Camera & Lens Recommendations

I have done camera reviews in the past here but since there's been lots of new cameras introduced since I did my last review, I figured it was time to update my recommendations...

I really recommend purchasing a camera you can ‘grow into’ (as opposed to purchasing a camera that you will grow out of.) therefore, I recommend a digital SLR (single lens reflex).  Technically, an SLR camera is a camera that uses the same lens to shoot and view your pictures.  (A mirror inside the camera reflects the image from the lens to the viewfinder.) But you don’t even really need to know that.

More important to you, a digital SLR gives you maximum creative control by allowing you to make manual adjustments, control exposure and use interchange lenses. 

In reviewing the following cameras, I am going to compare only Canon & Nikon cameras in similar price ranges (since these are the two camera brands I have the most experience with), primarily based on what I think are the two most important features in a camera; their focusing systems (the more autofocus points a camera has, particularly ‘cross-sensor’ autofocus points, the more quickly and precisely your camera will focus) and the cameras maximum ISO setting (the higher the number, the more successfully you can shoot in low light situations without a flash). I will not be noting the megapixels on any of these cameras because they’re all over 10 megapixels (and unless you’re enlarging your images to create a wall-sized mural, you don’t need anything over 10 megapixels). I will also only be covering newer model cameras under $3000.

Please don't send me hate mail if I don't recommend your favorite camera and please keep in mind that much of this is simply my opinion.

Nikon D5000 vs. Canon Rebel T1i
You can pick up the Nikon D5000 for $630 (body only). It has eleven autofocus points with one of those being a cross-sensor and its maximum ISO is 6400. This camera also offers video. You can also pick up lesser expensive Nikons; the D60 and D3000 but the D5000 is a much better camera.

I do want to mention that the Nikon D40, D40X, D60, D3000 and D5000 do not have autofocus motors built into them. Because of this, they can only autofocus when used with lenses that have an autofocus motor built into the lens. These types of Nikon lenses are marked with the letters 'AF-S’. You can also use some off-brand lenses such as Sigma and Tamron on these cameras as long as they have an autofocus motor built into the lens.

You can pick up the newest Canon Digital Rebel, the Rebel T1i for $620 (body only). It has nine autofocus points with one of those being a cross-sensor and its maximum ISO is 12,800.  This camera also offers video. Note that you can purchase older model Canon Rebels for less money and while most of these older models have similar autofocusing systems, none of them offer ISO’s any higher than 1600 or video.

I think the Nikon D5000 and the Canon Rebel T1i are pretty comparable cameras. The Rebel has a higher maximum ISO which is nice but Nikons traditionally have better autofocus systems.

Nikon D90 vs. Canon 50D
The Nikon D90 is about $790 (body only). This camera has 11 autofocus points, one of those being a cross-sensor and its maximum ISO is 6400. This camera also offers video. You can also pick up the older Nikon D80 for less money though it does not offer video and has a lower maximum ISO of 3200.

The Canon 50D runs about $940 (body only). It has nine autofocus points with all of them being cross-sensors and its maximum ISO is 12,800. You can also pick up the Canon 40D for less money. It has the same autofocus system but its maximum ISO is only 3200.

Here, I’d go with the 50D because it’s got more cross-sensor autofocus points and a higher maximum ISO.

Nikon D300S vs. Canon 7D
This is where Nikons amazing focusing system really comes in for $1700 (body only). The Nikon D300S has 51 autofocus points (yes, 51!!!!!!!!) with 15 of those being cross-sensors. The maximum ISO in the D300S is 6400. This camera also offers video. You can also pick up the older Nikon D300 (without video) for much cheaper.

The Canon 7D runs about $1700 also (body only). Canon really stepped up their focusing system with this camera with 19 autofocus points, all of them being cross-sensors. This camera offers video and a maximum ISO of 12,800.

Again, Canon has Nikon beat with its maximum ISO but you just can’t beat the focusing system of the Nikon D300S.

Nikon D700 vs. Canon 5D Mark II (full frame cameras)
You can pick up the Nikon D700 (this is the camera I currently shoot with) for about $2400. It has 51 autofocus points with 15 of those being cross-sensors and a maximum ISO of 25,600 (amazing). This is a full frame camera.

