Do You Think This Is A Correct Assessment Of These Two Cameras?

Teal...
Nikon and Canon are both good choices. I use Canon Cameras. The Canon T3i and the Canon 70D. Canon makes excellent cameras as does Nikon. Buy the Canon if it is on sale and money is the issue.

Did you go to the store and feel them in your hands?

I think it's hard to make a decision off specs, although they are important, I don't think you can go wrong with either choice for entry level.

Bob,
This Canon T5 is almost the exact same as your T3i, and I read a review comparing those two which said the 3i was better. But the T5 is on sale and the t3i is no longer listed for sale on the site.
Angelina,
I haven't gone in the store -- the sale is online. DIdn't actually occur to me to go in the store to check them.
The review says this particular Nikon makes "significantly better" pictures because of it's "significantly" larger sensor and some other better features that it has. Also, the 24mp vs 18mp for the Canon. It has two more focus points and it is 33% faster.
But I am not sure how those numbers play out in actual use. It seems "significantly" better, clearer pictures is a big difference, but then that is a fairly vague assessment -- significantly.

Nikon seems to win hands down in this comparison (and I say that as a Canon user):

http://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Compare/Side-by-side/Canon-EOS-1200D-versus-Nikon-D3200___940_801

dxomark is the Michelin Guide for camera comparisons.

Paul,
Thanks. It seemed that way to me, too, but I just wondered if it was actually a tiny difference in practice. I've read some more since posting this question and I am inclined to agree that the Nikon -- in this case at least -- is the better buy. Thanks -- it's good to know that dxomark is trustworthy! I have a love affair with Canon printers and therefore I was hoping to go for a Canon camera, but it looks like it's gonna be Nikon, for now anyway!

I am a lifelong fan of Pentax. More bang for the buck.

This is interesting.

“Hello, Ricoh. Can you give me more marketing money?” --- from the video.

I have a D3200 and am so glad to have made that purchase, the 24meg pixels was the main reason for the choice 35000 frames in a year and a half and no complaints, the lens are higher priced though so keep that in mind when making your final decision. All the reviews is what made me chose the Nikon over Canon.

Listen to those people who say you need to feel the cameras in action. If it doesn't feel right in your hand it isn't going to work for you. (Unless you always shoot from a tripod :-) )

Walter -- loved the video! I liked the idea of the cool popular kid vs the geeky one! I checked the snapsort.com and every pentax of the 4 I compared to the D3200 beat it. But the price was more - way, way, way more in a few cases!
Bonfire -- the one I am looking at comes with two lenses. The extra lens is 55mm - 200mm and I think I read somewhere on this forum that it's not the best lens, but not horrible. I'm glad to hear that you have this D3200 and really like it!

Thanks John! Maybe I'll take a shopping trip and try them in person. I can always still come home and order it online.

Thanks for the response, Teal.

One other thing I forgot to mention: Pentax has not changed their mount in decades. The lenses that one bought years ago will still work on the cameras that Pentax builds today.

When I entered photography over twenty years ago I bought a state of the art slr with all the bells and whistles. When I decided to start shooting weddings I bought a “cheap” Pentax. It was fully manual. The only thing it had was a center-weighted light meter. It didn't not take long for me to prefer the Pentax.

We Pentax users are sometimes said to be members of a cult! LOL.

Teal, wait till after Photokina (http://www.photokina.com/en/photokina/home/index.php). The announcement of new models might mean lower prices for older models or better deals otherwise as Nikon/Canon/Pentax try to get rid off their old stock.

That particular Nikon may beat that particular Canon but you really want to think long term as once you go with one or the other and start buying glass you will be locked in for life pretty much.

Some Canons are better than some Nikons in some price ranges and visa versa. So, how to chose? Well, go down to the local camera shop, Best Buy or even Walmart and hold both in your hands and play with them. See which fits YOU better then go with that.

The reason I originally went with Canon is I had a very good local friend that had a LOT of Canon glass I could borrow. Simple as that.

