D3100 upgrade choices

Karmann_65

Senior Member
Hi. I've had my D3100 for several years now and it's getting due for an imminent upgrade. As a keen novice I like to take pictures wherever I go but particularly of wildlife, cars and occasionally motorsport. None of my friends have a DSLR so it often ends up down to me to take the pictures when we go places. There's kind of an expectation that nobody needs to bother because I'll be taking my "big camera". But that's fine by me. I take each situation as a new challenge and usually end up with a few of what everyone (who exclusively take pictures with their phones) tells me are "great pictures".

It's my 50th birthday soon and I'm unsure what sort of upgrade I should go for. It would be nice to be able to use my existing lenses which thus far comprise of a Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G, Nikon AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR and the original 18-55mm VR kit lens.

Budget does play a part in my decision hence the want to keep my existing lenses. This will be a take anywhere camera and I've got a bag and tripod alreay sorted.

Two Nikons that seem to have decent reviews are the D5500 and the D7200.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated.

TIA
 

lokatz

Senior Member
Hi there, Congrats on still enjoying DSLR photography. Agree your D3100 is a bit long in the tooth. The D5500 and D7200 both produce outstanding images and both will work with all your existing lenses, so no problem there. The choice mostly boils down to how much control you want to have over your images.

If you mostly care about convenience and taking good pics without having to fiddle much with camera settings, the D5500 or 5600 (only small differences between them exist) IMHO are better choices. If you want to get deeper into photography and experiment more, the D7200 will be more fun as it has a much richer feature set, higher shooting speed, slightly better AF, and so on. That comes at a price, though, in terms of cost, size, weight, all of which exceed the D5500's. Rest assured that both are capable cameras and great value for the money. You won't go wrong with either. Hope this helps.

On a side note, once your next birthday comes along and you're thinking about further upgrades, I would suggest to look at replacing your long lens. You mention favorite subjects that all often require long reach, and the 55-300 is not exactly a stellar performer at 300mm, so I think you may be happier with a 70-300 or something like that. Nikon's new AF-P 70-300 1:4.5-6.3 lens, for example, is a steal, especially given that it offers good 300mm performance.
 

Karmann_65

Senior Member
Thanks for the prompt reply. You seem to have the measure of where I'm at with my photography. Diping my toe in the waters of advancement, I now seldom use anything except Apperture and Shutter Priority modes which allow me that little bit of control. All my pictures are taken in RAW (NEF) and I enjoy playing around with images in Lightroom and Photoshop CC.

You're right on the money that a lot of what I take is from a distance and that's always been a concern. You must excuse my ignorance (and I appreciate the lesson) but how is a 70-300 better at distances than a 55-300? Does the 55-300 lose quality at the higher end?
 

nickt

Senior Member
Like lokatz said, think about the user interface. Direct buttons as well as front and rear command wheels and top lcd display make it no big deal to change many settings on the fly with the d7200. Easier to see the current state those settings out in the sun too with the top lcd. Just a glance and you know how you are set. With some practice, you will be able to instantly jump from mode to mode.
 

Karmann_65

Senior Member
Like lokatz said, think about the user interface. Direct buttons as well as front and rear command wheels and top lcd display make it no big deal to change many settings on the fly with the d7200. Easier to see the current state those settings out in the sun too with the top lcd. Just a glance and you know how you are set. With some practice, you will be able to instantly jump from mode to mode.

There have definately been times when I've wished I could switch off/dim the rear LCD at night while setting up a shot through the viewfinder. I can see the advantage of a top LCD but how does it fare in the dark?

But then I also like the fully-articulated touch sensitive screen on the back of the D5500[FONT=Open Sans, sans-serif]. [/FONT]

As you say, an instinctive knowledge of the controls would be best though, no matter what the camera. And that can only come with practice.