The Canon 5D Mark II runs about $2700 (this is the camera I used to have). This camera has 9 autofocus points with one of those being a cross-sensor and 6 assist points. Its maximum ISO is 25,600. This is also a full frame camera.

Again, I’d go with Nikon here due to the much superior autofocus system.

I really, really (really) recommend purchasing your camera body and lenses separately. A lot of cameras come in a kit, (meaning you get the camera body and a lens or two.) Unfortunately, the lenses that come in kits are typically manufactured with cost in mind, not quality.  A lot of salespeople will try to talk you into the kit and they’ll talk your husband into it, too, and then you’ll feel like you have no choice but to purchase the dang kit…but don’t succumb to the pressure. (Just say NO to the kit.)

Which lens to use is a HUGE discussion so I'll just touch on my recommendations briefly...

For indoor and low light shooting, nothing beats a 50mm lens in my opinion.  You can pick up the following 50mm lenses:

- 50mm f1.8 (Canon $100/Nikon $120.  This is a great lens for the price but if you can swing the price of the 50mm f1.4, you'll find that it focuses quicker and sharper and produces better color.)

- 50mm f1.4 (Canon $350/Nikon $300 for the 50mm f1.4D and $430 for the 50mm f1.4G AF-S.  The Nikon 50mm f1.4G AF-S is a MUCH higher quality lens than the 50mm f1.4D and is worth the extra expense.  In addition, the Nikon 50mm f1.4G AF-S has an autofocus motor built into it, making it the ONLY 50mm lens that will autofocus on the Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D3000 and D5000.)

- 50mm f1.2 (Canon $1500/Nikon does not make this lens.  This is a great lens but is ridiculously priced and is overkill in my opinion for anyone who's not shooting professionally and anyone who is working on a budget.)

The 50mm lens is also a great 'everyday' lens and can be really great for portraiture too (if you're NOT using it on a full frame camera).  If I could only OWN one lens, this would be it.  Keep in mind that this lens does NOT 'zoom'...you are the 'zoom'.  Walk forward to 'zoom in' and walk backwards to 'zoom out.'

If you shoot in a lot of cramped situations though, you might actually like one of these lenses BETTER than the 50mm:

- Canon 28mm f1.8 ($450.  Canon makes more expensive lenses that are similar, like the 24mm f1.4 and the 35mm f1.4 but they're really spendy.)  This lens does not 'zoom.'

- Nikon 35mm f1.8 ($200.  This lens will NOT work correctly on Full Frame cameras like the Nikon D700, Nikon D3, D3x or the D3s.)  This lens does not 'zoom.'

For outdoor, everyday shooting, I recommend a zoom lens like the 24-70mm f2.8.  (Tamron makes a REALLY high quality version of this lens at the most affordable price, the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 for about $450 - this is the ONLY lens I owned for 3+ years and I think it's wonderful.  Canon and Nikon have much more expensive versions of this lens; Canon $1400/Nikon $1800.)

For sports, recitals, theater (and any other subject that is far away from you while shooting), I recommend the 70-200mm f2.8.  (Unfortunately, this is an EXPENSIVE lens and a very HEAVY lens, therefore, you want to put a lot of thought into whether or not this is the right lens for you - maybe even trying it out at a camera shop.  Again, Tamron makes the cheapest version of it, the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 for about $750 and both Canon and Nikon make more expensive versions of this lens that are closer to $1700.)

For portraits, the 50mm lens I mentioned earlier is a great lens (unless you're using it on a Full Frame camera) and so is an 85mm lens (these lenses create some of the most beautiful images you'll ever see).

- 85mm f1.8 (Canon $440/Nikon $450)  This lens does not 'zoom.'

- 85mm f1.4 (Nikon $1230)  This lens does not 'zoom.'

- 85mm f1.2 (Canon $2000)  This lens does not 'zoom.'

And I can't post without a picture...

Took this one a few days before Christmas.  (I'm starting to give up on the notion of ever getting all my Christmas shots edited.)

