Camera Choice

Hoping to change from bridge to dslr. Have a few in mind but not sure which to go for. Choices are Nikon d5500 or d7100 Canon 750d, would be used not new as funds limited. Have looked at reviews but still can't make up my mind.

Hoping to change from bridge to dslr. Have a few in mind but not sure which to go for.
Choices are Nikon d5500 or d7100 Canon 750d, would be used not new as funds limited.
Have looked at reviews but still can't make up my mind.

With regard to Nikon, personally, I'd always go with the D7*** series as opposed to the D5*** for the increased features. I'm not sure how that would fit in with your budget though. I've never owned a Canon.

With regard to Nikon, personally, I'd always go with the D7*** series as opposed to the D5*** for the increased features.
I'm not sure how that would fit in with your budget though.
I've never owned a Canon.

I own both a Nikon D5000 and the D7000 and regularly use both. One of the main advantages of the D7000 for me is the viewfinder. The D5000 has a penta mirror whilst the 7000 has a pentaprism resulting in a brighter image. The other consideration is that the 7xxx series has a built in lens focus drive therefore opening up a bigger range of autofocus lenses than the 5xxx series ( I believe this holds true for the current models) I appreciate that these are now out of date models but they suit my purposes. Sorry, never owned a Canon. Bill

I own both a Nikon D5000 and the D7000 and regularly use both.
One of the main advantages of the D7000 for me is the viewfinder. The D5000 has a penta mirror whilst the 7000 has a pentaprism resulting in a brighter image. The other consideration is that the 7xxx series has a built in lens focus drive therefore opening up a bigger range of autofocus lenses than the 5xxx series ( I believe this holds true for the current models)
I appreciate that these are now out of date models but they suit my purposes.
Sorry, never owned a Canon.
Bill

I'm not going to make a specific brand recommendation, but rather suggest you think about the system you are buying into and the features you will find most useful. When buying a DSLR you are buying into a camera system. As you build the system by adding lenses and accessories the cost of the total investment becomes higher and switching brands becomes more costly. Consider whether this applies to you, and what type of photography you enjoy the most. If money wasn't an issue what would be on your kit list? Finally, what features would be most useful to your photography? IMHO it is a case of splitting hairs when considering image quality between brands, but some cameras come with unique features that may be so useful as to sway a decision one way or another. E.g. astrophotographers can benefit from the astrotracer feature in some Pentax models, whilst those who like bulb exposures may like the live view bulb feature of the Olympus. Etc etc. Good hunting.

I'm not going to make a specific brand recommendation, but rather suggest you think about the system you are buying into and the features you will find most useful.

When buying a DSLR you are buying into a camera system. As you build the system by adding lenses and accessories the cost of the total investment becomes higher and switching brands becomes more costly. Consider whether this applies to you, and what type of photography you enjoy the most. If money wasn't an issue what would be on your kit list?

Finally, what features would be most useful to your photography? IMHO it is a case of splitting hairs when considering image quality between brands, but some cameras come with unique features that may be so useful as to sway a decision one way or another. E.g. astrophotographers can benefit from the astrotracer feature in some Pentax models, whilst those who like bulb exposures may like the live view bulb feature of the Olympus. Etc etc.

Good hunting.

i always advise you go and play with the ones you are thinking of and go with what you find easier to use and feel more comfortable with simple as that,

i always advise you go and play with the ones you are thinking of and go with what you find easier to use and feel more comfortable with


simple as that,

[quote]i always advise you go and play with the ones you are thinking of and go with what you find easier to use and feel more comfortable wit simple as that, [/quote] Or or is it as simple as that? The first challenge is that as the OP budget is for second hand and camera shops are currently closed. Even handling any one on the short list, never mind two side by side is going to be extremely difficult. Handling more than one side by side with a similar lens fitted depends - when camera shops reopen - on what is in stock second hand. Perhaps the OP could in the meantime give some indication of the type of photography envisaged - and for how many years - as a suitable (second hand) lens has to be budgeted for. Nikon and Canon have a good range of "compact zooms" if this is what is wanted.

Quote:i always advise you go and play with the ones you are thinking of and go with what you find easier to use and feel more comfortable wit
simple as that,

Or or is it as simple as that?
The first challenge is that as the OP budget is for second hand and camera shops are currently closed. Even handling any one on the short list, never mind two side by side is going to be extremely difficult.
Handling more than one side by side with a similar lens fitted depends - when camera shops reopen - on what is in stock second hand.

Perhaps the OP could in the meantime give some indication of the type of photography envisaged - and for how many years - as a suitable (second hand) lens has to be budgeted for. Nikon and Canon have a good range of "compact zooms" if this is what is wanted.

The good news is that in the 2nd hand market Both Nikon and Canon have recently bought out new lens mount systems - thin means that the old systems (the models you mention) should see people selling off their old cameras to 'move up' to the new ones - as such lenses and bodies may be cheaper than they might usually be. However, If you stay SLR then i'd not not invest too much in lenses if you also expect to then move on to the new systems. Though the old (EF mount) Canon lenses are still usable on the new (RF) bodies. Why was it you did not like you current bridge camera, would a more modern version of a similar thing solve your issues?

