Time to move on.

Duggy72

New member
I bought my D3100 when it was first released in the UK about 4 years ago.

it came with the Nikkor 18-55 VR kit lens and since that time I have bought a Sigma 70-300 non VR, a Nikkor 50mm lens and most recently for a trip to the USA a Sigma 18-250 VR.

I have learnt a lot about photography since I bought this camera and bought books and follow my fave online photographer Jared Polin learning a lot.

I feel that I want to move to a better body. I want to stick to Nikon and DX due to the investment already made in DX lenses.

I am not sure whether to go for a D5500 or a D7200.

Any recommendations for an amateur like me?

Many thanks all.

http://nikonites.com/d3100/35962-time-move-post547937.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
If you are satisfied with the D3100 menu driven adjustments, you should do fine with the D5500.

The D7200, while being a little more expensive gives you button driven menus which can let you change camera settings without removing your eyes from the viewfinder. Plus the possibility of using older Nikon glass (AF-D) and the possibility to make focus fine adjustments for a few of your lenses.

As you probably have already explored multiple websites comparing cameras, it will be up to you and your bank account to make the final choice. You should let no one decide for you.

My suggestion is that you get to a brick and mortar store which has both models and take them both for a little test in the store and buy the one YOU feel more comfortable with.
 

Danno

Senior Member
Welcome to the Forum Duggy. I have a bias toward the D7200 it is a different camera than the 3100. I moved from a 3200 to it in December but I have not been disappointed. I like it because of the low light performance, focus, and the fact that it has a motor which allows me to use older lenses that are Auto Focus but do not have the built in motor.

The biggest change for me was getting used to the buttons vs. menu driven system of the D3200 I had. I have found I really like it. It takes me a while to get used to a new system but I have found the D7200 much easier, once I got through the, for me, steep learning curve.

If it is in your budget I think you would not be disappointed with the D7200. This topic has come up a lot though so you might want to do a search and get some other opinions. I will be honest. I was a bit confused by your title. I thought you were leaving the forum...

Good luck in your search. I will say I bought a refurbished unit from Nikon with less than 50 shutter actuation's. It was a special price. Adorama carries them too. Something to consider.
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
With you having two Sigma lenses i would check they will work with the latest Nikon bodies,i have a feeling they will but not sure.
 

Duggy72

New member
Thanks for both replies guys. Thr D5500 is obviously more affordable but I'm wondering if I would feel I have outgrown the D5500 in a few more years and want to change again.

Maybe the D7200 will keep me happier for longer?

I paid nearly £600 for my D3100 with kit lens when it first came out. I was offered £80 to trade it in for the D7200! For that money I would rather keep it as a back up for places I dont want to take an expensive camera.

Will go to a shop and try both out.

Thanks again guys.
 

nickt

Senior Member
Like the others said, think about the user interface and go try them out. I had a D70 (buttons, top lcd) when they first came out. Took a lot of pictures at school, etc. Got bored and I got a d3100. Smaller and lighter, I was more likely to carry it around. I did enjoy carrying it around and brought it more places. But eventually I missed my buttons and my top display terribly and I got a d7000. Comfort again with less menu diving. I'm not sure how the d5x00 feel, but even though the d7000 was bigger, it felt better in my hand with a zoom attached. Even though it was heavier, it was easier to hold with more body to grip.
 

Chris@sabor

Senior Member
For me there are 3 things to consider;
1. Price difference
2. Weather sealing. D7200 has it D5500 does not
3. Articulating touch screen. D5500 has it D7200 does not.

For me it would have to be D7200.
 

Zeke_M

Senior Member
I spent five years with a D3100. Last December I upgraded to a D7100.
None of the D5xxx cameras were seriously considered. The D7200 was considered but my accountant vetoed it.
Get the D7200. Budget for new glass. Prepare for a steep learning curve.
 

Duggy72

New member
Popped into a local camera shop today. I think the D7200 does it for me. The weather sealing, and apparently more robust magnesium alloy body seems to be the deal sealer for me. Hopefully it will do for me until I can afford a D500!
 

nickt

Senior Member
I think you will get to love the top lcd as a major feature. I'ts nice to just glance at it and see what many of your settings are. Front command wheel is nice too so the rear wheel is not playing double duty for shutter and aperture changes.
 
I started with the D3100 also and moved to the D5100 and then to the D7000 and later to the D7100. The D7100 (or in your case the D7200) is a great choice. I still have mine and my wife uses it. I now shoot the D750.
 

Bob Blaylock

Senior Member
The D7200, while being a little more expensive gives you … possibility of using older Nikon glass (AF-D)…

There are no lenses that can be used on the D7xxx, that cannot also be used on the D3xxx and the D5xxx, though of these, only the D7xxx can meter with non-CPU lenses, or autofocus with AF lenses that do not have built-in focus motors.

