This is a detailed guide on how to choose and buy a DSLR camera. Some of my friends that visit my blog regularly ask me questions about photo gear. The questions range from “what should I get to create good-looking pictures?” all the way to “should I buy Canon or Nikon?” Since I went through the pain of researching on what to buy for myself long time ago and have been constantly keeping track of the developments in this industry, I decided to write this small “FAQ” or “how-to” on buying DSLR cameras.
1) I have never owned anything more than a “point and shoot” camera and want to buy a professional camera to create professional-looking pictures. What do you recommend?
This is probably the most frequently asked question I have gotten so far. First of all, there is a common misconception that one can only create professional-looking pictures with a professional camera. This is absolutely not true. Some of the best photographs out there are shot with point and shoot cameras. People even manage to take awesome pictures using their phone cameras! So, does a camera truly matter? It does and it doesn’t. For most people out there that are just getting into photography, it doesn’t. For professionals who make a living selling pictures, it does big time. See “A Camera is Just a Tool” in my Nikon vs Canon vs Sony article, where I go into more details about this.
Digital photography, first and foremost, is about light. Beautiful light creates beautiful photographs. Once you learn how to manage light, you can start taking stunning photographs and your gear won’t matter that much. Knowing your camera functionality and technique are second. Most people that shoot with point and shoot cameras don’t even know their own cameras! They just put it in “Auto” mode and don’t bother to figure out important camera settings and modes. True, “Auto” modes are great, but if you look back at all your photos, did your camera produce great photographs every time you took a picture? I’m sure it didn’t! There are three common reasons, which apply even to professional cameras:
- Bad light
- Bad technique
- No creativity
If you take all of your photographs and sort good ones versus bad ones, I’m sure the majority of the bad ones will be the ones taken indoors (birthdays, parties, etc) and the majority of the good photographs will be the ones taken in bright sunny days. Wonder why? Again, it is because of light. In low light conditions, a point and shoot camera increases the sensitivity of its sensor (ISO), resulting in a lot of noise (remember those grainy pictures that you wish were a little bit cleaner?), while in bright conditions with good light, a point and shoot automatically decreases camera sensitivity, stops down the lens (aperture) decreasing noise and resulting in beautiful and sharp photographs (good tips on using a point and shoot).
But point and shoot cameras have limitations. Even if you master the light and know your point and shoot inside out, the camera will not be able to do some of the things a DSLR can. So, here is a list of advantages DSLR cameras have over point and shoots:
- Ability to change lenses and depth of field. A point and shoot has an integrated general purpose lens, while you can get a wide range of lenses for a DSLR. If you are wondering why you would need different lenses, take a look at this shot:
Captured with a telephoto lens to separate subject from background
You would not be able to get this shot with a point and shoot (unless you had digiscoping gear) because the coyote would not let you get that close. Even if it did, it would feel threatened and run away or perhaps even attack you. I used a long telephoto lens to produce this picture and you cannot mount a lens like that on a point and shoot. Ability to mount different lenses is quite powerful, since you can capture anything from landscapes with wide lenses to little birds with long telephoto lenses. Another big advantage is something called “depth of field“. See how the background is blurred on the above photo, while the coyote is sharp and in focus? A DSLR allows you to change the depth of field and you can control the background blur on your photographs (also known as “Bokeh“), from smooth to harsh.
- Overall better image quality. A DSLR has a bigger sensor than a point and shoot, resulting in less noise, faster speeds and better image quality.
- Shutter and focus speeds. DSLRs can acquire focus very quickly and take multiple shots per second. Have you ever tried to photograph a flying bird with a point and shoot? Moving subjects are extremely hard to photograph with point and shoot cameras because they lack good focus/shutter speeds.
Shutter speed: 1/1600, Aperture: f/4
- You see what you shoot. A DSLR is constructed with reflex mirrors, which means that you look through the lens, instead of a see-through hole in the camera. This is especially useful in long telephoto lenses, because you can adjust focus on your subject as if you are looking through binoculars.
- Lots of ways to control the camera.> Although some of the new point and shoots have a good number of manual controls, DSLRs have the most ability to control the camera. You can customize everything from ISO to focus points and even create your own custom layouts (in more advanced DSLRs).
If you want to see a more detailed comparison between point and shoot and DSLR cameras, please see Lola’s point and shoot vs DSLR camera article.
Anyway, let’s not waste time on point and shoots – after all, you are reading this because you want a DSLR! So, what would I recommend? The answer, unfortunately, is not going to be short.
There are many types of DSLR cameras available today, from DSLR-like and entry level DSLRs, all the way to professional-level DSLRs that have the most features and versatility. They are generally classified in three categories/classes: a) amateur, b) semi-professional and c) professional. Different brands have different classifications, but the latter three are generally the same across all brands.
Let’s talk about these categories really quick. As the name implies, the “amateur” target market is for entry-level DSLRs that offer least versatility and features to cut down the cost. This category is the most affordable and is an excellent choice for amateurs because less features mean quicker learning. Expect to pay between $500-$800 for a good camera kit (a camera kit is comprised of a camera with one or more lenses). Examples of amateur cameras: Canon Digital Rebel T1i/T2i/T3i, Nikon D3100/D5100, Sony Alpha A390/A33.
The next category “semi-professional” is between the amateur and professional categories. It is more versatile than the amateur, has better construction and possibly weather sealing and sometimes inherits features from the professional cameras. Obviously heavier than the amateur cameras and is generally more compatible with older lenses. Expect to pay between $1000-$1800 for a camera body only. Examples of semi-professional cameras: Canon EOS 60D, Nikon D7000/D300s, Sony Alpha A77.
The last category “professional“, again, as the name implies, is for professional photographers. You get the most features, most versatility and speed, best construction, best sensor technology, best focus system, weather sealing and many other bells and whistles not found in amateur or semi-professional categories. These cameras are money-hungry, between $3000-$10000 for a body only. Examples of professional cameras: Canon EOS 5D Mark II/EOS 1D Mark IV/EOS 1Ds Mark III, Nikon D700/D3s, Sony Alpha A900.
Image Captured with Nikon D700 and 300mm f/4.0 AF-S lens
Some people break down the categories into more segments, but it gets too confusing so I won’t go there.
Anyway, let’s move on to planning your purchase. A lot of websites on the Internet recommend setting a budget before buying a camera, then based on how much you want to spend, they provide the best available options as of today. Personally, I think it is a waste of time and money. You have no idea what price to pay and different people have different budgets, so, how can you even set a budget? If you are rich and your budget is unlimited, does it mean that you should be purchasing a professional camera just because you can afford it? Absolutely not! Coming from a point and shoot environment, a professional camera will be too complex for you and I can almost guarantee that you will not be able to use it properly. So, why waste money and your precious time? It is very entertaining to see people trying to get rid of their Nikon D3s because the camera is “too much” for them and they can’t use it.
Don’t worry about budgets or features! If you have never owned a DSLR, buy an entry-level amateur camera and forget about everything else you have read and heard so far. If you have never done serious photography before, trust me, you will go through a big learning curve, even with an amateur DSLR. You will eventually learn how to use the three kings – aperture, shutter speed and ISO to compose beautiful pictures. Once you shoot enough pictures and learn all of the features of the camera and want to move up in a category/class, you can then either sell your camera and buy a semi-professional or professional DSLR, or keep your original amateur DSLR as a backup body. By the way, compared to point and shoot cameras, DSLRs are very good in keeping value, as long as the camera functions and there is no visible damage. Talking about good value, I sold my first DSLR for about $100 less than what I bought it for, after using it for more than a year! If you take a good care of your gear, you will be surprised to see what people are willing to pay for it.
So, based on the above, my recommendation is either Canon’s Digital Rebel T1i or Nikon’s D3100.
Let’s move on to the next important question.
2) What brand DSLR should I buy?
Should you get Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, FujiFilm aghhh, there are too many! This is a very important question, because it will affect your future purchases. One thing for sure, once you buy your first DSLR and get serious in learning photography, it will not stop there. You will need more tools to create better looking photographs and will definitely be spending money on accessories. To start with, you will need a good camera bag to store your DSLR and your lens(es), an additional battery so that you don’t run out of power when you are out shooting and an additional memory card (you will definitely want at least one of these). Then, once you learn your camera, you will start finding limitations in your gear and such tools as a tripod, extra lenses (wide, macro, telephoto, etc), filters, external flash and many other things will run through your mind and will make you want to buy them. This phenomenon of the craving to purchase more and more gear is called “NAS” (Nikon Acquisition Syndrome) by Nikon users and “LLL” (L Lens Lust) by Canon users or a more generic “GAS” (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). Either way, it gets some people to a point, when they think that a particular camera body, or a lens, or extra accessories will create better pictures. Yes, tools do help photographers to create better pictures, but only if you are able to use them properly.
So, why is the brand important? Because all brands make their tools proprietary! You cannot mount a Nikon lens on a Canon body and vice versa (the same goes for almost all other brands, except some Fuji DSLRs that use the Nikon mount). This means that if you purchase a Canon DSLR, you can only buy lenses that are compatible with the Canon lens mount. The same applies to pretty much all other proprietary tools such as external flash units, body grips, batteries, etc. Once you choose a brand, it is extremely hard to switch to another one, because you would basically have to get rid of everything that is incompatible and replace it with the brand you are switching to, which will cost you big time. Therefore, choose your brand very carefully.