The good news is that in the 2nd hand market Both Nikon and Canon have recently bought out new lens mount systems - thin means that the old systems (the models you mention) should see people selling off their old cameras to 'move up' to the new ones - as such lenses and bodies may be cheaper than they might usually be.
However, If you stay SLR then i'd not not invest too much in lenses if you also expect to then move on to the new systems. Though the old (EF mount) Canon lenses are still usable on the new (RF) bodies.

Why was it you did not like you current bridge camera, would a more modern version of a similar thing solve your issues?

Thanks for all replies. Unfortunately hands on just now is not an option, much as i would like to. Main reason for change is lack of manual focus as some times have had to zoom out for camera to focus.

Thanks for all replies. Unfortunately hands on just now is not an option, much as i would like to.
Main reason for change is lack of manual focus as some times have had to zoom out for camera to focus.

[quote]Thanks for all replies. Unfortunately hands on just now is not an option, much as i would like to. Main reason for change is lack of manual focus as some times have had to zoom out for camera to focus.[/quote] It may be wise to wait perhaps 3 months for UK camera shops to reopen. It can be easier to acquire AF at a longer zoom settings - with the proviso most zooms are vari-focal - meaning when using manual focussing most zooms need a slightly different focus setting after zooming to a new zoom setting. Often cameras with fixed zoom lenses are distinctly vari-focal. Specifically Nikon the lower priced D5000 series are less suitable for easy manual focus accuracy than the 7000 series.

Quote:Thanks for all replies. Unfortunately hands on just now is not an option, much as i would like to.
Main reason for change is lack of manual focus as some times have had to zoom out for camera to focus.


It may be wise to wait perhaps 3 months for UK camera shops to reopen.

It can be easier to acquire AF at a longer zoom settings - with the proviso most zooms are vari-focal - meaning when using manual focussing most zooms need a slightly different focus setting after zooming to a new zoom setting.
Often cameras with fixed zoom lenses are distinctly vari-focal.

Specifically Nikon the lower priced D5000 series are less suitable for easy manual focus accuracy than the 7000 series.

From the Canon standpoint, the 750D is a good all round performer. No particular issues with Auto focus or manual focus. Currently available for £270 on MPB: https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/used-equipment/used-photo-and-video/used-digital-slr-cameras/used-canon-digital-slr-cameras/canon-eos-750d/ I honestly don't think you will go wrong with any of the camera's you listed. Look at the lenses you would wish to purchase for your camera (now and into the future) - no point in buying brand X camera body if you prefer brand Y lenses. The lenses make a bigger impact to your photography than the camera body.

From the Canon standpoint, the 750D is a good all round performer. No particular issues with Auto focus or manual focus.

Currently available for £270 on MPB:
https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/used-equipment/used-photo-and-video/used-digital-slr-cameras/used-canon-digital-slr-cameras/canon-eos-750d/

I honestly don't think you will go wrong with any of the camera's you listed. Look at the lenses you would wish to purchase for your camera (now and into the future) - no point in buying brand X camera body if you prefer brand Y lenses. The lenses make a bigger impact to your photography than the camera body.

Lots of great advice above. One thing that I learnt, sometimes painfully, is that a quality lens on a modest body is usually a better bet than a cheap lens on a quality body.

Lots of great advice above.
One thing that I learnt, sometimes painfully, is that a quality lens on a modest body is usually a better bet than a cheap lens on a quality body.

[quote]Lots of great advice above. One thing that I learnt, sometimes painfully, is that a quality lens on a modest body is usually a better bet than a cheap lens on a quality body.[/quote] In my experience this is not always so. We can all suggest equipment that will produce even better better results with more expensive equipment - at a cost well outside the budget :( The current fixed lens camera is limited with its small sensor and only OK auto focus ability. Even so very good pictures can be be taken with it - when used within its limitations. More recent camera bodies usually have more megapixels and greater dynamic range - and this feeds through to pictures with any lenses used on then - even a "cheap" one. Indeed some of the latest cheap lenses such as recent versions of 18-55 mm do not have much of a specification - other than outstanding resolution for the price point. To the OP - how you go about choosing either Nikon or Canon as your way forward will be a challenge during Corvid-19 lock-down - but either system has a range of decent zoom lenses at affordable prices. Edit - I would eliminate Sony as 4-5 years ago (what buying second hand might involve) - the Sony system at that time was not as good as Nikon or Canon. End of edit. I suggest to the OP a visit to Ffordes web site, primarily because they list lenses by focal length, to give some idea of ball park prices for second hand equipment with a 6 month warranty.

Quote:Lots of great advice above.
One thing that I learnt, sometimes painfully, is that a quality lens on a modest body is usually a better bet than a cheap lens on a quality body.

