[Gregg702]

I am looking to get a new camera body so I can give my D5100 to my daughter. The new D5200 and the D7000 are within $100 of each other, and both seem to be great cameras. I want to stick to Nikon so we can share lenses.

[kalashluvr]

D7000. Has the big view finder and has separate aperture and shutter controls rather combining into one. D7000 all the way if those are the only two you are considering.


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[Gregg702]

Originally Posted by kalashluvr

D7000. Has the big view finder and has separate aperture and shutter controls rather combining into one. D7000 all the way if those are the only two you are considering.


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If you can recommend a Nikon body under $1000 that isn't one of these 2, I am open to suggestions. Thanks.

[Gregg702]

I see the D90 is around $800 on Amazon, how does that compare?

[RJ's Guns]

There are a number of reviews comparing the D5200 vs D7000. Do a Google search, but here is one example

http://www.nphotomag.com/2012/12/05/nikon-d5200-vs-d7000-which-camera-is-best-for-you/

From what I have read, there should be some decent discounts on the D7000.

DP Reviews should have some information and no doubt, there will be some discussions on the Nikon forums

http://www.dpreview.com/



RJ

[Patchman]

Originally Posted by AudiGregg

If you can recommend a Nikon body under $1000 that isn't one of these 2, I am open to suggestions. Thanks.

The major difference between the 5200 and the 7000 is that the small bodied 5200 (and 3200, D40, D60) only take Nikon's current production AF-S lens (very expensive) which have the focus motor built into the lens. The medium bodied cameras (D80, D90, D7000, etc...) have the focus motor built into the body. This means they can also use previous generation auto focus lenses (usually available at a lower price, or used).

As for a third option Nikon body, have you considered a used D80 body? (KEH is good source). I just bought one a few months ago to replace the last D80 body ("stolen" by my daughter) and it went for something like $250. Even a used D90 or a D7000 is under $1000. Just note that the D80 does not do video. It was replaced by the D90 (does do video, everything else same) which is being replaced by the D7000 (video and (IIRC) new sensor).

Currently I've been looking at the Fuji X E1, and waiting for Zeiss to come out with a line of lenses.

[13 ROMEO]

I love my D7k! I have had it for about 2 months. I have taken more pics in the last 2 months than I have in the last 2 years.
It is my first DSLR so I'm still learning how to use it and all of its features. It was recomended to me by my little sister and she is a pro,and takes some great pics and makes good money at it so it was the one I bought.
I believe she told me that it is the top of the line in Nikon's Mid-range series cameras. All I know is that I have found a new hobby that can be just as expenive as my guns.Look at some of the prices of lens for these things, Pro glass starts at about $1500 Thats 2.3 to 3 Glocks......

FOR SOME GLASS AND PLASTIC!

[Tarowah]

Get the D7000 and dont look back, I have a D5000 and it has been great for me but the D7000 with good glass is really tough to beat for the price.

[mhill]

I've been really fond of my 5200 so far. Can't complain. But honestly I'm not familiar with the differences so you might be better off with the 7000.

Good luck

[RWBlue]

I have the D7000. Love it, but...(see later) My boss's husband has a D5200. What questions can I answer for you? Line up the specs on B&H so you can decide if there is a function you need/want?

My D7000 went back to Nikon to be fixed.



I "think" I am at 10666 shots. That number will pretty much double in the next six months. My only regret is that there wasn't a full framed (FX) camera with all these features when I got it. I would recommend the D800, BUT....It blows your budget out of the water.

How into photography are you? Will you wear out your camera before it gets old?

[xRUSTYx]

If you don't mind doubling your budget ... a D600 would be ideal.

Either the D600 or D800 ... My wife runs a Canon EOS 5d Mark III professionally She was trying to decide between the D800 & 5d ... ended up going with canon

[brausso]

Go Fx and get the D600

[platform]

Get a Sigma 35mm 1.4 lens

And then decide what camera body you can afford to go with it.
(full frame body is going to derive more out of this lens)

This lens is extraordinary highly resolving lens (beating even zeiss) and it is under $900.

(I believe the lens is available for nikon, canon, sony alpha mounts)

[fiveoboy01]

Originally Posted by Patchman

The major difference between the 5200 and the 7000 is that the small bodied 5200 (and 3200, D40, D60) only take Nikon's current production AF-S lens (very expensive) which have the focus motor built into the lens. The medium bodied cameras (D80, D90, D7000, etc...) have the focus motor built into the body. This means they can also use previous generation auto focus lenses (usually available at a lower price, or used).

Just for clarification... you can use ANY Nikon lens on the smaller bodies, you'll just have to manually focus it if it's not AF-S. And not every AF-S lens is very expensive.

As for a third option Nikon body, have you considered a used D80 body? (KEH is good source). I just bought one a few months ago to replace the last D80 body ("stolen" by my daughter) and it went for something like $250. Even a used D90 or a D7000 is under $1000. Just note that the D80 does not do video. It was replaced by the D90 (does do video, everything else same) which is being replaced by the D7000 (video and (IIRC) new sensor).

The D80 IMO is nowhere near the body that the D7000 is.

I'd definitely go D7000 between those two choices, as well as before the D90.

[Robalero]

I own a D5100 and it is an awesome little camera; your daughter is going to love it. With that said, I'm now getting the D7000 as it is weatherized (you can shoot in the rain), has more focus points, batteries last longer, 2 memory card slots; plus you can use it in af mode with almost all the AF lenses because it has a focus motor within the body. Advantages of the D5200 is that it is lighter, the greater MP advantage, and that swing out screen. Either way both cameras are awesome, as for me, if I had to choose, I'd go with the D7000. Good Luck!