Regarding Pentax, and I cut my teeth on that brand and like it,

They only have crop sensor DSLRs and are extremely limited in new lens selection when compared to Canon or Nikon. That may not be an issue or it may.

One tip: After buying your camera, stop reading reviews! Be happy with your purchase, and shoot the hell out of it!

While the Nikon may be the better body, the choice you are making now is about which system you want to buy into and what lenses and flashes you will want in the future. The big downside of going with the Nikon body is it is not compatable with a lot of the older and current Nikon lenses and the lenses made for Nikon. The autofocus will only work with the new lenses that have motors in the lens as the body itself has no lens. Canon started putting motors in all the lenses 2 decades ago. You will lose any money you saved on an entry body if you start buying the new Nikon lenses. For example the new 80- 400 nikon lens is over $2500, while the used older model can be had on ebay for about $800. But the old one is not compatible with entry level Nikons. Same for a lot of macro lenses.

some places have the Nikon 3200 listed with a zoom lens package for about $100 more or so.
e.g. http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-Camera-18-55mm-55-200mm/dp/B00I6TC6XG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410175399&sr=8-1&keywords=nikon+d3200+bundles

Hi, JC.

I agree, with what you said, in part, but other lens makers offer very good glass with the same mount. As has been the case for decades.

And as for crop sensors? Like I stated before, “More bang for the buck”

it really depends if you have flashes or lenses for a certain camera right now. i have canon, it could be better, if i had to do it again i may go to nikon. but if i did that i would have to replaces flashes and lenses and that would be far too expensive. still on my mind is when my current lens dies, if i should replace the system with a different camera. it depends what came out. nikon does have some advantages over canon right now. i didn't compare the two. it really comes down to what you need.

---Mike Savad

"After buying your camera, stop reading reviews! " - yes!

Its called Cognitive dissonance:

Cognitive dissonance is a psychological concept related to self-doubt when making decisions. In marketing, it is often referred to as buyer's remorse, and relates to the uncertainty customers feel after making a tough purchasing decision.

After buying a car/camera/cell phone, one is attune to seeing good reviews to help easy the mind that the right decision was made. Whatever you choose, after purchase its not about the competitive products but what you will do with the camera.

Canon is the larger company, Nikon will always be trying to be better deal to gain market share and the rest even more so.

Find me a 700mm piece of glass that will fit Pentax and auto focus and I will retract my statement.

No, most don't need such a lens, but like I said, it may or may not be an issue.

The good news about making these decisions is the healthy resale market. Bodies drop in value but lenses kept in good condition retain a large percentage of their value.

The difference of ISO and other attributes for the K-3 and full frame Canon and Nikon is narrowing to the point of nil: http://www.slrlounge.com/pentax-k-3-review-initial-field-report-tests/

OK, maybe I will rent the Pentax and take a look before I get the 6D.

I have a 7D and a T3i also. Love them both. I bought the 7D first, and I wanted a second camera... for my hubby to use when I'm using my camera. I basically bought the T3i to give him a camera, so I wouldn't have to share... I now usually have the 7D around my neck and the T3i over my shoulder with a different lens.

Suzzane, thank you for the hours and hours of research your link has launched me into.

Sleep is way overrated anyway.

Someone said it, but it's worth emphasizing. Stick with the good brand names. Go to a camera store and put them in your hands. Buy the one that feels like its an extension of your hands and brain.

And then do what Colin said!

JC,

Sorry for the link ( ; That's what happened to me when I went internet surfing for my K20 not much sleep as you say... Let us know what you think when you come up for air! As you probably are finding out, everyone uses third party lenses.

Cathy,

You are a serious shooter!

On that video where he talks about the focus being slow. It is true with Nikon. In many cases I find I can shoot manually and focus faster than the three nikons I have owned. And for me that does come in play when I shoot live performances, or wildlife. Both of which I usually shoot manual because I miss too many shots shooting af.
If focusing speed is not an issue, then Nikon would be good for you, unless you are good at shooting manual.