Nikon D3200 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm

Corey

OverCamping Specialist
Still looking for a good replacement to my current Sony point and shoot.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007VGGFZU/ref=pe_62860_27289550_pe_vfe_dp1

This camera looks like it has autofocusing, but you can still manually adjust the lens?
I am not really up on SLRs at all, but I need a good camera to take better pics and also good video.

Says it is autofocus, but is the lens also motorized for when you want to zoom in/out?
All my past digital cams have had the motorized lens for zooming in/out.
 

JeepTreeHouse

Adventurer
That lens has a manual focus mode, via a switch on the lens body itself, and a switch on the camera (that's not necessary to use when making a quick manual adjustment). the zooming fiction of that (and all SLR lenses that I know of) is all manual; twist to zoom in and out.
 

Corey

OverCamping Specialist
OK, so any SLR requires you to manually turn the lens to zoom in/out on your subject?
It does have autofocus, but not the motorized zoom.
I better keep looking for one that is motorized.

I also find it easier since I wear glasses to use the LCD screen for taking a picture instead of using a small viewfinder.
 

UK4X4

Expedition Leader
"I better keep looking for one that is motorized"

point and shoots only - any decent DSLR will have manual zoom.

What the big deal you hold a DSLR with two hands anyway- the left on the lens- twist and your good.

Focus is manual or auto

the auto can also be adjusted to focus wher you want it too.

A DSLR will take a better picture on auto than most point and shoots- but allows you to mess with the settings as you get more confident.

Night shots long exposure with no flash for example
 

DiploStrat

Expedition Leader
You probably want to visit a good camera shop and handle some SLR's. There are many reasons to use an SLR, but they are not the points you raised. You use an SLR because:

-- It has interchangeable lenses - wide, long, zoom, prime, etc. As far as I know, no interchangeable zoom lens as a powered zoom. (Nor would most of us want it.) Remember, you invest in lenses and expense camera bodies.

-- The whole point of an SLR is that you look through the actual lens. (That's the "reflex" part.) Some newer cameras now have an LED screen that offers some view through the lens, but that is mostly for use on a tripod, etc.

-- Although not an inherent characteristic of the SLR format, most SLR's focus and calculate exposure much faster than other formats.

FWIW, many SLR users wear glasses, corrective or sun. Also, the viewfinder of most SLR's has a corrective diopter. Finally, it is much easier to hold a camera steady when it is braced against your head than it is when held out at arm's length as you see so often these days. Hold a 24 MP camera at arm's length and you may not get many usable shots.

As always, YMMV!
 

LR Max

Local Oaf
I've never seen a DSLR with automatic zoom.

That said, look for used DSLRs. Usually people try to use them as point and shoot. Use them for like, a month then they sit on a shelf. Then they end up on Craigslist for a discounted price. Of course shop and compare to KEH but you can get some deals. DSLRs are like bumpers: Fine unless they've been hit. So look over a used unit. Test it out. Bring a laptop/tablet to see the images on a big screen. But seriously, tons of great, used cameras and camera equipment out there. Just check the used section of Adorama or KEH. I love KEH, bought a bunch of used crap from them. However I mainly cruise Craigslist.

There is so much out there and considering that the newer DSLRs are producing slightly better images (unlike 10 years ago when the next generation of DSLR was lightyears ahead of the previous generation) than their predecessors, you can get a last generation for a decent price.

Heck, a D70s can be had for $200 or less. Its the fast-sync king but few know that. Keep it at 200~400 ISO and no one knows the difference.

One thing you need to remember. A point n' shoot is like a Prius: it has one button and one lever and you go. A DSLR is like a F1 car: the friggen thing is covered in buttons with LED lights blinking at you and all that crap. If you just want to get to a place, the Prius will work just fine. If you want to kick some butt, the F1 car is what you want...IF you have the support, practice, and skill to use it. Just like an F1 car, just because you have a DSLR doesn't mean you automatically take better photos. I have people come to me saying, "I paid all this money for this DSLR and it doesn't get great photos!! Its broken I'm sending it back." One quick look at it shows its set on full auto. So the camera is shooting at like, 6400 ISO and the area focus always finds the wrong target. Switch it over to manual point focus, aperture priority and images get better. Throw them into photoshop elements and things are looking even better.

However, I digress.

Also that 18-55 lens, while optically it is a good lens (also very handy, I have one in my bag just in case I need a normal/wide-ish angle zoom for whatever specific application I've got), you will probably be disappointed in it. I'd recommend looking for a 18-105 or a 18-135 (can't remember if one replaced the other, or whatever) lens to go with your first DSLR. You'll love the extra zoom it gives. Also all of these new lenses have VR in them. Which is great.

Sorry for the rant. Just wanted to give you some perspective. Sounds like you are looking for a "fixed lens DSLR". Once again, check Craigslist as many people buy these then upgrade to a DSLR. Once again, look for a previous generation to save $$$. I cannot give you any advice on which manufacturer or model. Canon used to make great point and shoots. Now it seems like the S and the G series are the only good ones. The G10 was the bomb a couple years back. Also Nikon has gotten their act together on the lower end cameras as well. I'm not really a fan of Sony anymore and never was a Panasonic fan (personal preference, I'm sure they make good stuff).
 