If you ask for my opinion on what brand to go for, my answer is “either Canon or Nikon”. Despite the tremendous growth in DSLR market and new emerging players such as Sony, both Canon and Nikon sell more DSLRs than any other brand in the market, have solid records of outstanding performance, spend lots of money on R&D, provide the most choice of lenses & other accessories and have excellent customer service. You would not go wrong with either of the brands, because they compete head to head and continuously release pioneering products.
There are plenty of articles on Nikon vs Canon (I recommend to read my Nikon vs Canon vs Sony article), and if you start researching this topic, you will end up nowhere. Some forums have never ending debates on what brand is superior and waste so much of their time discussing this useless topic, instead of shooting pictures. Here is a small compilation of both brands compared, which should hopefully help you choose what you want. Again, this is solely my opinion…
- Nikon’s ergonomics are superior to Canon’s. Some people say “Nikon DSLRs are created by photographers, while Canon DSLRs are created by engineers”. Nikons are easier to use and learn than Canons, especially for the beginners.
- Nikon’s “Auto ISO” feature works much better than Canon’s.
- Nikon has a better focusing system in mid to high-end models (for example D700 vs 5D Mk II).
- Canon has better availability. Compared to Canon, Nikon has much less manufacturing capability, so availability is always a problem. Although it has been improved during the last couple of years, it is still a major issue for Nikon, especially on some semi and pro-level lenses.
- Canon is cheaper. This can be debated, but I personally think that Nikon gear is always costlier than Canon. Canon has good incentive and rebate programs, while Nikon only does it on overstocked and old gear.
- Canon has a better choice of lenses. Canon clearly has a lead on lens choice and definitely does an excellent job in making their lenses available.
So, weigh in what is more important for you and make your own decision. Again, none of the above truly matters. Buy either Canon or Nikon and never look back! Concentrate on taking pictures, not evaluating better choices, because there will always be something better out there.
3) What other accessories/tools should I purchase with the camera or after I buy the camera?
I separated the list to “must haves” and “optional”:
Must Haves:
- A decent camera bag that can hold your DSLR along with two or more lenses. Lowepro and Tamrac offer excellent choices from entry-level to professional bags.
- At least one extra camera battery.
- At least one extra memory card, preferably 2 GB or more. Sandisk and Lexar offer the fastest memory cards on the market.
- A clear filter to protect your lens. Both Canon and Nikon provide good options, as well as companies such as B+W and Hoya. I personally use B+W because they have superior optics compared to other brands.
- A good lens cleaning kit. Some microfiber cloth along with a lens cleaning fluid is a must have to keep your gear clean. Nothing hurts pictures like greasy fingerprints on your lenses. I personally use Nikon’s lens cleaner kit that I bought for $10 from B&H, but you can also use any other lens cleaning kit.
- An absolute must have is the Giottos Rocket Blower to blow the dust out of your lenses and your camera sensor. I don’t know what I would do without this puppy – it travels with me everywhere I go.
Optional:
- One or more external flash units. An external flash unit should be listed as a “must have” if you are planning to shoot indoors and in low-light situations. The in-camera (internal) flash will give you the same “point and shoot” look in pictures that you are trying to get away from. An external flash allows you to point the light at the desired direction and you have a lot more flexibility and control over your subject.
- A good, sturdy tripod for landscape and night photography. Bogen/Manfrotto and Gitzo offer great choices from entry-level to professional.
- A good circular polarizing filter. Both Canon and Nikon offer excellent choices, as well as other companies such as B+W. I personally own the German 77mm B+W Kaeseman MRC filter, which is one of the best polarizing filters you can buy.
- Specialty lenses such as Macro, Fisheye or Telephoto allow you to create different types of photography. For example, if you are planning to photograph birds or other small subjects, a telephoto lens will be almost required to produce good-looking photographs.
4) What about megapixels?
Haven’t you heard about the megapixel myth yet? All camera manufacturers, unfortunately, engage in a megapixel race. It is definitely a marketing tool, because most people think that more megapixels mean better image quality. If you look at the point and shoot market, people tend to buy the cameras with most megapixels because they think that a larger image will have more details on it, compared to a smaller one. This is absolutely incorrect, as image sharpness has nothing to do with the number of pixels. A 12 megapixel blurred image (because of bad technique, focusing error, etc) will look much worse on a print compared to a 6 megapixel sharp image.
Megapixels only matter to professionals (especially pro landscape photographers), because when they sell photographs, large print size is extremely important. More megapixels are also useful to bird photographers, because birds are small and very hard to reach, so photographers end up cropping (also called “digital zoom”) their images.
Long story short, forget about megapixels while buying a camera! You are not a professional and by the time you become one (if that is your intent), you will have a professional camera with more pixels anyway.
5) Where should I buy my first DSLR and photo gear?
Any reputable local reseller would work, as long as you are not getting ripped off because of a higher price, local taxes and other fees. If you want the best price, however, I would recommend buying your photography gear online. The below online stores are the ones I use on a regular basis. I believe some of them also ship their items internationally.
I prefer to order everything through B&H Photo Video. Sometimes I look at other websites for availability and lower price, but typically B&H is pretty good about getting items in stock, so I just buy through them. They are absolutely the best to deal with when it comes to customer service. They also get most of the orders processed the same day, which is great compared to other vendors. When B&H has items back-ordered, I purchase from Adorama – they are also a very good company to deal with.
6) What are the best books/resources to learn about photography?
The best book on digital photography is Bryan Peterson’s “Understanding Exposure“. I learned a lot from this book and it will definitely help you to get started. It covers all the basics of photography and even covers some advanced techniques for you to practice. Make sure to practice everything you learn – I would read the book with a camera in your hands. There are lots of other great books by such authors as Ansel Adams, Joe McNally and Scott Kelby that are absolutely worth reading.
In addition to traditional books, there is a wealth of information online. Here are the sites I visit regularly and learn a lot from (in no particular order):
- The Luminous Landscape
- Digital Photography Review
- Joe McNally’s Blog
- Scott Kelby’s Blog
- Strobist
- Photo.net
There are many more websites on the Internet that provide lots of useful information and I’m sure you will find your own favorites soon.
Photography is not about the gear, but about how you take pictures. Most professional photographers will agree with that, since there are way too many people out there that think great pictures are only possible with expensive equipment. You may own a Mamiya or a Hasselblad with the best and fastest lens available and still make crappy pictures nobody likes. Again, a camera is just a tool in your bag – it is your creativity that produces great looking photographs.
I hope this guide helps you in picking your first DSLR and please let me know if you have any comments or questions.
About Nasim Mansurov
I noticed that you did not dwell much on the Olympus,neither the e510 or the e520.I have the point and shoot and about to upgrade so I was considering one of them.I also saw some good write up on them.
What are your views?I am reading so many reviews and it is very interesting,each would justify various brands
K.V.-B: To be honest, I would not go with Olympus as I believe Olympus as a brand has no future. Their current DSLR market share is a disaster and although you can get more features packed in an Olympus DSLR compared to a Canon or Nikon, it is not worth the investment. Once you start buying glass (lenses) for your camera, consider lenses and extra accessories as future investment. Now think of what will happen if Olympus stops DSLR and lens production? You can trash your investment at that time because nobody will be interested in buying your gear.
Both Canon and Nikon are worth your investment, because they have been around for a while and have the most lens/accessory selections compared to any other brand out there.
Hope this helps.
Nasim
that’s a good article. I decided to buy such camera as D3000.. I found it (with KIT 18-55)at price of 500 dolars. they say that the product comes from factory, that is why it’s so cheap. What do you think about that?
Arlan, thank you for your feedback! :)
In terms of price of D3000, I believe the reason why it is cheaper than D60 is because D60 is now a discontinued model, whereas D3000 is newer/more available.
But I would still recommend D5000 over D3000, simply because it is a higher class camera with the same sensor featured in D90 and D300.
Hope this helps – please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you for a very detailed and informative article. I а only i’ve read it couple years ago, when i bought my canon IXUS 900 point and shoot camera for $600) I think it will help many people whith their choices. By the way i has very suprised to learn that D700 is professional camera. Both Canon and Nikon have a real mixup whith their camera classifications: for example Canon 7d is much worse than 5D or 1D markII while Canon D50 is much more functional than Canon D30 or D20. It’s gettinfg a little hard to comprehand these trends. Anyway i’ve opened a veru usefull sight today for myself.. will wait for your further posts, thank you … Tair
Tair, you are more than welcome!
Yes, D700, along with D3/D3s/D3x are all considered to be professional cameras. True, it does get confusing when you try to do a head-to-head comparison of Nikon cameras to Canon. But the difference is now getting smaller – with the introduction of 7D, Canon clearly targeted the Nikon D300s niche, which has always been superior in comparison with the 50D semi-pro line.
I would not say that Nikon 7D is much worse than 5D or 1D Mark II – it has its purpose for its price. Clearly, the 7D is targeted towards sports and action photographers with its faster FPS and the new autofocus system, while the 5D is a different class camera for those who do not care about the speed.
Canon 50D is more functional than 40D/30D/20D, because it is the latest generation of the camera, just like the new Nikon D300s is the latest generation of the Nikon semi-pro line (D300/D200/D100). So, in terms of functionality, the latest generation will have better image quality, higher FPS, lower noise, etc.
Hope this helps.
