Best digital SLR camera for my needs?
Posted on Sep 09, 2008 under Digital news and reports |I am trying to figure out the right camera for my wife and me. My parents are starting to ask what I want for my birthday and Christmas and I was trying to put together a wish list. I thought I would put a digital SLR on the wish list. Here is what I am looking for:
A dSLR that will take care of me while I am a beginner on up to if I ever start wanting to get serious about taking pictures.
A camera that isn’t going to bust the bank account.
Camera that professionals would suggest as the “better” entry level to mid level camera.
I also want to figure out the right lens to get. I know that there are a lot of lenses that come with cameras that once you get another “good” lens, you will never want to use again because the other “better” lens takes so much better pictures. I don’t want to necessarily get a packaged lens unless it is something that I will love to use when compared to other lenses.
So I am up for your suggestions. Here is what I have looked at so far: Nikon D50 D70 and D80s, Canon Digital Rebel XT, Rebel XS, Rebel XTi, and Rebel XSi. I have also looked at the Pentax K200D but am not sure of the company.
Thanks friends.
September 9th, 2008 at 7:16 am
check out the Nikon D60
September 9th, 2008 at 7:16 am
If money is the primary issue go with the D40 it will give you great photos and give you more bang for the buck than any entry DSLR out today. Do not let the lower megapixels concern you if you do not do very very large prints you will never notice the lower DSLR. If you have a bit more money the D60 give you a number of things you want. It has newer firmware and image processors, designed for the 10 mp sensor. It has an "Active Dust Reduction System with Airflow Control ". Nikon not putting a system on the D40 to deal with dust is one of the biggest drawbacks I see to the D40 ( though I think its still a great camera for the money) If you change lenses dust will get in and the camera needs a system to deal with it. With the D60 you get a VR lens. That will help with low light situations ( they may offer that now with the D40 but originally it was not) . The D60 has Adaptive Dynamic Range. Nikon calls it "Active D-Lighting," it lets you save some highlights that my otherwise be lost. It has a newer better metering system than the D40.
Added
Some people will want to make a big issue out of the fact that there are some nikon lenses that will not autofocus on these cameras. Right now there are "only" about 39 lenses that autofocus on these cameras. They cover the range of focal lengths. I doubt any photographer would be seriously limited with "only" this many lenses to choose from. If you want to manually focus you can more than double this and do so at a low cost. Manual focusing is easy and how we did things for decades before the advent of autofocus.
Cannon and Nikon chose to put the vibration reduction in the lens rather than the body. Yes that means you get it only on lenses with that feature built in. In the body in theory it would work on every lens. But in fact image stbilization in the lens has proved to work faster and smoother with a lower impact on focus times than image stabilization in the body
I found it interesting that one of the comments here said "never buy a camera that runs on AA. ever." because while I agree that the other batteries can give you superior performance under most condiotns. I just bought the MB-d10 multi battery pack for my D300 spending 300 us on it and one of the main motivations was that in a real pinch I could use AA batteries which I could get anywhere
In closing all the major manyfactures make good cameras. With Nikon and Canon having the largest market share. Most photographers are loyal to what they use and like. Go to the stores get them in your hand and find what you like. What fits your hand well, which has the features you want in an easy to use format
September 9th, 2008 at 7:16 am
Quote “I have also looked at the Pentax K200D but am not sure of the company.”
Pentax is actually the oldest optical company of those listed.
Avoid the lower priced Nikons they have dropped a load of functions on them and you can only use some of their lenses (good as they are).
Canon is the most expensive system to buy into.
I defy anybody to know which camera body a picture was taken on, lens quality is another matter. A quality lens will always stand out.
With Pentax you can use any K mount lens made since 1973, older ones with an adapter. Some of the best lenses ever made are Pentax. If you wear glasses chances are your looking through a Pentax lens right now.
With the anti shake in camera every lens you fit is anti shake with the newer Pentax DSLR models.
Chris
September 9th, 2008 at 7:16 am
the best place to start is dpreview.com
compare them under the Compare feature.
just be sure you want a SLR first. really cool to have. i know a lot of people who wanted one because SLR sounds better but they arent user friendly in the sense of point and shoot.
think about size. how much are you willing to lug around with you. is this your main camera? going to carry it with you all over the beach or do you have a smaller one for that.
Nikon and canon are both great cameras with canon coming out a little more on top when it comes to features and ease of use.
The nikons came out in this order: D70, D50, D80. 50 and 70 both have same max resolution while 80 is more.
all 3 have rechargable batteries which is the main thing i look for. never buy a camera that runs on AA. ever.
all 3 can shoot in RAW. the good thing about the D70 is its shutter speed, twice as fast as the other 2. great for fast shots.
the D80 has 10MP which in my opinion is ridiculous. dont be one of 'those' who fall for the MP myth of more is better. the hubble space telescope takes photographs with a .1MP sensor.
price depends on where you get it. i get mine used from ebay.
the canon XT, XS, XTi and XSi are great cameras as well.
the XSi and XS are both newer cameras so youll be paying a lot more for that. i stay away from the newest of the new. in my opinion its just bragging rights "Oh look, i have the newest camera".. but in a year its going to be "old". plus, new cameras always have bugs that need to be worked out so Id look at either the XT or XS.
XS has higher max resolution, higher MP, but doesnt mean it takes better photographs. the photographer decides how well the photos come out.
Both sensors are CMOS. Both have same shutter speed. The XS has a massive LCD screen. good and bad. the bigger, the more chance of scratches. smaller might be harder to see. I remember my canon G5. the LCD was tiny but I was able to see it quite well.
Remember that the XT has a plasticy look to it not sure if thats your taste.
The XS has a very odd grip on it. go to the store and feel for yourself but to me it seems too small for a camera that size.
as for the lens, there are always better lenses then the one you have. find the one that suits your need. more $$$ does NOT mean better.
So, id recommend either the canon XT or the D70 but the choice is up to you! Good luck!
i dont know a thing about pentax. I try to stick with cameras that I know work well.
September 9th, 2008 at 7:16 am
I 2nd Pentax. They have the best primes for the money plus the K200D packs the better (read more) features for the money in it’s class than the competing Nikon/Canon models.
September 9th, 2008 at 7:16 am
Canon Rebel XTi
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