On the other hand, contrary to a claim that Nikon consistently makes, the very oldest non-AI lenses can be used just fine on the D3xxx and D5xxx (Nikon claims that they can only be used on the Df); but I do not think they can be used on a D7xxx. In fact, I believe you risk damaging a D7xxx if you try to use a non-AI lens on it.

This self-portrait was taken with my D3200, using my 1972-vintage non-AI 50mm ƒ/1.4 Nikkor S Auto.

ZSC_6592n.jpg

So, really, the D3xxx and D5xxx bodies offer a somewhat wider range of possibilities for using older lenses than the D7xxx bodies do.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
I should have mentioned that older lenses can't be used with auto-focus with the X000 series
 
There are no lenses that can be used on the D7xxx, that cannot also be used on the D3xxx and the D5xxx, though of these, only the D7xxx can meter with non-CPU lenses, or autofocus with AF lenses that do not have built-in focus motors.

On the other hand, contrary to a claim that Nikon consistently makes, the very oldest non-AI lenses can be used just fine on the D3xxx and D5xxx (Nikon claims that they can only be used on the Df); but I do not think they can be used on a D7xxx. In fact, I believe you risk damaging a D7xxx if you try to use a non-AI lens on it.

This self-portrait was taken with my D3200, using my 1972-vintage non-AI 50mm ƒ/1.4 Nikkor S Auto.

View attachment 206510

So, really, the D3xxx and D5xxx bodies offer a somewhat wider range of possibilities for using older lenses than the D7xxx bodies do.

They will not auto focus on the D3?00 and D5?00 series cameras and some will not give you auto exposure either. Only the D7000 and up have the focus motor in the camera body that can use the older AF lenses
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
Moving on up is always fun.

The D7200 (or D7100 if you want to save a penny) is a super camera and will take you to the next level in photo-fun.

The D5500 has that awesome flip screen. I have a D5100 with that same screen and it is marvelous.

Both are great cameras and either is a worthy upgrade.

One big difference to consider - the D7XXX series have a lens motor in the camera body unlike the D3XXX and D5XXX series. This opens up a whole new world of great vintage glass. All the AF-D series of lenses are now Autofocus on a your new D7200. I have a few of these and wish I could use them on my D5100 (well technically I can, they fit and work, they just don't autofocus). I have a AF-D 105 macro for example, wonderful lens. Most of these may be FX lenses but will work just fine on a DX camera. It is the other way around that can be a challenge (DX lens on FX body). And who knows someday you may want to upgrade to FX - or not. But something to consider.
 

Bill16

Senior Member
Having also started with the D3100, a fun little nikon, I think you will fall in love with the controls of the D7200! I had the D7100 for a short time, so I'm pretty sure the D7200 is a great DX model!:)
I've had the good experience to have owned several nikon models, and they all were good though I preferred some models more than others(usually due to feel or if it was menu based or not)! Lol :)
 

aroy

Senior Member
If you are happy with your current body and there is nothing that you must have (like focus motor, metering with AIS lenses, 2 SD cards etc), then in my opinion there is no need to spend money on the D5xxx and D7xxx series bodies. The D3300 with its kit 18-55 is an excellent choice - lowest weight, great battery life, good video.

In case you still want to upgrade, then barring the D500 (for its awesome burst speed and high ISO capabilities), there is no point going DX. FX will give you better high ISO noise, wider FOV with wide lenses, and you get all the advantages of D7xxx bodies - in body AF motor, metering with AIS lenses, dual cards and weather sealing. As far as your DX lenses go, theys are not very expensive and can be sold at a good rate.

I personally have never shot in rain and bad weather, but my D3300 has weathered light showers and spray. So unless you are going to shoot in rain or in sea spray, I see no advantage in having a weather sealed body, considering that most lenses are not weather sealed.

One thing that you should be aware of is that the technology is changing at a rapid rate and with everything digital the rate of obsolescence is high. So I would no spend extra money for a body that will last me long time. I would rather get a relatively inexpensive body and change it within a couple of years. If you do the maths then the D610 which is going for less than US $ 1000/ is a great buy. You can upgrade it in two years, and it will cost you less than a D7200.
 

SteveH

Senior Member
Well only you can decide what is best for you, my step-son has a D5500 and it is awesome, and the flip screen is very useful. I personally jumped from the D3100 to the D7100 a couple of years back and have never regretted it - the physical features such as larger size (Easier to grip & better balance with bigger lenses) and weather sealing are great to have, but I find the smaller "upgrades" are the most useful to me - The dual control wheels, bracketing, the programmable user modes.. these made the difference for me.
 
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