DSLR buying guide

[People121]

I want to buy DSLR suggest me a beginner/newbie DSLR. I dont know anything about photography or using fuctions of DSLR. I want good quality photos. Please guide me.

 

[umar2050]

Nikkon D5200 or D5300 will be best for you in my opinion. Great Entry to Mid level DSLR for beginners.

 

[crase24]

Specify your range ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fayaz88]

My advise: Write down the specific features that you need (Like, do you need touchscreen? A flip out screen? Do you really need higher FPS shooting?, etc.) And then buy the cheapest camera with these features. It really doesn't matter whether you buy Nikon or Canon.

Nikon has better image quality, but I don't think majority of people can tell the difference between a Canon or a Nikon photo, so it is pointless to buy Nikon just because it has better image quality. I personally think for beginners Canon is a better option, especially in Pakistan. The reason I say this is that if you look at 650D or 700D of Canon, both have touchscreens which is very helpful for beginners who are just learning photography because it is exactly like using a smartphone. These Canon 650D and 700D cost less than 55 Thousand, and the 'ONLY' Nikon camera with touch screen is about 75 Thousand rupees.

Also, when you change settings like Shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, the Canon cameras will give you a simulation of how your image will look. This is very useful for beginners who are learning. This feature is shitty as hell in Nikon, even if you spend like 1 Lac on a Nikon DSLR, you will find this problem. Because of this, almost ALL of the people who shoot video with a DSLR use Canon. If you will be shooting a lot of video as well, buy Canon.

Another reason to buy Canon is that its lenses are cheaper. With Nikon, there are 2 types of lenses. Lenses with motor and lenses without motor. Nikon's entry level DSLRs like D3XXX or D5XXX do not have a focusing motor. Because of this, you need to use a lens which has the motor in it. If you use the lens without a focusing motor on these entry level DSLRs, the lens will not automatically focus. The problem is that these lenses with motors are twice as expensive as lenses without motors.. With Canon, there is no such issue. You can buy almost any Canon lens and it will work. One example: Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens is about 10 Thousand rupees.. Nikon's 50mm f/1.8 with the motor is about 20 thousand rupees.

One distinct advantage of Nikon is that it is better for low light photography because when you increase the ISO, the noise is less compared to similar Canon cameras.

It is upto you, but you can't go wrong with either brands. Just make sure you buy a DSLR which has the specific features that you want and you will be happy, regardless of which brand it is.

Watch this video to get a general idea of the differences Nikon D5200 vs Canon T5i (700D) EPIC Shootout Comparison | Which Camera to Buy?

 

[People121]

@fayaz88 thanks for the detailed answer. I have read somewhere that DSLRR cant record more than 30 second video is it true??

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@fayaz88 thanks for the detailed answer. I have read somewhere that DSLRR cant record more than 30 second video is it true??

EDIT: Yes I will also be shooting videos on 60fps preferably 1080p

 

[fayaz88]

@fayaz88 thanks for the detailed answer. I have read somewhere that DSLRR cant record more than 30 second video is it true??

- - - Updated - - -
@fayaz88 thanks for the detailed answer. I have read somewhere that DSLRR cant record more than 30 second video is it true??

EDIT: Yes I will also be shooting videos on 60fps preferably 1080p

30 seconds? No that's not true.. I think it is more like 30 minutes. Once 30 minutes passes, you will have to start recording again. No big deal. For video, 1080p at 60fps is I think only provided by Nikon, not Canon.

 

[People121]

[MENTION=106948]fayaz88[/MENTION] I have read that the lens heatsup on video recording

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[MENTION=106948]fayaz88[/MENTION] I have read that the lens heatsup on video recording

 

[dualaxe]

@People121
I started off as a canon user. Was pleased with how it performed. Pictures as well as video looked very good. But few months after my purchase, I got a chance to use a Nikon D5000. Compared to images from my 500D, Nikon looked a tad bit better. Later on I purchased a D5100 and sold of my 500d, never looked back. Today I am the head instructor at Nikon and own the most expensive Nikon cameras and lenses in Pakistan. Let me give you a brief overview of both the brands.

A couple of years back Canon used to be the king of DSLR cinematography. Even its entry level cameras produce amazing videos. Most of the TV commercials and serials used to be shot on Canon 5D mark ii. But the current generation of Nikon DSLRs have come very close to Canon dslrs in terms of video quality. When you set your camera to tripod mode, the live view shows you exactly how your clip would look like. However for really professional videography people use dedicated video cameras such as Blackmagic Design, Red, Alexa and some Sony cameras. Dslrs as well as dedicated video cameras heat up pretty fast once you start recording. Your battery would also drain quicker while shooting video.

