What Camera would you recommend for a Amateur Photographer?

I'm a Amateur Photographer and currently own a Canon Rebel t3. I'm wanting to upgrade to another camera a little more fancier. I want something that is practical for me. So my question is...What camera would you recommend me upgrading to? $2000 is my budget. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Susie

Well Susie before I would make a recommendation I'd want to know what lenses you already have. Because if you have just the basic kit lens and maybe a cheap zoom it might be worth it to spend most of your upgrade budget on newer glass first. Second question is what is your primary subject matter? Reason I ask is that specific models are more suited for certain tasks. IE a 7D is pretty much purpose built for high speed sports a 5D (any of them) is a FF and really built for portraits and things that will benefit from the extra DOF and such you get on an FF sensor.

I hope once you've asked yourself those question and perused around here you'll find the right camera for you. Another thing I would recommend is to go your local Canon dealer and try out a few bodies in store if they will let you. You'll probably find one that's suited to you. IE nothing is stopping you from buying a 7D for portraits or a 5D MK III for sports.

I have the kit lens 18-55mm. I take pictures of my kids mainly. Sometimes flowers.

susiefleshner wrote in post #15577180
I have the kit lens 18-55mm. I take pictures of my kids mainly. Sometimes flowers.

It doesn't sound like you're pushing the boundaries of your gear or that it's restricting you in any way.
I'd be more inclined to get another lens rather than a new body.

Why are you "wanting to upgrade to another camera a little more fancier"?
A fancier camera won't magically enable you to take fancier pictures if you don't know how to take fancier pictures in the first place.
It's a bit like buying a set of fancy saucepans if you don't know how to cook, better saucepans won't give you better food.

susiefleshner wrote in post #15577180
I want something that is practical for me?

What's not practical about the camera you have now?
If your t3 isn't practical, another DSLR with more bells and whistles won't be either.

As Phil asked, why do you want to upgrade? Answer that question and we'll be better able to help you.

If you feel the need to upgrade, I'd recommend getting the T4i based on what you are shooting. You can get the body only for about $650 on Amazon or elsewhere. Then, I'd say get a 24-105 F4L IS, which you can find for right around $1k. You won't have to ever upgrade that lens.

Both are great for photos and video. And you'll have some cash left over for extra gear - filters, flash, cards, tripod, etc. Maybe even get the 50mm F1.8 too (around $100).

I'd say a good quality compact (SX50 or similar) would be right up your alley. Before I get flamed...I'm dead serious.

LowriderS10 wrote in post #15578035
I'd say a good quality compact (SX50 or similar) would be right up your alley. Before I get flamed...I'm dead serious.

haha...I thought of suggesting the same thing.
Especially because of the "I want something that is practical for me" clause.

1Dx

Kolor-Pikker wrote in post #15578057
1Dx

haha...
Practical??

philwillmedia wrote in post #15578071
haha...
Practical??

When in doubt, buy the most expensive piece of equipment you can, it should be horribly expensive.

susiefleshner wrote in post #15577097
I'm a Amateur Photographer and currently own a Canon Rebel t3. I'm wanting to upgrade to another camera a little more fancier. I want something that is practical for me. So my question is...What camera would you recommend me upgrading to? $2000 is my budget. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Susie

This is a question that many novices ask after having some experience with their first DSL. The responses from more experienced photographers are largely in line with what you received above, all very sensible and valid. your reason to upgrade to something fancier may need some explaining- fancier may not always be practical, fancier may mean the next most expensive DSLR that you can afford.

My recommendation based on your interest in photographing children would be on the following lines:

1. Replace the DSLR with one kit lens with something more smaller and practical to carry like a compact- One excellent from Canon would be the G1X. It has an excellent image quality with a zoom range greater than your present kit lens and easy to carry and shoot.

2. Anther option would be to upgrade your lens to one with better image quality like the EF 17-55 f2.8 or add a tele-zoom lens like the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM. These would upgrade the image quality of your images as well as extend the available focal length.

3. Or just buy the latest camera kit available within your available budget- Canon 60D with the 18-200 lens for US$ 1650 or the Canon EOS 7D with the 18-135 for $ 1750. If you can up your budget a little more then the Canon 6D with 24-105 f4 L for $2700 would be an excellent kit.

You are not likely to go wrong with any of the above choices.
Let us know what you finally decide.

susiefleshner wrote in post #15577097
I'm wanting to upgrade to another camera a little more fancier.

My flippant answer would be to suggest you glue some rhinestones and glitter to your existing T3i. Then it will be fancier and you will not need to spend $2000.

More seriously - it's a terrible idea to identify a budget and desire for new photography stuff without having identified any kind of specific need for better performance. Why do you want a new camera? What specifically are you looking to improve?

As an example - you could spend within your budget and get a 7D. If you are looking for certain features like faster frame rate, better AF or brighter viewfinder then this would be a good idea. If you are looking for better images in certain conditions it would not, as the two cameras have essentially the same sensor.

You might also find the best improvement is not going to be from a new camera. You might be better off thinking about lenses, flashes, light stands and modifiers, remotes or a tripod.

My vote:

24-105 F4L + 430EX II. Pocket the rest, go out for a nice dinner, target some other accessories, or something.

IF you find a good sale/deal or some extra budget.. you could grab a 28-300 F3.5-5.6L and pretty much be done with lenses forever unless you decide to upgrade F-stop. Of course, you would also be committed to carrying around that much weight all the time too.

I love this phrase "Amateurs worry about equipment, pros worry about lens, masters worry about light."