Advice on buying digital slr

[utkscvol1]

So right now I have a Kodak Easyshare z710. Love my camera, it's just that it's really just great for still shots. Recitals, moving things, night shots, not great at all. This year when we go to disney I want a digital slr. What are your fav digital slr's for the price? I know the more you spend seems to be the best quality but I would really like to not go overboard. My husband said not to look at anything below a 10mp. Let me hear what you think because I have no clue.

 

[scoot241]

So right now I have a Kodak Easyshare z710. Love my camera, it's just that it's really just great for still shots. Recitals, moving things, night shots, not great at all. This year when we go to disney I want a digital slr. What are your fav digital slr's for the price? I know the more you spend seems to be the best quality but I would really like to not go overboard. My husband said not to look at anything below a 10mp. Let me hear what you think because I have no clue.

My advice is to go to a store, pick up all the different SLRs they have, and see which one you like. There are (mostly small) advantages and disadvantages between the different brands. Look at Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony, Olympus. All make good cameras.

FYI, I shoot with a Canon XSi. I was also looking at the Canon T1i (just released), 50D; Nikon D60, D90. The XSi I thought was right where I wanted to be; not the absolute entry level camera, but not too far above it.

 

[ukcatfan]

I agree to go out and hold them. Take some notes as to what you like and narrow it down to a handful in your price range. Then you need to research what the quirks of those cameras and their systems are. I was going to go with Canon, but ended up with Pentax.

 

[bob100]

So right now I have a Kodak Easyshare z710. Love my camera, it's just that it's really just great for still shots. Recitals, moving things, night shots, not great at all. This year when we go to disney I want a digital slr. What are your fav digital slr's for the price? I know the more you spend seems to be the best quality but I would really like to not go overboard. My husband said not to look at anything below a 10mp. Let me hear what you think because I have no clue.

I agree with the others, go to a store and handle them and do the research on features, prices, etc. Most of the entry level DSLRs are similar in features and prices but if you have small children then you might want to consider the ones with video - Canon T1i, Nikon D90, etc.

 

[jenseib]

I agree going and playing with a few at the store will give you a good idea of what you like. I was also told to take your own card and put it in ,so you can see what your pictures come out like.

 

[WVDisGeek]

I agree with previous posters, do your research. Most any of the entry-level DSLRs out today will give you very good results and offer the ability to get REALLY good shots once you learn the camera.

Some of the things that I looked at before deciding, were the features for the money, the way the camera felt in my hand (weight, size, ability to reach all the various buttons, wheels, etc.) the availabilty of lenses for the types of shots I wated to take (both now and in the future) and any prior experience you have with the brands.

For me, I had legacy lenses from my earlier film SLR days and so that pushed me over the edge for my Pentax. Had it not been for the lenses I already had, I might just as easily gone with Nikon or Canon.

I also really liked the heft of my Pentax and how it felt. It just "fits" better.