I have never owned a dslr.I am confused which one should i buy- Canon Rebel T1i or Nikon 5000D. Please help me.
Shourya, I personally recommend getting Nikon DSLRs for a novice, because Nikon DSLRs are typically easier to learn and use than Canon.
The Nikon D5000 is an excellent choice indeed!
Nasim, its a longish but comprehensive post about DSLRs and I thoroughly agree with you in most points except that a sturdy tripod should rather be in the “Must Have” list. I believe a DSLR (or a SLR) is a must for understanding the core of photography and if you continue long enough with a point-and-shoot camera you will end up feeling handcuffed sooner than latter.
Umashankar, thank you for your feedback! I’m glad you enjoyed the article.
As far as placing the tripod in the “must have” list, I do not want to create an impression that a tripod is required for DSLR photography. Personally, I rarely use a tripod – only for my landscape shots. For landscape/night photography, a tripod is a must, but for almost all other photography needs, you can live without one for sure :)
Hi,
I have just started to consider getting a DSLR and I love reading your articles. I am also looking into both Nikon & Canon. My question is, which of this brand gives you a more “vibrant” and amazing color. It is not a good comparison, but I had a point & shoot Nikon and the pictures were washed out in comparison to the Canon point & shoot. Is it any different with DSLR between the two brands?
Thanks!!
Jessica, yes, there is a huge difference between Nikon and Canon when it comes to DSLRs in comparison with point and shoots. Nikon is very weak on the point and shoot side, but very strong on DSLR.
I personally like the colors that I get out of Nikon DSLRs better than out of Canons, although color and vividness in the pictures can be added directly in camera or in post-processing. By default, Nikon’s images look more natural and colorful for me, but I bet Canon fans would disagree :)
Nasim,
I currently have the Nikon D60 and have also used the Nikon D90. I am considering buying the D90, D300s and the D3s. All three very largely in price. I just shoot so to speak for fun however I intend on going a little further than that. I truely love making quality memories in my pictures. Could you giving me the pros and cons for the three camera. Thank you in advance for your time and knowledge!
Roberta, I apologize for a late response. Why are you considering buying D90, D300s and the D3s together? Is this your first DSLR purchase? If yes, then I would first recommend to start with something more or less basic such as Nikon D5000 or Nikon D90 rather than spending the money on an expensive pro-level body…
THank you for such a wonderful article. I’ve been looking for information just like this! How lucky that I happened upon your site.
Ellen, you are most welcome! Please let us know if you have any questions!
Great site & article…indeed very helpful. kudos to you Nasim.
JM, thank you for your feedback! Please let me know if you have any questions.
hi,
this is my first DSLR and i am confused between nikon d90 or d300. I am interested in wild life and nature potography, plz suggest me for which i have to go(for at least 3 years).
Nitish, it depends on how fast of a camera you need. If you will be shooting birds, I would recommend Nikon D300s because of speed. If you are primarily shooting landscapes, the Nikon D90 would be a better choice.
IS NIKON D3000 SUITABLE FOR LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY ?
Deepak, any DSLR camera is suitable for landscape photography :)
Nasim I appreciate your website and the help it has given me.
Here is my situation, I have been looking for a camera for a while and everytime I think I find the right one someone changes my mind. I will be having my first child in September of this year so I want a camera to capture moments with the child.
But also I am into riding and racing motorcycles so I would like to be able to take action shots of other riders, and lastly I would like to be able to get good nature shots when I go hiking.
Basically Im wondering what your opinion is on the best overall entry level dslr at the moment, I would like to stay under 800 to start out but I value your opinion.
SLR Squid, thanks for stopping by! If you can afford the Nikon D90, go for it – it’s an awesome semi-pro camera that truly performs great and will be fast enough for your racing shots.
If you cannot afford the Nikon D90, go with the Nikon D5000 instead. Currently Nikon is giving out great rebates on cameras with lenses.
Check out the current Nikon D90 + 18-200mm lens promotion, in addition to the Nikon D5000 + 18-200mm lens combo.
I think I will be going with the D5000 due to the new baby coming I would rather save a little on the camera. Thanks
Fair enough, you will love the D5000! It has the same sensor as the Nikon D90, so you are only missing a few features here and there. Image quality is going to be the same.
Congratulations with your upcoming baby!
I saved up my pocket money for buying the Nikon D5000. But Canon launched its EOS 550D a few days back which has quite appealing features. Please guide me to choose between these 2 cameras.
And I have only 3 days to make this choice!
Oops, I guess I missed it, sorry! I just came back from a long trip to Utah, which is why I could not respond on time. I hope you were able to make the decision yourself.
Shourya, sorry for a late response! If you do not care about video, go for the Nikon D5000 instead, since it has better image quality. Definitely take advantage of the current Nikon DSLR + lens rebates!
Thank you for an excellent article. We are currently looking to invest in our first D-SLR and as the main user of any camera in our household I was hesitant not knowing if I would learn and use it to make the cost worthwhile. With all the reading I have done this has been by far the most informative and useful of data. And, I am getting my new Nikon D5000 today. Also, I am ordering the book from Amazon. Appreciate the time and effort you placed into this articile and responding to the questions presented. Enjoyed your wife’s article also.
Trish, thank you for your feedback! Congratulations with your upcoming purchase, the Nikon D5000 will serve you well. It’s an excellent camera!
I am so enjoying my camera and it didn’t take me long to move out of auto mode to experiment – YEA for me. My husband has actually been learning to use it – double YEA
Your wife’s article mentions buying special straps to carry the camera; may I ask what you chose? It is already obvious to me with our upcoming spring hiking and summer travels I’ll need something more than the strap that came with the camera.
Once again, thank you.
Trish, that’s awesome to hear! I’m sure your husband will want a camera of his own soon :) (at least that’s what happened with us)
As far as the camera straps, check out my “Must-have DSLR accessories” article, where I go through some of the most popular camera straps, including OpTech straps that we use ourselves.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Hi Nasim!
Thanx for your advice. I bought the Nikon D5000 18-55mm VR lens kit with the 70-300mm VR lens from B&H. Thanx again to your article on the lens rebates.
The camera is just too great, but operating the 70-300mm lens is a bit difficult. Anyways, I’ll get the hang of it in a few days.
Sourya, you are most welcome and congratulations with your purchase!!!
hi nasim,
I made my mind to buy a nikon d5000 but while reading a review on kenrockwell.com it seems that the author was not so happy with the output of the camera. OK i am not a professional photographer, just for a hobby but i want a good camera.Now did i still goo for it or wait for price down of d90 because budget is also a great problem.
Deepak, do not listen to Ken Rockwell – he sometimes talks gibberish about things he does not know anything about. The Nikon D5000 is a great camera that has the same sensor as the Nikon D90. You will not be disappointed!
I have just found this site and have also looked on Ken’s site. Maybe he read this post as in June he highly recommended the D5000 and pretty much advised buying it over the D90 and use the extra money to buy a flash.
Nasim, I discovered your website just yesterday and I found it WONDERFUL ! I am looking to upgrade my great D70s with 18/200 f3.5 VR bought 5 years ago. I need a camera (and a lens too) to shoot photos during waterpolo games in a low light pool.
I think that the D700 + 70/200 f2.8 VrII should be ok ! What do you think ? (usually I can stay near the pool so really close to the shooting area)
All the best to you and your family
Giovanni, sorry for a late response!
Yes, the D700 along with the 70-200mm VR II will give you superb results in low light. If you are in the US, you can buy this combination with a $400 discount. I believe Nikon is extending the rebate until the end of April now.
I will be posting new information on the rebates as soon as I hear back from my rep at B&H.
Hi
i like the concept of adjustable lcd in nikon d5000, is this concept repeat in d90 or any other cam.
Sav, no, Nikon D5000 is the only DSLR in Nikon line that offers this feature.
Thanks Nasim,
Unfourtunately I am not in US . In addition to my previous comment I would like to ask your opinion about to have a Nikon 70/200 f/2.8 VRII mounted temporarely on a D70S . What kind of problems I have to expect ?
Thanks again and have a wonderful Easter !
Giovanni
Giovanni, you should see no problems mounting the 70-200 f/2.8 VR II on the D70s – it should work perfectly on a DX body, although it was truly designed for an FX body.
THANKS AGAIN !
One more question … I just read about some issues on the 70/200 f/2.8 VR II regarding debris inside the lens ! Did you hear nothing about that and if it is affecting picture quality ?
All the best
Giovanni
Giovanni, it is a myth, there is no such thing as debris inside the 70-200mm lens :) There were some people that spotted some problems with a thread inside the lens, but Nikon has already responded saying that it will not impact the performance of the lens in any way or introduce any debris. I have the 70-200mm VR II and I have been using it for a while without any debris :)
Thank you, Nasim!
This is the best guide I’ve read on the topic! It will definitely help because I’m looking to make the switch to DSLR in the summer and spend my free time getting accustomed… =]
Thank you Salman! Let me know if you have any questions.
Hmm…
As I am already acquainted fairly well with the usage of manual modes on my current camera, a Sony CyberShot DSCH2, I’ve decided to go for the semi-pro camera section, specifically the Nikon D90.
The issue I’m having is that I have been unable to find a good combination of lenses (preferably a 2-lens kit). I wish to have one “normal” lens for portraits, landscapes, and travel, as well as one for macro photography, while keeping the entire kit (including camera body) under $1,500.
