First "real" camera, please help me choose

Hello all. So I just moved to Alaska and want to buy a good camera to capture all of it's beauty. In no way am I'm trying to go pro or anything but I do want a good, durable camera to stand up to hiking and camping. I found a few used cameras in my price range (less than $500). Please help me choose one that would be good for a beginner but not necessarily limiting once I actually start to learn "how to take pictures".

So here's my current options:

$350- Nikon D3100 with 18-55mm VR, 55-200mm Zoom Lenses and backpack and carrying bag

$350- Nikon D5000 with carrying bag

$340- Canon 50d EOS with 18-200mm lens

$300- Canon Rebel T2i with 18-55mm lens, no battery or charger

Thanks everyone!

 

I recommend the Canon EOS Rebel T5. About $400 new but it comes with 2 decent starter lenses. I got one as a gift and I was pretty surprised at what it could do.

 

Wow, that's not bad for new. I actually never considered looking into a new camera because I figured it would be out of my price range. Thanks for the input!

 

The T5 and the T2i are essentially the same camera.

In that price range I don't think you can go wrong, however, I would highly suggest the Canon t2i or t3i due to the videography capability they posses.

 

Yeah idk why you'd even spend 300 on a used T2. Kinda a rip off imo. The T5 is super beginner friendly. Very point and shoot when everything is on auto.

 

With the T2i you get hotshoe capability, so you can have an external flash, and better audio recording equipment. The T5 does not have that capability. I know this because I have a T5 and would much rather have the t2i or t3i

 

Wouldn't know about the videography. Not really into it. I'm more into photography. But I know for a fact my T5 has the ability to have an external flash.

 

Sorry, it does have a hotshoe, but it doesn't have the ability to have external audio equipment as there is a lack of mic port to go along with the hotshoe. So external flash yes, external mic no. My mistake

 

I just picked up a T6, there are some great deals to be had on eBay and it's basically the same as a T5, but has the addition of wifi, and the kit comes with image stabilizing lenses. Super easy to use

 

That is good to know. I don't know initially how many videos I'll be taking, but I do want a camera that is more long term. Thanks for the information!

 

I believe @EatSleepTacos just got a T6 this year. How are you liking it @EatSleepTacos ?

@eon_blue you're a professional right? Got anything to recommend?

 

Yes and like I corrected myself above, the hotshoe is there, but the camera doesn't support a mic, so you can have external flash, but no external mic for videography/vlogging/documentaries/etc. The T2i/T3i are infamous for their incredible video abilites. So if you like the T5 idea I would highly suggest them, because they posses the same photo/stills capabilities AND you get the incredible video capability if you need it. Taking video without an external mic is damn near useless.

 

I got a T6i and really love it. It's a bit out of OPs price range new, but you can get a new T6 for right at $500 ($460 on Amazon). It's still got wifi capabilities if you're looking for that (I honesty never use it on mine) and the specs are still really good. Here's a few photos I shot on it with minimal editing. I'm still learning all there is to it. Being in Alaska, there will likely be some things you want to shoot that are far away, so look into a second lens that can shoot farther. I got my camera, two lenses, a bag and an SD card from bestbuy for ~$900 IIRC.

 

Here's a new T6 with two different lenses (I have the same ones) for $550. If you can stretch your budget a little bit, you won't be disappointed!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/canon-e...-ef-75-300mm-iii-lens/5091315.p?skuId=5091315

 

Awesome, thanks for the input. Yea I don't see myself really using the Wi-Fi option. I'll talk with the boss and see what she thinks about an extra $50....Or I'll just let her go shopping and not have to explain myself at all haha

 

My wife and I went to Best Buy with a $500 budget, and I was able to talk her up to our final price of just shy of a grand. It worked out quite well honestly because we got a great deal overall saving a few hundred bucks! A guy who worked there showed us this pic he took of his cat with the T6i, and that helped to sell the wife.