Spirit of Photography

Photography Gear and Equipment => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting Gear => Topic started by: keithsnell on November 24, 2015, 07:28:46 AM

Title: Camera Recommendations- Christmas 2015
Post by: keithsnell on November 24, 2015, 07:28:46 AM
Several people have asked me for camera recommendations.  With many of the camera companies (and retailers) still carrying stock of previous generations cameras that they want to clear out of inventory, this Christmas season will be great time to buy a camera.  There are a tremendous number of good deals out there, but here are a few of my personal favorites:

1.  Overall favorite (considering the price):  Nikon D3200 and two lens kit for $396.95.  This is a tremendous buy.  Although the D3200 doesn't have the wonderful viewfinder or advanced autofocus system of the D7xx series, it is still a great little camera.  The 24 MP sensor is essentially the same as the sensor in the well regarded D7100, and the D3XX series cameras are the smallest and lightest of Nikon's DSLR lineup.  Paired with the 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses, this kit provides tremendous capability for that price.  This is a camera system that will serve a young student well for many, many years.   Nikon D3200 at Adorama Camera (http://www.adorama.com/INKD3200K2V.html?utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_source=rflaid63773&cvosrc=affiliate.63773)

2.  Another amazing deal:  Refurbished D3200 with 18-55mm lens for $279.95!  This is a very capable DSLR for what you would normally pay for a low to mid-range point and shoot!  Don't be afraid to buy refurbished.  These are typically store returns of display items that didn't sell, or customer returns during a 14-day return period.  They are typically low shutter count and "good as new," and include a 90-day warranty so you can return them without hassle if there is something wrong with the camera.  Again at Adorama Camera:  http://www.adorama.com/INKD3200KR.html (http://www.adorama.com/INKD3200KR.html)

3.  Amazing deal for the budget conscious:  Nikon 1 S2 with 11-27.5mm lens for $149.  This is an amazing price for a camera capable of this type of image quality.  If you are not familiar with Nikon's "1" series of cameras, they use a "1" sensor, which is significantly larger than the sensor in most "point and shoot" or compact cameras.  This enables the "1" series cameras to produce much better quality images in challenging light.  Although the user interface on this model of the Nikon "1" is a little too "dumbed down" for my liking, I can still recommend the camera based on this amazing price.  Nikon 1 S2 at Groupon (https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-nikon-1-s1-101mp-digital-camera-with-11-275mm-lens?deal_option=74bad21a-62db-11e5-bdf0-002590980a5a&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=US_DT_SEA_GGL_TIM_TTT_PADS_CBP_CHP_NBR_g*gg-nikon-1-s1-101mp-digital-camera-with-11-275mm-lens_c*81522506101_k*_m*_d*Goods-Product-Ads_keyword*_target*_adposition*1o3_prodtarget*29143798248_adtype*pla&mr:referralID=842a1ee3-92bf-11e5-b0f7-0050569451e5&gclid=CNT8j46vqckCFQ-RaQodWWIA9w)

4.  Almost all the camera you will ever need:  Refurbished Nikon D7100 for $489.00.  For just a little more than the overall favorite listed at #1, you can step up to Nikon's D7xx series camera.  With a much better viewfinder, much better autofocus, and "enthusiast" level user interface, this is a much better camera than the D3200, and one that you (or the person you are giving this too) would be happy with for a long, long time. Refurbished D7100 at Adorama Camera  (http://www.adorama.com/INKD7100R.html?utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_source=rflaid63773&cvosrc=affiliate.63773)