Nikon D5100 16.2MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens,5.0 out of 5 stars Durable and Remarkable, January 11, 2012

I am not going to lie. I've dropped this Camera 3 times since I bought it Nov. 25 2011. 3 times! ! ! First two drops were off a table... all drops were on carpet... but I just picked it up and tried to run off with it to take a quick picture and it was still attached to my computer... and slipped right out of my hand and SLAMMED on the floor. My heart stopped.

It's perfectly fine. No problems. Checked the lens, checked every setting, checked the screen, buttons, not even a scratch.

This is a good semi professional camera to add to your gift list for that person who has butter fingers like myself. <3

Oh... did I forget to mention it takes outstanding photos. I mean... the lens has a lot to do with how amazing some photos turn out over others, but with just the standard kit lens and some of the basic knowledge I am still learning... my photos come out amazing!

I highly recommend this camera for semi professionals... heck...even professionals <3

Review by Michael Dennis

Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only),4.0 out of 5 stars Great camera with many features, January 11, 2012

I purchased this camera in December 2010 and have been using it for about a month. It has many features, so I am still learning about all the things that it can do.

I didn't give this camera 5 stars because I am not certain if everything is functioning properly. The autofocus is either not consistently working or I just don't understand how to use it consistently. Many of the pictures that I think are in focus are not in focus when I open them. The pictures that actually turn out are very good quality and exceed my expectations. The manual is laid out nicely; once you learn how to do something, like set the timer, turn off the flash, etc. it is easy. Though I think it may be time to purchase an addition reference guide to help learn how to use more of the camera's features. If it turns out that I just need to gain a better understanding of how to use the autofocus, I would give this camera 5 stars.

Review by J. Lintelmann

Canon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only),5.0 out of 5 stars Mature and reliable DSLR camera, January 11, 2012

As former owner of 450D camera, I have to say that 60D has corrected many of that camera's annoyances, including much better evaluative metering outside in the sun or in more tricky situations (60d though in rare circumstances tends to underexpose indoors, when flash is not used, but there are another metering modes that easily correct this - you can change them fast on top of the camera). Further, jpegs are much better, they are sharp out of the camera, AF is (opposite to my sample of 450D) very accurate, colors are more realistic to those in real life, they are not dull (you can see much difference between various jpeg modes - landscape and neutral for example). 18MP gives very high resolution and detail, same as 1DX pro camera from Canon, for example. Video is also of high quality, handling is excellent, much better than old 450D. High ISO pictures are much cleaner than past xxD (or xxD cameras up to 500d) and you can go up to 3200 ISO for jpeg or to 6400 ISO when post-processing RAW images. There are some new features that are very convenient and useful, like wireless flash control built-in (even cheapest cameras from Canon nowadays have this feature, unlike in the past) or tilt & swivel lcd monitor. Now, you can buy good and powerful Canon-compatible wireless TTL flash (chinese made) for only 150$ and you can immediately start with wireless TTL flash photography with this camera - for this price this was unthinkable years ago. So you have to have that in mind when you think about buying older xxD model instead of this one (you lose great video capability, too). My only complaint about this camera is that LCD is not very color-accurate, i.e. tends to oversaturate reds, but this is perceivable only is specific indoor situations. On color-accurate desktop LCD everything is fine. You can always shoot RAW and post-process easily those pictures, ofcourse. That is an old Achilles' heel of cameras, but new pro cameras (like new Nikon D4 or probably 1dX too) are going to fix that and provide accurate colors and greater color range on camera's lcds, too. Also, I'm still waiting for one-click 100% zoom into the picture in Canon cameras. This can really save some time when reviewing picture's AF point sharpness on camera. Although dynamic range is good enough for most situations, i expect Canon to catch up to Sony here and provide even better sensors in future, so images' post-processing would require less time.

In short, this camera is excellent and mature semi-pro DSLR camera. In times when you can have much more compact camera than this one, with virtually same image quality (Sony NEX series)you have to offer something on top of that. Excellent handling, optical quality of accompanying lenses, wide choice of excellent Canons' or third-party flashes, battery grips.. are very important for profesionals or semipros. But for majority of people (and even for pros as second or vacation camera), future (i would even say nowadays actuality) are interchangeable lens compacts. They are much cheaper to have too, especially when you count in much cheaper (although weaker) lenses.

Review by Domagoj

Canon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only),5.0 out of 5 stars Great DSLR, January 11, 2012

After many years of doing as much as I could with my point and shoot I finally decided to take the DSLR plunge. I am happy I did.

