<p>Does anybody know anything about these cameras? My DS needs a camera that he can use to shoot and produce newscasts with video and still. He is looking at Canon and Nikon. What is the difference between 3100, 5100 and 7000? Or T2i and T3i? We have no real camera shops in the area, so we have to go to Best Buy, which has the cameras, but I don’t think the sales staff is very knowledgable. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks</p>
<p>It has been a long time since I shopped for a DSLR, so I can’t help with your specific questions, but here is one suggestion: take a look at the B&H online store site (where I bought most of my cameras). [B&H</a> Photo Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Camcorders](<a href=“http://www.bhphotovideo.com/]B&H”>http://www.bhphotovideo.com/) Their reviews are very helpful, and your son can probably get more useful information out of their descriptions than any sales person at Best Buy can provide.</p>
<p>Well the upgraded models are 3200, 5200, and 7100.</p>
<p>All of them are great, the 7100 is pretty much professional level for DX format (not the bigger FX sensor).</p>
<p>If he is relatively inexperienced and won’t fully use all the features, couldn’t go wrong with 5200.</p>
<p>Canon has a T4i that is fantastic, but the reality is that the Canon T3i should meet your son’s needs. The Canon T3i produces quality photos and video.</p>
<p>The biggest cost factor is not the camera body but the lenses. </p>
<p>I have using Nikon and the new D7100 is receiving very good reviews. Its high resolution censer demands capable Nikkor lenses. Most common set of lenses includes 14-24mm F2.8; 24-70mm F2.8; 70-200mm F2.8, and 200-400mm F4. This set of lenses will cost about $10,000.</p>
<p>My wife has a Nikon 5100, a nice sweet spot between, the 3100 and 7000. I wasn’t aware that there is an update and model number change. </p>
<p>I’d read the Amazon reviews on these cameras. Sometimes they’re quite knowledgeable.</p>
<p>CNET has a very good camera reviewer. For example, her review of the 5100:</p>
<p>[Nikon</a> D5100 Review - Watch CNET’s Video Review](<a href=“Nikon D5100 review: Nikon D5100 - CNET”>Nikon D5100 review: Nikon D5100 - CNET)</p>
<p>If you don’t mind buying refurbished, Canon direct has a pretty good deal on refurbished camera right now. For example, the Canon T3i kit with 18-55 lens can be had for $519 - $125 off = $394 + shipping cost.</p>
<p>[Canon</a> Direct Store - Refurbished EOS Digital SLR Cameras](<a href=“http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/subCategory_10051_10051_-1_29252#]Canon”>http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/subCategory_10051_10051_-1_29252#)</p>
<p>I have bought refurbished DSLR direct from Canon before and it was in perfect condition and couldn’t tell the difference from brand new camera.</p>
<p>I am on my third Nikon DSLR but I have never had any of the models you list. I am familiar with them, but not enough so to offer advice, especially as I never once used the video feature on my since-upgraded D90.</p>
<p>A phone call to B&H would provide you SOOO much information. I was just on the phone with them this week purchasing filters. Incredibly helpful and well-informed phone staff. In addition to discussing the merits of different models and comparing different brands, they can also advise you or your son about the types of lenses he would need for the type of shooting he will be doing. As Dad II posted, the lenses can cost a fortune, but if he is not filming indoors, he may well be fine w/o having to invest in a 2.8 lens. (I wouldn’t want the weight of a 2.8 on a 5100, but that is just my own personal preference.)</p>
<p>If you wish to read forums, there are thousands of posts on d p review dot com. Posters range from amazingly helpful to massively snarky, but overall, a very helpful site. Register and post your question as you did here. If you know the types of shooting he will be doing (indoor sports vs. outdoors interviews), then you can receive advice about lenses also. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Ha ha, there is nothing common or necessary about this ‘set’! These are the professional fast zooms, but even a professional is not likely to want or need all of them. You can get a wonderful quality zoom lens for a couple of hundred dollars.</p>
<p>Agree with Sorghum’s post above. The Holy Trinity of lenses will not be needed by the average shooter. It was only my frustration with shooting indoor swim meets during winter months in the NE that drove me to purchase a 2.8. I had been completely happy with my kit lenses for outdoor full sunlight swim shots. Now that I have upgraded to the FX body, the DX 2.8 is not as useful. They are very heavy lenses also.</p>
<p>I forgot to mention Nikon’s own site. (I have never owned a Canon so can’t help you there.) You can select a few different models and ask the Nikon site to prepare a feature-by-feature comparison that is helpful in identifying the differences. </p>
<p>[Digital</a> SLR Cameras | Nikon D-SLR Cameras & Compact D-SLR Cameras](<a href=“http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Digital-SLR-Cameras/index.page]Digital”>Nikon DSLR Cameras for Photography & Video | Nikon)</p>
<p>Does he plan to use this more as a video or still camera? The T3i has a limit of 4G continuous recording format, about 29 min, or 12 min HD. I think this is very typical of most camera/video DSLR. Something to take into consideration.</p>
<p>I have a T3i and it’s a great starter DSLR. You probably get a great deal right now since Canon is coming out with T5i soon or already. The T4i is very similar to T3i but with improvement on video.</p>
<p>Both Nikon and Canon are similar in quality. Best to pick one and stay with the brand so you can use the same lenses later.</p>
<p>I have a T3i and either it or the T4i would work well for his uses. The T2i doesn’t have an articulating screen, which I’ve found to be absolutely invaluable for video work - sometimes you need to shoot in tight corners or at low or high angles. That was what made me go with the T3i over the T2i (the T4i wasn’t out when I bought my camera).</p>
<p>I went with Canon because I had more access to Canon lenses than Nikon lenses, and also because at the time, Canon was significantly ahead of Nikon in video. If he eventually wants to make the jump up to a C100 or C300 camera, many of the Canon lenses (not all) that can be used on the T3i will be compatible, although by that time he probably won’t want to use entry-level or mid-range lenses.</p>
<p>I’m a film major, so my idea of “necessary” or “minimum quality” is probably significantly higher than most people’s, but regardless there are some lenses that are universally regarded as good value. I strongly prefer primes, which work for studio newscasts and shoots that can be planned beforehand, but if he’s going to need to go out and shoot in the field, he should seriously consider zoom lenses for versatility. </p>
<p>I agree that the “set” that Dad II describes is overkill. 14-24mm is a typical landscape lens and anything above 70mm, especially on a T3i, is a telephoto, used for wildlife photography or spying on your neighbors a la Rear Window. For street photography and videography you want to be in the 24-70mm range with a tendency towards the wide range - the 18-55mm or 18-135mm or 28-135mm kit lenses are likely to serve him well enough for most uses, but have a major weakness for video (they do not maintain constant aperture throughout their zoom range). There will be some shots that he won’t be able to get but with training and experience he can learn to work around it.</p>
<p>I don’t want to inundate this post with technical details that may not be useful to your son, so feel free to PM me with specific questions. I do mostly documentary work so I’m familiar with the demands of street photography/videography, although not videojournalism per se.</p>
<p>Agree with BunsenBurner, give B&H a call. They’re great people, very knowledgeable, very well-stocked, great prices, great customer service all around.</p>
<p>ETA: PM me if you want to see some documentary footage I shot on the T3i for an idea of what you can expect, quality-wise.</p>