[heliguy]

The D7000 is ancient. Time to do a system upgrade. Check out Sony A77. The new alpha series uses a tranlucent mirror which allows a number of advantages. Here is a comparison and for the extra $200 you get the absolute latest in camera technology.....

http://www.cameradebate.com/2011/son...de-comparison/

[RWBlue]

Originally Posted by platform

Get a Sigma 35mm 1.4 lens

And then decide what camera body you can afford to go with it.
(full frame body is going to derive more out of this lens)

This lens is extraordinary highly resolving lens (beating even zeiss) and it is under $900.

(I believe the lens is available for nikon, canon, sony alpha mounts)

I have other Sigma lens. It is ok. Actually the images are very good and the price is exceptional.

But lets get a better MM..
The 50-500mm, one hell of a zoom.
The 17-70 or even the 17-50.
If you are going to fixed lets compare the 105mm lenses. They are great for portraits/strudio and macro field work. I like My Nikkor, but I understand that Cannon does a good job also.

Originally Posted by heliguy

The D7000 is ancient. Time to do a system upgrade. Check out Sony A77. The new alpha series uses a tranlucent mirror which allows a number of advantages. Here is a comparison and for the extra $200 you get the absolute latest in camera technology.....

http://www.cameradebate.com/2011/son...de-comparison/

I get the feeling that they author doesn't understand the inner workings as they gave credit to the wrong technology for an advancement.

My guess is they just look at the spec.. There is nothing wrong with that, but there are a few false assumptions.

[RWBlue]

More thought....
1. Will you continue to use the old body? Will you be on the phone trying to help your daughter do stuff with that body? Some of the cameras have the buttons do almost the same thing. Some do not. I belive most everything is the same between the D5200 and D7000, but I dont' know about the 5100. The D80 and D90 I have access to are different enough to be annoying.


Run your questions past http://www.nikoncafe.com/vforums/index.php Lots of good people there.

[Patchman]

As for the camera system, it's the lenses that makes the system.

Here's my rule of thumb:

Don't bother getting a "kit" lens.
I don't look at any variable lens (ie: 18x55) that don't have a constant F2 to F1.4 F-stop.
Sigma lenses are very good optically, at a very competitive price, but they're bigger and heavier than NIkkor lenses.

The most expensive Nikkor AF 35mm lens is only $400 (I think).

As for bodies, the D80 was probably Nikon's most popular model. It was around for quite a few years. Forget the D90. This was an evolution that lasted only 1 or 2 years, as a way to bridge the D80. The D90 was quickly replaced by the D7000.

As for weatherproofing bodies, it all depends on what you use the camera for. Since 2007, I've used the D80/55x300 Nikon lens almost exclusively for outdoor/wildlife photos. This is mostly in the winter, even when it's raining or snowing. But I do cover my camera, and not expose it directly to rain/snow. I could use my D200 body to do this, but it's way too heavy.

And regardless of camera body, when you come back into the house/car, don't go from 22-degree outside to a blasting 80-degrees inside. Leave it somewhere to give it a chance to adjust gradually.

[Cubdriver]

Originally Posted by heliguy

The D7000 is ancient. Time to do a system upgrade. Check out Sony A77. The new alpha series uses a tranlucent mirror which allows a number of advantages. Here is a comparison and for the extra $200 you get the absolute latest in camera technology.....

http://www.cameradebate.com/2011/son...de-comparison/

...along with incompatibility with the lenses he currently has...

[Gregg702]

Thanks to everyone who responded. So far the D7000 seems to be in the lead for me, but there are a few features that the D5200 has that are intriguing. My daughter and I are both very amatuer photographers, so I don't need a professional grade camera, and she is only 12. We have been taking a class and both enjoy it very much though, and I like to encourage any hobby she shows an interest in.

[fiveoboy01]

Originally Posted by heliguy

The D7000 is ancient. Time to do a system upgrade. Check out Sony A77. The new alpha series uses a tranlucent mirror which allows a number of advantages. Here is a comparison and for the extra $200 you get the absolute latest in camera technology.....

http://www.cameradebate.com/2011/son...de-comparison/

Yeah and then he needs to buy all new lenses. Derp.

As for the camera system, it's the lenses that makes the system.

Agreed.

Don't bother getting a "kit" lens.

Don't agree. There are many kit lenses capable of taking stellar shots. Everything is modified in post these days anyways.

I don't look at any variable lens (ie: 18x55) that don't have a constant F2 to F1.4 F-stop.

Disagree... Yes it's desirable to shoot as wide open as you can at times, but as we all know, the wider the aperture, the bigger the money in most cases. Besides, landscape and architecture photography is generally done stopped down and MOST lenses are sharpest closed up a couple stops.

Big aperture lenses are nice and necessary for DOF work but they're not required for a good photo.

[Patchman]

Good reminder about the need to do some degree of photoshopping for pretty much all digital photos.

[RWBlue]

Originally Posted by AudiGregg

Thanks to everyone who responded. So far the D7000 seems to be in the lead for me, but there are a few features that the D5200 has that are intriguing. My daughter and I are both very amatuer photographers, so I don't need a professional grade camera, and she is only 12. We have been taking a class and both enjoy it very much though, and I like to encourage any hobby she shows an interest in.

What features?

I have some heavy lenses. Most of these are Pro lenses. When thinking about a 12 year old girl carrying a camera, I would have to keep the weight of the rig in mind. I can not just add the best lens for the occasion because it might be too heavy.

[RWBlue]

Originally Posted by Patchman

Good reminder about the need to do some degree of photoshopping for pretty much all digital photos.

Because the D7000 has the ability to change the JPG in tha camera to predefined settings, I am surprised at the number of JPGs that go from the camera to being saved without altering.

Then I look at the Raw. All Raw photos must be worked on, but Raw has the data so they can be worked on.