Need new camera

[Ja Rhule]

I know nothing about cameras... Any recommendation? Looking for a camera in $500-$800 range.

[Kevin Greene]

If you know nothing about cameras, why do you feel you have to spend $500-$800?

[PhillyB]

what are you trying to do with it? is it a travel camera? are you trying to do zod-level stuff? what do you value?

 

i use sony's NEX-5. sony bought minolta out a number of years ago iirc and launched a compact DSLR to compete with the market and absolutely blew away the competition. this thing is phenomenal and it's like carrying a freaking iphone 6 with an attached lens. they've since added upgrades and a bunch of different specialty lenses, so i'm sure you can upgrade over the NEX-5 (i bought it in 2011.)

 

it won't provide you zod-quality stuff, but if you're looking for a travel/activity camera you won't find one better. the best thing about it for me is that i get outstanding photographs but don't have to carry the thing around in its own case, which is a huge plus for me. i travel with a satchel (and now a messenger bag since i got lightweight macbook) and being able to tote the thing on the go without hauling a special case is invaluable.

 

here's a picture of my ass using it in peru. note how fuging tiny

 

 

 

 

here's a picture of the camera 

 

 

 

 

i think i dropped $450 on it at best buy in 2011. i'm sure you can spend more if you add different lenses. 

[PandaPancake]

^ I hate to be a whiner but you're using your hands not your ass.

I wonder if you could get an older model for a better price? I've heard Igo say it's more about the lens than the camera

[PhillyB]

^ I hate to be a whiner but you're using your hands not your ass.

I wonder if you could get an older model for a better price? I've heard Igo say it's more about the lens than the camera

 

the NEX-3 is still on the market i think, but it's not cheap enough to make it worth it, especially now that arsen has landed a sweet new job. he could drop ~700 on an NEX-5 with a couple zoom and wide angle lenses and do anything a guy who isn't trying to run a business needs to do with a camera

[PandaPancake]

the NEX-3 is still on the market i think, but it's not cheap enough to make it worth it, especially now that arsen has landed a sweet new job. he could drop ~700 on an NEX-5 with a couple zoom and wide angle lenses and do anything a guy who isn't trying to run a business needs to do with a camera

I'm going to take your word for it. I know next to nothing about cameras. I have some dslr I bought a few years ago. I did use it to take a selfie with a moose

[Ja Rhule]

If you know nothing about cameras, why do you feel you have to spend $500-$800?

Cause the cameras I like are in that range.

[cookinwithgas]

I've had my Nikon D3200 for a couple of years and really like it, but I agree with Jeremy's assessment that the brand is a lot less important to image quality etc. than proper training. I got a good deal on a zoom lens with it which convinced me to go with that. It's older now but the same package I got is on sale for 500 bucks at Best Buy

[cookinwithgas]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/nikon-d3200-dslr-camera-with-18-55mm-and-55-200mm-lenses-black/3643029.p?id=1219092579150&skuId=3643029

 

 

Zoom Lens

 

 

 

 

 

Standard Lens

 

 

 

 

[Salvo]

Need more info about what you want to make a specific choice.

 

Does size matter? (of course it does...) If you want something small, go with what Philly suggested. You'll lose a little bit in image quality, but it's a hell of a lot easier to carry around than a standard DSLR with a heavy-ass lens.

 

What do you typically take pictures of? Landscapes, people, family, sports, etc...This is typically where the lens comes in if you want to get real specific and care about the quality of picture.

 

If none of that really matters and just want something that's good all around, go with CWG's suggestion. Even though I use a Canon, I'm no fanboy. Nikon makes a quality camera and you'll do just fine with it. The fact that it comes with two lenses makes that deal much better and you can always upgrade later on. The 18-55 mm lens is for wider images while the 55-200 mm is the zoom lens. They're not as "fast" as something Jeremy would use in his pictures (corresponding to the f/ stop number...lower the number, the "faster")....but as CWG shows, it's more than sufficient if you're looking for some sporty shots.

[KJ89]

get a refurbished Canon 60d body then get lenses for it. like canons cheap 50mm and a zoom lens.

[Ja Rhule]

Just family pictures.  I want clear, good quality pictures.  I'm shopping around and will probably end up being a camera in next few weeks.  That's why I need suggestions.

[KJ89]

Just family pictures. I want clear, good quality pictures. I'm shopping around and will probably end up being a camera in next few weeks. That's why I need suggestions.

canon has a 50mm 1.8 for around $100. I use it for all kinds of things but it's perfect for family stuff, portraits and poo. It's their cheapest lens, and you can tell in the build, but the picture quality is great. The option of opening up to 1.8 gives you perfect depth of field for that stuff.

get a decent DSLR body and you'll be able to use it forever and buy different lenses for everything you need. Take some time to read about how DLSRs and lenses work and you'll be glad you have one. You might end up using it for other things.

A 60d body is like $400.

[Ja Rhule]

What about this camera for $600?

 

Nikon D7000 16.2 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens 

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OJNTBGI/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=DWNZIT43Q937&coliid=IUFMSZGJ6O6IK&psc=1