What would be a good upgrade

[Smurfsarepeopletoo]

Morning,

Currently have a Nikon D5100 that I have had for about 13 year, got 3 lenses for it, a Nikon 18-55, Nikon 55-200 and a Sigma 70-300, so ideally I would like to stick to Nikon so I can keep using them.

These are the types of photos I like to take, and looking for something with a bit better quality especially when cropping, so thought I would turn to the experts to ask.

Dont wanna be spending mega money, probably up to about £500, so not fussed if its 2nd hand.













Thanks in Advance.

[Russet Grange]

The straightforward answer to stick with those lenses is a D7500, but you won't suddenly say "wow, look how much better my pictures are".

The money is going on improved autofocus, slightly improved low light performance, and it will just feel nicer to handle. One big improvement is that you'll have a front dial for changing aperture, leaving the rear one for shutter speed.

If you say what you're looking to improve then others will post their thoughts, but if it's just "better photos" then there are things like composition, lighting, technique, post-processing and general planning that can mean bigger leaps than upgrading your camera body.

[Smurfsarepeopletoo]

I think I'm looking for the quality to be better, currently when I take an image of something in the distance, it looks good, but when I crop it, it loses quality.

Would also like something that is maybe a bit quicker taking the images.

But just an overall better camera.

[Simpo Two]

Smurfsarepeopletoo said:

I think I'm looking for the quality to be better, currently when I take an image of something in the distance, it looks good, but when I crop it, it loses quality.

Would also like something that is maybe a bit quicker taking the images.

But just an overall better camera.

The D5100 is 16Mp so to significantly improve post-crop resolution you'd need at least 25Mp, preferably 30+.

If that's not possible then you need to frame more closely, and if that's not possible you need longer lenses or get closer. Going full frame will make it worse.

On the subject of focus performance, the D5100 is 15 years old so any newer camera of the same level or above should be better. It's 'only' 20Mp but have a look at the D500: https://www.wexphotovideo.com/nikon-d500-digital-s...
Here's a cheaper one with a spare lens you could sell off: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/406971037210

[GravelBen]

Your best options are D7200 (24mp), D7500 (20mp) or D500 (same 20mp sensor as D7500 but better autofocus and bigger heavier pro quality body). I have a D7200 which has served me well for many years so can recommend one. The D7500 is a newer model but dropped a few features the D7200 had in order to create a bigger gap to the D500.

Or modernise a bit more and get a Z50ii (pretty much the same 20mp sensor as the D7500 and D500 but in a newer, lighter mirrorless body with cleverer autofocus etc but worse battery life) which can use your DSLR lenses with Nikon's FTZ adaptor. But then you will get tempted to buy native Z mount lenses as well which are generally better and sharper than their F-mount predecessors.

[Russet Grange]

Smurfsarepeopletoo said:

I think I'm looking for the quality to be better, currently when I take an image of something in the distance, it looks good, but when I crop it, it loses quality.

Would also like something that is maybe a bit quicker taking the images.

But just an overall better camera.

I thought about recommending the D500 (I have one, it is superb), but thought it to be way out of budget, though in the light of the above, you could buy the Nikon 200-500 f/5.6 - A big lens, but quite excellent. Should find one for £600, which is above budget too, but it will last you forever, whereas camera bodies come and go. Not an easy lens to use (longer=harder to keep steady), but it might do what you're after.

That of course doesn't satisfy the 'overall beter camera', so my recommendation of a D500 or D7500 still stands.