DSLR camera recommendation

[OPButtrey]

I'm in the market for an entry level DSLR camera. I'll be mostly using it to take photos of my son playing baseball and my daughter playing volleyball. I'm a complete novice in photography.

I'm looking at the Canon Rebel T6 for $450 and the Nikon D3500 for $500. The only reason i'm looking at these 2 in particular is because I saw them at Costco so i'd be open to other suggestions as well. Any recommendations for either of these models?

https://www.costco.com/Nikon-D3500-DSLR-Camera-2-Lens-Bundle.product.100461398.html

https://www.costco.com/Canon-EOS-Rebel-T6-DSLR-Camera-2-Lens-Bundle.product.100288979.html

 

[NickTheGreat]

I have a Canon T4i and really like it. It's several years old now, and I'm not much of a photographer. But I'm very pleased with the image quality, both in bright outside pictures, and in low-light situations.

I think Canon/Nikon usually devolve into a Chevy/Ford or Coke/Pepsi type of discussion. Both fine products, but firce brand loyalty for some reason.

 

[flycy]

Both are good brands. Just read the reviews and figure out which features you prefer.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

I'm in the market for an entry level DSLR camera. I'll be mostly using it to take photos of my son playing baseball and my daughter playing volleyball. I'm a complete novice in photography.

I'm looking at the Canon Rebel T6 for $450 and the Nikon D3500 for $500. The only reason i'm looking at these 2 in particular is because I saw them at Costco so i'd be open to other suggestions as well. Any recommendations for either of these models?

https://www.costco.com/Nikon-D3500-DSLR-Camera-2-Lens-Bundle.product.100461398.html

https://www.costco.com/Canon-EOS-Rebel-T6-DSLR-Camera-2-Lens-Bundle.product.100288979.html

I bought that Canon T6 bundle 2 years ago and have been happy with it. With the different modes you can get good pictures right off the bat. Pretty sure it has a sports mode which I think should balance your aperture with your shutter speed to get better action shots.
No matter what you buy watch some videos on YouTube with Mike Browne. He'll give you lots of good tips on settings and things you can do to practice.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs4S07E5NC0R7pVuzBJ0e8Q

I should add there is a learning curve when talking aperture and shutter speed. Something I need to spend more time on. That's why Mike videos are interesting. He gives you examples of different shots. The only downside is he goes kind of fast at times.

 

[Blandboy]

Can’t go wrong with Canon or Nikon. (I really like my Nikon D7100) Both brands offer similar features. The difference maker is the quality of the lens...kit lenses are ok for a novice; if you get into it, you’ll want to invest in some nicer glass (which can cost much more thatn the camera body).

 

[RunninMan]

I have a Canon T4i also. I bought it used on Ebay a couple years ago along with a kit full of accessories and I love it. I'm no professional by any means but it does a great job for what I use it for. I think the lenses are more important than the body. I have both of the lenses that are listed in the link you provided and they should be great for what you want to use them for. I sometimes find myself wanting a longer lens like a telephoto lens but I do a lot of nature photography where I can't get very close to my subject. Canon does a good job of keeping their lenses compatible with older versions of their cameras. I admittedly don't know much about Nikon so I can't compare the two brands but I would venture to guess that they are mostly the same.

 

[EnhancedFujita]

I've got an old Canon that I like, but I don't think you can go wrong with any of the main brands.

I would however recommend learning how to use a lot of the features, especially learning how manual mode works. If you buy a DSLR and just use it in automatic your not getting much better than a point and shoot.

When I got mine, West Des Moines was offering a community education class on how to use your DSLR. It was like one night a week for 8 weeks, I think it was only 50 bucks. I learned so much about photography and how to use a camera as intended. This would be pretty crucial if you are wanting to get into sports photography. Beware though, it gets to be a pricey hobby if you really get into it.

 

[cstrunk]

You can save money and buy an older/used body that still has features you want and then use the money you saved towards better lenses. Good lenses can be very expensive, and that's the difference between good and great photos (besides learning how to use your camera).