At this stage I've never actually held either of these cameras. Maybe that could sway a decision.
 

lokatz

Senior Member
You're right on the money that a lot of what I take is from a distance and that's always been a concern. You must excuse my ignorance (and I appreciate the lesson) but how is a 70-300 better at distances than a 55-300? Does the 55-300 lose quality at the higher end?

This is not a matter of 70-300 being intrinsically better than 55-300 - although in general, the wider the zoom range, the harder it becomes to achieve consistent image quality (IQ). Lens design always requires compromises, though, both from a cost perspective and from a laws-of-optics one. Zoom lenses inevitably have one specific focal length where they are the sharpest, which means other focal lengths have to be a little softer. On top of that, there are many other performance parameters, such as chromatic aberration, that are strongly influenced by the lens designer's choices.

The 55-300 is a relatively old design in which Nikon apparently favored high IQ on the shorter side over the longer end. According to the tests and sample pics I saw, it delivers pretty good quality at 55 and is still not bad at 150 but softens considerably when you go beyond 200.

In contrast, the new 70-300, to some degree also its predecessor, likely saw greater emphasis on IQ at the longer end. On top of that, the AF-P version is a much newer design and thus benefits from several general advancements Nikon made over the years. You may have noticed that lenses have become better almost across the board in recent years. As a result, your 55-300 may be at par, maybe even slightly better, at 70mm, but the 70-300 wins hands down at the long end. That seems to matter much more to your shooting, hence my recommendation. Don't worry about the gap between your 18-55 and this 70-300. In my experience, you won't ever see it as an issue.

Don't get me wrong here: top IQ at 300mm gets expensive quickly from a design perspective (large glass, expensive coating, etc.), so even the new AF-P 70-300 will be outperformed by Nikon's 200-500 at 300mm, for example, definitely also by all of Nikon's 300mm prime lenses. Between the 55-300 and the AF-P 70-300, however, you'll likely see a notable step up.

What I often do is take a lens I already own to a camera shop and shoot a few pics there with it, then take the same shots with the lens I am considering. I then compare them on my computer and decide whether I like what I see. Looks like there are several camera stores in Preston, so maybe that's an option for you, too.
 
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lokatz

Senior Member
There have definately been times when I've wished I could switch off/dim the rear LCD at night while setting up a shot through the viewfinder. I can see the advantage of a top LCD but how does it fare in the dark?

Both the D5500 and D7200 allow you to dim the rear display via a menu setting. The 7200 provides more comprehensive info, but both of them also have i (5500) respectively i/info buttons that show current settings on the display.

You're right, though: nothing like having them in your hand. A D7200 feels much more solid and professional than a D5500. But then again, both are good choices and the difference in price may make that 70-300 an easy decision. Choices, choices ... :)
 

nickt

Senior Member
There have definately been times when I've wished I could switch off/dim the rear LCD at night while setting up a shot through the viewfinder. I can see the advantage of a top LCD but how does it fare in the dark?

But then I also like the fully-articulated touch sensitive screen on the back of the D5500.

As you say, an instinctive knowledge of the controls would be best though, no matter what the camera. And that can only come with practice.

At this stage I've never actually held either of these cameras. Maybe that could sway a decision.
The top lcd has a dim back light that I think can be set to stay off. Otherwise I think it follows the meter on time. I'm not with the camera at the moment to try it. Also you can push the power on lever to make the light come on as needed. The rear screen will need to come on for some things at night like activating the ml-l3 remote. But for normal stuff, you will mostly use the top display.

The slant screen could be a plus, I never used one. I rarely use live view. Maybe I would use it more if I had the tilt screen.
I like my buttons though. D7500 has the tilt screen by the way.

I find myself mostly shooting manual with auto iso these days. I think it would make me crazy at this point to have the rear wheel do double duty for shutter and aperture.
 

Karmann_65

Senior Member
Zoom lenses inevitably have one specific focal length where they are the sharpest, which means other focal lengths have to be a little softer.

The 55-300 is a relatively old design in which Nikon apparently favored high IQ on the shorter side over the longer end. According to the tests and sample pics I saw, it delivers pretty good quality at 55 and is still not bad at 150 but softens considerably when you go beyond 200.

