Need purchase advice: 60D or D5100?

First... let me say that I am not trolling. I am not invested in eaither system as of yet and have been considering both. I have always used Canon G series P&S and really liked them...

I was just hoping that someone here might have used both and could give me some guidance. I reall want a 5DMII or MIII but I don't have the cash together as of yet.

I am sorry I can't be of much help other than to say I have a 60D and really like the camera. If you want to eventually get the Canon's you mention, might it make sense to buy the 60D, invest in some good lenses and then when you are ready...!

I use canon gear for personal stuff, but I am an evidence technician for police department and we use nikon gear. I personally find canon cameras easier to learn and use, but you'll find others that say the same thing about nikon.

the best thing you can do is go to a store and try both of them. they both will produce great images and neither will limit your photogarphy skills.

hassiman wrote in post #12524768
First... let me say that I am not trolling. I am not invested in eaither system as of yet and have been considering both. I have always used Canon G series P&S and really liked them...

I was just hoping that someone here might have used both and could give me some guidance. I reall want a 5DMII or MIII but I don't have the cash together as of yet.

Hold both cameras before you decide. If I had to choose I'd get the 60D. I am not invested in either system.

First, Nikon forces you into af-s lenses with the D5100. That is a big turn off for me. Not having the screw motor in the body and forcing me to purchase extremely expensive lenses, which af-s are except for a few, is a bad thing to me.

Second, I think you are not comparing cameras of the same class here. That's why I think you should hold them, read up on the differences, and you'll see the 60D is in a different class.

If you do not like to hold the camera you will not use it.

If this were the D7000, it'd be a different conversation.

EDIT: You should maybe be comparing it to the T3i.

If you don't need video, go with a Canon 50D and get some decent glass. If you do need video I'd go with a t2i.

D5100 hands down. It's a great camera at a cheaper price. Plus the nikon lenses are not that expensive and all has Ultrasonic motors.

I'm trolling. But if I was starting off, I'd go with Sony A55.

joechaos wrote in post #12525539
D5100 hands down. It's a great camera at a cheaper price. Plus the nikon lenses are not that expensive and all has Ultrasonic motors.

Aren't they more than Canon lenses? Are the af-s lenses slower than screw driven motors? I have read some that report that, especially ones that have better motors in the body.

I would say go with the Nikon. There bodies per say have more features than Canon bodies do.

cameraperson wrote in post #12525758
Aren't they more than Canon lenses? Are the af-s lenses slower than screw driven motors? I have read some that report that, especially ones that have better motors in the body.

Not really. Lens prices can change when you buy more expensive glass but Nikon is cheaper with some lenses while Canon is cheaper with others, it depends on what lenses you'll be using most often. The AF-S lenses have silent wave drive motors which are Nikon's equivalent of USM.

To the OP : Both are excellent cameras, it will really come down to what feels better in your hands and/or a coin flip if you don't have a solid understanding of each company's lens lineup.

The choice between a D5100 and a 60D is not a head to head comparison. The D5100 lines up much closer to the T3i. Have a look at their nearly identical spec. comparison here:
http://blog.dojoklo.co​m …05/nikon-d5100-announced/

There are some subtle differences between those two that may or may not be important to your needs, such as the spot metering being linked to the active AF point with the D5100 (but not the D7000), but always in the center with the T3i (and 60D). And the D5100 doesn't have an AF motor in the body which slightly limits lens choice.

Although the T3i and the 60D share a lot of features such as the metering system and the nearly identical sensor/ image quality, there are some important differences which also speak to why the D5100 does not compare to the 60D. And that lies in the number of menu items and custom functions settings, which allow one to customize the camera to work exactly as they want it to. The D5100 is not nearly as customizable as the 60D. The AF system of the 60D is also much more accurate, with all cross-type sensors vs. only the center AF point being cross-type in the D5100 and the T3i.

You are going to have to mention your needs, desires and photographic goals to have anyone help you decide which camera is the best one for you and to make this conversation productive! Maybe this can help you define your needs:
http://blog.dojoklo.co​m …choose-a-new-dslr-camera/

Use your point and shoot until you have enough for what you really want

This is a pretty nifty site that shows you the pros and cons of both cameras. Take a look and see whats more important for you.

http://snapsort.com …on_EOS_60D-vs-Nikon-D5100

joechaos wrote in post #12525539
D5100 hands down. It's a great camera at a cheaper price. Plus the nikon lenses are not that expensive and all has Ultrasonic motors.

not true. get a d5100 and you lose the option to use AF with many of nikon's older gems including the nifty 50 (50 1.8D). AF-S lenses are pretty pricey depending what you want to do also. for example if you got a d300 or d90 (or something with built in motor) you can use older lenses like the 80-200 which you can get used now for well under $1000 or even the 28-70 which goes for under $1000 used. that's why i dislike nikon entry level cameras (their prosumer/professional line is amazing though).

i would recommend the t2i or t3i for you.

Go with the 60D, you won't be disapointed.