Help me navigate among the Nikons!
December 29, 2015 7:35 AM Subscribe
My birthday gift from my wife this year is a new DSLR! Hell yeah! But I have to pick it out. Oh no! Please help me figure out which of the entry-level Nikon DSLRs is for me.
I've looked at the Nikon website, but to be honest the spec differences don't mean much to me because, well, I've never had a DSLR before. A breakdown between the cameras in plain English, by people who know what they're talking about, would be awesome. For instance, am I right in thinking that the main difference between the D3XXX and D5XXX lines is that the 5s have their digital viewfinder mounted on a swivel? What else is different? Do these differences matter?
And I'm committed to a Nikon because of some other Nikon gear we have.
I've looked at the Nikon website, but to be honest the spec differences don't mean much to me because, well, I've never had a DSLR before. A breakdown between the cameras in plain English, by people who know what they're talking about, would be awesome. For instance, am I right in thinking that the main difference between the D3XXX and D5XXX lines is that the 5s have their digital viewfinder mounted on a swivel? What else is different? Do these differences matter?
And I'm committed to a Nikon because of some other Nikon gear we have.
The D 7100 seems to be where they start pulling away from the pack at the bottom of the price list. Slightly faster continuous shooting speed, fast flash sync, 2 SD slots, which is actually a very nice feature, better lens compatibility. We had one of these as our product photography camera at a previous job & I can't think of a singe negative aspect to the thing, compared to my personal D80.
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:06 AM on December 29, 2015
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:06 AM on December 29, 2015
Best answer: The 5000 and 7000 series do a little better in low light than the 3000 series. ("Better" meaning less noise at higher ISO settings.) The 3000 series cameras also have an active help system, which may or may not be useful. The frames-per-second differences may or may not make a difference to you. They don't to me.
But here's the long and short of it: ANY of the Nikon DSLRs are excellent, and will produce excellent quality images. You can pretty much close your eyes and point to one and you will be very happy with your choice.
I have a D5000 (now a 6 year old model!) and I keep trying to make up an excuse to get a newer version, but I just can't because it produces fantastic images and I have not yet felt hindered by it.
I'd recommend getting the latest model you can within your budget, and not overthinking it. (The swiveling screen in the 5000 series is somewhat handy, I guess, but I almost never use mine.)
I would also recommend getting the 35mm f1.8 prime lens for a couple hundred bucks if it's in your budget. This (and not the 50mm) is the proper "normal" lens for the DX-sized sensor in the Nikons you are looking at.
posted by The Deej at 8:26 AM on December 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
But here's the long and short of it: ANY of the Nikon DSLRs are excellent, and will produce excellent quality images. You can pretty much close your eyes and point to one and you will be very happy with your choice.
I have a D5000 (now a 6 year old model!) and I keep trying to make up an excuse to get a newer version, but I just can't because it produces fantastic images and I have not yet felt hindered by it.
I'd recommend getting the latest model you can within your budget, and not overthinking it. (The swiveling screen in the 5000 series is somewhat handy, I guess, but I almost never use mine.)
I would also recommend getting the 35mm f1.8 prime lens for a couple hundred bucks if it's in your budget. This (and not the 50mm) is the proper "normal" lens for the DX-sized sensor in the Nikons you are looking at.
posted by The Deej at 8:26 AM on December 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
Can you expand on the other Nikon gear that you have that you want to work with this new DSLR? And have you previously owned a DSLR at all?
posted by aabbbiee at 8:30 AM on December 29, 2015
posted by aabbbiee at 8:30 AM on December 29, 2015
Rockwell updates and changes this list on a regular basis. I found his reviews more accessible than either the manufacturer site data or the camera-mag review sources.
The camera he currently features as a basic go-to is not necessarily what I would suggest, however. It lacks a front-side thumbwheel, unlike most Nikons, and that makes manual adjustments to exposure and shutterspeed somewhat unwieldy. However, chances are you'll primarily be shooting in an auto mode and won't need to use that kind of control on the fly.
