Gear Purchase Advice (D5500 v. D7100 v. ???)

tcole1983

Almost all of my lenses and bodies are refurbished. Work perfect and were like new when they came. I wouldn't hesitate to buy them.

I am not endorsing these sellers, but here are some. I don't know if they are authorized Nikon dealers or if the camera is USA or grey market, but as examples. These are bodies only. The lens also deal isn't around, but it was just a couple weeks ago.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D7100-24-1-MP-DX-Format-CMOS-Digital-SLR-Camera-Body/331463197967?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d2cbf050f

http://www.adorama.com/inkd7100r.html

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Refurbished-dslr-cameras/D7100-Refurbished.html

Ironheart

I'm pretty sure nikonusa is an authorized nikon dealer #-o

tcole1983

I'm pretty sure nikonusa is an authorized nikon dealer #-o

I added that one later. It was more geared towards the eBay one. Was going to post a couple of eBay sellers but found some others instead.

Photobug

So sorry to hear about your loss. I own both the D5d00 & D7100...actually the D5500 is the wives new camera but I had the opportunity to use it a few weeks ago and shot about 200 images. Here are my comments:
1. Costco does have some excellent kits and their pricing is excellent.
2. Personally I would skip the 18-55mm lens. The 18-105mm is a much better option are a better useable range. My wife shot that for 5 years on her D90 and she wanted more reach and the 18-140mm offered that reach and it's a sharper lens. So I recommend the 18-140 DX lens over the 18-55mm lens.
3. Both cameras are good (D5500 and D7100. Since your starting from scratch again, I would compare the D5500 and D7200. Newer normally better. Moving up from a D7000 to D7200 makes since but not for most D7100 owners.
4. Assuming you don't have a budget constraint, go for the D7200. If you have a budget constraint, go for the D5500. It's an excellent camera. The 18-140mm lens would be excellent on either body.

The move from D7000 to D7100 or D7200 would be easy since the controls are similar. The new grip on the D5500 and D7100 and D7200 is really nice. The size of the D5500 is excellent for small hands. Tough choice. Go to your local dealer and shoot both or all three.

sevencrossing

http://www.europe-nikon.com/en_GB/?
have an excellent compare tool
which will highlight the differences between all the available Nikon cameras you have listed

turnthedarncranks

Thanks again, everyone. Photobug -- the budget will not allow for the D7200. I'd love to get my hands on the 18-140 (I loved my 18-105), but the Costco kits don't include it. Because I have a Costco rebate check that will cover the vast majority of the D7100 kit (or all of the D5500 kit) I am somewhat constrained. I may be able to convert that to cash; if so, my options open up quite a bit.

I will keep checking back here for additional advice. I also will keep you informed once I make a decision. I hope to spend some time this weekend playing with the options and may make my purchase by weekend's end.

sevencrossing

the D7100 is the clear winner.....
So why am I bothering all of you? Two reasons. The first is that typing this out helps me clarify my thinking.

Your thinking makes sense
You can always add The 18-140 mm at a later date
I would only buy the D5500 if you want something small and light

Ironheart

You can always buy the lens you really want and sell the lenses in the kit as brand new in box. The VRII 18-55 ain't no slouch though....

kyoshinikon

All I can say is this. The D5500 is tiny... Much smaller than the D5100.

heartyfisher

All I can say is this. The D5500 is tiny... Much smaller than the D5100.

But handles so much better don’t you think ?

Photobug

All I can say is this. The D5500 is tiny... Much smaller than the D5100.

But handles so much better don’t you think ?

