Wife is looking at a new camera

By Nimec
in Digital Camera Lab

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Nimec

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Posted

Hello everyone :)

My wifes on the market for a new camera. She was looking at another point & shoot and I had her earlier tonight at the store looking at the available SLRs. I think they won her over, and she was interested in the D3100 Kit for 629$ sale price. (Regularily $649, not a big deal)

They also had a D5100 kit for $899. I'm wondering if the D3100 will be sufficient, she and I are not photographers nor do/would we do it as a hobby. What we are looking for is a camera that takes excellent photos when we want to take them, which I imagine will be increased with the purchase of an SLR camera. I would imagine a family is in our near future as well, no kids yet but she wants them, so we'd like something that takes decent video and pictures for that reason as well.

I've been reading around and people say both cameras are good. Should we pay the extra money for the d5100 for the improved image quality and 30fps on videos (vs 24fps on the d3100), or should we save the money and stick to do the d3100.

We would consider buying an additional lens down the road, but we do not plan on investing a small fortune into this camera with lots glass & other parts.

What do you guys think?

3100? 5100? Or stick to point and shoot? I myself would like to have an SLR, but am open to any suggestions. Cheers.

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Grand Master

Argote

Posted
Posted

Well, the D5100 is definitely a better camera (especially the sensor) but then again both ARE excellent cameras capable of delivering very good results.

I'd advise getting a D3100 with the kit lens plus a prime or a telephoto zoom. Also, since you're in Canada shopping online will probably get you a better deal on wither camera.

Grand Master

Argote

Posted
Posted

if you're looking into something between an SLR and a P&S then look into a mirrorless interchangeable lens system such as the Sony NEX series. it won't give you the same amount of control as an SLR though (at least not withou diving into menus) so check it personally first.

Grand Master

HawkMan

Posted
Posted

I can never, ever ever ever recommend a point and shoot camera to anybody unless their #1 concern for a camera is size/weight.

. I'm wondering if the D3100 will be sufficient, she and I are not photographers nor do/would we do it as a hobby. What we are looking for is a camera that takes excellent photos when we want to take them, which I imagine will be increased with the purchase of an SLR camera.

At this point, I don't see why they would need an SLR, yeah sure it's better. but it's bigger and more cumbersome and they won't use it. for the pictures they will be taking a P&S will do just as good photos. and it will always be there, in the bag, pocket or hand, while with an SLR you won't as a regular non photo person bother to bring the relatively big photo bag with you all the time, and for the photos they are going to be taking, taking out the camera and all that may take longer than the opportunity will last, as opposed to grabbing the P&S from your pocket and shooting.

As much as I'd love to recommend a SLR, since you don't and won't do photography as a hobby and you'll be using it mostly as a documentary tool of yoru life and family. A good P&S is just better. Then maybe get an SLR down the line when you DO get a family so you can take some nice portrait shots of your kid. As a DSLR would be a great addition to you for certain shots, but for the large majority of your use, you're better off with a P&S. But get a good quality Panasonic, Canon or Nikon one. not one of the crap ones, do your research. You could consider a bridge/Superzoom camera, but then you're into the same size issues as with the DSLR to some degree and they. though there are some newer compacts that do go into the superzoom range without the protruding lens.

Grand Master

lawtai

Posted
Posted

It seems like you already have a P&S though? If so, and it still works ok, then I would suggest the D3100. No need spending the extra money on a body when you're really just starting off. Who knows, maybe getting a DSLR will start photography as a new hobby.

Grand Master

_bobcat_ Veteran

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At this point, I don't see why they would need an SLR, yeah sure it's better. but it's bigger and more cumbersome and they won't use it. for the pictures they will be taking a P&S will do just as good photos. and it will always be there, in the bag, pocket or hand, while with an SLR you won't as a regular non photo person bother to bring the relatively big photo bag with you all the time, and for the photos they are going to be taking, taking out the camera and all that may take longer than the opportunity will last, as opposed to grabbing the P&S from your pocket and shooting.

As much as I'd love to recommend a SLR, since you don't and won't do photography as a hobby and you'll be using it mostly as a documentary tool of yoru life and family. A good P&S is just better. Then maybe get an SLR down the line when you DO get a family so you can take some nice portrait shots of your kid. As a DSLR would be a great addition to you for certain shots, but for the large majority of your use, you're better off with a P&S. But get a good quality Panasonic, Canon or Nikon one. not one of the crap ones, do your research. You could consider a bridge/Superzoom camera, but then you're into the same size issues as with the DSLR to some degree and they. though there are some newer compacts that do go into the superzoom range without the protruding lens.

I was thinking along the same lines.

I am no photographer, in fact, I always rather hated trying to take photos because they always turned out badly. But eventually I realised that without nice photos you do miss out on memories and the like. So I decided I wanted an easy camera to take fairly good shots, family photos, that kind of thing. I spent ?150 on one of those little Nikon Coolpix cameras just after Christmas.

It's small and light, meaning it's never a burden to carry around and it's very easy to use. I'm actually really happy with the quality of the photos I get, too, it even copes when my hands are shakey.

These factors mean it gets a lot of use - I can take it to family parties/days out and the like, and just use it without any faff. I feel that the build quality and interface of the camera itself are also really good despite it not being a fancy one. I'm sure camera snobs would look down on it but I'm happy with it, it was a good purchase for me. Unless I was getting into photography as a hobby I don't see why I'd want anything more.

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