Photographers Come In
I'm new to the world of photography and I am interested in buying a camera that's great for not only photos but for videos too! (1080p). I'm willing to spend around 400-600 dollars. I'm currently looking at the Canon t3i vs the Nikon D3200. Which is a better camera overall for video and photos? Why? If you believe both of these cameras suck, please explain why and suggest a better alternative camera in my price range.
http://www.costco.com/Nikon-D3200-DSLR-Camera-2-Lens-Bundle.product.100007777.html or http://www.target.com/p/nikon-d3200-24-2mp-digital-slr-camera-with-18-55mm-vr-and-55-200mm-lenses-black/-/A-14962596 <----Same camera, different bundle accessories
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/canon-eos-rebel-t3i-digital-slr-camera-with-18-55mm-is-lens-black/1980124.p?id=1218304066943&skuId=1980124 -
11 Comments • Newest first
I've heard good things about the Sony DSR - RX100 M1 and M2
Links in the description
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsOxwsFF50c
Edit: Oh, looks like the cameras you're looking at are getting huge price cuts so you're probably getting a better camera than the ones I'm mentioning. Worth a look though
@Sjoooberg: I know, but for macs(what schools and such normally use for editing) there is no program readily available, The only program that could read it was photoshop cs6. but the computer only had cs5.1. It was annoying to have to go home with the pictures every day and convert them to editable files for the school.
@setget: Hm, alright, my bad.
You can easily download a codec that makes it available for you to view NEF (RAW) files! Here is the codec: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26829
Officially released by Microsoft!
@Sjoooberg: I'm not saying Raw is worse, I'm just saying unless you have some program to open them(which I doubt a newbie to photography would have) then it would be better to save in jpeg or png states until you really need that raw file to edit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcoZkHz7_Ns
[quote=setget]Make sure to set the camera to jpg or png mode. The nikon's nef files are hard to read.[/quote]
No, you should always use nef (raw). There is a mode that allows your camera to save two a photo in both a raw and jpeg, if that would be a problem. It's a bit to write about, you should just check this out http://digital-photography-school.com/raw-vs-jpeg for more information.
Make sure to set the camera to jpg or png mode. The nikon's nef files are hard to read.
I would get the Canon Rebel T3 over the T3i. The reason being is that it costs substantially less, while still providing good shots.
The camera doesn't necessarily make the photographer either, since most are edited in Photoshop afterwards. As long as you have knowledge of how to set the white balance, f-stop and shutter, you'll be pretty much golden. Also, use MANUAL over other presets for the best shots since you control everything
Here you can compare those two that you mentioned. http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-T3i-vs-Nikon-D3200
Edit: Taking a closer look myself I would go with the Nikon Camera. Not just because of the "higher megapixels", but as the comparison shows, you can see why.
However, you can take great photos with any camera if you know how to handle it. Even if you have "the most expensive" camera on the market, it doesn't mean that your photos will be great everytime. I for example, got myself a Nikon D5100, which I still haven't mastered yet. I feel like the old camera I used (basic digital compact camera) gave me a better result on photos, not until now I start to know how my D5100 needs to be handled and how it works.
But then again, the Nikon you mentioned is cheaper than the Canon one, and it's specifications is also better. So I would go with one of those boundles.
I'm hardly a photographer or knowledgable when it comes to cameras, but I can contribute one golden tip to the choice you are about to make.
You want to film a lot? Perhaps even film yourself every now and then? Then go for a camera that has a moveable screen like the last one. In general I prefer it because taking pictures in idiot positions becomes a lot easier as well. But if filming doesn't matter that much, you shouldn't worry about it.
I have the D3100 and my friend has the Canon T3. They are almost identical, and for someone new to cameras, any differences will go unnoticed. The main difference that you will be able to notice is how they feel. I find that Nikons fit much better to your hand and the button placement makes more sense, compared to Canons which have you moving your hand all over the place.
Keep in mind its not the camera that is making the shots. A small contributor is the lens, and the main contributor is your ability to find the right shot and take it. A master photographer can take better cameras on a point-and-shoot than I can on my DSLR. MEGAPIXELS ON A CAMERA HARDLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE. An amateur photography WILL NOT be able to identify between 14 mp and 24.2 mp. Again, it comes down to your abilities.
The 200mm lens is beautiful. What will you be using it for? I do nature photography, so the animals (deer, eagles, bears) I go after obviously have to be quite a distance from me. Without the 200mm lens, I could hardly make out the features of the animal. That is definitely a great bundle for the Nikon.