In my experience this is not always so. We can all suggest equipment that will produce even better better results with more expensive equipment - at a cost well outside the budget
The current fixed lens camera is limited with its small sensor and only OK auto focus ability. Even so very good pictures can be be taken with it - when used within its limitations.

More recent camera bodies usually have more megapixels and greater dynamic range - and this feeds through to pictures with any lenses used on then - even a "cheap" one. Indeed some of the latest cheap lenses such as recent versions of 18-55 mm do not have much of a specification - other than outstanding resolution for the price point.

To the OP - how you go about choosing either Nikon or Canon as your way forward will be a challenge during Corvid-19 lock-down - but either system has a range of decent zoom lenses at affordable prices.
Edit - I would eliminate Sony as 4-5 years ago (what buying second hand might involve) - the Sony system at that time was not as good as Nikon or Canon. End of edit.

I suggest to the OP a visit to Ffordes web site, primarily because they list lenses by focal length, to give some idea of ball park prices for second hand equipment with a 6 month warranty.

As Matt W says have a look at MPB, really good to deal with got most of mine from them without any problems.

As Matt W says have a look at MPB, really good to deal with got most of mine from them without any problems.

Thanks again to all for information and suggestions. Will have a serious look at MPB and LCE,

Thanks again to all for information and suggestions. Will have a serious look at MPB and LCE,

Hi I am probably late to the show, but can i echo the advice that you consider; What sort of photography you want to do, that will tend to steer you towards the important kit attribute. For example bird photography will point you towards longer focal length lenses, precision metering and focusing etc. Travel may bring lightweight kit to mind, perhaps a bit of weather proofing Your budget is another important attribute. No point in buying the best camera body in the world with one low quality lens, unless it fits your need. Handling is important, and no two of us are the same and I get pleasure from the act of taking the photo if the kit and I are in harmony. It is possible to use budget kit. I once bought a budget 2nd hand something to 400 Vivitar zoom and it drove me mad. Apart from the low quality optics that could put purple round everything its focusing was terrible so for birds in flight it was terrible. But when I tried it for landscape work it was acceptable and weighed less than what I replaced it with. Look out for the hidden gems and secrets. I purchased a 2nd hand Olympus with a super zoom, 14 to 150mm as a compact replacement camera. One that was light and could go every where. Focusing is better than I expected, tracking sports not so good, but it is solid and the image quality better than I expected. I noticed there was a firmware update so downloaded that and up pops a new feature High Resolution mode. Why is everyone not ranting about this?? Suddenly this compact m4/3 camera turns into a full frame [link=https://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/olympus-e-m5-ii/olympus-e-m5-iiTECH2.HTM]DSLR eater with 44mp.[/link] Yes you need a tripod but at that resolution would you not use one anyway? You do a fair bit of travel and landscape photography so this may be of interest to you. And the series have some good primes as well. I am not saying it is an everything camera, I cannot help but feel the focusing is not up there with the best and i think for sports and wildlife Canon, Nikon etc have strength and a depth of offering, but for many people it may pose an option. Oh and its menu's terrible. I have never had to resort to the manual to set the resolution and RAW settings before :-) The good news you can configure the controls very flexibly and once set it is great but settings are all over the place...

Hi I am probably late to the show, but can i echo the advice that you consider;

What sort of photography you want to do, that will tend to steer you towards the important kit attribute. For example bird photography will point you towards longer focal length lenses, precision metering and focusing etc. Travel may bring lightweight kit to mind, perhaps a bit of weather proofing

Your budget is another important attribute. No point in buying the best camera body in the world with one low quality lens, unless it fits your need.

Handling is important, and no two of us are the same and I get pleasure from the act of taking the photo if the kit and I are in harmony.

It is possible to use budget kit. I once bought a budget 2nd hand something to 400 Vivitar zoom and it drove me mad. Apart from the low quality optics that could put purple round everything its focusing was terrible so for birds in flight it was terrible. But when I tried it for landscape work it was acceptable and weighed less than what I replaced it with.

Look out for the hidden gems and secrets. I purchased a 2nd hand Olympus with a super zoom, 14 to 150mm as a compact replacement camera. One that was light and could go every where. Focusing is better than I expected, tracking sports not so good, but it is solid and the image quality better than I expected. I noticed there was a firmware update so downloaded that and up pops a new feature High Resolution mode. Why is everyone not ranting about this?? Suddenly this compact m4/3 camera turns into a full frame DSLR eater with 44mp. Yes you need a tripod but at that resolution would you not use one anyway?

You do a fair bit of travel and landscape photography so this may be of interest to you. And the series have some good primes as well. I am not saying it is an everything camera, I cannot help but feel the focusing is not up there with the best and i think for sports and wildlife Canon, Nikon etc have strength and a depth of offering, but for many people it may pose an option. Oh and its menu's terrible. I have never had to resort to the manual to set the resolution and RAW settings before The good news you can configure the controls very flexibly and once set it is great but settings are all over the place...