Firstly, I bought canon as I have owned other canon products and have been happy with them. My brother has a Canon 7D, which also influence my decision on brand. After reading extensively on all the types of Canon DSLR's I decided on this one. It was a toss up between this and some of the high end digital rebels. I'll let you find online reviews for figure out the difference between the cameras.

Great solid construction. Kit lens 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD. Glad I didn't go with the 18-55. I've really enjoyed having the extra zoom. If I had it to do over again I might even give consideration to the kit with an 18-200mm lens. I bought a 50mm f1.4 prime lens separately. I knew I would want it for some low light and portiat photography I've been wanting to do.

Anyway. I've really enjoyed the camera. Been doing some timelapse/long exposure/star trails/trick photography after reading the many online tutorials and it has been a blast.

I wish there was a built in intervalometer. Hopefully canon is working on this and I bet in a year or two it will be standard in even mid-range DSLR's. Didn't really know this would be a function I would use as I didn't know I was going to be enjoying timelapse photography. If timelapse really interests you that might be something you would want in a camera. However, I found a really good/cheap intervalometer on an un-named auction site and I have no limitations in that department. I guess there is a software intervalometer on the canon disc that comes with the camera; if you want to do that you just have to tether it to your laptop/desktop.



Review by Adam Crawford

Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC 4 Imaging with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens,5.0 out of 5 stars First DSLR purchase....couldn't be any happier, January 11, 2012

I purchased this camera with both the kit lens (18-55mm) and 55-250mm lens from Canon. I am very pleased with the picture quality. Mostly, I have used this camera for taking pictures at youth soccer games. Using the 55-250mm lens, I was impressed by how close I could get to the action and have gotten many amazing action photos. The cameras abilities were good enough to freeze the action for nice crisp pictures. The 3.7fps speed is very helpful for making sure I don't miss an important moment. I know it does not take sports photos as well as professional cameras, but I feel it certainly does a great job for the money! I have not yet tried it in indoor lighting. I also took some pictures of a social event I attended (using the 18-55mm lens)and the 18 megapixels really helps the people in the photos to stand out and look sharp. The camera was also quite easy to figure out how to use. I spent maybe 30 minutes browsing through the manual and another 30 minutes or so watching some tutorials and I felt comfortable with pretty much every setting on the camera. An excellent purchase!

Review by BaseballFanatic

Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC 4 Imaging with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens,5. ...

I haven't even had a month with the T3i yet and already I can tell it was money VERY well spent. As many of you are probably doing now, I had to decide which brand, then which model to pick. It was a tough choice, for the longest time I was trying to decide between the Nikon D3100 and the Canon T2i, but for just a little bit more, you get a nice flip-out high resolution screen, remote flash firing, and a few other goodies with the T3i. I'm not a photographer. In fact, I had absolutely no interest in photography until just recently. This is my first DSLR camera, and it's perfect for me. it has enough settings and features so I won't become easily bored, or "grow out" of it, yet it has a great feature guide that tells you what each mode should be used for (fully customizable of course). The 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Image Stabilized (IS) Kit lens that it comes with is perfect for getting used to the camera. It's good for those relatively close up group shots, or portraits. Even very small subjects can be brought into focus with this lens. And when your'e ready to upgrade, the 55-250mm IS lens is very reasonably priced (that's what I plan to get next anyway). I would recommend getting a SanDisk Extreme SD card to go with this (at least 8gb). OH! one last thing, the HD movie mode. That was another huge selling point for this camera. Although the Nikon D3100 AND the Canon T2i both have 1080p HD video recording, they do NOT have inputs for an external microphone. For some this might not be a big deal at all, but it's always a nice thing to have if you should want to dabble in the cinematography world in the future.

Overall, GREAT camera, I would recommend it to anyone.

Review by Jake88

Canon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only),4.0 out of 5 stars Great Camera overall!, January 10, 2012

