Camera suggestions

First I know nothing about cameras… this is a surprise for someone else.

I was pointed towards a Nikon d3100 by the VP of design at work but some quick Googling showed the d3200 being the new hotness I guess? Although I’ve read some reviews that the 5100 is still better… again I have no idea.

They are in the price range that I’m looking at. This will mainly be a hobby but is/could be part of this person’s career so it has to be good enough to start off with. I have no brand in mind btw but I would like to buy new. Any suggestion would be great. Thanks!

I have been very happy with my D3000 got a few more lenses for it and its even more fun.

When I started looking there were a lot of options I figured if I ever got really heavy into photography I would upgrade anyways…

At my skill level the camera isn’t the limiting factor lol

I love my Canon 60D. When I picked it up last yr I found just the body for $900ish then grabbed a 18-200(love it) and a 50mm prime (really love it)
Not only are the pictures great but HD video is fun too

I’ve got an older Canon XTi and i like it.

But really Canon or Nikon you can not go wrong for a DSLR. Biggest aftermarket support. I suggest staying with one of those brands.

Another thought would be goto Bestbuy or somewhere and see which kind is the most comfortable to hold.

Features are pretty similar between brands with the same price point.

Its kind of a surprise otherwise I would ask her specifically lol.

I’m leaning towards the d3200 due to how close it seems to be to the 5100 on spec sheets, photo quality and reviews. It also has “newer” tech so I’ve read per reviews. I’m sure the 5100 replacement will be up to par with the older 7000 and so on.

Editorial addition: posting via phone sucks major dick!

It’s hard to go wrong with an entry level Nikon dSLR. You’ll probably pick up a couple lenses and if you ever outgrow the body you can keep the lenses and buy a higher end body. I’m still rocking my D40 and it still does everything I need to as a casual amateur.

Someone on here said Nikon was the only dSLR he could probably beat someone to death with and then still be able to take pictures of the body after.

This

I did that exact thing…bought a D40 with kit lens, bought a 50mm prime lense, bought a 55-200VR, bought an SB-600, grew out of the body, gave it to my gf, bought a D90 body w/ kit lens, couldn’t be happier. I love how all of their stuff is interchangeable back to like 1964 or whatever, even on old film cameras.

I have dropped both my D40 and D90 plenty of times and only had minor scrapes, they worked flawlessly afterwards.

The 3100 or 3200 or whatever is newest now (cameras are like computers, there’s a new hot model out about every 60 seconds) is a solid starter camera, you can always move up. I can’t see buying the 5000 model and paying a few hundred extra just to realize you hate photography

Funny I did almost the same thing I grabbed a D3000 on close out then grabbed a 55-200 VR and 35mm lens

Canons are strong too
I have yet to drop my 60D (knock on wood) but watch this clip! These guys put this Canon through hell and back…still fires too!

https://youtu.be/RCT-YMgjm9k

If you have time watch their other videos…pretty funny and amazing

Once you get a camera and hate the stock strap

http://www.blackrapid.com/product/camera-strap/rs-7/

ftw

They are the same price though…

are they? i had no idea.

get whatever is comfortable to shoot with, in your price range, and has the feature you think you need. it’s hard to go wrong with any Nikon DSLR

It isn’t for me, it’s a birthday surprise, so I really couldn’t tell you which is better for her lol. The 3200 is smaller, lighter and seems to have equal quality from new reviews and spec sheets.

http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon-D3200-vs-Nikon-D5100

Nevermind the price for the D5100 on that link I can’t find it that cheap with a lense but that is all I can go by with my lack of camera knowledge.

Thanks for all the advice so far!