That said, Rockwell is a part of the photography-hardware promotion industry, and buying used can save you a whole lotta dough. However, as with PC hardware, it can be hard to figure out until you've mastered the terminology.
posted by mwhybark at 8:30 AM on December 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
The camera he currently features as a basic go-to is not necessarily what I would suggest, however. It lacks a front-side thumbwheel, unlike most Nikons, and that makes manual adjustments to exposure and shutterspeed somewhat unwieldy. However, chances are you'll primarily be shooting in an auto mode and won't need to use that kind of control on the fly.
That said, Rockwell is a part of the photography-hardware promotion industry, and buying used can save you a whole lotta dough. However, as with PC hardware, it can be hard to figure out until you've mastered the terminology.
posted by mwhybark at 8:30 AM on December 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
What are you trying to be able to do with a DSLR? Knowing what types of photos you want to take in what situations is important to making a good recommendation.
As a note, Ken Rockwell is worth reading but be aware that his site has a focus on being entertaining and selling you things rather than being a serious review site. Doing a search on his name will turn up quite a few opinions on problems with his reviews, at least some of which I would agree with.
posted by Candleman at 8:56 AM on December 29, 2015
As a note, Ken Rockwell is worth reading but be aware that his site has a focus on being entertaining and selling you things rather than being a serious review site. Doing a search on his name will turn up quite a few opinions on problems with his reviews, at least some of which I would agree with.
posted by Candleman at 8:56 AM on December 29, 2015
(The swiveling screen in the 5000 series is somewhat handy, I guess, but I almost never use mine.)
I would have 2nd'ed this up until yesterday when I combined our D5100, a tri-pod, a remote, and the swivel screen to take portraits of myself that I needed last minute. Now I can think of other times when I might want to use a similar setup to take pictures of other stuff or even just putting the camera up high enough that it would be easier to flip the screen out and use the remote rather than look through the view-finder.
posted by VTX at 9:01 AM on December 29, 2015
I would have 2nd'ed this up until yesterday when I combined our D5100, a tri-pod, a remote, and the swivel screen to take portraits of myself that I needed last minute. Now I can think of other times when I might want to use a similar setup to take pictures of other stuff or even just putting the camera up high enough that it would be easier to flip the screen out and use the remote rather than look through the view-finder.
posted by VTX at 9:01 AM on December 29, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks, all!
Can you expand on the other Nikon gear that you have that you want to work with this new DSLR? And have you previously owned a DSLR at all?
My wife has an older D5000, and we want to be able to swap lenses (and batteries, if possible, although that's less important). This also means she's familiar with the Nikon interface and can help me get off the ground.
What are you trying to be able to do with a DSLR? Knowing what types of photos you want to take in what situations is important to making a good recommendation.
Working with non-DSLR cameras, I take a pretty wide range - still lifes around the house, action photos of dogs freaking out at the dog park, nature pics while hiking, architecture pic while walking around cities. So, with the DSLR, I'll be trying to do that stuff but better.
posted by the phlegmatic king at 9:13 AM on December 29, 2015
Can you expand on the other Nikon gear that you have that you want to work with this new DSLR? And have you previously owned a DSLR at all?
My wife has an older D5000, and we want to be able to swap lenses (and batteries, if possible, although that's less important). This also means she's familiar with the Nikon interface and can help me get off the ground.
What are you trying to be able to do with a DSLR? Knowing what types of photos you want to take in what situations is important to making a good recommendation.
Working with non-DSLR cameras, I take a pretty wide range - still lifes around the house, action photos of dogs freaking out at the dog park, nature pics while hiking, architecture pic while walking around cities. So, with the DSLR, I'll be trying to do that stuff but better.
posted by the phlegmatic king at 9:13 AM on December 29, 2015
Response by poster: So I guess a refinement question I'd have is: can I generally expect lenses that work with my wife's 2009ish D5000 to work with any new D5XXX or D3XXX Nikon?
posted by the phlegmatic king at 9:16 AM on December 29, 2015
posted by the phlegmatic king at 9:16 AM on December 29, 2015
I bought a Nikon D7100 last year when I was in the market for a new Nikon DSLR. I could not afford the successor to my beloved D300, but I needed video capability which the D300 does not have.
