Which Nikon camera do you recommend . . .?
Hello.
I have a Nikon D3000 but I have outgrown it. I'm looking for an upgrade.
I was looking at the Nikon D7000, Nikon D7100, Nikon D300s, Nikon D610, and Nikon D600.
I mostly take photos of other people like birthday parties and things of that such. Which camera would you recommend for me? And maybe if you can/have the time, will you tell me a little but about each camera?
I have no requirements that I'd like the camera to have except I want it to be able to record.
Please don't worry about me not knowing how to use the cameras I have listed. I will be perfectly fine.
Thank you.
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First of all you'll find any of the cameras you listed to be a serious upgrade to the D3000. The D3000 was the last camera that Nikon made without LiveView and that used the CCD sensor, rather than the much better CMOS sensor. They all have internal autofocus motors which allow them to autofocus with all Nikon mount af lenses. This will open opportunities that were closed to your D3000.
The D7000 and D7100 will give you the most "bang for your buck", as they are solid prosumer cameras. Like the D3000, they have popular shooting modes (A, S, P, M, etc) that will make the transition easier. They are also more compact than the other cameras you've listed. The big difference in prices between the D7000 & D7100 and the others will allow you to explore other lens or flash options to expand your creative horizons. I'm currently shooting with a D7000 and would love to upgrade to a D7100 in the future. The D7100 has a fascinating extra crop factor option that turns any lens into double its marked focal length. A 55-200mm becomes a 110-400mm lens!
The D300s (similar to my D300) is a full pro-level camera with a very different menu and control system. Its big advantage is the magnesium chassis and heavy-duty weatherproofing. For the sports I shoot, it's great. But for a daily shooter, it's too much camera for most situations and I leave it at home and take the D7000.
The D600 and the upgrade D610 are intriguing full-frame cameras. My one hesitation for you might be your existing lenses. Any DX lens will force the D600 or D610 to go into DX mode, virtually negating any advantage. You'd basically need to buy new FX lenses, which could be costly. These two cameras do have excellent results in low-light situations.
Here's some detailed reviews to help (or confuse) you.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond7000/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-d7100
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond300s/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-d600/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-d7100
The Nikon D600 had some problems, so if you want to go FX get the D610. That can get you a little bit better low light ability, but it comes at a price not just for the body but for the FX lenses you will need. Unless you spring for the professional grade lenses you will not get good FX corner sharpness with the prosumer lenses.
So if you want to upgrade to DX go for the D5300 or the D7100. The D300s has a lovely super duper build, but its sensor is about two generations ago.
Do you have a good external flash? If you don't have an SB600 or higher, and if you have a white or nearly white ceiling, an SB700 will solve a lot of your indoor photographic problems better than a new camera.
What aspect of the D3000 have you outgrown? If you can say that then look for the upgraded version of that feature on the current available models. Getting a new dSLR won't improve the quality of your shots. It will only make shooting easier if you upgraded correctly in the first place.