While buying your first DSLR, it would all come down to the notorious 50 mm lens. Why is Nikon's 50 almost twice the price of Canon's? There are quite a few reasons for that.
1.Nikon's 50mm 1.8G, the one with an AF motor built in has a metallic mount. Canon 50 1.8 is made out of low density plastic and often splits into two if it falls hard.
2.Nikon's 50 1.8G has a manual over ride function to allow you to manually move the focus ring while it's in AF mode. If you tried that on Canon, it makes a machinery noise because of the resistance inside the motor. There's a japanese version of Canon 50 1.8 that comes with a metallic mount but it's difficult to find it in the market nowadays.
3.Nikon's 50 1.8G has a Silent Wave Motor. The canon version of this motor is the Ultrasonic motor. Canon 50 1.8 doesn't have it but the 50 1.4 does. The motor adds to the cost of this lens. It allows the lens to focus fast, and without making much noise.
4.Nikon 50 1.8G has a 7 bladed diaphragm. The blades are rounded, which results in circular bokeh. On the other hand, Canon's 50 1.8 has 5 sharp blades that make up its diaphragm. This results in the formation of pentagons instead of complete round circles.
5.All cropped sensor Nikon lenses work fine on Nikon full frame bodies. Your camera can switch to crop mode and make the best use of those cheap lenses. On the other hand, Ef-S lenses are designed specifically for Canon cropped sensor cameras and if you use them on Canon full frames, it can damage the mirror and the shutter because the rear element extends deeper than it should.

Nowadays most of the lenses that Nikon makes have an AF motor built in. And the price is similar to Canon variants. Canon however has a greater variety of cheap lenses. For example Nikon does not make a 70-200 2.8 with stabilzation but Canon does. Generally Nikon lenses are more expensive because of costlier glass and coating. But let me tell you, when you look at the high end lenses, Canon and Nikon produce almost similar quality and it all comes down to your camera then. Nikon cameras have amazing sensors. Simply amazing. You would understand when you compare raw images out of both. The amount of recovery possible with Nikon raws is outstanding. When I cover international fashion shows, Canon users around me have their eyes on my camera only. Some of them have recently switched to Nikon because they understand the difference. At your level, you wont be able to appreciate this difference. So do some research, use both the brands before buying and whatever you buy, make the best use of it. A lot of info here may be beyond your level, but you will understand each and everything once you do some research.

 

[fayaz88]

@People121
I started off as a canon user. Was pleased with how it performed. Pictures as well as video looked very good. But few months after my purchase, I got a chance to use a Nikon D5000. Compared to images from my 500D, Nikon looked a tad bit better. Later on I purchased a D5100 and sold of my 500d, never looked back. Today I am the head instructor at Nikon and own the most expensive Nikon cameras and lenses in Pakistan. Let me give you a brief overview of both the brands.

A couple of years back Canon used to be the king of DSLR cinematography. Even its entry level cameras produce amazing videos. Most of the TV commercials and serials used to be shot on Canon 5D mark ii. But the current generation of Nikon DSLRs have come very close to Canon dslrs in terms of video quality. When you set your camera to tripod mode, the live view shows you exactly how your clip would look like. However for really professional videography people use dedicated video cameras such as Blackmagic Design, Red, Alexa and some Sony cameras. Dslrs as well as dedicated video cameras heat up pretty fast once you start recording. Your battery would also drain quicker while shooting video.

While buying your first DSLR, it would all come down to the notorious 50 mm lens. Why is Nikon's 50 almost twice the price of Canon's? There are quite a few reasons for that.
1.Nikon's 50mm 1.8G, the one with an AF motor built in has a metallic mount. Canon 50 1.8 is made out of low density plastic and often splits into two if it falls hard.
2.Nikon's 50 1.8G has a manual over ride function to allow you to manually move the focus ring while it's in AF mode. If you tried that on Canon, it makes a machinery noise because of the resistance inside the motor. There's a japanese version of Canon 50 1.8 that comes with a metallic mount but it's difficult to find it in the market nowadays.
3.Nikon's 50 1.8G has a Silent Wave Motor. The canon version of this motor is the Ultrasonic motor. Canon 50 1.8 doesn't have it but the 50 1.4 does. The motor adds to the cost of this lens. It allows the lens to focus fast, and without making much noise.
4.Nikon 50 1.8G has a 7 bladed diaphragm. The blades are rounded, which results in circular bokeh. On the other hand, Canon's 50 1.8 has 5 sharp blades that make up its diaphragm. This results in the formation of pentagons instead of complete round circles.
5.All cropped sensor Nikon lenses work fine on Nikon full frame bodies. Your camera can switch to crop mode and make the best use of those cheap lenses. On the other hand, Ef-S lenses are designed specifically for Canon cropped sensor cameras and if you use them on Canon full frames, it can damage the mirror and the shutter because the rear element extends deeper than it should.

Nowadays most of the lenses that Nikon makes have an AF motor built in. And the price is similar to Canon variants. Canon however has a greater variety of cheap lenses. For example Nikon does not make a 70-200 2.8 with stabilzation but Canon does. Generally Nikon lenses are more expensive because of costlier glass and coating. But let me tell you, when you look at the high end lenses, Canon and Nikon produce almost similar quality and it all comes down to your camera then. Nikon cameras have amazing sensors. Simply amazing. You would understand when you compare raw images out of both. The amount of recovery possible with Nikon raws is outstanding. When I cover international fashion shows, Canon users around me have their eyes on my camera only. Some of them have recently switched to Nikon because they understand the difference. At your level, you wont be able to appreciate this difference. So do some research, use both the brands before buying and whatever you buy, make the best use of it. A lot of info here may be beyond your level, but you will understand each and everything once you do some research.

