Quote (JAYZONE @ Dec 26 2015 10:39pm)
there's a sale right now for the d7100 you should get it. less than $500 and it can use both type of lenses (G and non G). The 3k and 5k series are a bunch of hoax. you can't really use it long term and the lens variety is very low.. unless you want to shoot manual.
I somewhat disagree. Screw-drive motors are a thing of the past. Any even remotely new lens has a built-in autofocus motor. There are very few screw-drive lenses that are worth considering, and most are flawed in ways that newer glass has improved on. That isn't to say there aren't good used deals out there... but used screw-drive purchases feel more nostalgic and extremely budgetary rather than sensible. That's my take. I know my opinion would be vehemently argued against by many people if it were posted on a dedicated photography forum.
The 3k and 5k cameras are pretty awesome. I will preface by countering the one argument a lot of old-timers or completely imbeciles come up with (that isn't a remark at anyone in this thread): Some people say "The D3XXX and D5XXX cameras don't have proper controls. You have to use the screen menu!" That is not true. There are several buttons on the camera that are programmable, so you can switch the function of the wheel. When I had a D5200, I could manually control ISO, aperture, and shutter speed all with the same wheel, by pressing and holding different buttons while using the wheel. This was intuitive, quick, and really pleasant. No easier or harder than my D750.
On to the legitimate downside to the D5xxx/D3xxx cameras: The viewfinders are small as FUCK. It's really hard to see anything, or frame anything up. Liveview isn't an alternative to a viewfinder at all, since it's soooo slow. *THAT* is the biggest #1 reason for a D7100 over a D3k/d5k. The controls aren't a big deal. The size/feel of the camera isn't really a big deal (although I prefer the feel of my D750 obviously over the D5200).
Image quality, ISO performance, etc, etc, all are basically the same. The autofocus performance of the D3200/D3300 is so-so. The D5200 has good autofocus performance, but the viewfinder is small so that makes tracking wildlife more difficult.
One final reason why the D5xxx/D3xxx cameras can be a little frustrating: If you get a lens that has focus calibration issues, these cameras cannot adjust for that. I bought a 35mm 1.8G (DX lens). For 99% of people out there, I hear they love it and don't have any issues. I got a copy that backfocused. I couldn't calibrate the lens because I had a D5200. I had one of two options: Sell the lens to someone who did have focus calibration, or send it in for warranty servicing. I hate warranty, I hate mailing things, so I sold it on Craigslist. My D750, on the other hand, has focus calibration. That has helped a little bit.