Corey

OverCamping Specialist
Here is my current Sony with all the bells and whistles on it.
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cybersho...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321814519&sr=1-1

I do not know why Amazon is charging so much, I bought it a few back for around $500 or so at Best Buy brand new.
It does manual settings as well as point and shoot.

I will have to see what that Nikon one above looks like in a store.
I do not mind I guess having to move the lens manually to zoom in/out as long as it has autofocus.
 

FLYFISHEXPERT

LivingOverland.com
I have heard good things about the D3200, although I have not handled one myself.

What is your motivation in changing cameras? Is there a certain feature you are interested in? Have you considered a mirrorless camera? Also, dito on the used cameras. Seattle's craigslist should be overflowing with used equipment.
 

Corey

OverCamping Specialist
My pics as of late are blurry.
Does the LCD on this Nikon let you take pics too, or is it just for reviewing captured pics and vids?

It seems to have good reviews at Amazon.
I am not sure what media is used for storage, did not run across that yet.
I use a 32 GB card in my GoPro 2.[SUB][/SUB]
 

FLYFISHEXPERT

LivingOverland.com
Can you post an example of your blurry photo problem? It could be a couple of different things causing the photos to be blurry. No sense in buying a new camera if you can fix the one you have.

New consumer DSLRs run SD cards, and I believe the Nikon can take up to 32gb.
 
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Corey

OverCamping Specialist
Here is a pic taken over the weekend.
The lettering on the pedals is blurry.
Lot of times too the pics are grainy.
I thought the camera was just getting old...

Camera is set to auto with flash off.

14.jpg
 

DiploStrat

Expedition Leader
The blur in the picture you posted appears to be camera shake - look at the diagonal blur on the round cover on the back and on the strap post. Also not clear where the focus was, everything, except perhaps the grill of the amp on the right,
is out of focus. Try the shot again with a tripod or other fixed mount. (Use the timer to release the shutter.)

Don't pay extra for an SLR unless you really want the features, i.e. interchangeable lens. I owned a Sony F-707 for years and loved it. And, it took great pictures. I would have encouraged you to stay with a Sony fixed lens camera, except that I noted this comment on the Amazon link you posted:

"My Sony F707 Cybershot(5meg pixal) failed after 5 years (the ccd went out) so I purchased the Sony DSC-H9 to replace it. This H9 is no comparison to the F707. 90% of the shots are blurry. The only way to use it I find is with a tripod. Clarity is terrible along with a poor flash. I was expecting equal or better when I purchased this camera since the F707 is no longer produced. I can only say if you are looking for a camera that takes quality pictures with clarity do not purchase the Sony H9. What bothers me most is the H9 is 8MP vs the F707 of 5MP yet the quality is not even close to the quality of the F707. Sony has produced a very poor replacement in my opinion."

Noting specifically the complaint about blurry pictures, it is just possible that there is a systemic problem. See also the comments about the JPEG compression setting being too high. JPEG is not RAW, but JPEG is good enough for most as long as the image is not over-compressed in the camera.

I haven't gone camera shopping since I bought my Nikon D200 and won't go until I can afford a D800, so I cannot offer any comments on which models to look at.

Best wishes!

 
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LR Max

Local Oaf
Hate to say it, but the blurry photo ain't due to mechanical error. I could take a super expensive camera and get the same blurry photo. Looks like a combo of long shutter speed (vibration from your arms and low light situation) and lack of a decent focal point. Also I have no idea what the DOF could be, but considering your distance to the subject it probably wasn't that deep.

Before you drop a ton of money on that, I would recommend getting some photo education. I see photo classes for like, $25~$75 on groupon often. I would recommend one of these before you drop more money on equipment. Either way, knowledge is always a good thing to get.
 

Corey

OverCamping Specialist
Garsh, I do not wanna have to resort to using a tripod all the time :D
That Sony has image stabilization turned on too.

Believe me, pics from the past with that camera have turned out way better.
Most of my outdoor pics have turned out very nice, it is the ones I take inside that do not always turn out the best.
This indoor one from last weekend turned out fairly nice with the flash off.

38.jpg


I would like to find out though if that Nikon lets you take pics also using the LCD in the back.
That is how I have taken most of mine with my Sony.

Most of my outdoor pics I have taken with my Droid Bionic cell phone turn out nicer than the Sony.
I may look around at cameras that are similar to the Sony too, but better.
I think I got the Sony around four years ago, maybe five, so it is older.

The problem is there are way to many choices of cameras, so hard to choose.
 

LR Max

Local Oaf
Indeed. Outdoor photos typically look better. Why? More light! Photos are all about light. Take the above photo for example. The two guitars on the far right look pretty good. However the one on the far left isn't in direct light and thus, looks grainy.

I bet if you took your Sony out during the day, the photos would look good.

That is one of the main advantages of a DSLR. You can set it to better handle low light situations. Like inside or in dusk conditions.

Hopefully soon I will be getting my hands on a D3100 and can let you know my thoughts on that (work camera, long story short but a let-go employee tried to hold onto it, so I'll clean it, check for sensor dust, fix if needed, and get it ready to go back into the field!).

Overall I find the viewfinder to be better than the LCD on the back. Also if its like the LCD-for-shooting that my D300 has, then its a giant pain (great if I have the camera on a tripod or holding it somewhere other than at my face). But seriously, the viewfinder is where it is at.
 

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