Comments

[Betty P]

Would you explain why you do not recommend a 50mm lens on a full frame camera. I have both a Canon 40D and a new 5D Mark II.

[Karen Aldrin]

Hi,Karen.
You are too blame for me rushing out and buying a 50mm lens at Christmas time.But boy am I grateful I LOVE it.Think of me getting up at 2am 2 nights running to try and get on your workshop.I can't figure out which night here in the UK is your daytime.Fingers crossed I get successful as I am off to China this year.Great photo opportunity

[Heather Topich]

Hi Karen. Could you comment on entry level professional cameras, like the new Nikon D3000? Thanks!

[{vicki}]

Thanks for the info!

[Tracy]

Thanks for all the information Karen!! You really put your heart and soul into your class and your blog and it is GREATLY appreciated!

[Shari Kimmey]

Thanks so much for an updated review, Karen. I, too, would love a review on how your switch from Canon to Nikon has been. How has the Nikon autofocus changed your life? ;)

Also, I thought I'd let any interested Canon users know that the 5D Mark II has gone down to $2499 at B&H and Adorama, in just the last week. So, those 2 cameras are now very comparable in price.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/583953-REG/Canon_2764B003_EOS_5D_Mark_II.html

[LaVon]

Awesome Review! Thanks for the updates with the lens recommendations! I ALWAYS look and refer to you for these things!

[teresa b]

Love hearing your insight.. thank you for sharing!! You Rock!!

[Margaret Hansen]

Karen.

I love these posts. They help so much to figure out the odds and ends of camera/lens buying.

I would LOVE to know what specific lenses you own to use with your Nikon D700. I wasn't clear above on that. I have the Nikon 24-70mm and I love it for portraits. But for everyday, I need another lens and am not sure which one to buy. I got the impression above that I shouldn't go with the 50mm with my full frame. But, what SHOULD I go with. 85mm? 35mm? etc.

And what other lens should I save for?

I really appreciate your advice.

[rebecca]

Hi Karen,

Love, love, love you. Can you explain why the 50mm is not good on a full frame camera? I have been using it for over a year and have not seen any problems, just making sure I am not missing something.

Thanks~!!!

[TidyMom]

I SO wish I had understood more of this when I bought my camera last year, the Nikon D40 - I'm VERY frustrated with autofocus issue -
I would LOVE a 50mm - I'm so glad you brought up that there is one available, albeit more $$ than most 50mm, but at least I have that option......I was curious on what you think of my other option, a Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX- it's just under $200 - I mainly do food, or portraits, and shots around my home - the only 50mm I can get is $400-500 or the 35mm is $200----of course the 35mm would be the better option for my pocketbook, but money aside----would I be THAT much happier with the Nikon 50mm f1.4G AF-S? should I just save up my money for that and not bother with the 35mm?.......would love to hear your opinion

[lorena b.]

Karen thanks for all the info! I bought a super-zoom Canon p&s ($350) for my daughter's soccer, everyday stuff, etc (and I love it!- my first one got ripped off 3 yrs. ago). My next purchase will be a Canon digital SLR body just like you said. Tempted by the deals out there for kits but it made no sense to me to spend that $ when I will be self-learning and take better pics buying a separate lens (so excited!). Thanks again for the info. And thanks to Chris posting about other brands. It's all about doing research, what's best for you, and not jumping into things too fast.

[Bruce]

Karen - what is your opinion regarding just pure picture quality? A friend told me that Canon takes a much better/cleaner picture. He said Canon pictues are much less "grainie" (sp??).....that when you blow up a picture the Canon one will always be clearer.

[Marcie R]

Awesome awesome post! Can you file it under "Photography Tips"?? I like to refer to it every once in a while and have a hard time finding it. Thanks!

[Claudia Ramos]

Hi! You mention that the 50mm lens are great, unless you are using it in a Full Frame camera. Can I ask you why is that?
Thank you for all your recomendation :)

[S Johnson]

I too am curious about the 50mm lens on FF camera. That is the only lens I currently own. Would be so grateful if you could recommend a great portrait lens for FF camera. Thank you so much!