D3200 vs. D7000 vs. D300(s)?

jakehinds

Senior Member
I feel like this is an appropriate place to post this thread but here it goes:
I'm looking at the 4 cameras listed above. I have 4 options; buy the D3200 and get more lens for my money, or get one of the other three bodies and get an alright lens.

Where I'm coming from: D5100 with 18-55 kit lens, I just sold that tonight, and I have a Nikon 50mm 1.8g arriving tomorrow. I shoot pretty much everything but mainly enjoy foresty/landscapes, sometimes indoor/outdoor sports(I'd enjoy it more just not with an 18-55 3.5-5.6 lens) and travel/walkaround. Weatherproofing on the 300,300s, and d7000 are very attractive...

Where I'll start now: I'll have the 50mm prime, and a budget of $615
Lenses I've been looking at: Nikon 16-85 3.5-5.6, Nikon 18-70 3.5-4.5, and the Sigma 17-50 2.8
I'm not really looking for a telephoto at this moment as I'd rarely use it compared to a wider angle(DX crop though, so 127mm, 105mm and 75mm respectively) Only con about the sigma is that I already cover the 50mm range, but pro is that its a wider angle at f/2.8 compared to f/3.5.
I'm leaning slightly towards either the 300 or 300s mounted with the 16-85 or the 17-50...

Side note: I'll be buying used:)
 

skene

Senior Member
Nikon 16-85 3.5-5.6, Nikon 18-70 3.5-4.5, and the Sigma 17-50 2.8
I'm not really looking for a telephoto at this moment

Those lenses are all telephoto.
The 16-85 would not benefit you any more than what the 18-55 would have done... except give you a wider range.
Same with the 18-70 (old kit lens and the 18-55 would have been better than this) and 17-50 (however the Sigma would give you better low light capabilities). So basically all you would be looking at is just a lens that still basically sets itself close to the kit lens.

The 3200 I would consider a step slightly up but more sideways compared to the 5100 you previously owned. So the feel and everything else is the same. The D300 and 7000 would be a better step up, with more control on the fly vs the menu based options of the 3xxx and 5xxx bodies. Also allowing for a wider range of lenses due to the AF motor. But if you have been doing your research, you would have already known this.

So just buy whatever you can afford and instead spend more on better glass.
 

weebee

Senior Member
If it were me I would go with the 7000. Or, better, push a bit harder and get the 7100. You won't regret it. Don't get me wrong. The D3200 is a capable camera.
 

jakehinds

Senior Member
The 3200 I would consider a step slightly up but more sideways compared to the 5100 you previously owned. So the feel and everything else is the same. The D300 and 7000 would be a better step up, with more control on the fly vs the menu based options of the 3xxx and 5xxx bodies. Also allowing for a wider range of lenses due to the AF motor. But if you have been doing your research, you would have already known this.

So just buy whatever you can afford and instead spend more on better glass.
What glass would you suggest if I were to get the 7000 or one of the 300's? I was broadly looking on eBay and 80-200 2.8's kept popping up for sub 200$, which is cheap enough to get that along with a wide(r) angle lens
 

dh photography

Senior Member
I own two of those three cameras that you're considering. I can vouch for both the d3200 and d7000. Of the three, go for 7000. Great body. But like Steve said; spend just a little more and get a d7100! Not enough price difference to NOT do that now that the 7100 prices have come down.

Don't think you can go wrong with an 80-200 2.8. You should be able to search around enough to find a really clean copy.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Of the three, go for 7000. Great body. But like Steve said; spend just a little more and get a d7100! Not enough price difference to NOT do that now that the 7100 prices have come down.
I concur. If you're in D7000 territory, there's no reason not to go with the D7100 at this point in time. Refurbs can be especially good deals.

As for wide angle lenses, have you considered the Tokina AT-X 12-24mm f/4? Brand new it's about $425 and would be a fantastic wide-angle for the D7100. If you opt for a different body (without an auto-focus motor) there's a DXII version of this lens with an AF motor built in, but it will set you back another $150 or so.

...
 
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Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
With a budget of $615 it will be a matter of looking around for the right used deals. The D7000 would be the camera with the most features, but any of the cameras you are considering would be more than capable. I guess if I were you I would think carefully about what features are most important to you and make sure the camera you pick fits those needs. After that, I wouldn't overthink things.
 

hrstrat57

Senior Member
Finding a mint, truly mint Nikon D300s for $615 is going to be a tall task...... they are still selling new where avail for $1600. Probably out of your budget and I would skip it if it is a beater.....

On your budget I would 2nd the D7000 choice....tho I am not sure anything you are seeking is a quantum upgrade from your D5100.......
 

hrstrat57

Senior Member
BTW I almost hit buy it now on the D300s just now until I saw $25 for shipping, so go get it still avail ha ha!

Let us know how you make out with your decision!

Good luck!
 

Manna69247

Senior Member
I'll second what they said...and...
SHORT: D7000, Tokina 11-16, 80-200.
LONG: I've got the D7000 for almost 4 years now (180k clicks). Without knowing it when I bought ii, one of the best things was that I can still use brilliant, less expensive D lenses. I've got the 50 f1.8D and the 80-200 f2.8D. The 80-200 is my bread and butter lens. It is awesome!!! The only time I use my 17-55 f2.8 is at a wedding when I do not have enough time to work further away as with the 80-200. I would love a Tokina as suggested for wide and scenery, but could not justify it yet - I would love a 150-600 as well ;) Never underestimate the kit 18-105 or newer 18-140, the only thing I don't like about them is their plastic mount, but optically they are really good for what they are. Still use mine when I travel and don't have to be specialized.
I've added a D750 in Dec and still use the same lenses, wish for a 24-70 in future - still use my D7000 for dual shoot when required.
 

skene

Senior Member
The best glass would be the ones that you need for the specific type of photography that you want to specialize in.
While the 80-200 is a great lens, in the hands of the wrong person.......... Well you get the idea.
 

jay_dean

Senior Member
The 16-85 would not benefit you any more than what the 18-55 would have done... except give you a wider range.
Got to disagree with you there. The 16-85 blows the 18-55 out of the water in every way imaginable, and those extra 2mm are huge.
On the subject of camera bodies, the D300S is a great choice, and you'd not be disappointed with it
 

jakehinds

Senior Member
So I bought a brand new D7000 body on Craigslist for $480, so I'll have that plus my 50mm 1.8g that I get tomorrow. I just need one more lens:confused:
 
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