Input on D-SLR Purchase

That is a good deal. Not sure what I'm gonna go with at this point. I want to go to a shop and hold a couple and see which brands I'm drawn to.

Not trying to have a budget but I would rather spend money on good lenses I will use rather than a bunch on a camera I will struggle to learn on. Wide angle is on the shortlist for sure.

So far I have been looking into the Nikon 3200/3300. But haven't delved into the Canon realm yet.

Separate note: how is everyone keeping their gear safe on trips? I want something I can take out quickly for a day hike or in camp but tuck away safely when I'm out 'splorin in my taco.

 

I would recommend trying out a camera body before you go diving into something. keep in mind, ergonomics(button placement), gui(menus and such), and portability if that matters. otherwise, if none of that matters, just go with what feels good to you. I have a couple of dslrs, and a fuji x100. I bring out the fuji x100 more often these days because it is smaller and the image quality is good(although I have been in a funk, lately). I would recommend trying out different camera systems, there are dslrs, mirrorless camera systems that are smaller than dslrs, and point and shoot cameras. buying a dslr wont put out awesome pictures out of the box, if you dont know how to use one(or any other camera system).

I recommend learning about photography fundamentals(how to compose; iso, shutter speed, and aperture and how each effects the others, etc), because you can still take bad ass pics with a point and shoot. a dslr will just have better image quality due to the larger sensor.

 

The problem with Canon and Nikon, is that image stabilization is built into the lens. And, not all lenses are compatible with the camera, with the different versions. Each lens is more expensive, because of the built-in stabilization, and you must pay for that stabilization with each lens.

Pentax has image stabilization built into the camera body itself, so virtually any lens made for Pentax can be used on any Pentax body. Even older manual lenses can be used, and image stabilization is still available. You pay for stabilization only once, with the camera purchase.

This is a generalization, but mostly holds true.