Next camera...from compact to?

Matt_Hirst

Matt_Hirst

Matt_Hirst

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Joined
27 Jan 2005
Posts
1,361
Location
S. Yorks
Over the years I've had numerous different cameras, all compact, some have been good, some have been errrm not so good - but all just been set to auto and left there. Been used for family days out, etc but leaving on auto the results have always been a little less than perfect but ok ish.

Anyway the last compact has a mark on the lense so it got left in the cupboard and me and the wife just use our camera phones to take pics. Problem is I then realised that I never really see the pictures she takes and vice versa.

The last time we had a family day out I borrowed father-in-laws Nikon D40 with stock lense 18-55?? immediately I can see the difference in picture quality - even left in auto - but I did find the whole camera a little cumbersome. I also used the same camera to do some pictures for the first magazine article I wrote and again it did what I asked it to and for this I found it quite easy taking static shots.

So I am on the look out for a new camera but know absolutely nothing about them the uses being for days out, family occasions, close up, wide angle sort of stuff, I also like the idea of taking pics of the wildlife we see when out and abouts.

Chatting to a friend he mentioned SLR cameras Nikon D5300, D5500 but getting a lense to do nature photography well that scared me (he uses a 500mm lense), he then also said he was looking at getting a mft camera just to use as a simple carry camera for when he doesn't want to lug around the slr.

What would you guys suggest? Budget upto around £600.

Matt
 
I had a play around with the Nikon D40 and could see some of the differences it made, I can appreciate the difference in image quality when it's just set to auto and also the flexibility it offers, availability to add new lenses change settings.

I think I fear I have derisions of grandeur and now I can see the benefit of all of this also that it interests me - realistically will I have time to make the most of this and if honest probably not. But would it be better to go for a mirrorless design or have true compacts come on in such a way that they can produce the results I want - it's like everything else I suppose and without buying and trying I'll never know - in this case the base level SLR would probably be the better to choose just in case.

I'm Confused??

Matt
 
Looking at the DPReview, hope I'm ok to mention them?, the conclusion on the D5500 is :

"The Nikon D5500 is certainly one of the best entry-to-midrange DSLRs on the market. It offers a very good selection of features along with impressive image quality, with most of its negatives being things that would mainly affect pros. It does face some stiff competition from DSLRs and mirrorless cameras from other manufacturers, which fare as well or better for less money. That said, taken as a whole, the D5500 is a go-anywhere DSLR that is strongly worth considering."

It is the competition that I am interested in that fare as well or better for less money". I was sold on the D5500 till I read the review and it mentioned this so what is out there that is better for less? Or am I reading too much into this?

Matt
 
Went to Jessops last night, guy in there was awful - more salesman I felt.

Anyway was pushed towards a D5300 which felt ok with the kit lense on but as soon as a longer lense was on it just felt way too front heavy, tried on the D5500 same thing, went to try it on the D7200 and it felt more balanced and although the overall package was a lot heavier it didn't feel that much heavier.

Anyway he then said I 'd be better off with a bridge camera, so directed me to one specific one, then jumped to mirrorless and again pushed me to a specific one there - must admit I made my excuses and walked out as I was feeling he wasn't interested in what I wanted just a sale.

One positive is it has made me think about what I want more than I previously had and I think on the whole a mirrorless is the way forward, it's more likely to get used as it's more compact. If I choose to give up my current hobby I can then look to move to DSLR as then it would give me more free time.

So looking out for a decent mirrorless.

Matt
 
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