DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Welcome from a relative newcomer Hog. Try asking folks "Ford" or "Chevy". This will give you some idea about your dilema on cameras.

rocket111

A&W rootbeer with ice cream and in a pinch Dads rootbeer ice cream is mandentory

rocket111

A&W rootbeer with ice cream and in a pinch Dads rootbeer ice cream is mandentory

Al Freeedman

Sherry,

You can not go wrong with Canon, Nikon or Olympus. I've used all of them professionally. You have a much larger choice of cameras, lenses with Canon & Nikon,
though I love the smaller size of Olympus Cameras. As a woman you too might like the smaller size. Don't over look buying refirbished products from either of
the mentioned companies.You won't be able to tell them from new. I also buy from KEH in Atlanta, very good company with a rating system, great people to buy from
Great return policy. At the present time I am using a Canon which I like very much.

Captain AL

Al Freeedman

Sherry,

You can not go wrong with Canon, Nikon or Olympus. I've used all of them professionally. You have a much larger choice of cameras, lenses with Canon & Nikon,
though I love the smaller size of Olympus Cameras. a you too might like the smaller size

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Welcome to the Hog jabagirl.1229.

Al Freeedman

Sherri,
Canon, Nikon & Olympus all great cameras. As a woman you might just like the Olympus smaller size. Have used all three professionally. You can buy refirbished cameras and lenses from each of the mentioned company's
you will not be able to tell them from new. I buy a lot of stuff from KEH in Atlanta. Great Company with great prices and great return policy. Good luck!

Captain Al

wattsimages

You're going to get a lot of good advice on this site. And as many have pointed out the brand is really not important. However I would never say just pick one.... this should be your first step in a long enjoyable photography experience. The first piece of advice I would give is, if you have a friend that is into photography, and willing to help, go with the same brand that they use. Having that one-on-one experience person that you can call on the phone, borrow a battery – memory card – lens... there are just too many positives to list. The less obvious, but important thing is how it feels in your hand. Is it comfortable, can you reach all of the controls easily?

So here's a short list of other things to consider.

1. You want the simplest and most straightforward camera you can find. Today I shoot with Canon, Nikon, and Sony. It's a luxury for me that I have access to multiple brands. The brand that I'm using most today is Sony. but I would never recommend a Sony to you for your first camera. They're very complicated and because of this people get frustrated, and don't use them. With that in mind Nikon, Canon, Fuji, and Olympus all make a model of camera that is simple. The model comes to mind first is the Fuji XT-10. Also, take the advice from camera store salesman with a grain of salt. In my experience these guys can be very helpful, but they also tend to be brand loyal.

2. What is your main interest? All of the current digital cameras are very good, but some are better than others at certain things. For instance a Canon 7d (version 1 or two), or Nikon D500 are good all-around cameras, but are best for sports/wildlife. if your main focus was family, landscape, or travel, those two models would likely not be your best choice.

3. What do you want to do with images? if you plan on using the mostly online (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.), then get a lower megapixel model. If you plan on making large prints, then you're going to need a higher megapixel model. Unless your planning on printing posters I would recommend staying away from the high-end high megapixel cameras. More detail in the next paragraph.

4. what's going to happen to the original images once they leave your camera? Most/all photographers transfer images from the camera to a computer. So what type of computer you have? Does it have adequate storage? To have a way to back it up, so that if it dies you don't lose all your precious memories? this is a another reason why I would stay away from high megapixel cameras. The files take up tons of space, they require more computer power process, and they can really slow things down. I regularly create images for billboards, bus raps. because of this I have a $6000 Mac Pro desktop, with a separate raid backup, and two monitors. The whole thing probably set me back $10,000. Unless you plan on creating billboards, this would be a huge waste of money. In fact the only time you would need this is if you are doing it as a business where time = money. after all of this rambling I would lead you to the basic Canon, Nikon, and Fuji models that range in the 16 to 18 Mpix range. Any computer made in the last five years can handle this type of file size.

5. Do you also want to learn the software to process the images. If yes, then any camera will do. if not then I would really recommend the Fuji or Olympus. Fuji has fantastic in camera processing, that seems to work under that the others. I have led many photo walks, and the JPEG's that come out of Fuji seem to look just a little bit better than the rest.



Once you've considered all of this, go to your local camera store hold the camera (s) in your hand. Remember all of these manufacturers make fantastic cameras so you're going to get a good one. After you've bought it, take as many pictures as you can. You're not going to wear these things out. you can take 1000 pictures of month every month for 10 years. So shoot away. Then join some online groups that will give you reasonable critiques. You don't want one where everybody says it's great, and you don't want the opposite either. Maybe your local meet up group, or camera club...

Have fun!!!

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

I have used Nikon for the past 30 years and so, have a big investment in lenses even after trading up a few times. Think about the ultimate amount you want to have spent on photography. I picked Nikon because of the image quality of their lenses back in the day. Today I think Nikon, Canon and Sony are producing great products. I own all of them now (Nikon D300,&D800e, Canon SX-50 and a couple of point and shoots, and Sony NEX-5) If I were starting today I would take a close look at the Sony Alpha series of cameras. They are lighter, smaller and produce equal Image Quality results to the others.