I can see how there is always a compromise at certain focal lengths but who buys a (up to) 300mm lens and wants it sharpest at the shorter end? Don't answer that. :rolleyes: If I'd known that a year ago I'd have made a different long lens choice for sure.

Both the D5500 and D7200 allow you to dim the rear display via a menu setting. The 7200 provides more comprehensive info, but both of them also have i (5500) respectively i/info buttons that show current settings on the display.

You're right, though: nothing like having them in your hand. A D7200 feels much more solid and professional than a D5500. But then again, both are good choices and the difference in price may make that 70-300 an easy decision. Choices, choices ... :)

That's good to know they can be dimmed on higher models. Maybe something like used on mobile phones when used as a Sat Nav will be invented where a "night mode" can be used to alter the screen display so it's less bright as and when required.

Choices, choices indeed! This is all good information and I really do appreciate all the replies. Thank you.
 

lokatz

Senior Member
I can see how there is always a compromise at certain focal lengths but who buys a (up to) 300mm lens and wants it sharpest at the shorter end?

As an afterthought, to give a serious answer you did not ask for, I can see two reasons from a maker's perspective: a. Optimizing the short end is generally easier/cheaper. b. If the short end is soft, people always blame the manufacturer. If the long end is soft, some or many might blame their hand-holding skills.
 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
If your current D3100 isn't slowing you down when you need to use the LCD menus to change settings, then I would suggest staying with the D5x00 line of bodies. You'll have a more compact camera body, similar to what you have with your D3100, as well as a similar menu experience to what you have now.

I moved from the D5300 to a D7100 because I wanted dual command wheels so I could stay out of the menus as much as possible, but it sounds like that isn't a concern for you. Unless there are other features you haven't mentioned yet (OEM battery grip, dual card slots, etc), then it sounds like the D3x00/D5x00 models are a good fit.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
For me the choice would be the D72xx for the external controls, the dual cards, the dual commands a whole bunch of ither stuff.
As far as size goes I have small hands for a male and have never felt the camera is too big.
But either one you have short listed would be a good (great) upgrade)
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
I would seriously recommend the D7200. My fear would be that if you get a D5500, in a year or two you will be posting looking for a D5500 replacement. If you cannot afford the D7200, then I would recommend the D7100 over the D5500.
 

aroy

Senior Member
Unless the more expensive bodies have some feature that is crimping your style of photography, I see no need for investing in features that you will never use, except for GAS. If you are happy with D3100 controls and have never felt the need for more buttons/wheels/card slots, then unless you shoot liveview at odd angles (D5xxx series), you can stick to D3xxx series. Compared to D3100, D3300 will give you better IQ due to no low pass filter and 24MP images. If you use the built in flash then D3300 is better as the D3400 has lower power flash, else D4300 for marginally lighter body and longer lasting battery. The sensor is practically same in both these bodies.

I shoot for the pleasure of it and have plenty of time to use menu to change settings. I have had the D3300 since 2014, and like it much better than my son's D300; which I used before that; in spite of D300 having more focus points and faster AF. Which is not of much use to me as I always use single point AF (90% centre) and Aperture Priority with fixed ISO. Most of my setting changes are Aperture 99% of the time and ISO 1% of the time and that too for longer duration.

Based on my use, when I change, I will goo for FF body to get wider shots with wide lenses (and better low light performance), as long as it is as simple and as light as the D3xxx series. (No LCD, no 2nd card, Single wheel, fixed screen).






ol
 

Karmann_65

Senior Member
Unless the more expensive bodies have some feature that is crimping your style of photography, I see no need for investing in features that you will never use, except for GAS. If you are happy with D3100 controls and have never felt the need for more buttons/wheels/card slots, then unless you shoot liveview at odd angles (D5xxx series), you can stick to D3xxx series.