 

[4theCYcle]

I'm in the market for an entry level DSLR camera. I'll be mostly using it to take photos of my son playing baseball and my daughter playing volleyball. I'm a complete novice in photography.

I'm looking at the Canon Rebel T6 for $450 and the Nikon D3500 for $500. The only reason i'm looking at these 2 in particular is because I saw them at Costco so i'd be open to other suggestions as well. Any recommendations for either of these models?

https://www.costco.com/Nikon-D3500-DSLR-Camera-2-Lens-Bundle.product.100461398.html

https://www.costco.com/Canon-EOS-Rebel-T6-DSLR-Camera-2-Lens-Bundle.product.100288979.html

There are a few things to consider when looking at DSLR's. I started with the D3300 years ago, then moved up to a D810 since I wanted to really dive into the art of photography. One thing you'd want to consider when purchasing is if you want a cropped sensor or a full frame. You'd probably be ok with a cropped sensor, but if you ever made the jump to full frame it is something to get used to.

Along with what Cstrunk said, a used camera body off of adorama, B&H, amazon, or ebay can work to allow yourself some wiggle room to purchase either some better prime lenses or zoom lenses. I bought my D810 off of ebay for $1,000 less than a new one with only a 4,000 shutter count, so it was barely used. I have yet to have a single issue with it. Lenses are tough to gauge, as I've bought both used and new. That's a judgement call of whether to trust the seller, but I had pretty good luck with used Nikon lenses, but they carry a dust spot issue when editing certain aperture settings in clouds. So I went with a new 3rd party on my longer lens for that reason. Lenses aren't cheap, but it's where quality in photos come from. You could get a decent canon or nikon body and go 3rd party lens with brands like Sigma, Tamron, Zuess, Rokinon. I can only verify Sigma.

It's a lot to take in and can be a bit overwhelming when shopping for one, but you have to ask yourself how much do you want to learn, or do you just want a slightly better than a point and shoot? Strictly sports, you'd probably want focal lengths in the area of 24mm- 200mm with your lenses.

 

[Blandboy]

I can vouch for Adorama or BH...have purchased from both. Prices are reasonable and so is the service.

 

[Turn2]

You may get some value from this opinion piece. I use Canon and Olympus, but the Nikons fare well on this list.

https://www.techradar.com/news/best-entry-level-dslr-camera

 

[Angie]

I had a Canon T4i for which I got a very upgraded lens (cost more than the body). Upgraded to a 5D Mark III when I started doing a business. I've thought about getting a Nikon as a second camera because I've heard the sensors are really good in low light (which is common at wedding receptions and in people's homes).

What I would recommend - like others said, you can skimp some on body and spend more on the glass. I would try and make sure that you get a lens (if you buy one) that will also work on a full frame body, just in case you ever decide to upgrade. I bought a $1200 lens for my T4i that only worked on it, and then had to basically buy the exact same thing again when I got my full frame. Fixed lenses are great if you're looking for a lower aperture range.

Invest (either money or time) in some classes. I'd recommend in-person, but online also isn't a bad thing. Try to never put it on "Auto" mode.

 

[Tri4Cy]

I love this site: https://kenrockwell.com/tech/reviews.htm Great reviews that would echo what many here have already said. Camera body is just a minor piece. 1) Learn how to use whatever body you buy 2) Put the money into good glass > camera itself.

 

[Agkistrodon]

I've owned Nikons and Canons, and definitely prefer Nikon. The layout of buttons feels more natural to me, and I think cheap Nikon lenses are of better quality than cheap Canon lenses (high end lenses are more or less the same, with maybe Canon having an edge on focus speed).

My first Nikon was a D60. I now use a D7100. One of the main benefits of a Nikon is having access to decades of lenses since Nikon hasn't changed their lens mount since 1959 (with the exception of their new mirrorless camera line). Pre-1977 lenses can also cause problems on the newest camera bodies. Full compatibility is a more complex issue, but most lenses since that time will at least mount on modern camera bodies (although metering and automatic focusing may not work).

