Worth the extra?

D5100 or 600d

  • D5100

    Votes: 16 80.0%

  • 600d

    Votes: 4 20.0%
  • Total voters
    20
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Suvvey

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Alan
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Ok so Jessops have really good deals just now I'm just wondering is it worth an extra 50bux to get a 600d over the d5100? Does the canon have a build in motor for the lens?

Are the 9 focus points any worse than the 11 on the Nikon?

I notice the 600d has a larger owners thread than the d5100... Should that be telling me something?

Any input would be appreciated because I'm on the brink of buying my first dslr. All reviews/comparisons are very indecisive or evenly matched as far as I can see.

Thanks
 
A larger owners thread means nothing. The thread could be full of spam [it's most likely not, I've never looked in either] , for example and the same 5 people posting over and over. I certainly wouldn't make a purchasing decision based on how large a thread is on either one. What do you use now? will this be your first dslr?
 
Yep my first dslr. I getting one over a year ago but then ended up buying another car lol. I only want the body as I can save money on second hand lenses.

Yeh I was never going to base my purchase on the size of an owners thread but it was a question that popped up as I typed.
 
Well the bodies are not much cheaper second hand. 355 quid for a new d5100 is a cracking deal. I'm just wondering if the 600d is worth 50 quid more.

Also there is more to go wrong with the body and would like the warranty.
 
Course it is it says canon on it :)
Seriously hold em both then it will be obvious as obi wan says use the force its what feels right that matters
 
I wouldn't go for a D5100 personally, even if it was my first. You could find a used D7000 for not much more, and that is better than any of the Canon DX dslrs.
 
Not new though right?

Also, I like the idea of the flippy screen for awkward angles.
 
Cagey75 said:
I wouldn't go for a D5100 personally, even if it was my first. You could find a used D7000 for not much more, and that is better than any of the Canon DX dslrs.
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I was contemplating the d5100 although didn't really need video features, I then went into John Lewis and happened to compare with the d7000.... Specs and capability aside it felt in my hands like comparing a rolex to a swatch... So I just had to dig a little deeper, figuring the d7000 is going to last me a long time
 
Suvvey said:
Not new though right?

Also, I like the idea of the flippy screen for awkward angles.
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A new D5100 will be about the same as a used D7000. Well, if you look about used sites enough you may find one for a good price. Or save the extra and buy new, they are coming down in price these days. I just think the D5100 is a camera many grow out of quick, once the restrictions of having to run through menus for certain controls becomes a burden. Once you know what you're doing, on-body controls become essential. Never miss a shot, become one with the controls and all that ... corny but true. The less faffing about in menus the better.

I think tilt & flip screens are well over rated. It's rare I would ever feel the need for one, maybe for macro ... You don't see them on pro spec bodies. They seem to be limited to the more entry level bodies, it's a bit ... advanced compact style IMO.
 
Cagey75 said:
I think tilt & flip screens are well over rated. It's rare I would ever feel the need for one, maybe for macro ... You don't see them on pro spec bodies. They seem to be limited to the more entry level bodies, it's a bit ... advanced compact style IMO.
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I thought that too, until I bought a camera with one - it's useful for a lot more than just macro - tripod shooting, camera held up over a crowd, camera flat on the ground shots, camera at waist level for shooting from the hip 'street' /candids, camera on a monopod with release cable held out over a drop and basically any situation where you could not get your eye to the viewfinder without doing some kind of advanced yoga moves. :D

Even the full frame Sony A99 has one and that's not an entry level body:
http://reviews.photographyreview.com/sony-a99-full-frame-dslr-review/_dsc0338_1200
 
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Suvvey said:
Ok so Jessops have really good deals just now I'm just wondering is it worth an extra 50bux to get a 600d over the d5100? Does the canon have a build in motor for the lens?

As far as I know, all EOS lenses have focus motors in lens, while recent entry level Nikons also need in lens focus motors (and most newer Nikon fit lenses now have them [look for AF-S Nikons, HSM Sigmas and I'm not sure what Tamron and others' designations for in lens motors is])

Are the 9 focus points any worse than the 11 on the Nikon?

My D700 has rather more than 11 focus points but I still rarely use any other than the central one. You'll probably not miss the 2 fewer that the Canon has compared with the Nikon.

I notice the 600d has a larger owners thread than the d5100... Should that be telling me something?

Only that there are more 600D owners than the D5100 (or that Canon owners simply spend more time talking about them than Nikonites!)

Any input would be appreciated because I'm on the brink of buying my first dslr. All reviews/comparisons are very indecisive or evenly matched as far as I can see.

Reviews in magazines tend to be relatively indecisive - to at least some extent, the mags don't want to pan a product since it could affect advertising revenue.

