Do any entry-level DSLRs have a built-in autofocus motor?
Asked 8/21/2016
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I'm comparing entry-level DSLRs and noticed that the Nikon D3300 and Canon Rebel T5 don't have a built-in autofocus motor in the camera body. Are there entry-level DSLR models that do include one? I'm wondering if buying a body with an in-camera AF motor could save money by letting me use older autofocus lenses instead of needing lenses with built-in motors.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
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There are three parts to the answer to this, which is appropriate, because with Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, Fujifilm, and Sigma focusing on mirrorless designs, there are really only three companies making DSLRs: Pentax, Canon, and Nikon.
First, all Pentax DSLRs, even the entry-level models, have built-in autofocus motors. So, if that's really your main concern, there you go. Pentax has excellent compatibility with old lenses, and that's a route many Pentax enthusiasts take — although the bulk of the interesting old lenses are manual focus anyway. (But while I do love Pentax, I think you should read on to get the full picture.)
Second, Canon went straight to in-lens focus motors when the EOS system EF mount was created in the late 1980s. As Philip Kendall points out, read more about that here: Do all Canon DSLRs have in-body AF motors?
And, finally, for your primary concern, saving money because you won't have to buy AF-S lenses — well, maybe, but that's not the whole story. See Can I save money on lenses by buying a Nikon camera with an in-body autofocus motor? for more on this. Dan Wolfgang gives a great answer, and the key point is that while you can probably save money,
AF-S lenses often offer more than just internal motors: better optics are pretty standard. A while back I pulled out an old 35-80mm f4-5.6 AF-D "kit" lens and shot with it a little on my D300 and was amazed at how poor the optical quality of it was as compared to the 18-55mm AF-S "kit" lens. It wasn't bad, but the 18-55 was clearly better.
and, in general, the answers at How do camera body motors compare to in-lens motors for focusing? expand on this, with most of the advantages coming down in the "in-lens" camp. The Pentax Limited lenses provide an exception, because the lack of an AF motor allows them to be especially tiny. Compare the Pentax 40mm "pancake" lens with Canon's version — the Pentax is 70% of the weight and length.
The general trend in the industry is towards in-lens motors. This means that any savings you might get are gonna be on buying older lens designs (if not literally older, used lenses). And, in that arena, Canon has a set of low-cost, entry-level lenses with motors and all — often beating Nikon's comparable budget lenses in price. For example, the no-focus-motor Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D is currently $132. While it's true that the AF-S 50mm f/1.8G is almost twice as much at $217, Canon's version, the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a steal at $125 (motor and all). But that's just at the budget end — if you're looking at higher-end glass (again, oddballs like the Pentax Limited series aside), it's all in-lens motors anyway, and prices are in the same ballpark.
So, overall, I wouldn't make this a big factor in your decision, unless you have a specific AF-but-not-AF-S lens in mind as a key part of your photography.
Originally by user1943. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1943
9y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—some entry-level DSLRs do have an in-body autofocus motor, but it depends on the brand.
- Pentax: entry-level Pentax DSLRs include a built-in AF motor.
- Canon: no Canon EOS DSLR bodies have an autofocus motor in the body, from entry-level to flagship. Canon’s EF-system autofocus lenses use motors built into the lens, so the lack of a body motor is normal and not a disadvantage within that system.
- Nikon: some lower-end Nikon DSLRs omit the body motor, so older screw-drive AF lenses won’t autofocus on those bodies.
So if your goal is specifically to autofocus older screw-drive lenses, a Pentax DSLR is one option. But with Canon, you don’t need to look for a body motor at all—Canon autofocus lenses are designed to autofocus via the motor in the lens. Also keep in mind that many older inexpensive lenses people adapt or collect are manual focus anyway, so the savings may not be as large as you expect.
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