Got this camera for Christmas as an upgrade over my 20D. I gave it 4 stars because while it's overall quality is a lot better than my 20D, I feel some of the useful things on my 20D have been thrown out the window. For example, when shooting in AV mode on AEB -3,0,+3 the most time it will keep the shutter open for is 30" on 100 ISO, regardless of the exposure. This was extremely frustrating as my 20D you could set an AEB in AV mode of -2,0,+2, and shoot on 100 ISO and it wouldn't limit the time. It would automatically calculate the time and snap the proper exposures. Now I do know how to get the same pictures using the Bulb function (B), at the time I was shooting I didn't have my remote so I couldn't do bulb shots. I have been using Bulb mode to shoot HDR pictures in low light though because if there is a way around the 30" limit in AV mode I have yet to figure it out. Many of the other functions are great though! I let my girlfriend use the camera to take pictures of a basketball game, she didn't have much knowledge of cameras so I just put it on sport mode, and it did it's wonders! The overall quality of all the images I take is great! There is small amounts of noise on surprisingly high ISOs which is quite impressive. I use this camera a lot in low light, and I am impressed every time. The video quality is also quite well, the sound not so much. If you want to use this camera for video, make sure to have a plug in mic or other means of recording sound. I shot some quick video in very low light, and my subject turned out quite well, with good quality. In the end this camera deserved the 4 stars because of the problems I have experienced in AV mode, which was the main mode I would shoot in. I would STRONGLY recommend this camera to anyone and everyone. My friend is buying one soon after shooting with it. Make sure to get a wireless remote for it too (though the IR sensor is on the front of the camera and it doesn't seem to pick up the signal too well from behind the camera)!

Review by Aquaticbob

Nikon D5100 16.2MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens,5.0 out of 5 stars Wows me every time I press the shutter button, January 10, 2012

Let me first say that this is my first DSLR. I take about 10,000 pictures a year and I figured it's time for me to upgrade to a decent SLR.

I always cringed at SLRs since I never want the burden of carrying it around. I figured that a camera wouldn't do me any good if didn't want to take it anywhere. That being said, although I still use a very nice point-and-shoot for many quick trips with my kids, for birthday parties and other big events, I want the crispest, most colorful, pictures I can take. Here's why I love this camera:

-PICTURES-
Since it uses the same sensor as the Nikon D7000, which costs significantly more, the pictures are incredible for its class. You literally cannot buy a camera that takes better pictures at this price point. Compared with the Canon T3i, which is a direct competitor, I believe these pictures are better indoors and in low light. Also, a quick tip: for most pics, JPEG basic setting (~400kb) is fine for 4x6 and JPEG normal setting (~1mb) is fine for 8x10.

-VIDEO-
I don't use this for video often but it captures HD video. I prefer to use an HD camcorder for video but from time to time when I only have this, I'll take a few short vids and they look great.

-SIZE/FORM-
The Nikon D5100's body is slightly smaller than the Canon T3i's. Although my hands are on the larger side, I prefer the smaller body and it fits well. I use with the camera and it feels like it's an extension of my hand. A side note: If you choose that hand strap, you'll need to cut a notch off the bottom to allow you to swing the screen out (I have a review there that details how I got that hand strap to work for me).

-SPECIAL FEATURES (HARDWARE)-
A 3" swing out screen! That's what initially led me to choose the D5100 over the D3100. This is great to capture different angles and ideal for self-shots that I take with my kids. As a bonus, you can also "close" the screen to protect it if you're going to use the viewfinder. Of course, now that I have this model, I'm thrilled that I have better pictures.

-SPECIAL FEATURES (SOFTWARE)-
Lots of special effects on here! My kids love the Selective Color (B&W pic with a color highlight) and Color Sketch (cartoonish look) options. Personally, I use High Key a lot for dark situations when I don't want to use the flash. After the shot, I also occasionally crop the pics right on the camera.

-USER-FRIENDLINESS-
I consider myself slightly more knowledgeable than a beginner but I can even set it up for my wife to use. Simply use as many or as few of the features as you need. If you're ready to learn, the Nikon D5100 is an amazing, somewhat intuitive tool.

-RECOMMENDATION-
If you can afford it, the Nikon D5100 is a great high-end starter camera. You will grow into it and for the majority of us (non-pros), this will be more than adequate for our needs for the long term so you won't need to upgrade to another SLR. My only regret is that I didn't have this when each of my kids were born!

Review by Gabriel Young

Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens,5.0 out of 5 stars Superb for entry-level and photo-enthusiasts, January 10, 2012

This camera was my first DSLR and though it doesn't boast the many bells and whistles that its more expensive brethren do, it's a fantastic piece of equipment. If you are a beginner, this camera is for you. The interface is very user friendly, accentuated by the "guide" which walks you through different photographic techniques (e.g., blurring the motion of a flowing stream) and explains different functions (e.g., the various flash modes, focus modes, etc.). The image quality is excellent and boasts infinitely more creative avenues than a compact can.