Even though my D300 is 6 years older, it has a much better build quality and body shape than the D7100. That is the kind of difference that won't be as apparent unless you have the opportunity to hold and handle cameras for yourself. Do you have a camera shop nearby? If so, I recommend you go hold the various cameras yourself and don't underestimate the importance of what fits your hand the best and feels the most natural to you. The D3000 series and D5000 series bodies (entry-level and upper-entry level cameras respectively) are much lighter in weight and smaller in size than the D7000 series bodies (a mid-level camera). That might sound like a plus until you pick up the camera and practice using it. The buttons on a D7000 are in a better position for me, personally, and I can't do without the front aperture wheel (mentioned by mwhybark above).
One other thing to mention about the D3000/D5000 series of Nikons is that they do not have an in-body autofocus motor. If the other Nikon gear you mention includes older Nikon lenses, this may be important as lenses without an in-lens focus motor will not autofocus with these camera bodies. The lenses will mount and you can manually focus them (and the rangefinder may even assist you) but they will not autofocus. The D7000 series of bodies does have the in-body autofocus motor.
I have found that camera shops usually employ knowledgeable and friendly staff who are used to the kinds of questions you have, and they often do a series of workshops/classes in January to teach all the new camera owners how to use their DSLRs. These could be very helpful for you. If you have this kind of shop nearby, I highly recommend you make use of it and support it by purchasing your camera there, even if it costs a little extra. Camera shops are worth supporting.
[In addition to my D7100, I also bought the associated Nikon wireless adapter to upload photos from my DSLR direct to my iPhone, allowing me to share images without downloading to my computer first. It's a fussy device but totally worth the fuss for me; I would buy again in a heartbeat. Love it.]
posted by aabbbiee at 9:17 AM on December 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
Even though my D300 is 6 years older, it has a much better build quality and body shape than the D7100. That is the kind of difference that won't be as apparent unless you have the opportunity to hold and handle cameras for yourself. Do you have a camera shop nearby? If so, I recommend you go hold the various cameras yourself and don't underestimate the importance of what fits your hand the best and feels the most natural to you. The D3000 series and D5000 series bodies (entry-level and upper-entry level cameras respectively) are much lighter in weight and smaller in size than the D7000 series bodies (a mid-level camera). That might sound like a plus until you pick up the camera and practice using it. The buttons on a D7000 are in a better position for me, personally, and I can't do without the front aperture wheel (mentioned by mwhybark above).
One other thing to mention about the D3000/D5000 series of Nikons is that they do not have an in-body autofocus motor. If the other Nikon gear you mention includes older Nikon lenses, this may be important as lenses without an in-lens focus motor will not autofocus with these camera bodies. The lenses will mount and you can manually focus them (and the rangefinder may even assist you) but they will not autofocus. The D7000 series of bodies does have the in-body autofocus motor.
I have found that camera shops usually employ knowledgeable and friendly staff who are used to the kinds of questions you have, and they often do a series of workshops/classes in January to teach all the new camera owners how to use their DSLRs. These could be very helpful for you. If you have this kind of shop nearby, I highly recommend you make use of it and support it by purchasing your camera there, even if it costs a little extra. Camera shops are worth supporting.
[In addition to my D7100, I also bought the associated Nikon wireless adapter to upload photos from my DSLR direct to my iPhone, allowing me to share images without downloading to my computer first. It's a fussy device but totally worth the fuss for me; I would buy again in a heartbeat. Love it.]
posted by aabbbiee at 9:17 AM on December 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
So I guess a refinement question I'd have is: can I generally expect lenses that work with my wife's 2009ish D5000 to work with any new D5XXX or D3XXX Nikon?
Yes.
posted by The Deej at 9:18 AM on December 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
Yes.
posted by The Deej at 9:18 AM on December 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
> (The swiveling screen in the 5000 series is somewhat handy, I guess, but I almost never use mine.)
I would have 2nd'ed this up until yesterday when I combined our D5100, a tri-pod, a remote, and the swivel screen to take portraits of myself that I needed last minute.
Right, it can be very handy, and I would rather have it than not, but it's not a deal breaker to not have it. I just don't find that I use it very often at all. I do like being able to "close" the LCD to protect it while in storage or transit. I also often close it to prevent me from looking at every. single. shot. after I take it.
posted by The Deej at 9:21 AM on December 29, 2015
I would have 2nd'ed this up until yesterday when I combined our D5100, a tri-pod, a remote, and the swivel screen to take portraits of myself that I needed last minute.
