Is a nikon p520 or p510 worth it for beginners?

There is one serious issue with bridge cameras, whether it be a Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Panasonic, or others.

The lenses are mediocre. Fact is, a 50x zoom lens cannot be made as good as a 5x lens. You will find that those high power lenses - on any bridge camera - will not be as sharp as lower power lenses.

People buy bridge cameras for convenience over quality.

If you want a low-budget starter camera, especially if you desire to go to a DSLR later, look at the P330 or P7700. They both have manual exposure controls and are priced attractively for first-time camera owners, and will allow you to learn the basics. And with the P330's fast f/1.8 lens, it will have superior low-light capability.

Also, the P520 costs virtually as much as a D3100 DSLR. Buying the D3100 is a no brainer vs. the P520. The P520 is not even the same league as the D3100.

P330 for $375:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-COOLPIX-Digital-Camera...

P310 for $195 (this price may not last):

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-COOLPIX-Digital-Camera...

P520 for $426:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-COOLPIX-Digital-Camera...

D3100 for $446:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-14-2MP-Digital-18-55mm...

My advice. Buy the P330 (or even the P310 if you can find it) if you want inexpensive. Otherwise, buy the D3100.

1

Don't waste your money.

keep shooting with your cell phone, or just buy a cheap compact digital camera.

Why? That's what the P510, and 520 are, just cheap cameras. They aren't the only one's, Canon's G series and others are the same thing. They charge top dollar because they add extra controls and features, but at the heart of the camera is a cheap, tiny image sensor packed with too many pixels and the lens is probably just OK at best so you still won't be getting crisp clean shots with this type of camera.

What you want to save up for and ultimately spend your money on is a camera with a large image sensor.

It could be an entry level dSLR for about 600 US dollars or a compact solution like a Sony NEX 3N, you can get that for about 499 US dollars. The Olympus E PM2 is has a really good image sensor as well.

a dSLR or compact mirrorless camera is no more difficult to use than a simple compact camera. The 'beginner's camera' is a myth. Just like there's no such thing as a beginners car. The gas pedal, and the brake are all in the same place.

Nikon For Beginners

You will absolutely see NO difference between 16Mp and 18Mp. It is just a marketing ploy. Even then, I would recommend against any bridge camera (both P510 and P520 are bridge cameras). They typically have optical issues due to those big lenses. While a 40x zoom may be convenient, it may also be optically inferior. The only Nikon compact cameras I would consider are the P7700 or P310. They are the two best compact cameras Nikon makes.

Yes. Very good as an all-in-one.

You'd do even better with a Canon SX50 though. Learn to rest it on something and use the self timer and you'll get distance shots that come close to DSLRs with big long lenses. (You could get a cheap monopod like mine which supports a DSLR and heavy lens, and doubles as a telescopic hiking pole)

As all cameras have Auto modes and you can learn to use the manual modes at your own pace, so buy the best you can afford.

I you've "really gotten into photography", maybe it's time to step up to a DSLR. For very similar money to the P520, you can get a Nikon D3100 with a kit lens.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-14-2MP-Digital-18-55mm...

Go ahead.

Spoil yourself with lewd amounts of zoom and you won't ever want to hold a dSLR ever.

DSLR's start at just around $500. They're all basically the same. If you know exactly what you're doing, you will get the same shot no matter what dSLR you use.

DSLR photography doesn't need to be over-complicated. This online photography course has been developed for beginners - intermediate levels and will teach you how to make the best use of your DSLR camera. https://tr.im/WQlY3

Learning how to confidently use your DSLR will help you get full value out of this awesome camera you have already paid for!

This course has been developed after seeing many potential photographers give up far too soon, wasting good money they have spent on the purchase of their DSLR camera.

2