I agree with everyone else's advice to save money on the body and put more money towards lenses, but there are a couple things I would consider here:

• Spend at least enough money that your camera body has separate buttons or dials for controlling ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. The cheapest DSLR camera bodies do not all have separate controls for these. Frequently, the ISO is only controlled through the menu on the cheapest Nikons, which I find incredibly annoying.
  
• If you go Nikon, consider spending enough money that you get a body with the internal lens focus motor. This will allow you to buy the slightly older AF series lenses that can be autofocused using a screw-drive mechanism from the camera body. However, please be aware they don't focus as quickly as the newer AF-S and AF-P lenses, so you have to determine if you are willing to trade a little focus speed and vibration reduction capabilities for cheaper high-quality lenses. If you are willing to make this trade, the initial investment of a few hundred dollars on the camera body can save you hundreds or potentially thousands of dollars on lenses.
• Some camera bodies will let you shoot with two SD cards, storing copies of your pictures to both cards. This feature actually saved an entire vacation's worth of pictures for me once when an SD card suffered catastrophic failure.

Someone also linked Ken Rockwell's site. Take everything on that site with a grain of salt. Some of it is good information, but the whole purpose of his site is to make money from ad revenue. The guy frequently reviews lenses from spec sheets without actually purchasing/using them to do proper reviews. He will also make dubious claims and give poor advice to stir up controversy / generate more clicks that increase his ad revenue.

 

[4theCYcle]

I had a Canon T4i for which I got a very upgraded lens (cost more than the body). Upgraded to a 5D Mark III when I started doing a business. I've thought about getting a Nikon as a second camera because I've heard the sensors are really good in low light (which is common at wedding receptions and in people's homes).

What I would recommend - like others said, you can skimp some on body and spend more on the glass. I would try and make sure that you get a lens (if you buy one) that will also work on a full frame body, just in case you ever decide to upgrade. I bought a $1200 lens for my T4i that only worked on it, and then had to basically buy the exact same thing again when I got my full frame. Fixed lenses are great if you're looking for a lower aperture range.

Invest (either money or time) in some classes. I'd recommend in-person, but online also isn't a bad thing. Try to never put it on "Auto" mode.

I can vouch, as I shoot Nikon. The sensors are from Sony, so going that brand always works too.

 

[Agkistrodon]

I can vouch, as I shoot Nikon. The sensors are from Sony, so going that brand always works too.

Nikon D7100, 35mm 1.8G; f/2.8, 1/100s, ISO 1600; no flash

Veiled Statue in Carlsbad Caverns National Park

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

OP is talking entry level. Let's not get him any more confused than needed. Either of those two entry level bundles will do him just fine.

 

[83cy]

Canon T6 is a great camera but I really like the T7i much more features. Problem is the T7i is $700 just for the camera body. Solution....buy the Canon 800D which is the exact same camera for the European market currently for sale on Amazon for $580 with 2 lens bundle and some other accessories. This is a steal. As others have said at some point upgrade the lenses but this camera will take great photos right out of the box.

 

[4theCYcle]

OP is talking entry level. Let's not get him any more confused than needed. Either of those two entry level bundles will do him just fine.

He/she is asking for advice, we're offering it. There are many options and routes to go, but sometimes early on that's all overwhelming and confusing, so to at least ask someone they can trust (Iowa State fans) or people who are sponsored on web pages getting paid to persuade 1 brand versus the other.

Another option, depending where you live, is go to a best buy, a camera rental store, or rent online a camera or two and go out and shoot and see what you like. I remember initially just buying the nikon because it sounded good. Then, the 2nd time around I read up on as much info as I could and decided if I was going to upgrade I was going to make sure I found something I could have for years. Brand wise, each have their quirks. It's just a matter of what you prefer and what's the best bang for buck.

 

[Angie]

I can vouch, as I shoot Nikon. The sensors are from Sony, so going that brand always works too.

That is my biggest complaint with Canon, is the low light performance!