Seeking new camera help

[Harvrad]

Hi, this is my first post on this site as a newbie. I've had some to a lot of experience with Nikon N8008s 35 mm camera, Canon 590is digital camera and the old Canon AE-1 Program a long while back. I am in the process of buying either a Nikon D5100 (wanted a D7000 but my wife said no ) or the Panasonic FZ200 point and shoot. I work at Walmart where I can get a 10% discount on the Nikon and get it for around 549.00 with tax, or get the Panasonic on line for 100.00 cheaper. I love photography and plan on growing with the camera and possibly getting some college classes eventually, however my main reason at present time is due to my two daughters growing up before my eyes and not having quality photo's and video's of them as they do, they are 9 and 13. I want the best video quality that I can possibly get for my price and of coarse best photo also. For a point and shoot the ratings on the Panasonic are awesome, it has a 25-600 mm lens that is f/2.8 all through it and takes awesome video's. The main draw back of this camera is it has alot smaller sensor in it so the photo quality would not be as good as the Nikon especially if I want to enlarge any photo's. I thought that since this was the Nikon D5100 thread site that I could get alot of advise on the quality of the D5100 with the 18-55 kit lens for taking video's indoor and outdoors, I want the best quality for my money. I can't afford the 35 or 50mm 1.8 lens at present time so the kit lens would have to suffice for present time along with some of my 35mm lenses that I still have available. I have read that you have to manually focus the D5100 in video mode and that the video is not in par with the Panasonic, so for me don't know...have no experience with either one. Any advise from those of you who can help me make up my mind I'd be very appreciated. Thank you

 

[BackdoorArts]

Based on everything you're telling us, I would say that your heart is after a "real" camera and not just another point and shoot, no matter what it promises. The 18-55mm kit lens with the D5100 is a really nice lens. If you can find a kit with an 18-105mm even better - another nice lens with twice the reach (both are fine lenses). You won't have the reach of the P&S camera at first, but you'll likely make up for it in the learning and enjoyment factors. 2nd hand lenses can be a great way to add to the fun for not a lot of money, and since you've shot film before you may even be willing to deal with focusing and metering on your own with some nice, old manual glass that has fallen by the wayside. 55-200mm lenses can often be found lightly used for not a ton of money, so save your pennies and add on when you can.

 

[Dave_W]

You can save a small amount of cash buying a non-Nikon camera but you will be limited by the number of available lenses that are compatible with your camera. When you invest in the Nikon system you are also opening yourself up to a wealth of products both new and old that will work on your camera. You may have to sacrifice auto-focus for some of the older products but they will all function properly on your camera body.

 

[AC016]

The only real advantage the Panasonic has over the Nikon, is that it shoots faster and it has more focus points. That's it. The other thing is, it has Digital Zoom - which is most likely on the longer end of the focal range and how they get you out to 600mm equivalent. Digital zooms will get grainy. Overall, you are going to get way better image quality with the 5100. This is not a cheap hobby, as i am sure you know. Therefore, think hard about your willingness to lay out hundreds of dollars on other lenses, because you will most certainly find yourself limited with the 18-55mm.

 

[Harvrad]

The only real advantage the Panasonic has over the Nikon, is that it shoots faster and it has more focus points. That's it. The other thing is, it has Digital Zoom - which is most likely on the longer end of the focal range and how they get you out to 600mm equivalent. Digital zooms will get grainy. Overall, you are going to get way better image quality with the 5100. This is not a cheap hobby, as i am sure you know. Therefore, think hard about your willingness to lay out hundreds of dollars on other lenses, because you will most certainly find yourself limited with the 18-55mm.

How long have you had you D5100 and how do you like the video?, is it hard to video with the camera?

 

[AC016]

How long have you had you D5100 and how do you like the video?, is it hard to video with the camera?

I have had my 5100 for nearly a year. Before that, i had a D3000. I really don't do much video with it. The little video that i have done with it, i can say that it is very nice. You can't beat watching HD video on an HD tv. It's not hard to video with the camera at all. When you get it, just read the manual and you will be on your way.

 

[Sandpatch]

... or the Panasonic FZ200 point and shoot. ....

Another concern I'd have with the Panasonic is its future. Both Panasonic (and Sony too) are facing some serious financial difficulties and as these manufacturers analyze their product portfolios, lines will be jettisoned. I'd rather stick with a camera produced by a manufacturer like Nikon or Canon that is financially sound, that produces cameras as their primary product and that is known for high quality. Just my $0.02.

 

[2ball]

I just got a refurbished 5100 with the 18-55 lens for $439, online. That puts it less then the panasonic you mentioned.