Thanks

You're welcome!
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Whilst the d7000 suggestion is valid, I'm just wondering if those suggesting it realise how much more expensive they are? The d5100 can be had brand spanking new for £350 (nearer £300 for an import), I haven't seen even used D7000's for less than £500. Whole different ball game.

I like the d5100, it would be a great Dslr to start with. I'm sure the same also applies to the 600d. Nobody is really making bad cameras at the moment so you can't really go wrong.
 
A brand new grey import D7000 is something like £570 but that's still a whole different kettle of fish. £350 for a D5100 strikes me as pretty cheap.

The only way to tell between the Nikon and the Canon is to go the the shops and have a feel, you'll know pretty much straight away which you want.
 
The both have there pro's and cons. If you want to shoot lowlight go with nikon, if you want to shoot more video go with canon.
 
I bought a D5100 for my first as the canon didnt feel right.

Take the advice of the guys on here and have a look around at second hand. You may find a good second hand camera with a built in motor and if you do then i would go to that. Means you can get cheaper lenses without having to worry about inbuilt motors
 
Suvvey said:
Does the canon have a build in motor for the lens?
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I couldn't see this having been answered

All Canon EF and EF-S lenses (except one) have lens based autofocus - so there is no need to concern yourself about the motor for the lens :)
 
RichardtheSane said:
I couldn't see this having been answered

All Canon EF and EF-S lenses (except one) have lens based autofocus - so there is no need to concern yourself about the motor for the lens :)
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Concerned of Donny - which One?

I can think of a few (the TSE lenses) are there others? (there may be I don'tknow everything)

Insignificant for the OP as these aren't AF lenses, unlike with Nikon where there's 2 flavours of AF - there's only 1 for Canon (no-one counts the EOS 80)
 
Lots of people make a big fuss about no af motor, its really not an issue, there are tons of lenses to choose from. I wouldn't even worry about it.
 
RichardtheSane said:
I couldn't see this having been answered

All Canon EF and EF-S lenses (except one) have lens based autofocus - so there is no need to concern yourself about the motor for the lens :)
Click to expand...

From post #12... As far as I know, all EOS lenses have focus motors in lens, while recent entry level Nikons also need in lens focus motors (and most newer Nikon fit lenses now have them [look for AF-S Nikons, HSM Sigmas and I'm not sure what Tamron and others' designations for in lens motors is])
 
do not forget to check cashback as canon have it on offer at present and I think it was £50 so a body and kit lens can be had for less than £420ish last time I checked.
 
rjbell said:
Lots of people make a big fuss about no af motor, its really not an issue, there are tons of lenses to choose from. I wouldn't even worry about it.
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It is an issue - yes, there are plenty of lenses available now with focus mortors in them but I have a few older, screw driven lenses (significantly cheaper than their AF-S counterparts) which would be useless on a neutered Nikon body. Many people have also been (sort of) duped into buying AF lenses, unaware that they need AF-S (or similar) to AF on their cheaper Nikon bodies.
 
Nod said:
It is an issue - yes, there are plenty of lenses available now with focus mortors in them but I have a few older, screw driven lenses (significantly cheaper than their AF-S counterparts) which would be useless on a neutered Nikon body. Many people have also been (sort of) duped into buying AF lenses, unaware that they need AF-S (or similar) to AF on their cheaper Nikon bodies.
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Its an issue for you or anyone with old AF lenses not for anyone starting out. There is more than enough good lenses to choose from.
 
Hi, I bought my first DSLR last month which happened to be the D5100. I'd been given a fair amount of advice on what to go for by friends with a certain amount of emphasis on lenses. At the time, with all the information I was trying to soak up in one go, it was becoming a chore. And so, with what info I could remember from my friends I hit the tinterweb and went in various comparison sites, and tech sites and spec sites etc etc. I ended up going for the D5100 based on the spec and features compared to similar priced cameras. Since I've had it and then got into the lens market I soon started regretting buying the D5100 as the AF-S lenses are a fair bit more than AF lenses. At least, they are for me, being on a budget. And since going out a few times since buying my camera I quickly came to realise that I hardly use all the Gucci features that come with the camera. Now I'm not saying I don't like my camera, because I love it and I love getting to know it more every time I use it, its just I'm already thinking about what my next camera is going to be that includes the body mounted focus motor. In summary, I went in blind, took in more info than my head could manage and made me choice based on features rather than advice from people in the know.
 
matwest904q said:
Hi, I bought my first DSLR last month which happened to be the D5100. I'd been given a fair amount of advice on what to go for by friends with a certain amount of emphasis on lenses. At the time, with all the information I was trying to soak up in one go, it was becoming a chore. And so, with what info I could remember from my friends I hit the tinterweb and went in various comparison sites, and tech sites and spec sites etc etc. I ended up going for the D5100 based on the spec and features compared to similar priced cameras. Since I've had it and then got into the lens market I soon started regretting buying the D5100 as the AF-S lenses are a fair bit more than AF lenses. At least, they are for me, being on a budget. And since going out a few times since buying my camera I quickly came to realise that I hardly use all the Gucci features that come with the camera. Now I'm not saying I don't like my camera, because I love it and I love getting to know it more every time I use it, its just I'm already thinking about what my next camera is going to be that includes the body mounted focus motor. In summary, I went in blind, took in more info than my head could manage and made me choice based on features rather than advice from people in the know.
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So is there any cameras with inbuilt motors for the same price or there abouts?
 