If you are a photo-enthusiast and have been shooting for several years, you will still love this camera. It is lightweight and great to travel with. The camera performs very well in low-light. With today's noise reductions softwares (e.g., Nik DFine 2.0, noise reduction within Lightroom, etc.) using high ISO's shouldn't even be a 2nd thought. At ISO 1600 images are excellent with a little bit of noise and at about 3200 noise gets a little much. Unless you are shooting fast-action sports, you'll find the 3 FPS burst rate to be sufficient. In camera editing tools make it a snap to edit your photos without having to wait to get to your computer. The only thing I miss is the ability to bracket exposures, particularly for HDR photography. I have not used the video mode much, but did notice that you can hear the camera focusing quite clearly. By adjusting some of the focus modes and switching to manual focus this issue goes away. Just takes a little messing around with.

For the price this is a terrific camera. You can purchase this and still have money left over for a higher quality lens. That said, I have been very impressed with the kit 18-55 f/3.5-5.6. Given good light this little lens produces exceptional photos. At f/8 and 35mm images are very sharp. Minimal distortion at 18mm and images are a little soft at 55mm.

I am rating this as 5-stars because of the value you get for the money you spend. Really cannot go wrong with this camera, either as a primary or back-up.

Review by FinNFeatherPhotog

Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm IS II Lens and EOS HD Movie Mode (Black),5.0 out of 5 stars By far the best bang for the buck, January 10, 2012

I am a novice photographer. But I'm tired of point and shoot pictures. This camera takes GREAT pictures right out of the box, using the automatic mode. However, I also enjoy tinkering with the settings, and seeing the results. It is very easy with this camera. It's almost hard to take a bad picture. The video is also quite good. I am extremely satisfied with the value I received. Unless you are a professional photographer wanting a high end DSLR, you will love this camera. Plus the battery has good longevity.

Review by part timer

Nikon D3000 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens,5.0 out of 5 stars D3000 -Superb for a DSLR novice, January 9, 2012

I got this D3000 after spending two years with my point and shoot.Believe it or not with a telephoto lens and a 50 mm prime which I got later it just keeps amazing me.I am not a pro and I do believe there are more things available in the high end cameras available now in Nikon brand.My wife has also taken amazing good pictures with this particularly the landscapes ,night pictures and portraits.I do like the simple functions and guide mode that was my tutor to the DSLR world.

Long live D3000.

Review by Santam

Canon EOS 7D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-inch LCD and 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens,5.0 out of 5 stars You gotta get this camera!!!, January 10, 2012

This is actually my first DSLR camera. I am not new to photography and the peripherals that go with the business, I use to be in the video field, filming weddings,parties and everything else a customer needed. I decided to get into photography and extend my love for this media. I have been looking at numerous cameras including Canon, Nikon and a few others, I even thought about getting a full-frame camera but my budget thought otherwise. I scoured the reviews on said cameras and finally put my money down on the Canon Eos 7D. Boy am I glad I did! This fine instrument of art really shines. When you first pick it up you can feel the quality,the camera is laid out to make it easy for you to do your job. I purchased the kit with the 28-135 IS USM lens. I am still learning this fine camera but so far it has been a breeze to get to know, The menu is very imformative and if you know absolutely nothing about cameras you can start out by putting this in "Full Automatic Mode" The camera will make all the settings for you (iso,aperture n so on)but the fun begins when you open this beast up and put it into manual mode, go ahead and try it, the only way you will learn your camera is by trying different options in manual mode. After playing with it you will know this camera and come to love what it can do. Want to fire several photo's in rapid sucession? the 7d does it very fast and with no problem . . . .however, in order to do this you need a fast memory card. I purchased a card with 60mb speed and this gives me plenty of power to let the 7d open-up and come to life! I will give a more detailed review in about 6months. But if you are like I was and trying to figure out which camera to get I can only tell you that this camera is better than I thought it would be, easy to use and a heck of a lot of fun. It takes beautiful pictures with outstanding detail and clarity, and since it is a Canon product you know it is a quality camera. Just ask the pro's!

Review by Jeff Jones

Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm IS II Lens and EOS HD Movie Mode (Black),4.0 out of 5 stars Nice entry level SLR camera, January 10, 2012

I am by no means a photographer, but I really enjoy using this camera. It has a nice sized lcd screen that is pretty clear, although hard to see in direct sunlight. Takes great, crystal clear pictures and has many features that can make an amateur photographer look like a professional. I particularly like the sports mode which helps you take multiple photos of moving objects very quickly.

My only complaint with the camera, and this is why I didn't give five stars, is that the auto focus can take a long time to work. I usually just put it in manual mode, because the wait for focus can often times cause you to miss the shot you wanted. Especially a problem when photographing animals or children, neither of which stay still very long.

Overall a great entry level camera that I would recommend to anyone trying to get their feet wet in photography.

