? for camera people

[tozzi]

I always had point n shoots, and im lookin to upgrade to a dlsr. Was considering the nikon 3100 or 5000. I know one has a few more mp's and a bigger viewer. Any real difference between the 2 other than this. Do only 1 of these have a white balance adjustment? Also can u upgrade them the same in the future with lenses etc or is one more limited than the other? I take lots of family pics in and outdoors and maybe a few video here n there. Also of course fish tank pics! Like i said im use to point n shoot, these zoom by turning the lense and auto focus when u push the shoot button down half way right?

 

[tozzi]

I know there is a 3100 vs 5000 thread posted . But these ?'s werent really answered, and this is a big investment for me so i want to do my research. And also I know both of these cameras will out shoot me

Is it a big deal that these models dont have an af motor in the body? I just have to make sure if i buy a lense it has the af motor right? Would it make sense to buy a body with the motor then i can buy lenses without the af motor n save money? Or it doesnt really work like that?

 

[Misled]

these zoom by turning the lense and auto focus when u push the shoot button down half way right?

Yep, pretty much.

Is it a big deal that these models dont have an af motor in the body?

Not really a big deal anymore.

First go out and try the cameras in your hands. Both of those cameras are the smaller consumer model. You can most likely pick up a used D90 around the same price. It will be somewhat larger and does have a motor in the body.

I really can't say much about either camera, having never owned either.

 

[tozzi]

Thanks. I was thinking about going the used route. Any trusted place where i can get a used one? Little skeptical about getting someone elses broken camera, or one that I wont know is messed up till i try to do somethin later. I know the refurb's only have a 90 day warranty

 

[xtm]

This is an unfair comparison.. you should be comparing the D3100 against the D5100 and the D3000 vs. the D5000. These are two different generations of bodies.

Anyways, the D3100 has a newer sensor. D5000 is an older camera (same gen as D3000) but it has a swivel LCD. Both have no built in AF motors and will require an AF-S or AF-I lenses to AF. The D3100 has a slightly bigger VF than the D5000. the 3100 has video autofocus, which the 5000 lacks (but it's present on the newer 5100).

To make this short.... I will personally choose the D3100. It's newer, and much more refined, but this is personal. You might like the swivel screen though.

Here are a few comparisons to help you:
http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon_D3100-vs-Nikon_D5000

http://mansurovs.com/nikon-d3100-vs-d5000

 

[tozzi]

Thanks xtm. I know the 3100 is new n 5000 old. I was comparing them cause they r in the same price range. The 5100 is a bit out of my range. Im thinkin the 3100 kit with the 2 lenses. The big lense goes up to 200. Another ? is r the lenses that come in the kit good? Or should i just get the camera and get aftermarket lenses? Then again i might b gettin a litle crazy here. Nikon lenses r prob all i need n more.

 

[tozzi]

XTM Im a little confused on the first comparison. The 3100 has higher iso and res but they gave the 5000 better image quality? 72 vs 67?

 

[tozzi]

Anyone else have any advice before i take the plunge?

 

[gary faulkner]

I've been looking at both also and I think that the 3100 is the better deal and that is what I'm gonna get if not the 7000. But for the money the 3100 is the better deal between it and the 5000.

HTH

 

[xtm]

Another ? is r the lenses that come in the kit good? Or should i just get the camera and get aftermarket lenses? Then again i might b gettin a litle crazy here. Nikon lenses r prob all i need n more.

The kit lenses are good, as long as you are aware of their limitations - ie. they're slow (aperture), slow to AF, have plastic build, and cannot focus very close like a true macro lens. For everyday use, they are fine.

XTM Im a little confused on the first comparison. The 3100 has higher iso and res but they gave the 5000 better image quality? 72 vs 67?

The 72 vs. 67 is based on the DxOmark rating for both bodies, which takes into account the ISO, DR, and overall IQ - however, I think this is seriously nitpicking - We're talking about 5 pts here. I would be willing to give that up in exchange for other more tangible features that the 3100 has like-- newer gen sensor, overall better VF (less tunnel 'feel'), better video (if that matters to you), and best of all, it feels better in MY hand.

btw, with that budget, you should take a long look at used D90 bodies (~$500). IMO this is a definite step-up from all bodies below the D7000 and you get a built-in AF motor, which will expand your lens selection quite a bit.

 

[tozzi]

Thanks everyone for all the help