Nod said:
From post #12... As far as I know, all EOS lenses have focus motors in lens, while recent entry level Nikons also need in lens focus motors (and most newer Nikon fit lenses now have them [look for AF-S Nikons, HSM Sigmas and I'm not sure what Tamron and others' designations for in lens motors is])
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Irrelevant to the OP but there are some Canon lenses without focus motors.

I think it's 4 current TSE lenses and the MP E65 - Not exactly on the shopping list for the budget conscious.

The OP's question was - are there any budget Canon cameras with built in focus motors - No, but there are no high end one's either ;) as they're not part of the Canon design.
 
Suvvey said:
So is there any cameras with inbuilt motors for the same price or there abouts?
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When I was looking for mine I was also looking at the Canon 550D which has a built in focus motor. However, with hindsight being as it is, if I could go back I'd wait a little longer and save up for a better camera. Or, buy the D5100/550D to learn with but with a view to upgrading within a couple of years. As it stands now on the lenses issue, I'm thinking about buying the AF lens and manually focus them. I've found chucking myself in at the deep end usually produces better results quicker. For myself anyway. I know I'll never focus it quicker than an auto focus but the shots I've taken up to now I can take all the time in the world and I'll know how to manually focus my camera as well.
 
matwest904q said:
When I was looking for mine I was also looking at the Canon 550D which has a built in focus motor. ...
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I'm afraid it doesn't:nono:, Canon cameras don't have focus motors. The lens mount is electronic and the motors are in the lenses
Phil V said:
..
The OP's question was - are there any budget Canon cameras with built in focus motors - No, but there are no high end one's either ;) as they're not part of the Canon design.
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For a genuine answer to the difference between low end Nikons and Canon's.

Sweeping generalisation time.

The Nikon's have better build quality but are often neutered in spec (focus motors being the biggest issue)

The Canon's feel a bit cheap by comparison, but have less technical limitations.

Both rely heavily on using menus for functions that ought to have controls. I think Nikon now bundle a Raw converter but they never used to - and it was an expensive extra. Canon's DPP software is excellent.

Personally I'd rather have a well looked after S/H 40d for that kind of budget.
 
I can't see a huge saving with AF lenses. The good ones with good reputations hold there price well and don't come cheap, probably costing more now than they did new. There are lots of cheap zooms because most don't want non VR any more. There are non vr af-s zoom lens bargains to be had too. Before worrying about not having a motor, work out what lenses you want and price up the AF and AF-S equivs.
 
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Realistically, you should consider the system before the nuances of individual cameras. In 5 years time you'll either hardly be using it, or you'll be on your 2nd or 3rd body, you'll have bought at least 2 lenses you wish you hadn't and a load of other stuff too.

The reality is that until you get into your stride you have no idea what features you'll find important.
 
Phil V said:
I'm afraid it doesn't:nono:, Canon cameras don't have focus motors. The lens mount is electronic and the motors are in the lenses
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Ah well, there you go then. That pretty much proves my point about looking at specs and features as opposed to listening to people who know! You'd have thought I'd have learnt my lesson by now.

Apologies for posting misleading info, the last thing I want to do is send someone down the wrong path.
 
Phil V said:
Irrelevant to the OP but there are some Canon lenses without focus motors.

I think it's 4 current TSE lenses and the MP E65 - Not exactly on the shopping list for the budget conscious.
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Dammit, forgot about the TSE's!
 
Best advice is ignore the posts say this one is best, because its a personal choice at the end of the day (but if you want to hand over your money I won't be buying either :D maybe a new lens) and go and try both camera bodies out, leave wallet at home, see which one you feel comfortable using, holding, ergonomically suited to you in terms of the controls (where they are, are they all accessible), maybe take a could of cards along to take some images with each camera, really decide what you want from this camera, like video capabilities, better autofocus, better low light capabilities, 1.5x v 1.6x crop etc, have a look at the images at home before making any deciding, then buy the camera that suits you.
 
Go into Jessops.. then handle and use them both. Buy the one that feels the best in your hands. Simple. They'll both do similar jobs, and there's not that much between them no matter what people tell you. The way a camera handles for you is very important however.
 
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