Review by E. Perkins "remo"

Canon EOS 60D 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only),5.0 out of 5 stars My first real camera, January 9, 2012

This was my Christmas gift, and I have to say I couldnt be happier. I am in no way shape or form so I hope this does not sound to bad, but I have this new idea to talk about the things I use and like.

The Canon 60D feels right, its weight, its grip, I like the view window, its easy to navigate and takes great images. If you like to have something that lasts, this camera feels solid, and I guess that is what makes it so great, it feels like a camera... and expensive camera at that should feel like.

If you are in the market for a great camera with great results, I recommend the Canon 60D

Review by Casa_Hernandez

Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm IS II Lens and EOS HD Movie Mode (Black),5.0 out of 5 stars Canon T3 - A nice camera!!, January 9, 2012

I recently decided to get a camera that could take photos of objects that were farther away, as I have an impending vacation where a lot of the views are going to be difficult to capture. My current point and shoot with digital zoom lens was just not doing what I wanted it to do. I started looking at Canon Rebel products and settled on the T3 model. This camera allowed a 'rookie' like me to be able to auto set the camera to get started, and then progress to various settings as I became more familiar with it. I did purchase the additional 55-250mm lens to go along with the 18-55mm one that came with it.

Overall, what helped sell me on this camera?....... the autofocus and stablizer features to start with, then the overall price that I found the camera and lenses here on Amazon. (No other dealer, either online or locally in Phoenix has since beat the price in their ads).

I was also looking for a camera that I could use the live view in the rear screen as well as the viewfinder. I wear glasses and this sometimes does not make the small viewfinder the easiest to use. One additional feature I found appealing was the video recording function. I carry a 16gb SD card for photos, and when I know I will be doing video I have another 16gb SD card to use.

One disappointment was the instruction manual....while the included paper manual gave some startup tips, the more in-depth manual is on the included CD and not at all convenient to have available if you need to look up a questioned feature. I ended up buying a 'Dummies' book that makes the learning curve a lot easier.

Overall I am impressed with the feel of the camera in my hands, and the nice quality photos that it takes. I would highly recommnend this camera to anyone that wants to 'step up' a notch to a better than point and shoot style camera.



Review by W. Rogers "Buck"

Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm IS II Lens and EOS HD Movie Mode (Black),5.0 out of 5 stars My First DSLR, January 7, 2012

This is my first digital SLR camera and I have to say I could not be happier with it. With a little playing around I was able to start getting professional quality pictures in no time at all. I upgraded from a Lumix point and shoot camera and I can't believe the difference in quality. I highly recommend this as a first DSLR camera.

Pros:
Camera functions easily right out of the bag with a half charged battery.
Buttons are easy to read and nice and big.
Camera displays what each setting does on the viewing screen. Great feature for novices like myself.
Very light weight.
Battery last forever!
Takes photos very fast and focuses quickly.

Cons:
None

Review by M. Nasca "matt"

Canon PowerShot S100 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver),3.0 out of 5 stars Almost, but not quite, January 6, 2012

I bought this camera for a long cruise. The two features I wanted in addition to taking pictures, were the GPS and movies. There is good news and bad news.

The good news:

1. The movies are very good, given the problems holding a little camera still while taking a movie. Picture quality is excellent.
2. The GPS works, but not usually indoors and some times takes a few minutes to sync. This may be a function of my position and the position of the GPS satellites. Even after it shows sync, it often does not have the altitude for a few more minutes.
3. Picture quality is very good.

The bad news:

1. If you want the GPS to work with the pictures you are taking, you need to leave the camera on. Unfortunately, when you leave the camera on, one would think there would be a way to have the camera not keep running the rear display. I've set it for 10 seconds and indeed, it goes off, but it keeps coming back on and I don't push any of the buttons, but do have it hanging by the hand strap. This means the battery life is terrible. I had 5 batteries and often would be on the 4th one by the end of the day.
2. It says it will take a 60 minute movie, but not with any known battery and I have not found a power cord for the camera.


