Recommend your DSLR

jenIffer

I'm looking to buy a DSLR soon, my budget is between $800 and $900. My point and shoot is so sloooow which is a PITA when I'm trying to take photos of DD who can't sit still for 2 seconds, but mostly I intend to use my new camera when I travel. I don't want something that I'll grow out of right away, but I also haven't used a manual slr camera since my college photography classes (back when we were still using film cameras). I've looked online a little and the Nikon D3100 and Canon EOS Rebel T3i seem to have a lot of good reviews. Thoughts, recommendations?

kt126

Hi,

I'm a photographer myself and I have the Nikon D3000 they took that off the line last year for the 3100 so I say go for that. Its a great camera and a lot of photographer use it. Also, be careful with Sony and Cannon you can only use there memory cards and other equipment which they price much higher. Hope this helps.

AmyRI

I love my Nikon D3000 as well, so I'd go for the D3100. We've since invested in a better zoom lens than came with the kit, which I loved traveling with. With your budget, you could probably get the camera kit and an extra lens.

michelle142

I'm a Canon fan myself.

I have a Canon T1i. I love it. Since you have a 8-900 budget, you could get the body and a few good quality lenses.

MicheleLouise

kt126:

Cannon you can only use there memory cards and other equipment which they price much higher.

Totally not true for canon, you can use whatever brand of SD or CF cards you want (depending on which type of card the specific camera takes.  

MicheleLouise

If you want something that you won't outgrow right away I wouldn't pick either of the cameras you are looking at.  They are both entry level bodies.  The Nikon you might outgrow faster because of the autofocus lens limitations. 

Personally if you know you are really into photography I would go with something like a used Nikon d90 or d300, or a new d7000 depending on what fits in your budget or for Canon a used 40D, 50D or a 7d if you can spring for it.  And of course a good lens or two.  

Come post on the photo board on the bump, you will generally get good advice over there.  

emoflamingo

michelle142:

I'm a Canon fan myself.

I have a Canon T1i. I love it. Since you have a 8-900 budget, you could get the body and a few good quality lenses.

I have a T1i as well and I love it. I've had it for about 14 months now and I'm almost 6,000 pictures in. I'd like to get a bigger lens, but for now I just have the lens it came with. 

And for the record, I have random brands for my SD cards. I don't plug my camera in (because I just don't have the room for it), so I bought a card reader at Wal-Mart (Targus brand) that I use as well. 

gibbonlove

Another Canon girl here...

I have a 7d and it rocks, but it doesn't exactly fall in your price range.

Are you looking for an entry level DSLR, or an intermediate? The 40D and 50D are more intermediate and will let you grow into them, where as the T2i is more entry level. BUT, that being said, I highly recommend the body that fits your budget and splurging on additional lenses. You can always wait to spring for a better body camera, but that won't address your more immediate need of getting an overall good camera now. Diversify with the lens, because even without the extra bells and whistles, it is what will get you sharp, quality images.

gibbonlove

Also meant to mention to check out dpreview.com for unbias reviews on what you're looking for to compare.