Which New Nikon...???...

[qasim]

I have a D80 and am considering trading it in for a newer Nikon but which one? I'm a serious amateur and want to protect my investment in my existing lenses, filters and accessories but also want a good camera to continue to learn from. I've looked at both the D90 and the D7000 but what also about the D3200?

What's everyone's opinion?

[Sabrina_De_Winter]

I've got the D7000, an I'm really happy with it.
It's my first SLR, so I can't compare with other (older) ones...

[greenwing]

The D3200 is certainly better in the sensor department than the D80 and D90, but that comes at the cost of usability. It's much more menu-based than the others, and that might be a nuisance if you're used to the direct buttons of the D80. The D3200 is also noticably smaller than the others, that may or may not suit you. At the moment, the D7000 is the best DX Nikon, though the D300s has more 'pro style' features. I'm expecting at least one new DX body in the next month, though, which might change pricing of the existing bodies. At the moment, the D90 looks like an absolute bargain.

Chris

[ianpinion]

I have the D7000 and can vouch for it's impressive performance. It's great to handle, because it's got sufficient weight to balance with some of the larger or heavier DX lenses, whilst still being light enough to carry around all day long without it ever feeling a burden. The high ISO performance to 3200 is as good as it gets on a cropped sensor camera and it's still respectable even at 6400 if a little grainy. Most of all though, is I love the ergonomics. The buttons and dials are placed perfectly and you should find them in the same familiar places as you D80.

So if you're looking for a camera that's got a great light meter, with great build quality, great usability, fabulous performance and feels good in the hand, then look no further.

[qasim]

Hmm, now I'm wondering whether to stick with the D80 and invest in lenses, flash, lighting, etc. It bothers me that it's discontinued and only 10mp...

Perhaps it's me that's the problem and I need improvement rather than the camera !

[qasim]

So bearing that in mind, can someone recommend a good flash unit? Which is better - detachable flash or off-camera flash / lighting? I'm a budding amateur so most use of the flash would be for family events, get togethers, etc. Nothing professional.

Also, I'd like a good macro lense but don't want to have to pay hundreds for it. I know that cash means quality but there has to be a good quality reasonably priced macro lense out there? I've tried a reversing ring and lost most of my hair whilst filling up memory card after memory card with blurred blobs!

[beatnik69]

Originally Posted by qasim

Hmm, now I'm wondering whether to stick with the D80 and invest in lenses, flash, lighting, etc. It bothers me that it's discontinued and only 10mp...

Perhaps it's me that's the problem and I need improvement rather than the camera !

Do you print large or crop a lot? If not 10MP should be plenty.

[patrickwilson86]

It is important to note that the D800 shares many features with the Nikon D4—aside from the larger image sensor and a slower frame rate the two cameras are almost identical. They share the same image processor, the same autofocus system (51-points) and a very similar video shooting mode. This does not mean they are the same camera. While some professionals and even advanced amateur photographers will look to the D4 for supreme speed and action shooting, others are going to prefer the less-expensive D800. Price does not always mean everything in the photography world.

[beatnik69]

I doubt the OP would want to spend the sort of money a D800 costs if he's considering a D7000 or D3200.