Review by Bismark

Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm IS II Lens and EOS HD Movie Mode (Black),5.0 out of 5 stars Very Impressed, January 7, 2012

I have been a dedicated amateur photographer for over 40 years. I shoot with a 5D, MK2 and all "L" glass. My wife loves to take snap shots but the 5D "tank" is too much for her so I decided on the T3. It's light weight, small and very easy to use. The live view is a big plus and I like the fact that all my lenses and flash are compatible. I must admit that although the results aren't in the same league with the 5D, I'm blown away with the quality, even with the consumer grade lens. This is an entry level camera, but Canon has done a remarkable job with it. However, I must admit it looks a little strange with a 70-200mm L lens on the front!
Henrik Hansen, DDS

Review by Henrik E. Hansen

Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC 4 Imaging with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens,5.0 out of 5 stars Switching dSLR systems and glad I did, January 7, 2012

Wife and kids allowed me to get this (from them) for XMAS with the two lens kit (18-55/55-250 and I added the nifty fifty - EF 50mm f1.8 II). I've been used to working with Olympus over the years and what they are asking for their lone dSLR body was too much. I love Zuiko glass, but Oly seems to be focusing on the mirrorless system (m4/3) and that is not for me... not comfortable on large hands and I a don't like EVIL viewfinder. A system change was in order and it was between the Nikon D5100 and the Canon EOS600D/T3i. Both systems were impressive when I toyed with them at a camera shop, but the Canon's menu system was better and the grip felt better in my hands. Getting it into the gym to snap photos of my kids travel ball team was a blast. Both times I used the 50mm and loved every minute of it. I had more good shots than I could have gotten with my older Oly that was never good at indoor shots in a big open gym. Next up, tried video. I really never thought I would have much use for it but WOW, was I ever impressed. While the focus ring on the 50mm f1.8 is small, the control I got with it was amazing. I see myself using this more than I imagined. Might have to add a 28mm f1.8 at some point.

Now I don't want to slam Oly and I do plan on holding on to one of my bodies and a handful of the incredible Zuiko ED glass, but for a system switch this was a great move for me. When the weather warms up, I'll try the 55-250 at some casual birding.

If I had a con, the 18-55... don't like the manual focus ring for my big hands and Olympus kit lenses were better overall when I had them. But I may pick-up the 18-135 as my typical walk around lens. I really can't complain much over the image quality with it though for a kit lens.

Review by SithTracy

Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only),5.0 out of 5 stars Exceeds Expectations, January 3, 2012

Photography for me is just a hobby... And I have owned quite a few cameras.. from point and shoot, SLR and a few years ago bought an entry level DSLR. I loved my little D60, but always thought it was well below the film cameras I had in ability. Not this little gem. It performs great. It is fast, feature packed, and feels very substantial in my hand. I did not buy the kit lens and bought a prime lens, and I am so happy with this purchase.. I am getting the pictures I used to get with my OLD cannon film camera. If you are looking to upgrade your entry level D40, D60, D3000... or looking for a first time camera,, you cant go wrong with this camera.

Review by B. Hardgrave

Nikon D5100 16.2MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens,5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent camera for a variety of users, January 6, 2012

This camera has been an outstanding upgrade from my Nikon D60, which was my first dSLR after having used point-and-shoot cameras. The D60 was a great camera entry-level dSLR when I bought it in 2008, but the more I used it, the more I became aware of its limitations. The biggest issue I had with the D60 was its low-light performance. Even with an add-on flash and reasonably good ambient lighting, there were too many indoor shots that simply didn't look very good. Cranking up the ISO helped with exposure, but it introduced too much digital noise. When a camera's inherent technological limitations are keeping you from getting the shots you want, it's time to look at alternatives.

I looked at both the D5100 and the , because they are closely matched in terms of price, features, and performance. Both cameras get very good reviews. You can Google "Nikon D5100 and Canon T3i" and see for yourself: most review sites give them almost identical overall scores, citing certain strengths and advantages for each camera. I was considering the Canon because I only had my Nikon 18-55mm kit lens and my Nikon SB-400 flash, so I didn't have a huge investment in the Nikon line-up. While the list price of the two cameras is similar, it was much easier to find really good discount prices on the T3i, and there are also more options for buying the T3i body with several different kit lens options (as of this writing, Nikon is only offering the D5100 with the same 18-55mm kit lens that I had from my D60).

However, there was one thing about the T3i that I didn't like. The main control on the back of the T3i (Nikon calls it the multi-selector; I'm not sure what Canon calls it) is placed lower on the camera than on the D5100, which means that you have to move your thumb down to access it. Ergonomically, this didn't work as well for me as Nikon's more central placement of this control. The advantage of Canon's placement is that it leaves space for a bigger thumb grip at the upper right corner of the camera. However, since the multi-selector is the primary way you access the camera's menus to adjust settings, I preferred Nikon's placement. This is such a subjective decision that it's important for a buyer to go to a retail store, handle both cameras, and see for him or herself.

The other thing that made me choose the Nikon is my goal to eventually upgrade to the Nikon 18-200mm lens. As far as I can tell, there is no equivalent lens in the Canon line-up.