I have, however, found a potential option for the “normal” lens (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/2183/AF-S-DX-NIKKOR-35mm-f%252F1.8G.html).
As for the macro, I’m clueless and would like some help regarding the matter!
Best of Regards,
Salman
PS: As a reference for what sort of macro I am interested it, view my flickr photostream (linked as my website).
Salman, the 35mm f/1.8G lens is an excellent choice. As far as a Macro lens choice, try the excellent Nikon 105mm f/2.8G – it is super sharp and is currently one of the best Nikon macro lenses.
Thank you so much!!!!!!
You really helped me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was great!
Vaikony, you are most welcome!
Hi nasim,
did the results may be the same of d90 or d5000 when it comes to landsacpe, since they have same sensor.
i am new so it is my first dslr, should i buy body and lense separately or buy a whole kit……..
Saurav, buy the kit if you are just getting into photography. I would personally choose D90 over D5000.
Hi Nasim,
As usual enjoying reading your suggestions and more. Anyhow, I have a question. Should I buy a D90 now or wait a few months? There’s a rumor that D90 upgrade will come out soon. Is it better to wait and see if its a worthy replacement? And so, will the D90 decrease in price even more? Thanks in advance.
Ken, if you look at the Nikon schedule, the Nikon D90 is supposed to be updated this summer. If you asked this question a month ago when Nikon was giving out great promotions, I would have told you to go with the purchase. But since the D90 price is back to normal now, I would say wait.
And yes, every time a new camera is introduced, the price of the used older model slightly decreases, because many people start selling their old cameras to get the new one.
Hope this helps.
Hi Nasim,
Do you think the D90 18-105mm VR kit for $1029 is normal? I can get it for this price, what do you think? Thanks.
Ken, where are you purchasing it from? Do not buy it from an unknown website – there are many scammers out there that will charge your credit card and you will never see your camera…
Hi Nasim,
Thanks for the quick reply. That price is from B&H and Adorama, they still have it on sale once you put it in the cart. The D90 body is $769 right now at B&H. I’m on the fence whether to wait or am I getting the best price for $1029?
Ken, that’s definitely a good price for the D90 + 18-105mm. If an upgrade to D90 is released later this year, the body alone will cost $999… At that point, B&H will stop selling the D90 and will start selling the new body instead, just like it happened with the D300.
If you decide to go with the D90, here is what I would get:
1) Nikon D90 + Nikon 18-105mm.
2) B+W 67mm UV filter to protect the lens.
You might also want to throw a Nikon 35mm f/1.8G in to use in low-light situations.
Hope this helps.
Nasim, I went and purchased the D90 but not with B+W UV filter, I did get the Tiffen though. I already have the 35mm f/1.8 so I think the 35 and 18-105 is a good combination. Thanks for the advice
Ken, congratulations with your purchase! The D90 is an awesome camera and it will serve you well for years to come!
hi Nasim,
great article.
I am looking for a dslr suitable for bird photography and my choices are nikon d90 and canon 50d. So plz tell of the better one and why?
And also tell some good image editing softwares.
thanks:-)
Ravi, as much as I love Nikon, I would in this case recommend the Canon 50D for bird photography. It is a faster camera than the D90 and has more megapixels, which matter when cropping images (which you will be in many cases with bird photography).
As far as image editing software, go for Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom 2.
Hi Nasim – your article was great. I’m purchasing my first slr and am leaning towards the Nikon D300 as I want to shoot sports action pictures of my children. I was told to get the 70-300mm lens. Is this what your would suggest as the best lens to shoot outdoor baseball/soccer pictures? Thanks!
Kim, yes, the Nikon D300 + 70-300mm is an excellent combination for sports photography. If you want to buy these, then you should do it today, because the Nikon $200 rebate ends tomorrow.
Here is the link to the combo with $200 off.
My review of the 70-300mm lens is here.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Nasim – Thanks for your assistance. I purchased the D300 and the lens today after reading your review. I can’t wait to start using it.
Kim, you are most welcome! Let me know how you like it once you receive it :)
Hi Nasim,
I’ve got a question for you. I have currently the 67mm Tiffen Haze-1 and I’m wondering if this will degrade the image quality at least to my amateur eye. A nikonian member is suggesting a clear protector and multi-coated is what I need. They suggested “Hoya Clear pro 1 multi coated” and not the Tiffen haze-1 or any UV protection at all since dslrs nowadays are capable of that protection. Is this what I should consider? Thanks for your time.
Ken, I apologize for a late response. Yes, the suggestion that was given to you is correct – you absolutely need to use a high quality MRC filter like the Hoya Pro series. Regular filters not only degrade image quality, but also result in extra ghosting and flare that you do not want in your images…
Hope this helps.
Hi Nasim,
Not a problem. I figured you were busy with something more important. Anyhow, I did order a pro 1 multi-coated clear lens for protection although its the Kenko brand. I also tried shooting with and w/out the filter and noticed the flare was gone when the filter was removed. I’ll go ahead and try it again once I get the new clear filter. Thanks for your help.
Ken, you are most welcome! Let me know how it comes out.
Hi.For first thank you very much.We all are lucky that we found you and read your great writings. just a question im living in Turkey. so can i buy camera from B&H?
Ali, absolutely! B&H ships worldwide and you can order from there without a problem…
Hi Nasim
I am new beginner in DSL world.
I am thinking 2 cameras, one is Nikkon D5000 & Canon 550D.
I saw one article, same question, u said if i care video i need to choose 550D right ?
My question is, i saw spec; 550D is more megapixels & more function than D5000.
let me know why you choose D5000 & why u like ?
within 1 yr i can’t buy additional lens coz of my budget.
Kindly guide me.
thanks
Freddy, yes, if you care about the video quality, go for the Canon 550D instead, because it can shoot 1080p and Nikon D5000 cannot.
For all other purposes, the Nikon D5000 is a better and easier to use camera, IMHO. Sure it doesn’t have the megapixels, but haven’t you heard about the megapixel myth? It is all about the sensor performance and without a doubt, the D5000 has a superior sensor than the 550D.
Hi Nasim
Thanks a lot for sharing info.
Really appreciate!
Most of my fri are holding Canon 7D. D90 Nikon.
So they don’t want me to buy D5000.they said 4 digit is for beginner and not too much function.
I am beginner and i just want to take landscape and when i travel.
I am not pro . so may i know your suggest . if around $800 what kind of DSL camera you suggest to me ? Kindly let me know. My purpose is for side seeing . Thanks so much
Freddy, for a budget of $800, I can only recommend the D5000 with a kit lens, unless you can expand your budget a little more to get the D90…
HI Nasim,
In this site, http://www.getitdigital.com/package.php?id=613, I found and calculated that It was really a great saved buying this package deal comparing with other stores, but is it safe to purchase on this kind offer?
Thanks
Jeff, absolutely not! Always triple check websites and make sure there are enough reviews on them before buying anything. I personally never buy from unknown sources and get 90% of my gear from either B&H or Adorama.
When it comes to photography gear, most good websites will sell them at similar prices, with a 1-2% delta. Any time you see a heavily discounted camera or lens that is sold cheaper than at B&H/Adorama, it is 100% scam.
Hi Nasim,
I just purchased a Nikon D5000 18-55mm f/3.5 – 5.6 VR Kit + 55-200mm f/4 – 5.6 VR lens. I am using the camera for shooting my kid (portraits, activities), and travel (landscapes, architectures, food, people, flowers, etc…) Do you think I have a good start with these two lenses for my purposes?
Thank you!
*Love your articles…
Elsa, sorry for a late response. Absolutely! You have a good kit, which will serve you well for most photography needs.
and also, I like night landscape… how do I achieve good results with manual setting? Thanks, Nasim!
Elsa, for night photography, I highly recommend purchasing a tripod. Check out my “how to buy a tripod” article for detailed information on buying a tripod.
Hi Nasim,
I have an additional question. Which of the above two lenses is good for indoors? For example, museums, restaurants, kids birthday parties, etc….
Thank you very much!
Hi Elsa,
>>Which of the above two lenses is good for indoors
Neither of the two (18-55 vr or 55-200 vr) is very good for indoors. I would suggest 35mm f/1.8G to you for D5000.
You can read the following articles if you want to know more about this lens:
http://mansurovs.com/first-nikon-dslr-and-lens
http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/nikon_35_1p8g_n15/
http://bythom.com/Nikkor-35mm-DX-AFS-lensreview.htm
Elsa, I agree with Amit on this – both lenses you have are great for outdoors, but not necessarily fast enough for indoor photography. You might need a faster lens or a flash, depending on how dark it is.
Hi Nasim,
I bought a Nikon D5000 dslr. I am a new user of DSLR. Pls suggest which lens is ll be better.I do ve 18-55mm lens.pls suggest.
Please read the section ‘For a budget below $1,000 USD’ of the following article:
http://mansurovs.com/first-nikon-dslr-and-lens
Nasim says: “1) For a budget below $1,000 USD, I recommend buying the Nikon D5000 camera with the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX lens. The Nikon D5000 DSLR has exactly the same sensor as the Nikon D90 semi-professional camera, so the image quality on this camera is simply outstanding. The Nikon 35mm f/1.8 AF-S DX lens is a very inexpensive (only $200), sharp lens that will deliver much better results than a slow consumer zoom lens. For those who really need the flexibility to zoom and be able to shoot wider, the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-f/5.6 VR lens (about $180) would be a good backup to the 35mm f/1.8.”
