Best Entry Level DSLR for Beginners?
From Canon or Nikon
Well, the Pentax K-500 has a pentaprism viewfinder, meters with MF lenses and has its anti-shake built into the body.
The Sony SLT A-58 also has body-mounted anti-shake, and superior video performance (Sony provide the sensors to Nikon and Pentax).
If you can't make the choice for yourself, forget it. There's no, 'Best,' beyond the way a camera feels in your hands, but if you're only considering two manufacturers, you aren't ready for a DSLR.
Nothing says "clueless about photography" quite like the Canon vs. Nikon question. If you know of only 2 brands, you have no business buying a DSLR.
Being a beginner does not require you to buy the beginner model. Bypass the Canon T3 for the T3i or the T5 for T5i. Get articulating LCD, more autofocus points, and video autofocusing.
Ditto if you skip the Nikon D3300 for the D5300.
The Pentax K-500 has no user selectable autofocus points. Skip it for the K-50 and you get them, plus it has weather protection that others at its price lack.
Oh, but it's too much clutter for a beginner! Well, maybe for the first month.
Being a Canon loyalist that's the only brand I recommend. The t3 would an excellent starting camera… That or the t3i. I own a t3i and learning it can be a bit of a chore but once you do you'll be very happy with it.
