missing features as a deal breaker. It's just that my option was more based on reviews than trying the actual cameras.

I've tried a Rebel last night and I think I got a feel of what 600D would be like and I'm now positive I'll go with the D5100.

guitarist2

[veritasimagery]

Originally Posted by guitarist2

I've tried a Rebel last night and I think I got a feel of what 600D would be like and I'm now positive I'll go with the D5100.

Which "Rebel" did you try? I know that my T3i/600D feels much different, to me, then did the 1000D/1100D. The same goes for the difference in feel between the D5100 and the D3100. Another thing that really helps the "feel" is the addition of a battery grip. It really improved the "feel" and heft of the 600D, and then adds not only an extra battery, but also the controls on the grip allow you access to an easier "portrait" grip.

[ErikUngerPhotography]

When choosing a camera brand to buy into, probably the most important factor is how it feels both in your hands and understanding the controls/menu. I absolutely hate the menus and controls of most of the Nikons I have handled, but I would never tell someone NOT to get a Nikon because of how I feel about it's controls/menu.

As far as features go, a lot of the times they are just marketing tools. Both brands will have their pros and cons, and it is important to determine if they will actually make a difference. In other words, are you actually going to be able to notice a difference. Some reviews out there put numbers on things like IQ, but it really doesn't matter when you take a good photo.

You will be happy with either, but you should try them both out at a store.

[bigben6]

Good stat comparison: Canon 600D vs Nikon D5100

I would lean on the D5100 right now based on your stated needs, the ISO boost while not massive (.6 stops) is better, but as stated feel is your most important consideration right now. Unless you have a friend with one camera system pick which ever you like, if your friend has a specific brand it may behoove you to buy that brand so you can exchange/try out their gears.

A prime lens is not what i would call a necessity but your lucky in that both the 50mm f/1.8 and the 35mm f/1.8 are cost effective options @ ~$200 if you go the nikon route, though cannons verisons are very good as well from reading just priced differently (~100 for the one ~300 for the other)