Thank you for responding Amit, appreciate your help! :)
Hi Nasim,
Some days ago, I was able to get Zenit-ET camera with single lense reflex, it was used just once. It’s 30 years old, but looks like brand new. As I do not possess funds to get DSLR I want use Zenit. I believe that my camera doesn’t matter, but can I use Zenit to learn some basics of photography?
Thanks in advance!
Bekhzod, Zenit cameras are great film cameras, even if they are 30 years old. Shooting film would certainly be a good way to learn photography (not just basics). The only downside is purchasing film, processing it and converting it to digital – it is a lot of work when compared to digital and can get rather expensive. But certainly give it a try – it is a great learning experience.
I Nasim, finally I got the 70-200 VR II ! It is a wonderful lens ! Thanks to your suggestions ! I got a problem to find here in Sydney a B+W filter to protect the lens. What about an Hoya or Tiffen filters available here ? Do you know these filters and which one you will suggest to mount on this lens ! All the best and thanks again for your time !
Giovanni, wow, congratulations!!! :) I’m sure you are super excited about it!
In terms of filters, Hoya and Tiffen also work great, just make sure to get the highest quality 77mm MRC glass from them.
Hey Nasim,
I currently have a Nikon D40x and have been using it now for the past couple years. I found it was a great learning camera but I now have outgrown it and its time for an upgrade. Originally i was looking at the Nikon d5000 mainly because of budget issues. But now I am not sure if it will be enough of a step up or if I should wait and save up some more money and get the Nikon d90. So i was wondering is the Nikon d5000 a decent step up from the Nikon d40x or should i wait and get the Nikon d90 once i have saved up some more money???
Thanks!!
Sarah, save up and get the D90 instead, you won’t regret it :)
Assalomu Aleykum Nasim,
I have seen your website and I liked it. It is very educational :). Also I like the recipes from Lola.
As many people asked before me , I have the same question..I want to buy DSLR camera.I was thinking about buying Canon EOS 500D or 550D. I like shooting but I don’t have any photography education for now. As soon as I buy a camera I want to take courses of photographer. Do you think Canon OES 500D or 550D will be suitable for me?What would you advise?
Thanks a lot.
Nigina, Va Aleykum Assalam and thank you for your feedback!
I would go with the Canon 550D/T2i, it is an excellent camera!
Thank you. I have bought Canon 550D .Feeling so happy) and ready to learn everything about cameras.
Nice, congratulations! :)
Hi Nasim,
I am regularly following your article. Thanks a lot for your informative article. As per your suggestion, I bought a Nikon D5000 DSLR. There is a 18-55 mm lense was there with the camera.Pls suggest if any other lenses are required along with this.Basically,I m interested in landscape n potrait photography. I am a new user of DSLR. Previously,I was using point n shoot camera.
I m interested in serious photography.also pls suggest which books n website ll help me on this.
Thanks in advance!!!!
Regards,
akki
>>Basically,I m interested in landscape n potrait photography
18-55 is a nice lens for landscape photography. You may want to consider 35mm f/1.8 DX lens if you want to shoot indoors in available light.
>>I m interested in serious photography.also pls suggest which books n website ll help me on this.
You can refer to the sixth section on this page: “6) What are the best books/resources to learn about photography?”. It begins with: “The best book on digital photography is Bryan Peterson’s “Understanding Exposure“. I learned a lot from this book and it will definitely help you to get started….”. This section has a list of online resources too.
Have you gone thgough the articles listed in the following page?
: http://mansurovs.com/photography-tips-for-beginners
Akki, Amit hit it dead on with his response, I would have said exactly the same thing.
Hi,
I am Vernan from the Philippines. My brother, who is working in Qatar, has promised me to buy a DSLR after seeing some of my shots using his old point-and-shoot – an Olympus FE-15.
This is my DeviantArt gallery.
page one: http://jagunap.deviantart.com/gallery/
page two: http://jagunap.deviantart.com/gallery/#_featured–2
I have been reading reviews the past weeks and have been dwindling between the D5000 and the 550D, but I am more leaning on the D5000, because other models are already too pricy. The only thing that is unsettled is the fit in my hand. My friend told me that it is very important.
Can you give me advice on what else to buy? I have asked my brother that if he has more more maybe he can buy a hood, a hard case, and a neutral filter. Am I right?
Also, I am thinking to invest on lenses in the future, what lens should I buy for a D5000, if I were to shot landscapes? portraits?
I am very happy to found your site. You have helped me a lot.
Thank you very much.
Vernan Jagunap
Vernan, I would suggest to go to a camera store and try the D5000 out before you buy it. I’m sure there are electronics stores in Philippines where you can do that…
In terms of other things to buy, check out my Must-Have DSLR Accessories article for more info.
Hi Nasim,
Thank you for answering. But, I have another question. I really don’t have any idea about flash. So, if I were to photograph a wedding march, what flash should I get? I would be really happy if you can give me options and the distance it covers. And is the kit lens good enough? Can you advise me with a good lens?
I have held the D5000 and it was great. My idea was to join this freelance photographers, after I can get the basic lessons. They usually went into weddings and shots, not as an official photographer and they normally took snapshots, it is basically money thing. I was hoping that I get some income on it to finance my further studies on photography. I was thinking NYIP, and I believe that if lucky I can get what I wanted.
I apologize for bothering you again, but I believe you can understand.
Thank you very much and more power!
Vernan Jagunap
Vernan, flash only covers short distances. For anything over several feet, you will have to use very expensive flash systems. For weddings, I would suggest to get a fast lens like the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G.
Thank you very much for your replies.
Hi Nasim
I just chanced upon your site which is an excellent treasure trove as far as dslr reviews and advice goes!
I currently own the excellent Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ-18! It has served me brilliantly . Here is a link to my shots – http://jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?userid=30011
Since im on a tight budget, I want to upgrade to a D5000 after reading all the excellent reviews and comparisions with the competition ! The D5000 sensor is whats pushing me towards it big time! Also the “cliched” cmos versus ccd debates which invariably harp over the cmos superiority ! I’d prefer either a 18-55 , 55-200 combo or an 18-200 due to the extensive use of zoom for my type of photography. Since i wouldn’t wanna swap lenses and run the eternal risk of introducing dust, at the same time , the 18-200 is expensive, also the 18-105 wont give me the range , so is there any other len(s) combo i cud go for within a tight budget of around 1000USD.
Your advice would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Sean
Sean, D5000 is a good choice. Instead of getting the 19-55+55-200, I would get the 18-200mm since it is one less lens to carry around. If sharpness at longer range above 105mm is very important to you, I would get the Nikon 70-300mm VR lens instead…
hello again Nasim,
beautiful article. cleared the air about 1st DSLR’s.
actually i stay in Dubai, UAE. here a nikon d5000 with kit lens cost as much as 950 USD. but i think amazon offers much better price and sell for as less as 700 USD.
Do u have any idea about whether they ship to international markets or is there any other reliable site to look into for such international deliveries.
I know this is out of context in realtion to ur blog, but hope to get some tip.
Thanks for ur great blog to simplify so many of beginners queries .
Great JOB,
GOD BLESS.
Subodh, as far as I know all major sites like B&H, Adorama and Amazon ship internationally. Not sure about customs and taxes though…it depends by country.
Dear Nasim,
I have been reading your articles for a long time now. I current use a humble point and shoot Fuji S5700. However, I wish to upgrade to a DSLR soon. Coming to the point, I am confused between D3100, D500 & D90. I know you would they are miles apart…however, I wish to buy a camera which I intend to use for some years to come before I may again switch to an FX format. I am an HR professional and do not wish to take up photography as a serious profession. You may call me a serious enthusiast though. I hope I am able to explain my requirement here. Looking fwd to your comments and help.
Ohh btw…you rock! Would say anything more than that…
Regards,
Vivek
Kolkata, India
Vivek, sorry for a late response. I would go either for the D3100 or D90 if I were you, depending on your budget.
I will be buying the Nikon D90 and would like some advice on which ‘class’ or ‘speed’ of memory card is best for the camera. On the specifications provided by Nikon they provide 4 approved manufacturers and the size of card, but don’t mention anything about ‘class’ or ‘speed’. I was thinking of maybe the Panasonic 4GB class 4 card?
If you are interested only in images and not in video then ‘class’ of the card will not have any impact.
If you have not completely finalized D90 then I would suggest you to wait for a week since according to NikonRumors, Nikon may announce a new DSLR on 15th September:
http://nikonrumors.com/2010/09/06/recap-3.aspx
I had thought about waiting for the announcement, but I’m assuming the cost is going to be reasonably higher than the current cost of the D90. Also the D90 currently has a $200 cash back in Australia until next week.
The D3100 is priced around $300 more than the D3000 was prior to the announcement of D3100.
Also, could be more than a month after the announcement until the release date.
>>Also the D90 currently has a $200 cash back in Australia until next week.
If this is the case then I believe your choice is excellent.
Regarding the discussion on memory cards, I would like to add that currently I have 2 memory cards:
1. Sandisk 4GB class 2 (stores around 250 raw images); this one came with the camera
2. Sandisk 16 GB extreme 3 class 6 (stores around 1000 raw images)
Both are fine for images but if you want to shoot videos then go for class 6 or class 10 card. Even the very high speed cards are very cheap these days. 4GB extreme 3 class 10 costs around $30.