I shoot for the pleasure of it and have plenty of time to use menu to change settings. I always use single point AF (90% centre) and Aperture Priority with fixed ISO. Most of my setting changes are Aperture 99% of the time and ISO 1% of the time and that too for longer duration.

There's time yet before I make a final decision but so far I'm leaning towards the D5500 because it'll feel familiar to what I have now in many ways and yet return a better overall IQ. The swivel screen answers my issue of it shining back in the dark provided the basic settings can still be seen through the view finder.

I went to two local camera shops on Friday to try and get a "hands on" feel for the considered options. The first shop talked at such a high level that I walked away more bamboozled than ever. Seemed like all they wanted to sell me was professional kit and if I wanted anything less I'd get frowned upon. Not one camera was removed from the cabinets for me to hold.
The second shop however had a much better outlook and the advice was generally fair enough. However they no longer sell the D5500 as it's been superseeded by the D5600 (at £150 more expensive). I asked what the difference was between the two and that's where the information all got a bit vague. When I mentioned the D7200 I got told they're phasing that out also as it too has been superseeded, by the D7500 (£450 more expensive, body only).

On the plus side, I did get to hold both cameras and had a good discussion about the latest (up to) 300mm lenses and beyond.

All this collective information and I'm left feeling the D5500 or D5600 will suit my purposes better. For the next few years anyway. It's not often I get to take pictures without my kids in tow so having the luxury of time to set up a tripod and fiddle endlessly with the settings isn't realistic at the moment. When they're a bit older and have a longer attention span or can take themselves off unsupervised, I can look into upgrading once again.
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
If you are getting deeper in my suggestion is the D7200, the one overriding reason from me on top of all the others is,if needed you can fine tune the AF on the D7XXX cameras to get the best from any lenses you may buy.
 

lokatz

Senior Member
There's time yet before I make a final decision but so far I'm leaning towards the D5500 because it'll feel familiar to what I have now in many ways and yet return a better overall IQ.
...
The second shop however had a much better outlook and the advice was generally fair enough. However they no longer sell the D5500 as it's been superseeded by the D5600 (at £150 more expensive). I asked what the difference was between the two and that's where the information all got a bit vague. When I mentioned the D7200 I got told they're phasing that out also as it too has been superseeded, by the D7500 (£450 more expensive, body only).
... All this collective information and I'm left feeling the D5500 or D5600 will suit my purposes better.

From how you describe your photographic uses and likes, I sense that you are making the right choice. In most shooting situations, the image quality you get from a D5500 and a D7200 are all but identical. This is not to refute any of the comments others made about the advantages of the D7200 - it is a much more capable camera if you know how (and like) to get 'deeper into the innards'. At the same time, the D5500 has some features, such as the swivel screen you already mentioned, you might miss on the D7200.

Don't let the camera shop tech talk fool you. The D5600 adds ONE feature over the D5500, something called SnapBridge, a Nikon technology for transferring pictures to your smartphone that many people consider useless. I would go as far as saying it is a step back from the D5500 because that one still allows you to use a multitude of third-party apps to transfer pictures or control your camera from your smartphone via WiFi, while the D5600 works ONLY with Nikon's own app that has a very limited feature set, to phrase it in a positive way.

The D7500 does not replace the D7200. These two are similar in many areas but also quite different in some, so they address different needs. I see no reason for you to consider the D7500 at all.

D5500s still sell new from several shops, definitely from a lot of online retailers like Amazon. Get it while you still can, and have fun with it! :)
 

Karmann_65

Senior Member
Following up on this, I'm now the proud owner of a brand new D5500 boxed with kit lens. Importantly, it's not a grey import and comes with a genuine Nikon warranty. Apparently it was bought as a birthday present but the recipient got a new fancy phone at the same time and preferred the camera on that for convenience. So this is a zero frame count camera. They did however kindly charge the battery ahead of my collecting it so I know it all works.

Can't wait to open it "officially" at Christmas. Best of all it cost less than any "body only" deal I could find, including grey imports. :eagerness:
 
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