Right, it can be very handy, and I would rather have it than not, but it's not a deal breaker to not have it. I just don't find that I use it very often at all. I do like being able to "close" the LCD to protect it while in storage or transit. I also often close it to prevent me from looking at every. single. shot. after I take it.
posted by The Deej at 9:21 AM on December 29, 2015
The things that affect lens compatibility are (as far as I can remember):
1. Brand: This is pretty self-explanatory, the lens is either compatible with Nikon cameras or it's not and they'll make it obvious.
2. Format: DX or FX, this designates the size of the sensor. Lenses that work with the larger FX sensor will also work on cameras with the smaller DX sensor but not the other way around. I think there are some issues with doing that but it should be easy to google for. FX cameras take a big jump up in price and I think the lenses do to. Since you're wife's D5000 uses a DX format sensor, stick with a DX camera (which would be beyond the D7xxx series and likely beyond your budget).
3. Auto-focus: This is a little more nuanced. Most lenses will work in both auto-focus (AF) and manual (M) modes, the difference is that some lenses will have the motor that runs the AF in the lens and some will only work in AF mode if the particular camera body has the AF motor built in. I don't think even the D7xxx series has the AF motor in it and I know the D5xxx and below do not. It's a higher end feature that allows for faster focusing and cheaper lenses.
4. VR: Some lenses have VR (Vibration Reduction) feature built in and some don't. It's not a compatibility thing, just a feature that you should be aware of. It's supposed to be handy to have if you usually hold the camera in your hands. If you'll only be using a certain lens to take shots from a tri-pod, you can save a bit of money by going without the feature on that lens.
DSLR camera tech doesn't advance by leaps and bounds so I think it's a good candidate to buy used on Craigslist/eBay or refurbished from a reputable source. It's somewhat common for people to step up from a D5300 or D7200 to a higher-end body and sell all of their old gear. You can get 98% of the features, performance, and lifespan of a brand new one at 75% or less of the price. The higher-end camera won't really help them take better pictures but there is no reason that you can't benefit from that.
posted by VTX at 11:10 AM on December 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
1. Brand: This is pretty self-explanatory, the lens is either compatible with Nikon cameras or it's not and they'll make it obvious.
2. Format: DX or FX, this designates the size of the sensor. Lenses that work with the larger FX sensor will also work on cameras with the smaller DX sensor but not the other way around. I think there are some issues with doing that but it should be easy to google for. FX cameras take a big jump up in price and I think the lenses do to. Since you're wife's D5000 uses a DX format sensor, stick with a DX camera (which would be beyond the D7xxx series and likely beyond your budget).
3. Auto-focus: This is a little more nuanced. Most lenses will work in both auto-focus (AF) and manual (M) modes, the difference is that some lenses will have the motor that runs the AF in the lens and some will only work in AF mode if the particular camera body has the AF motor built in. I don't think even the D7xxx series has the AF motor in it and I know the D5xxx and below do not. It's a higher end feature that allows for faster focusing and cheaper lenses.
4. VR: Some lenses have VR (Vibration Reduction) feature built in and some don't. It's not a compatibility thing, just a feature that you should be aware of. It's supposed to be handy to have if you usually hold the camera in your hands. If you'll only be using a certain lens to take shots from a tri-pod, you can save a bit of money by going without the feature on that lens.
DSLR camera tech doesn't advance by leaps and bounds so I think it's a good candidate to buy used on Craigslist/eBay or refurbished from a reputable source. It's somewhat common for people to step up from a D5300 or D7200 to a higher-end body and sell all of their old gear. You can get 98% of the features, performance, and lifespan of a brand new one at 75% or less of the price. The higher-end camera won't really help them take better pictures but there is no reason that you can't benefit from that.
posted by VTX at 11:10 AM on December 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
This also means she's familiar with the Nikon interface
An infuriating thing about Nikon is that they switch the UI around from model to model. If both of you are happy with her current model, you might just look for a used one to match.
As far as the autofocus motor, the D7x00 line has them but the D5x00 and D3x00 lines do not, so whatever you get should be compatible with your wife's lenses, but if you step up to the D7x00, you could end up with some that don't work on hers.
