Advice on purchasing a new DSLR?

Hi, I have finally saved enough money up to purchase my first DSLR. I will be using this DSLR mainly for filmmaking and not so much photography. The only features I really need are having good video quality and having an articulating screen. The camera that has caught my attention the most is the Nikon D5300 and almost bought it a while ago. However, I held myself back as I was still unsure aboout purchasing the camera as I was hoping if anyone knew if there's a newer or better camera I should look at or wait for. My budget is basically $1k but I do not want to spend all of it on just a camera but I would consider it if the camera is really something worth getting.

The camera you picked is certainly a good one, but it is a still camera with a video feature.

If your real goal is to produce videos, why not buy a video camera. Doesn't that sort of stand to reason?

The Nikon D5300 is an amazing still camera and it can produce brilliant still images if you take the time to learn the fundamentals of photography.

Here are three sites you need to read before you spend a dime toward producing videos.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/camcorders/cam-cam.shtml

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/video-primer.shtml

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/techniques/3_years_later_dslr_video_one_mans_perspective.shtml

Once you have taken the hour or so to read what is in those links, you may have a better idea of what you need to consider before buying any camera gear.

If you are almost exclusively interested in video, get a camcorder. They focus and control audio much, much better. Plus their zoom can't be beat. And you can get a good one for about $250. Look at JVC, Sony and Canon.

The Nikon D5300 would be a good choice if you just have to have a DSLR.

Just compare reviews on amazon of the most popular models

Why buy a "stills" camera to do videos?
Buy a Video Camera or Camcorder… Much more versatile.

The Sony SLT A-58 will blow any true DSLR out of the water for video, but if video's all you want, you'd be better served with a camcorder.

I'd stop… And start researching.

I was actually advised around the year 2000 to invest in a digital video camera and take stills with it. I enrolled in a college course to see what my options were and what the pro's were using… I was advised if I wanted to shoot video that you buy a video camera and if stills was your thing then bought a DSLR, 35mm or large format camera.

In the past 5 years it has all changed… Quality video is achievable using your DSLR camera. It doesn't end there though… A DSLR is just the start… Depending on how interested you are, you need to consider video editing software, external microphones, you might need a camera audio mixer, a rig… It's the accessories that you need to support your camera to get that video that might be the problem… It can be done on a budget… If you want to do it on a budget then you need to have the knowledge and know what your options are before you start.

People shoot the contributors down too often on here… And actually suggest that we don't know as much as we think we do… We aren't trying to put you off… There's actually more than one answer to your question… And it's really you that should be working out what that is not us.

Check the link… And research as much as you can… What works for me works because I did the groundwork and made my own decision, I looked at my needs and my interests, calculated the cost of the investment against the level of quality and bought what I needed… I didn;t buy something and then find out I couldn't afford the rest of the accessories required to get the job done. Even that doesn't mean it makes it the best option for you…https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=camcorder+or+dslr

What do you think of the way the Sony A77's back panel LCD works? See link.

Sony offer more live view functionality, but still not as good as a purpose made video camera costing the same amount of money.

As advised, it is your editing skills which will make your videos stand out.

For stills a D5300 could be the top choice for your budget. For video, the Canon T5i might have an advantage.
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Nikon_D5300/verdict.shtml
You can get a T5i with 18-135mm STM lens within your budget.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...l_t5i.html

Depending on what you care about and what you want to use it for, you can sort it all out on http://snapsort.com/...psort.com/
i highly recommend it!