D90 is a great camera and the D7000 does not replace it.
Sorry for a late response!
Duncan, don’t pay attention to a class of the card – just buy the fastest card available and you should be in a good shape. I personally like Sandisk cards, but you can buy and use any card…
Hi Nasim,
I never came across such a informative page before, Its too specific in info and I already got your suggestion on the question I wanted to ask, by seeing through your page. Its really a point where you get the answer to what you want without confusing.
But still I had another questiion.
Although I decided between canon 50d and nikon d90 for canon 50d as you said , but was wandering if the new models from nikon – d3100 or d7000 are still better than my present choice (50d) , as these are new and so no comments are available on the internet. What do you say and why?
Secondly , for canon 50d , I didn’t find much praise and reviews as for other models, so was little confused about it.
My areas would be — Bird photography in the fields (including birds in flight)
Wild life
Nature and travel
I want a semi-pro model although its my first dslr but I am sure to learn it fast.
Thanks in advance
birdwatcher
Birdwatcher, yes, the Nikon D7000 is actually a better camera than 50D or even 60D, so if you are still deciding, I would suggest getting the D7000 instead.
Hi again,
Which one would you recommend from canon 50d and 60d ?
Birdwatcher
Birdwatcher, obviously the 60D, since it is newer. Sorry for a late response.
Good Afternoon Nasim
Just wondering how to use and what the difference is between lenses. In Australia you can get most Nikon camera’s with 18-55VR and 55-200VR Lens. Is it better to get a camera with the leses or not??? I love you article, I am going to get a D5000 for sure!!! Can’t wait to start shooting.
Cheers Lean
Lean, the lenses that come with the D5000 should work well. If you can afford it, instead of buying 18-55mm VR and 55-200mm VR, I would rather get a single lens – Nikon 18-200mm VR.
Hi Nasim
I finally did it… I bought a D90 and I am sooooo glad I did. I love the camera. I thought that it was going to be too much for me as a entry level user, but I was so wrong. Fantastic Camera, I tried out the Canon D500 but found it too basic and didn’t feel right. Anyone wondering if a D90 is worth it, go ahead and get it, you definately will not be disapointed.
Cheers Lean :)
I am in the same boat. I am struggling to decide between D3000/D5000/D90/D300. D90 seem to be great, but does it have better image quality compared to 5000?
dpreview did not score D90 as I expected. Images tests are soft and lack some sharpness (RAW default). It scores 77% compared to e.g. 75 of D5000. I do not know if the difference is really 2%, and does it pay off paying 300$ more for that?
D90/D5000/D300 have the same CMOS sensor, but anti-aliasing filters or whatever other processes they have incorporated individually, makes them different in image quality. Correct me if I am wrong.
Elie, the D90 is better than D5000 and is worth the difference in price.
Congratulations Lean! D90 is a superb camera, I’m glad you like it.
Hi Nasim
After all the endless reviews/views/analysis/ all over the www i finally got my Canon 500D ++ 18-55 & 55-250! Its a pretty cool piece of equipment from the Canon stables!
Congratulations Sean, I’m glad you like the camera.
Hello Nasim,
I’m a beginner to the DSLR photography and have narrowed down my choice to either Nikon D3100 or D90. My area of interest is landscape, potrait and wildlife. Please advise which camera should I choose and do I stay with the kit lens or opt for other lens.
Thanks in advance for your prompt advise.
Deewanjee, I would go with the D90. Sorry for a late response!
Hello Nasim,
Thanks very much for your advise. Yes, I did purchase the D90 with the kit lens 18-105 mm VR and I also bought the 50 mm f/1.8 + 67mm UV & polariser (marumi) & 52mm UV (kenko). So far the shots have been all indoors in “auto mode” and good photos, to say. Getting a feel of the camera and hope to venture outdoors soon. Will keep you posted and also come back to you for advise.
Thanks again, Nasim.
I have been researching photography on the internet for some time now, and this is the most helpful site I have come across yet! Thank you so much for all the useful information. I am new to photography, and don’t even know much about my point and shoot camera. I plan on seriously getting into photography. I am mainly interested in portrait photography (especially my 8 month old son!) and I am not really too interested in landscape or nature, and don’t really need the video feature either. Do you think it would be to difficult for me to start out learning on a D90? The thought of spending all that money on a D5000, just to upgrade and spend more money within a couple of years sort of bothers me. I do h0pe to do photography semi- professionally one day. Also, what lens is best for portrait photography? Your advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again for the helpful sight!
Hi Kel,
I’m new to photography too and mainly wanted an SLR for taking photos of my two children. I got the D90 about a month ago and I am very happy with it so far. I haven’t had much time to venture past the auto mode, but even with that the pictures are fantastic.
Thank You Duncan!
Kel, good logic – I would certainly recommend the D90 over D5000 if you can afford it. It is a very easy camera to learn and grow with.
Hi Nasim,
I am seriously considering D90 (body only) along with 18-55 VR (instead of 18-105 kit lens). I would also like to invest in 35mm f/1.8 G for a prime and go for a 55-300 VR when i hav some more money…I am wondering if I should wait for a D90 upgrade or should I go ahead with the above combo…
Thanks,
Vivek
Vivek, I don’t think it is worth waiting, since the D90 update will probably only come out in the summer of 2011…
Another camera that is worth looking into, is the new Nikon D7000, but it costs more than the D90.
Thanks Nasim on the super quick response :) guess I got the time zone diff right this time :))
I hope I hav got it correct on the choices of lens here (D90 body + 18-55 + 35mm prime + 55-300). or should I go for the kit lens on D90. Also, would 7000 be good to consider for a 300 USD diff? moreover, im new to DSLR and Im sure you would recommend 90 over 7000 for people like me
Im, however, inclined to D3100 due to price. this would save me money for lenses. However, not sure how much Id loose out on the camera when I start shooting seriously. Moreover, in-built motor factor means I may hav to shell more money when I want to shoot with special purpose lenses
your views please…
Thanks,
Vivek
Vivek, I would certainly consider the D7000 over 300 USD difference. The high ISO shots I have seen so far are amazing, close to what D700 is capable of doing!
Don’t go for the D3100 if you can afford a better camera. You will find yourself selling it in a year or less to purchase another DSLR…
Thanks a ton! you are truly a boon to amateurs like us…..awaiting your in depth review of D7000. Thanks again!
sir, till date i’ve been using point and shoot, and about to buy dslr[my first one] i’ve decided to buy d90, want to know whether to go for kit lens ie 18-105 vr or opt for 35mm f/1.8 D and AF-S DX 18-55f/3.5-5.6 G VR plus AF Zoom 70-300mm f/4.5-6 G. hOW MUCH OF VIDEO RECORDING CAN BE DONE ON D90?
Dr Dudhir, I would go with the 35mm f/1.8D and other lenses you mentioned instead of the kit lens.
I believe the D90 is limited to 5 minutes of video recording per time.
D90 recording time is 20 minutes max per time, but manual warns about excessive use as the camera gets hot and can damage parts (think it might shut itself off before this happens though).
Hi Nasim,
I am new to DSLR and planning on buying Nikon D5000 from Costco as it seems like a good deal ($850). Please take a look at the link below and let me know your thoughts on the camera and lenses it comes with. I am only concerned about taking vibrant and sharp pictures with good “Bokeh” as you mentioned in one of your article. Also, I like to take pictures outdoor (landscape, mountain, garden, etc.) short and long range if possible.
Please let me know following:
1. If these lenses are good to take better quality/Bokeh pictures
2. It says lenses are AF-S DX, where D90 lenses are only AF not AF-”S” and DX is not written. Not sure the differences
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Naveed
Naveed, the Nikon D5000 is now officially discontinued – I would get the Nikon D3100 with the 18-55mm kit lens instead, since it is better and cheaper.
Hi Nasim,
I really enjoyed reading the post as well as comments. I liked your reasonable approach very much
I have the same question as you mentioned in bold at the beginning of this post. I am newbie in photography and so far took most of my shots with my Olympus uT 8000 pocket size point and shot camera and now I am looking for better quality and more levels of manual control. As I figured out sensor size as well a s using various lenses both play major role in the quality of the picture and I should go with DSLRs.
On the other hand since I love and used to go trekking and mountaineering very much, DSLRs are simply so heavy and also take so much space in my backpack. putting these altogether and searching through the Internet I ended up with micro four third formats systems that you have also mentioned in your recent post about comparing Nikon vs canon and are somehow compact with larger sensor size and have been launched by Olympus and Panasonic.
My question is that do you have any review on them and do you recommend them at all? somewhere I read that maybe soon they will became very popular as now notebooks are (for nonprofessionals of course)
sorry for long post
Thank you in advance
Hooman
Hooman, if size is the major issue, then a DSLR would certainly not be suitable. I don’t have any reviews on micro four thirds systems, but you can use Google and find plenty of reviews. Another compact camera worth checking out is the Sigma DP2 – it has a larger sensor than point and shoot cameras and its size is pretty small in comparison to DSLRs.
Thanks for the advice Nasim. I am checking out Sigma DP series right now :)
have a good day
Regards, Hooman
Hi Nasim,
Thank you for these precious information. I have a little off-topic question if you don’t mind. I’m very new to photography and I don’t even know if my desire will keep going so I’m thinking to start with a very cheap one just to enter the photography world.