Your spot on @heartyfisher. It handles much better than the D5100.

kyoshinikon

I was laughing my ass off so much I couldn't properly test the camera. Going from a D4s to a D5500 was probably not a good idea. It did tho seem more responsive than I remember the D5200 being and had a much nicer grip. In fact for its size the grip was very comfortable.

mohxinn

Advantages of D7100:

Better high ISO performance: https://youtu.be/Cfh47Pd2X2Q
Better body (weather sealed)
Pentaprism viewfinder (brighter, better for manual focusing lenses)
High speed flash sync (allows using flash with shutter speed > 1/200s)
Support for AF Fine Tune (focus calibration)
More buttons for quikly changing camera settings
Autofocus with older D glass (which are cheaper)
Faster (6fps vs 5 fps on D5500)
Better focusing in low (focus down to -2EV compared to -1 EV on D5500)
Better AF system (51 focus points vs 39 points on D5500)
Multipe card slots (redundancy in case a card fails)
Better battery life (950 shots vs 820 shots on D5500)

Pistnbroke

The D5500 has no fine focus adjust so its in the bin for me when compared to a D7100 ( no U1 U2 either)

Photobug

The D5500 is an excellent camera for the intended user. It's not for everyone. In fact the D7100 maybe better for many than a D5500. There are some excellent NEW prices for the D7100 + 18-140mm lens.

I say that based upon using my wife's D5500. I'll take the D7100 over it but some of the shots I have taken with the D5500 are totally acceptable.

NSXTypeR

The D5500 is more than enough to get great shots, I did fine with the D40. Sure it'll give you problems if you want something bigger and two dials, but you do get the swinging screen which is nice.

Pistnbroke

Don't even think of a 5500 its just Nikons way of pulling you in and making you frustrated /wanting something better ...like buying a 3 series BMW when you really want a 5 Series .....

Photobug

Nice analogy Pistnbroke.

Ironheart

That being said, there is nothin' wrong with the sensor in a D5500. It's the controls options/features that will get you frustrated/wanting.

Pistnbroke

I am on a 7 series at present (D810) but I don't like the outdated controls ....but its very quiet ....ha ha

DaveyJ

I would buy the D7100 from B&H by the way.....The D5500 is too small and lacks features that could bring it up to D7200, D7100 quality. It would be good to try them both before buying if possible! I am a huge proponent of small, light, and packed with power. But the new Nikon D3400 shows where that camera type is heading. My experience having shot all of these camerasfor many months is the D5500 is a long ways short of the D7100.

Photobug

The D5500 DSLR is an excellent camera and I agree DaveyJ that there is a difference between it and the D7100. Is it a long ways short of the D7100. Depends! It really depends upon the user and their application.

I prefer the D7100 over the wives D5500 and yes I do see a difference. But there are times the D5500 is fine. It really depends upon what your shooting.

DaveyJ

I again say I use the D3200 a lot. The D5500 is a better camera from my use of that camera but I do not own one. I agree with Photobug's take on this and I am sure that the original posts led to a purchase in the right camera awhile back. I had high hopes for the D3400 and a two lens kit, one being the 70-300VR DX. I would very much like to see the new stepping motor VR tele. Right now my photo enthusiast family and friends are all looking at DJI Maviks, Red Camera Epics, etc., luckily they seem to be thinking Nikon when it comes to DSLR which they are investing in for more than I can afford. I am hearing though....video is where the stock photo sales are now, in 4and 5K.....and there are many predictions that all stock photo sales in the future will be taken from video?

But to come back to the thread main topic....I do greatly need D5500 size and hope it doesn't stall out in evolution at the D5500 and D3300 models like has been stated by reviewers. There is no reason that this camera size and and giving up features for a few milli ounces is to me and PROSPECTIVE first time buyers....a warning....
Maybe this is not a good purchase. I believe the D3400 size and price is essential to bring in new Nikon DSLR buyers. The 70-300 DX lens was I believe without using one yet a good move. But maybe that was just a production cost saving ploy?

Photbug says it best....there are times a D5500 is fine. I'd Iike to own one with the two "kit lens", and by that I mean the 18-55VR and the new 70-300 DX VR. Certainly not the 55-200 which I have shot extensively and never got a single sharp photo with.One of my closest photographer friends owns it and I notice he usually uses his after market 300 or a 150-600.

Photobug

Thanks DaveyJ. My hunch is that as we approach the middle of November Nikon will offer the D5500 two kit lens package along with the super low entry price on a D3300 and the D3400 and D5500. If not, B&H, Adorama have packages or put it together yourself.

Agree with your comment about the 70-300 DX VR being a better lens than the 55-200.

egosbar

d7200 with a 18-55 and save for a 70-300 vr g if it were me