I also looked at the , but at $1,199 for just the body, I couldn't justify the expense. Besides the fact that it's almost twice as much as the D5100, I still prefer the smaller size and lighter weight of the D5100, which has a form factor that is almost identical to the D60. If you routinely use longer lenses or prefer a larger camera, the D7000 is very impressive and would be an excellent choice.

I've been very happy with the D5100. It offers higher ISOs than the D60 and you can use them without adding noise to your images. It performs much better in low-light shooting situations, which was my main reason for upgrading in the first place. Even with flash, my indoor photos are more evenly exposed, without the washed-out foregrounds and dark backgrounds that I was getting with the D60. The menu system is similar to the D60, but I find it more intuitive and easier to navigate. I also like the controls and buttons better on the D5100.

One major upgrade that the D5100 offers over the D60 is high-definition video recording. The D60 had no video recording at all. I have only used this feature on the D5100 for a few quick tests, but for anyone interested in video, this is a major addition.

The D5100 also has an articulated LCD display, which is larger than the D60's. The Live View feature allows you to shoot photos using the LCD instead of the viewfinder. This feature might be handy if you wanted to shoot with the camera above or below your own position (for example, taking photos over the heads of a crowd). Instead of aiming and hoping you get your shot, you can use the articulated LCD to view what you are shooting. The same is true if you want to shoot with the camera aiming directly down. Instead of leaning over the camera to look through the viewfinder, and perhaps casting your shadow on the image, you can use the LCD to compose your shot.

In Live View, the LCD also allows you to view the effects of various white balance settings on a shot you're about to take. I haven't found that the white balance as shown on the LCD before shooting is exactly the same as what I get after I shoot, but it is helpful to give you an idea of what to expect.

Several things to keep in mind if you buy this camera:

1. Update the firmware, as there are reported issues with the camera having trouble with certain SanDisk cards.

2. Buy a good quality UV filter to protect your lens. Do not skimp on this. B + W, Nikon, and Hoya get good reviews.

3. Get a good memory card. Costs for these have come down, so I'd get a class 10 card that's at least 8 GB, in case you end up shooting any video. If you do a lot of video, you'll want at least a 16 GB card, probably even larger.

4. Consider buying a spare battery. Live View uses more battery power, and you don't want to be limited in using it. The extra battery will cost about $50, but it's worth the peace of mind knowing that you can go out for an all-day shoot with battery back-up ready in case you need it.

5. Buy one or more of the books that provide detailed, illustrated directions on getting the most out of the camera. Nikon provides a fairly good, basic manual in printed form, but the complete Nikon manual is only provided as a PDF on a CD, or to download (also readable on an iPad or iPhone, which is convenient). The Nikon manuals are much better than the ones that came with the D60, but the third-party books that deal specifically with this camera are even better. I recommend the following:

by Rob Sylvan. This book starts off with 10 tips suggested by the author to get you off to a good start, including some changes to the camera's default settings, and then takes the reader through a series of chapters that focus on one topic at a time. Each chapter ends with assignments that are designed to help you actually apply what you have learned.

Ignore the title, the book itself is very good, and contains more detailed information than the book by Sylvan. Think of it as a reliable reference to go to when you need more specifics than Sylvan provides.

David Busch has two books about the D5100, one a small field guide that would fit in a camera bag: , and the other a full-sized and very comprehensive guide: . These are both very good, too.

You can preview these books on Amazon or download samples to your Kindle or iPad, so take a look before you make a decision.

In summary, the Nikon D5100 is an excellent entry-level dSLR that offers features and performance that simply were not available at this price just two or three years ago. If you are ready to make the move from point-and-shoot photography, this would be a great camera. You could set it on Auto and you will get excellent results just aiming and shooting, though you will want to move past using Auto after you've had a chance to get to know the camera better.

If you have an older dSLR that lacks some of the advanced features and capabilities of this camera, you will be pleasantly surprised at how far the technology has come. In my case, the improved ease-of-use prompted me to learn more about the camera and I'm now much more comfortable making adjustments as I shoot, instead of relying on the camera to do all my thinking for me.

Highly recommended.

Review by pm444 "pm444"

Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens,5.0 out of 5 stars Canon Rebel T2i, January 6, 2012

Over the last ten years, I've gradually upgraded the quality of photography equipment I purchase for my daughter, who has evolved into a very impressive photographer. The last 3 cameras & 2 lenses I acquired through Amazon, and have been more than satisfied. I decided to buy her the T2i to replace the T1i, which she's had since it was introduced. We thought that camera produced high-quality, professional grade photos until we saw what the T2i was capable of!!! I cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone who is shopping for a camera. We were, and continue to be floored by the magnitude of improvement between the two models. It is definitely worth every penny and then some.