The D5200 and D7x00 have significantly better autofocus than the D3200. If action shots and speed of focusing is important to you, I'd go with at least the D5200 if you're buying new. The D7000 can be had pretty cheaply used and is a hell of a camera and the D7100 and D7200 are even better.
The already mentioned lack of a separate aperture control on the D3200 is also a dealbreaker for me, as I tend to mostly shoot in aperture or full manual mode. YMMV.
Working with non-DSLR cameras, I take a pretty wide range
One thing I always advise people to consider is just stepping up to a nicer pocketable camera, as the old mantra about the best camera being the one that you have with you continues to hold true. I'm dogged enough to carry a 6+ lbs camera around me while traveling but there's still tons of times that I don't want the weight and bulk of a DSLR and am happier with a pocket camera. If your wife is non-territorial about her camera and willing to let you borrow it from time to time, you might see if something in the RX-100 line suits your mutual needs.
posted by Candleman at 1:18 PM on December 29, 2015
An infuriating thing about Nikon is that they switch the UI around from model to model. If both of you are happy with her current model, you might just look for a used one to match.
As far as the autofocus motor, the D7x00 line has them but the D5x00 and D3x00 lines do not, so whatever you get should be compatible with your wife's lenses, but if you step up to the D7x00, you could end up with some that don't work on hers.
The D5200 and D7x00 have significantly better autofocus than the D3200. If action shots and speed of focusing is important to you, I'd go with at least the D5200 if you're buying new. The D7000 can be had pretty cheaply used and is a hell of a camera and the D7100 and D7200 are even better.
The already mentioned lack of a separate aperture control on the D3200 is also a dealbreaker for me, as I tend to mostly shoot in aperture or full manual mode. YMMV.
Working with non-DSLR cameras, I take a pretty wide range
One thing I always advise people to consider is just stepping up to a nicer pocketable camera, as the old mantra about the best camera being the one that you have with you continues to hold true. I'm dogged enough to carry a 6+ lbs camera around me while traveling but there's still tons of times that I don't want the weight and bulk of a DSLR and am happier with a pocket camera. If your wife is non-territorial about her camera and willing to let you borrow it from time to time, you might see if something in the RX-100 line suits your mutual needs.
posted by Candleman at 1:18 PM on December 29, 2015
I don't think even the D7xxx series has the AF motor in it and I know the D5xxx and below do not. It's a higher end feature that allows for faster focusing and cheaper lenses.
As I mentioned in my response above, the D7000 series does indeed have the in-body focus motor that VTX defines. The D5000/D3000 series bodies do not. A few years ago, Nikon decided to remove this in order to bring the cost of the entry-level DSLRs lower. The idea is probably that most people buying these entry-level cameras will only use the kit lens (which is what we call the lens that is packaged with the camera body) and probably won't venture far outside the kit lens or other entry-level zoom lenses. And that's probably true.
But, to clarify further on what's been said above, nearly any Nikon SLR lens will fit on your wife's Nikon D5000 or any other Nikon DSLR. Even Grandpa's old Nikon 35mm film SLR lens will fit. You can use it and take pictures with it, with manual adjustments only. The SLR lens connection, what's called the Nikon F-mount, has not changed since practically the beginning of the brand itself.
posted by aabbbiee at 2:08 PM on December 29, 2015
As I mentioned in my response above, the D7000 series does indeed have the in-body focus motor that VTX defines. The D5000/D3000 series bodies do not. A few years ago, Nikon decided to remove this in order to bring the cost of the entry-level DSLRs lower. The idea is probably that most people buying these entry-level cameras will only use the kit lens (which is what we call the lens that is packaged with the camera body) and probably won't venture far outside the kit lens or other entry-level zoom lenses. And that's probably true.
But, to clarify further on what's been said above, nearly any Nikon SLR lens will fit on your wife's Nikon D5000 or any other Nikon DSLR. Even Grandpa's old Nikon 35mm film SLR lens will fit. You can use it and take pictures with it, with manual adjustments only. The SLR lens connection, what's called the Nikon F-mount, has not changed since practically the beginning of the brand itself.
posted by aabbbiee at 2:08 PM on December 29, 2015
The already mentioned lack of a separate aperture control on the D3200 is also a dealbreaker for me, as I tend to mostly shoot in aperture or full manual mode. YMMV.