Ralloh Loc: Ohio

Honestly, it doesn't really matter. They are both excellent. I happen to shoot Nikon, but, not because of some dislike for Canon or that I think Nikon is superior. The model you choose for either depends on how much you want to spend.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

On this or any other photo forum you're going to get mixed reviews most based on personal preference. Mine happens to be Canon. I've been shooting Canon Rebel dslr cameras for some years now and have had excellent luck and results from all of them. I do a lot of video with my t3i and it's full 1080 in striking color and depth - that is if you're interested in video. Best of luck.

riskot Loc: Texas

If you are a rank beginner start slowly with either a well appointed point and shoot or a good used DSLR. If you could find a low shutter count Nikon D40 w/lens it would be an excellent learner camera. It would be cheap to buy, simple to operate and makes great pictures and since you wouldn't be satisfied with it for long before wanting to move up, you wouldn't be out much and have a better idea of what you want. After over 50 years using Nikon 35mm film cameras to a recent digital SLR release I would be biased in any recommendation. That said, having reached the point of not wanting to be hauling a lot of heavy equipment when traveling I recently purchased a Sony a6000. This camera is to love. It's well-built and lightweight, accepts a wide variety of interchangeable lenses, the sensor is the same size as in many DSLR's, and the pictures are stunning. It, too, has its drawbacks but for some it fits their needs very well. There are several good brands of "mirrorless" cameras available but you will find the prices are all pretty much in the same ballpark. Sony has a new model, the a6300, which is slightly improved over the 6000 and the price of the a6000 will start coming down.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Hi Sherry,
Welcome to the Hedgehog (Some of us are Uglier than others) Someone is bound to point out that Nokia is a cellphone. You obviously meant Nikon. We all have finger slips.

I'm not knowledgeable about Canon, but for a first DSLR, the Nikon D3300 is a pretty good deal. It has every reasonable capability for a start and right now the price is getting down because it will soon be replaced by the next in that line.

Nikon and Canon are the lead competitors--I short cut and call them Canik. Another option is the Pentax line which many people love.

The D3300 will do everything that most beginning and middle level photographers want. Great writeup on http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d3300.htm

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Sherry, welcome to the Hog!!!
I can see I'm a little late to your BBQ!! LoL
First, anybody that mentions Canikon, Chevy/Ford, Coke/Pepsi, IGNORE then, they're passion is long DEAD!!!

Yes, I have some "thoughts", and they're pretty simple.
Canon is the NUMBER ONE camera in the world. More Canons on this planet than any other camera brand, for a reason.
More Pros shoot Canon than any other brand, again, for a reason.
Canon has the most complete system, from the camera to the paper you print your images on, all designed to work together seamlessly, no other brand does!
And none of the above can be disputed!!!

Sherry, go to costco and buy the most expensive Canon bundle you can afford. It's the most bang for the buck you can get.

Sherry, again, welcome to the Hog! 📷 💣 💥 👹 📷

SS

Photocraig

If I had to start my SLR experience all over again with what's available today, I'd try really hard to learn to love one of the mirror less offerings from Sony, Olympus, Fuji, or Panasonic.
Particular to your criteria, as suggested, is how does it fit in your hand WITH the lens(es) you're likely to be using. And that depends on the other questions asked--what pictures do you intend to take, at the start and then later. For example children are pretty cover able with the "kit lens" that usually comes with the camera (16+ to 70 or so). But will that same camera lens combo work when the child inevitably becomes a soccer and baseball/softball player? Not just IS there a lens in the 70-200+mm range, but how does it feel when shooting action. Easy to figure out aiming around the big box store---IF they let you mount the ONE lens they have. Or so you like flowers. Great. But is a Macro (close up) lens available, affordable, and reasonably maneuverable--cause you'll be in a tripod for this. So go through you conceivable scenarios. Expect to grow and become more curios about other areas like portraits, landscapes, maybe you'll need a waterproof option--maybe that's a whole separate deal and don't mess up you initial purchase. But this explains why most of us here have Canon or Nikon, Pentax or Olympus because for certain, affordable or un affordable, whatever we need is available--including many gently used items from reputable sources.

For me, an old timer, I MUST have an eye level viewfinder--Electronic like the Sony is good. For you, there may be some other must have.

I suggest that you really make an effort to visit a real Camera Store (like what we golfers call a Pro Shop) where there is a wide selection and knowledgeable sales folk. Since you sound like you are likely to get serious about photography, and the investments move past $1,000 within a couple of years, I believe it's worth a trip to a REAL Camera Store. Make it an excursion to the Big City, take your time.

However, if you define your interest more narrowly, you might find that a bridge or super zoom camera like the Sony fixed lens, Canon SX series, or Nikon 9000 series more than fits the bill. And they're on the more compact side and are still quite capable cameras.

Meanwhile, review your smartphone camera roll ( or what ever you're shooting with today) and see what pictures you've taken, and think about what you wish it allowed you to do better. Maybe an i-phone 6 or a Samsung Android smart phone with extra camera photo applications to allow you to zoom, select focus points, do HDR, etc. is what you really need.

And enjoy a day or two in the City as a bonus.