What do you think about:
Canon EOS Rebel 2000 35mm SLR Camera Kit with 28-80mm Lens by Canon (I know it is very old)
or do you have any other suggestions for those who want to start without paying more than 400$ :)
Thank you in advance.
bunyamin
Well, sorry about my previous “unprepared” question. The machine I was referring to is not digital. This shows how much new and in need of help I am.
Bunyamin, the older EOS rebel cameras are pretty good, so I would not hesitate to get one.
Hi Nasim,
I m bit confused between Nikon D5000 and D3100. Please suggest which is the better choice.
Waiting for your reply.
Thanks,
akki
Akki, see my Nikon D5000 vs D3000 article.
Hello, Nasim
i am from India,i am planning to buy Canon 7d or nikon D300s.But i am a bit confuse to buy .which one will be better in image datails, sharpness, noise performance, i am not considering vedio.
Thank u in advance
Raj
Raj, I am sorry, but I don’t provide comparisons between brands here. See my Nikon vs Canon vs Sony article.
Hi Nasim,
I have a D60 with the Nikon 18-200 mm VR lens (the older one, not VR II). I am thinking of an upgrade to the D90 or D 7000. I plan to retain the old camera as well but seek your advice on that. The kit lens on both seem to be the 18-105mm. I prefer to stick with the DX gear since I don’t see myself being able to afford the fancy priced FX gear which is way too heavy to carry around.
I do have a significant interest in photographing wildlife, landscapes/ cityscapes & monuments.
I need help on 2 counts:
1. Which should I get, the D7000 or the D90? I understand that good deals may be available on the D90 since the D7000 is considered some kind of an upgrade and dealers may have some deals to rid themselves of their D90 inventory. I don’t think I’ll be able to afford yet another upgrade for some time after this. So what I buy should be good for a next few years. I do handle my equipment with great care.
2. I plan to buy the body only since the kit lens is an 18-105mm, I already have that range covered by my 18-200mm. What do you suggest?
3. Should I keep the old camera, my D60. The disadvantage with it is that there are many lenses which to not autofocus since there is no drive motor in the D60. However, that makes it very portable and most importantly I am very familiar with the controls now.
Thanks,
Gaurav
Guarav, seems like there are lots of problems with the Nikon D7000 at the moment. Until Nikon releases a firmware update and fixes those issues, I would stick with the Nikon D90. If you already have a lens, you can buy a body-only version of the D90. As far as your old camera, that’s for you to decide whether to keep it or not…
Hi Nasim,
Thank you for sharing your photography knowledge with us and I’m sure that you’ve help a lot of people with their decision. I am from the Philippines and planning to buy a Nikon DSLR. Like the latter post, I am thinking of getting the D90 or D7000. The D7000 reviews are all impressive and it owned the D90 overall.(maybe that’s why it’s call an upgrade :) ) I have a tight budget and all I can afford is the d7000 body and a 50mm F 1.8D. I want to make sure I will get what’s best for my budget. With the D90, I can get the body and the 50mm F1.4G (thanks to you) plus possibly other stuff like an external flash or a good bag. I am a beginner and if ever I will be good into this field, I want to earn money out of this. I don’t think I will be able to afford an upgrade after this for some time. What do you think is the best choice?
Thanks,
Dodong
Dodong, if you want to make money out of your gear, then invest in the D7000 instead.
Hi Nasim,
Your website has been a huge wealth of knowledge to me while trying to figure out which camera and accessories should take priority for my initial purchase. This will be my first DLSR and I wanted to ensure that I did not buy too much camera for myself. After reading your website and many others I believe I have narrowed my choice to two models, the D90 or D5000.
I am interested in taking landscapes, vehicles, and general purpose shooting. As a beginner could you recommend if you would spend the extra money to go with the D90 or would you recommend starting with the D5000 and buying additional accessories? I am trying to keep my budget as close to $1000 in the beginning as possible. My eventual goal (if I do still enjoy photography as much as I believe I do) is to turn this into a second form of income.
I greatly appreciate your feedback and if I have missed this debate on your website somewhere I apologize for the posting.
Thanks for all that you have done and the information you have shared.
Sincerely,
Chris
Hey Chris
Try this thread, it’s all about the two cameras you are looking at.
http://mansurovs.com/nikon-d5000-vs-d90
I went for the D90, it felt very comfortable in the hands and had pretty much everything I was looking for. It takes a very nice picture and video is respectable too.
Hello Nasim,
I wanna buy a good DSLR cam and i was looking for good DSLR brands and specifications online and thus i found your website and it helped me a lot…thank you so much for such a wonderful web and providing needful information for people like us who just want to start their photography life. I personally like Nikon brand and i’m also a Nikon fan so i was looking for a good Nikon DSLR cam with cheaper price. I found Nikon D3100 and D5000 in my range and read informations that you have provided about these two cams in your web. Now my question is: I want to buy such a DSLR cam which will back me up for atleast couple of years because i might not be able to spend alot of money for upgrading my cam frequently. I want to stick with a decent cam which will serve me even if i try to explore the next stage ( semi-pro). So, which DSLR cam is a better deal considering my points, Nikon D3100 or Nikon D5000? Please help me with this.
Waiting for your reply…
Thanks & Regards,
Rasel
You need to ask some more specific questions of Nasim and mention what type of photography you are most likely to use the camera for (eg nature, portraits, sports……)
Hi Nassim,
I want to buy a good point and shoot camera. However there are cameras that offer different megapixels.Does higher megapixel mean high quality of the picture. Is there a signifcant differnce in pictures that with a 10 mp camera and a 14mp camera taken from the same camera maker. I have read few articles on ” megapixel war” in the industry, but not clear as to what this really means. Your answer is highly appreciated
You need to consider which class the camera is being positioned. But, if I were to buy a PNS camera, that would be between the Canon S95 and Olympus ZX-1, both cameras are 1o megapixels camera. Both cameras performs very well in low light and is very compact, which means that I can have it in my jean’s pocket all the time.
You also need to look at the physical sensor size, “most likely”, the bigger the sensor size the better it is in low light. However, if more megapixels are being put in a sensor with same size, the camera with lower megapixels most probably will perform better in lowlight. Ultimately, you still need to read reviews of each model.
For example, between the 14 megapixels Lumix FZ40 and 12 megapixels Lumix FZ35. I would probably choose the FZ35. Lumix just get the sensor of FZ35 for the FZ40, and the result was that the FZ40 is noisier.
Hope that helps.
Hi Nassim,
What do you think about buying an used Nikon D3 in Ebay? How do I check and make sure it is not defective after I bought it?
I know absolutely nothing about photography and cameras. It is a happy thing for me to travel and take some great landscape pictures. I feel I am too old to mess around with an entry level camera but don’t want to spent so much money for a new one and worrying about it getting lost or stolen. I’ll be going to China.
Thanks.
Sue
Sue, I would be careful about buying such an expensive item from eBay. If the seller is trusted and he/she can provide enough proof that the camera is fully functional, it might be a safe buy. However, I would insist on a return policy in case you are not satisfied.
I personally would not buy a D3 from eBay (too risky), but I am sure others will disagree.
Please help me out to decide between a Nikon D3100 and Sony A 33. Thank you.
I think you should buy a potato.
This answer is about as useful as your question, or lack of should I say.
Hahaha Duncan, that’s pretty funny :) Thank you for helping out in this thread, I truly appreciate it.
No problem Nasim. I figure one of two things will happen. Either the person will think a proper question or will just go away and waste someone else’s time.
Most people who ask such questions never come back to read replies anyway ;-)
Hi Nasim,
I bought an used sony dslr-a330, it take very nice pictures, but is making a lot of noise when I shoot. It’s is my first dslr camera. I’m not sure it is normal. This camera is for my nice in Mexico. Her teacher asking for this kind of camera. Thanks for your time
Irma
Dear Nasim,
I have zeroed upon the D90 :)
I need your suggestion on two things:
1) Should I go for the kit lens (18-105 VR) or the inexpensive 18-55 VR?
2) Should I buy a 35mm 1.8G or 50mm 1.8D
Thanks in advance!
Vivek
Hi Nasim, awaiting your views…pls help
Hi,
I have gone thru most of the pages of your website, liked most is of flash tutorials…amazing and brief
I’m planning to by Nikon DSLR, can you please suggest which one should I go for…….I’m a learner (not a biggner). Suggest on lens as well, please. Thought to go for FX rather than DX lens, if in future I go for FX camera this will help.
My interest in mainly macro, potraits, wildlife, structures and landscapes….
Nikon D90 / D7000
any 2 lens among the list- please consider low light condition as well
AF-S 300mm f/4D IF-ED
AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED
AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
——–
AF-S 50mm f/1.4G (if this can work as good macro lens, don’t consider below one) – macro is important
——–
AF-S Micro 60mm f/2.8G ED (if this can work for above lens 50mm, than I’ll not take 50mm)
——–
If you know something better than above list, please do suggest …… but, I’m tight on budget..so within range please
Apart this…any suggestions on sigma or tamron lenses, as they are cheaper than nikkor for same specification. Hope the output quality is almost same.
Thanks in advance for your time & help.
getting a used Nikon d700 in good price (online) can I consider that ?
Hi,
found these, might b I’m wrong : what do you say ?
