Somewhat PR: Camera Recommendations?

JamieK1882

I want to get a good camera before baby is born...does anyone any recommendations?

I'm not talking professional grade, but nicer than the average, small Nikon coolpix (what I currently have and HATE).

I'm almost looking for something like the one in the picture I posted, if that makes any sense.

Does anyone know anything about these or any recommendations?

ckwick

I have the Nixon D3100. It looks just like the one pictured. It's great. It is a bit bigger so I do find it easier to use my phone when out and about, but for those special occasions it's nice to have. I think it was about $600. Having good photos makes all the difference and is definitely worth it!!

JamieK1882

@ckwick-thanks. That's what I'm looking for. I do use my phone a lot for the quickly snapped pic, but I also wanted a "good" camera for more special occasions. I haven't started my research yet so I'll definitely look into the one you suggested.

wildflower75

Cannon 6D or 5D

ckwick

If you use smartphones, the Samsung S5 has a really good camera on it (16mp, versus a 5 or 8mp on most iphones). It can focus like no other, plus has a ton of built in tools (burst shot, selective focus, panoramic shot, etc). My husband and I each just got one recently (I retired my iPhone) and they're amazing for a camera! Much better than all other phones right now!

Celticlass6

The canon rebel series are a good starter DSLR camera option. I've had two of them (one was film, then we made the digital switch). Now we have a newer Olympus that we love. (Smaller size but still a DSLR and it was easy to carry around on our honeymoon.)

jaminjeff

The Canon Rebel T3i is what I bought last year, it's comparable to what you posted a picture of.  I love it and learned a lot from it.  I just got a new lens and can't wait to ahve a newborn at home to try it out on.

Autumnsnow

You can't go wrong with anything in the Canon Rebel Series..The 6D and 5D are better but more money.  Nikon is a very good company too but I'm a Canon girl at heart...I had the Rebel in both regular and digital and then my DH splurged on me a couple of years ago and got me the 7D.  I have loved everyone of them.

momtojad

I have the nikon d5100 and love it

mamatohne

I LOVE my canon rebel t3i!!!!! User friendly for a beginner with the ability to play with settings and change things. My only advice is buy the camera body and lense separate. The lense that come in the kits are garbage! You will end up buying a better lense at some point.

turtles7

I have a nikon 5100 and mainly use it for astro and sport photography. I'm a little shy when it comes to taking pictures of people. But I won't be shy taking pictures of the baby. I know she won't judge me. Lol

MrsDL

momtojad said:

I have the nikon d5100 and love it

I second the Nikon D5100.  It's a mid-level DSLR.  I use my phone for pics often and when DS was born, I used a simple point and shoot.  We decided to invest (they are not inexpensive but worth it) in a DSLR because we were missing shots - facial expressions you're trying to get - we would snap a shot and miss it.  Once DS was on the go - we were glad to have it. 

We went with a mid-level rather than starter because we wanted it to grow with us, be able to get more action shots as he grows  - that sort of thing.  I figured it was smarter to pay a little more up front than get the D3100 and want to upgrade later.  Cannon is also very good.  I also love the Nikor lenses, but most lenses are interchangeable with other bodies.  The best thing to do is to decide on a category you are willing to buy (35 mm point and shoot, entry level DSLR, mid-level DSLR, etc.) and go to the store and see what you like the feel of in your hands.  We went with Nikon over Cannon simply because DH and I both liked how we felt holding it.  My friends prefer Cannon for the same reason.

marajay6

We bought a Canon Rebel (can't remember if we went with the T3 or the T5) a few months ago.  The guy at the camera shop said that it was really comparable to the Nikon and for most people it just comes to brand loyalty.

I took photography classes in HS and college (I worked in the darkroom for 2 years), so I was able to jump right in and know what I was doing with all the settings. My husband has had a bit of a learning curve. I recommend that if you get a DSLR, educate yourself on aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc. - it will really help you get the most out of your camera. I don't really have any recommendations on good educational sources, but maybe others do.

GHMomRN

I have a Canon Rebel t3i, I've had it a couple years already and use it all the time. I agree on the lens tho, the standard kit lens 18-55mm lens isn't the best but it does the job. I use 75-300mm most of the time. Big difference from a digital camera. I love all my pictures quality of my boys.

runningmama14

I have a Canon Powershot that is about 7 years old.  It's current equivalent is the SX50 HS.  I LOVE it!  I have no desire to have an SLR or interchangeable lenses, but you can change around the settings if you want to. 

I have always used it as a point and shoot in automatic and the pictures are always fantastic.  I have pictures from our vacations blown up pretty large (17x22 I think) hanging in our house and people always ask about who took the photos and what kind of camera.  We've been very pleased with it, for it not being a "pro" camera.  If/when I need to replace it, I'll be getting whatever the current equivalent is.