dSLR body choice?

Question

Hey photographers.. I'm looking for a great budget body to start off with (again). My previous dslr was Canon 40D, I loved it, except that it was too old to meet today's quality expectations. I need something that can handle relatively high ISO's & takes clean images up to ISO 200 / 400.
I'm looking at 2 options.. Nikon D5100 & Nikon D5200. Oh btw the articulating LCD is one of the main reasons I'm looking at these bodies, so if there is something better than Nikon in this price category, it must have an articulating screen. Canon 600D / 650D is not what I'm hoping to hear.
So 5100 or 5200.. I don't care about the 'main' difference between then, that is, 24mp in the 5200. What concerns me more is the autofocus system. The 5100 uses Multi-CAM 1000 AF sensor, whereas the 5200 uses much newer & advanced Multi-CAM 4800DX AF sensor. My main question is - if most of the time I use just the center focus point & recompose, does the newer focusing system still matter? It is 1 cross type point vs 9, but I really don't use other focusing points except the center one. Will the D5200 still beat the old body in focusing speed & precision using just the center focusing point?

Answer 1

If you can't take clean images with a 40D then...



Okay so the articulated LCD is a must then.



Ahhh... Something to ponder. IF you only use one focus point at center (like moi) then yes, counting focus points is moot. Focusing speed will aways be fast no matter what brand or model. If you have other criteria for choosing a model then use that instead.



Just for an answer, I'd recommend you go with the D5200. It's newer. Just that. I have this feeling you're going to like it with Nikon. Good luck!

Answer 2

The new 7D Mark II has amazing ISO performance and at 10fps it AF system is comparable to the Canon 1Dx. The body was just announced a few weeks ago and will be shipping in November.

Answer 3

Personally, I wouldn't change a camera due to age (or blame the camera if my results weren't up to scratch), but if you already own Canon fit lenses and flashgun, why not look at a more modern body ?



If there are no restrictions, why confine yourself to Nikon ? You do realise that they (like Pentax) buy their sensors in from Sony ?

Answer 4

There are at least two other cameras in this range that have articulating screens, the Canon T5i and the Sony a57.

http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-side?products=canon_eos700d&products=sony_slta57&products=nikon_d5100&products=nikon_d5200&products=nikon_d5300



The advantage to the Canon T5i is any lenses you have plus you are familiar with the Canon "way".

Answer 5

Canon 60D