AF-S 50mm f/1.4G – $430
AF 50mm f/1.4D – $360
AF-S 50mm f/1.8G – $220 – this seems to be true value for money
AF 50mm f/1.8D – $122 – nice one
Asheesh, sorry for a late response. D90 is no longer manufactured, so I would get the D7000 or a used D700 (if you can find one that is in good condition). As for lenses, the 60mm macro is very good and for your wildlife shots, I would get the Nikon 300mm f/4D AF-S. The 50mm f/1.8G is the best 50mm by Nikon right now.
AMAZING article! you surly spent a lot of time on this! Well-done Sir! What really mattered to me in this article is the step-by-step starting… I mean, I never had a pro cam and I want one! I wanted to buy a Sony alpha 500. but you taught me to start with 380, or else i’ll get lost!…i shared your article as much as i can and i am very pleased with it!
Thank you for your feedback Mounira.
I am planning to switch from Point-Shoot to DSLR and bit confused about which one to buy. I short listed Nikon D90 and Canon Digital Rebel T1i. Now someone told me that there is an inbuild lense motor in D90 and Canon doesn’t have any. So you don’y have to buy a lense with a motor for D90.
After reading your article can you please let me know which one to buy and what is the basis of a lense motor
If it’s your first DSLR camera try something for Beginners, like written above Nikon D3100–> Nikon D5100. You can’t start with a very complicated camera because it’s hard to learn on and you want be able to use all of its features. I was like you, when I waned to move to DSLR I thought I had to buy something big and continue with it but it’s just not the point! I advice you to but Nikon D5100 because it’s great! I want to buy it too. Read more about it here or check this: http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d5100/index.htm … Hope I made my point clear :D
Thanks for the update!!!
Just one last point, how much a difference an in build motor for the lense can make
Regards
For this you can ask Mr. Nassim. He is way experienced than I am and his opinion is much important :) Hoping he answers you soon
Akhil, do not worry about the in-body focus motor. It was a problem when Nikon did not have enough cheap prime lenses without motors, but now that the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G and Nikon 50mm f/1.8G are out, the issue of the motor is no longer relevant.
hmm almost not relevant I’d say : I just wish there was a replacement for the 85mm 1.8D (the 1.4 G looks awesome but the price is unreasonnable for me — and I guess for most casual or amateur photographers …)
of course there is the marvelous 105mm micro f/2.8G that I’ve had the luck to try for a while, but it is a bit long for portraits (which is what I’m interested in) on a cropped sensor, and 2.8 is not always enough in low (artificial) light
I guess I’m just suffering lens fever and should just go back shooting with the 50mm :)
thanks for your time
Mounira, I agree with you – the D5100 is a great camera.
Akhil, I try not to compare brands, because they have their own advantages and disadvantages. In my observation, Nikon is easier to learn than Canon, but it is a subjective view. The Nikon D90 is an outdated camera that is no longer manufactured. If I were you, I would get the Nikon D5100 instead. See my Nikon D5100 Review for more info.
Thanks for all the support in this, it really help
Now atleast I know which one to buy
Nikon d5100 or Canon 60d ??? Please Suggest…
My budget is around 800 US dollar. Please suggest any camera in this range.
I will decide on the basis of your comments only. Thanks in advance!!!
I would get D5100 because it has got same sensor as D7000 and if you pair it with 35mm it is just awesome.
I am canon owner by the way but shot enough shots on this combination that I can recommend this combo.
BUT a bigger factor that most people forget is the buddies factor.
If all your buddies have one brand and you should buy same brand.
You can share lenses equipment, operate each camera in time of need (birthday parties, etc).
Hi,
I am planning to buy a DLSR. I am a beginner into DSLR photography.Zeroed in D3100 and D5100 from Nikon.plz suggest which should i go for. Also what all lens i require as I am not that much into widlife photograpy but interested in natural scenic bueaty and some functions like birthdays parties etc.
thnaks in advance
Question here,,,about online shops….
I’ve been checking this store called http://www.cameta.com for a while now and they have great prices AND great kits (I really mean kit, as a kit of things you can buy together for a good price and variety), but you don’t mention it on your page,,,and most photo pages I consider the best ones (yours go in here) don’t either…
So,,,,bad store? Not great customer service, or just too new to make an impression?
I know it’s hard to compete with B&H but ritz, adorama and the others seem rather costlier (adorama a bit less), and that site has about the same price level, but offers some good deals – CAVEAT: most are “refurbished”, and I’m not talking about those. I’m only talking about “Brand New USA” and other items like filters to which such property doesn’t matter.
cheers,
;)
Antonio, Cameta is reliable, so you can buy from them if you find a good deal.
HI,
I am planning to buy a Nikkon DSLR camera. Please suggest me what nikkon model should i go for a beginner like me. My interest is in natural scenic and parties.
thanks
Hi Nasim,
I really enjoyed your postings. They gave me some good clues about my next (and first DSLR). I’ve been seing for some time between Canon 1100D and 550D and Nikon D5100 and D3100). I haven’t decided yet, but I have some questions about their prices.
What would you recommend: buying a more expensive Canon 550D or Nikon D5100 or is it better to buy a cheaper Canon 1100 or Nikon D3100 and using the saved money to get some extra gear, like 50 mm f. 1.4 lenses, for example? Thank you very much!!
Gustavo, for the first DSLR, I would recommend to get the D3100 and nicer lenses instead of something more expensive.
Hi, me here yet again….
Can we trust the Refurbished kits for sale on BH, cameta, etc??
thanks
Hi Nasim,
Wow, what wonderful advice! Thank you! I am interesting in purchasing a dslr to take photos of my baby to do bokeh, b/w newborn shots, and nice family photos (like if I paid a photographer to come take them). Would you still recommend the Nikon D5000 for my purposes? Would I still be able to do quick ‘point and shoot’ photos with the D5000? Is there anything else you think I need to know, buy, etc. Thank you so much! Ashley
Hi again,
What about D3000? I’ve been told D5000 is 2nd tier for entry level and D3000 first tier (but not much dif in price). Or what about older models like D60? I don’t think I need the HD video capability (I use my fliP), unless you recommend I do need video? Thanks again :-) Ashley
Hi Nasim,
Great article. I had already bought my Nikon D3100 over the weekend before reading this and was relieved to know that it is one of your recommendations for an entry-level DSLR. :)
Thanks for all the matter-of-fact details about DSLRs.
-balaji
Hi Nasim,
I have been surfing the web now for over few weeks now, looking for some advice on which DSLR would be best suitable for me……….and finally I came across your site (I’m glad I did)…….it surely has helped me to narrow down on my selection. It’s either D3100 OR Canon Rebel T1/2/3/, but still little confused.
Please could you suggest the apt one for me…….I would be looking to use it basically for family (indoors & outdoors) travelling and nature photos. The picture quality and color would matter the most to me, also the camera should be light and compact to carry. I am a beginner.
I would really appreciate if you could help!
Thanks
Anamica
Hi Nasim,
I have been surfing the web now for over few weeks now, looking for some advice on which DSLR would be best suitable for me……….and finally I came across your site (I’m glad I did)…….it surely has helped me to narrow down on my selection. It’s either D3100 OR Canon Rebel T1/2/3/, but still little confused.
Please could you suggest the apt one for me…….I would be looking to use it basically for family (indoors & outdoors) travelling and nature photos. The picture quality and color would matter the most to me, also the camera should be light and compact to carry. I am a beginner.
I would really appreciate if you could help!
Thanks
Bokeh is not just another word for background blur. Bokeh describes the quality of the background blur.
A similar discussion about How to buy a point & shoot camera would have helped people who are going to buy P&S camera for the first time.
Hi there,
First of all, great article! I ran across it today and it has answered a majority of questions that I had about buying my first Dslr. I still have one question though. I’m not sure where I lay on the level of profession in digital photography. I have studied photography for the past couple of years now and have done some photography since I was 16. I’m not quite sure what kind of camera I should buy. I know for sure that I am not an amateur but I am not quite a professional. I definitely want a camera that is decent enough price for good quality that will help me strengthen my photography. I kind of had my mind set on Sony but after reading your article I’m not too sure. Any suggestions?
Amanda, what is your budget and what are your photography goals? Do you want to do it for fun, or professionally?
Hi Nasim,
First thanks for spending your time to help others; this is a great service your provide.
I am now looking at a catalogue which features sale prices for Nikon D3000, Canon EOS1100D and Canon EOS550D, with kid, tripod, extra SD cards, etc. (priced in that order).
I don’t see much in your blog about the D3000; does it mean that it is an old model?
What’s the difference between the two Canons? The price difference suggests that the 550D is a high-end camera.
Thanks
Prasad
Sorry “kit” not “kid” :)
Nasim I totally agree with you, Bryan Petersons understanding exposure is the best book I have read matter of fact all his books are a must have, even his new flash book is awesome;)
nasim,
i am an amature photographer.i have spend years together with my dad’s pentax Slr. recently i got hold of a canon 1100d. been experimenting with it ever since. your informations have helped me immensely understanding my gear. coincidentally i have a nikon coolpix s9100 point and shoot camera, which has a zooming capability of 18x. my 1100d came with a 18-55mm kit lens whose zooming was not enough for my needs, especially flying birds or boats in the middle of the river and so on.so i searched the canon site and decided to get hold of a canon efs 55-250 mm f/4-5.6 IS lens, coz a telephoto lens is way too over priced for me rite now. not sure if it would meet my needs and thus am asking for you help.