I just wanted to add something to this: Canon has released a new 50mm f/1.8 STM lens. It has a metal mount. It has 7 blades instead of 5. It has the new STM technology so it is very quiet. And it can be manually focused even when it is in auto. What's more, the price of this lens is exactly same as the current 50mm f/1.8. Canon knows how to entice the beginning photographers

 

[dualaxe]

STM is a completely different technology. Your lens is lifeless without the body. Manual focusing on STM lenses is also not as instantaneous as it would be with a non STM lens. You cant even pull back the front element in unless you switch on the camera. Even though lens design and elements are same as the previous 50 except for the coating, it is slightly softer than the original 50 1.8 at the centre. The hood costs 3000rs and doesn't come with the lens. Yes, the build quality has been significantly improved but like the previous version it is still optically inferior to the Nikon 50 1.8G. You can test and compare if you want to, because I have. Believe me, performance is all that matters to me. My team uses a Canon 1Dx for daylight sport photography in Dubai because of its amazing AF mechanism. But when it comes to portraits, landscapes, low light photography and studio work, we only use Nikon.

 

[deltree]

@People121
I started off as a canon user. Was pleased with how it performed. Pictures as well as video looked very good. But few months after my purchase, I got a chance to use a Nikon D5000. Compared to images from my 500D, Nikon looked a tad bit better. Later on I purchased a D5100 and sold of my 500d, never looked back. Today I am the head instructor at Nikon and own the most expensive Nikon cameras and lenses in Pakistan. Let me give you a brief overview of both the brands.

A couple of years back Canon used to be the king of DSLR cinematography. Even its entry level cameras produce amazing videos. Most of the TV commercials and serials used to be shot on Canon 5D mark ii. But the current generation of Nikon DSLRs have come very close to Canon dslrs in terms of video quality. When you set your camera to tripod mode, the live view shows you exactly how your clip would look like. However for really professional videography people use dedicated video cameras such as Blackmagic Design, Red, Alexa and some Sony cameras. Dslrs as well as dedicated video cameras heat up pretty fast once you start recording. Your battery would also drain quicker while shooting video.

While buying your first DSLR, it would all come down to the notorious 50 mm lens. Why is Nikon's 50 almost twice the price of Canon's? There are quite a few reasons for that.
1.Nikon's 50mm 1.8G, the one with an AF motor built in has a metallic mount. Canon 50 1.8 is made out of low density plastic and often splits into two if it falls hard.
2.Nikon's 50 1.8G has a manual over ride function to allow you to manually move the focus ring while it's in AF mode. If you tried that on Canon, it makes a machinery noise because of the resistance inside the motor. There's a japanese version of Canon 50 1.8 that comes with a metallic mount but it's difficult to find it in the market nowadays.
3.Nikon's 50 1.8G has a Silent Wave Motor. The canon version of this motor is the Ultrasonic motor. Canon 50 1.8 doesn't have it but the 50 1.4 does. The motor adds to the cost of this lens. It allows the lens to focus fast, and without making much noise.
4.Nikon 50 1.8G has a 7 bladed diaphragm. The blades are rounded, which results in circular bokeh. On the other hand, Canon's 50 1.8 has 5 sharp blades that make up its diaphragm. This results in the formation of pentagons instead of complete round circles.
5.All cropped sensor Nikon lenses work fine on Nikon full frame bodies. Your camera can switch to crop mode and make the best use of those cheap lenses. On the other hand, Ef-S lenses are designed specifically for Canon cropped sensor cameras and if you use them on Canon full frames, it can damage the mirror and the shutter because the rear element extends deeper than it should.

Nowadays most of the lenses that Nikon makes have an AF motor built in. And the price is similar to Canon variants. Canon however has a greater variety of cheap lenses. For example Nikon does not make a 70-200 2.8 with stabilzation but Canon does. Generally Nikon lenses are more expensive because of costlier glass and coating. But let me tell you, when you look at the high end lenses, Canon and Nikon produce almost similar quality and it all comes down to your camera then. Nikon cameras have amazing sensors. Simply amazing. You would understand when you compare raw images out of both. The amount of recovery possible with Nikon raws is outstanding. When I cover international fashion shows, Canon users around me have their eyes on my camera only. Some of them have recently switched to Nikon because they understand the difference. At your level, you wont be able to appreciate this difference. So do some research, use both the brands before buying and whatever you buy, make the best use of it. A lot of info here may be beyond your level, but you will understand each and everything once you do some research.

Now considering you are the right fellow to speak to I am looking to buy a d3300 with it's kit lens. Here's what's worrying me dpreview mentions this camera does not realize whether the flash is on or off in Auto mode. Consider the fact most beginners will like to be on auto, how is this problem addressed or solved, let's assume we are in a restaurant in the night usually these are low lit environments, I don't know jack shit about manual settings. How do I ensure the portraits I take without flash are as best as they could be should the auto mode have realized that the flash was not going to be firing.