Review by Patkiyo66

Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens,5.0 out of 5 stars Great Camera, January 5, 2012

Forget point and shoots, you need one of these. Great photos and not complicated to use at all. You can set the camera on the easy shooting scenarios, and let the lens do all the hard work.

This camera is a better choice over the T3i for a few reasons, including price and lighter weight. And other then the flip out display on the T3i, they are identical cameras, so save your money.

If you're an advanced photographer, this can take all the complicated manual options you can think of, but this camera can be used by any beginner with ease.

Remember to buy a storage card and a protective case when purchasing.

Happy photography!

Review by Jonathan Steinmann

Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens,4.0 out of 5 stars Canon lacks good options for wide angle lenses, January 5, 2012

The main problem with Reflex cameras is when you need a wide-angle lens because the lenses less than about 45mm focal length require a retrofocus design.

This is a second set of elements whose only purpose is to move the lens away from the sensor and therefore allowing for space for the mirror operation. It makes the lenses bigger, more expensive and with bigger distortion.

Well, this camera has a 1.6 crop factor, therefore a prime lens of 50mm will be a half-tele (80mm equivalent).

If you want to buy lenses with wider than that, there are a few lenses designed to the EF-S standard, that takes advantage of the small size of the mirror of this camera (small mirror because the sensor is small) and it brings the lens closer to the sensor, using an optimized design. These lenses do not fit the full frame cameras, that have a bigger mirror.

For lenses with bigger focus distance this isn't usually an issue, so it doesn't matter. But try to find what Canon offers on choices of normal or wide-angle lenses designed to the EF-S standard, there are very few options and none of them is a prime lens non-zoom normal or wide angle lens.

Options are mainly:
EF-S 10-22mm 3.5-4.5 USM, Ø77 (16-35mm equiv) for US$720,
EF-S 17-85mm 4-5.6 IS USM, Ø67 (27-136mm equivalent USM) for US$510, this is an upgrade to the original lens that is not a bad one, by the way.
EF-S 17-55 2.8 IS USM, Ø77 for US$1.000,

So for wide angle options there a few remaining and no prime lens designed to the EF-S standard. It seems to be cheaper to purchase a Sony Alpha Nex or a Four Thirds Micro camera if you need good wide angle lens for a reasonable price. A mirrorless camera with the lens may be better and cheaper than just a wide-angle lens for Canon.

In theory, Canon could design lenses to operate with the mirror locked up, just like a mirrorless camera but it seems they have never thought of that.

Review by Fabio Passeto

Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens,5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful image quality, January 4, 2012

I have had point & shoot cameras for several years and have wanted to upgrade to a DSLR. This review is not based on having owned several other DSLR cameras. This is the first DSLR I owned, having used others and compared to anything I have ever used, this thing is mind blowing. I would recommend learning a little about photography to really harness the power of this unit, although learning with this unit has been easier then I would have expected.

I bought this instead of the Sony or Nikon because it seems to have the largest customer base, and the big brother to the this appears to be the camera of choice by most professionals. The T3i was also a unit I considered, although the T3i is larger it appears that it only has a tilt screen compared to the T2i. I am still on the fence if I should have got the T3i, although $100 bucks to have a tilting screen seemed overpriced at first, it almost appears worth it when shooting at weird angles.

The USB computer integration is really nice and I think the camera control software seems really up to date, and not 'crapwear' like what I have seen with other platforms.

Video quality is very good, I think the Sony probably does a better job based on my research but this is still nice, shooting video at night was ok.

My only gripe is missing GPS receiver, but I guess this isn't really a reasonable complaint, although the Sony did have it.

Accessories for these Canon DSLRs are everywhere so that's a real big plus. I bought the battery grip just for added balance (from amazon for $40). Also the 55mm-250mm zoom is a great add-on.

Night shooting is mind blowing, I walked outside with a tripod and set the shutter to 4 seconds, cranked up the ISO and was shooting what looked like daytime. It was very dark, I couldn't see anything, but a couple seconds and the T2i looked like I shot in the daytime. Longer shutter time and lower ISO reduced image noise. Point it to the night sky and set it open for 20 seconds and it shows you things you cannot see with the naked eye, amazing!

Learned about Aperture Value and that allowed me to take some trick shots with everything in focus.

All in all, I am very satisfied and I think this is a great starter DSLR to learn with, $700 bucks for amazing images. And I can hand it to my wife, set it to full auto and she can fire away.


Review by Roman Diaz "Roman"