Just to clarify: in Aperture Priority Mode, the thumbwheel controls aperture. Not inconvenient at all.
But in Manual Mode, the thumbwheel controls both Shutter and Aperture; you have to hold down the "+/-" button next to the shutter button while spinning the thumbwheel to adjust Aperture. As Candleman points out, definitely not as elegant as having two separate controls!
(In my case, I pretty much always shoot in Aperture Priority, so not an issue.)
posted by The Deej at 2:43 PM on December 29, 2015
Just to clarify: in Aperture Priority Mode, the thumbwheel controls aperture. Not inconvenient at all.
But in Manual Mode, the thumbwheel controls both Shutter and Aperture; you have to hold down the "+/-" button next to the shutter button while spinning the thumbwheel to adjust Aperture. As Candleman points out, definitely not as elegant as having two separate controls!
(In my case, I pretty much always shoot in Aperture Priority, so not an issue.)
posted by The Deej at 2:43 PM on December 29, 2015
You want a D7200 if...
* you want to use old (pre~2000) lenses (but your wife's lenses from 2009 will work fine on any current DX body)
* you're planning on a lot of sports photography and need a faster AF system with more sensors for high speed continuous tracking
* you're planning on using multiple off-camera flashes in a studio lighting situation (D7x00 bodies are the lowest that enable the on-board flash to be used as a commander for their lighting system)
* you want something that's a bit tougher and more weather-proof (and noticeably larger and heavier) for outdoor use
* you really want two thumbwheels (in practice, either way you'll settle on your habitual setup and not think about it much long term)
* you want the option to attach a clunky Nikon GPS unit
...and don't mind paying ~$300 more for all that.
Otherwise, I'd get a D5500 which is the only one with a nifty articulated screen and a touch screen.
All the DX (APSC) format Nikons (D3300, D5500, D7200) have the same image processing and the same image quality now, so there's no difference there. They're all capable of taking fantastic pictures in the right hands.
Have fun with it.
posted by normy at 3:06 PM on December 29, 2015
* you want to use old (pre~2000) lenses (but your wife's lenses from 2009 will work fine on any current DX body)
* you're planning on a lot of sports photography and need a faster AF system with more sensors for high speed continuous tracking
* you're planning on using multiple off-camera flashes in a studio lighting situation (D7x00 bodies are the lowest that enable the on-board flash to be used as a commander for their lighting system)
* you want something that's a bit tougher and more weather-proof (and noticeably larger and heavier) for outdoor use
* you really want two thumbwheels (in practice, either way you'll settle on your habitual setup and not think about it much long term)
* you want the option to attach a clunky Nikon GPS unit
...and don't mind paying ~$300 more for all that.
Otherwise, I'd get a D5500 which is the only one with a nifty articulated screen and a touch screen.
All the DX (APSC) format Nikons (D3300, D5500, D7200) have the same image processing and the same image quality now, so there's no difference there. They're all capable of taking fantastic pictures in the right hands.
Have fun with it.
posted by normy at 3:06 PM on December 29, 2015
If you are or plan to be a manual shooter (about half my pictures are taken full manual) then not having separate aperture/shutter speed controls is a deal breaker pain in the ass IMO.
One feature not mentioned yet is the 7200 has a higher sync speed (250 vs. 200). Useful for fill flash in outdoor locations. Aftermarket wireless flash has gotten so cheap (a pair of Yongnuo flashes with built in transceivers and a pair of remotes can be had for less than $200) that it's worth thinking about capabilities if you are general photographer.
posted by Mitheral at 3:41 PM on December 29, 2015
One feature not mentioned yet is the 7200 has a higher sync speed (250 vs. 200). Useful for fill flash in outdoor locations. Aftermarket wireless flash has gotten so cheap (a pair of Yongnuo flashes with built in transceivers and a pair of remotes can be had for less than $200) that it's worth thinking about capabilities if you are general photographer.
posted by Mitheral at 3:41 PM on December 29, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by girlmightlive at 7:59 AM on December 29, 2015 [1 favorite]