Hey guys, looking to get an entry level DSLR camera. I'll mainly be doing outdoor shots (Shooting landscapes, and nature shots, sometimes with people in them, with an occasional action shot). It's amateur stuff, for my own use, so nothing extremely professional needed. It would be nice if it could shoot decent video, but still photo quality is a much higher priority than video quality for sure. Haven't really set my budget yet, as I'm still doing early research, but I'd say it ranges anywhere from $500 on up, I'd like to keep it below $1k for a body, and possibly a kit lens. My main question is, what brands/camera models have the best entry level/kit lenses? I've mainly been looking at Nikon (D5100, D3100) and Canon (EOS Rebel T3i, T1i, and T3). I've read mixed reviews about kit lenses, ranging from "they all have crappy optics, crappy plastic mounts, and suck" to "It really depends". So I was hoping you guys could possibly shed some light.

Here are some of the cameras I'm looking at.

Nikon D5100: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-T1i-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B001XURPQS/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1340851170&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=canon+eos+rebel

Canon T2i: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-T2i-Processor-3-0-inch-18-55mm/dp/B0035FZJHQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340852711&sr=1-1&keywords=canon+t2i

This post was edited by BlackKnightsOfFistingPower on Jun 27 2012 09:10pm

That first link goes to the T1i (Which I used to have and loved it, for the record) The T2i is dope, the only big difference from that and the T3i is the movable screen (Which is amazing if you're big into video, its worth getting the screen for low shots). As far as the D5100 I know nothing about it.

I have the D3100 right now, and I love it. Even though I'm a huge Canon guy, it's amazing. The colors, specifically the greens pop very well. Does 720 and 1080 video, it's decently light and not too small yet not too big. The D3100 is a very good starter camera, and very easy to use with the auto modes while you're starting out.

I just bought the Nikon D5100 a month or so ago. I honestly love it, but haven't done as much with it as I'd like yet. I went through a million reviews and comparisons before I picked it, and I haven't regretted it since. I'm just waiting to get a tripod and new lenses.

this.


the d5100 is a great entry level camera.. i would dare call it the perfect entry level camera.
on this end of the spectrum nikon > canon

when you look at stuff like the 5d or 1d canon has better iso balance etc.

definately true

since its entry lvl it doesnt really matter which you buy.

Go in a store of your choice, pick up both cameras, hold them in your hand, try to change some settings and see for yourself which one you like the most!
It´s not like your`re buying a 5d mk III or d800(E) .. so let your hands / stomach decide. Both cameras are very good and have awesome image quality!

Thanks a lot guys, after reading some more reviews and taking into account what you guys said I decided to go with the T3i. I got it on a pretty good sale on Amazon with a kit lens. I just liked the UI, buttons, and way that it felt compared to the D5100. In my limited trials it seemed like they took pretty similar pictures with their respective kit lenses on, so I went with the one I felt more comfortable shooting with.

good choice
And congratulation for your new baby =)

This post was edited by Phil. on Jul 4 2012 12:41pm

I tried to do the same thing with the same exact two cameras, but I couldn't find a store anywhere near where I live that actually had them both. So, I had to go with what I saw online.

Thanks, I'll probably be back for some critiquing and tips on my photos. Gonna try to learn the right way and set all the exposure and stuff myself, and not use the auto modes.



Yeah, only one store around here had all the cameras I was looking at (D3100, D5100, T2i, and T3i), and that was best buy.

This post was edited by BlackKnightsOfFistingPower on Jul 4 2012 01:33pm