Choosing a digital SLR camera

[Pea-n-Me]

People discussing camera brands is something akin to people discussing their firstborn.

Any and all of the dslr brands are going to yield you very nice pictures once you learn how to use whatever you choose. The rest is personal preference, especially if you're an average photographer who simply wants good shots of family and friends.

The best advice, IMO, is finding one whose ergonomics you like and feel natural to you. That, and knowing it's primarily the photographer that makes the shot (with a given that we're talking dslr/EVIL cameras). Do research into all, go out and see how they feel to you, look and see if any of your old lenses will work with your choice if cost is important to you (because you almost certainly will want more lenses once you get into it), make the best decision you can given your research and then jump in with both feet and don't look back.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The not Sony part is due to past experience with their proprietary memory card format (yes, I know they now also include SD cards - I hold a grudge) and not really thrilled with their low-light focusing performance.

I'm not certain why you feel the low-light focusing performance is poor. Just to clarify I have not found it to be so.

With purchasing a DSLR I firmly believe it is best to go and try all of the brands that you can. I was positive that I wanted a Canon but looked at all of the brands when I was pricing one out. The camera you are comfortable with and that is intuitive to use is what I recommend for personal use since all of the manufacturers make very capable camera's and the difference's between many of them is minimal. If you have any must have features then that can eliminate some models.

The camera I originally had decided on from research was the Canon Xsi. And there are many satisfied users - it's a nice camera. When I held it I could feel my hand cramping up after just playing around with it in the store and knew that would never work for me to take many pictures at one time no matter how much other people liked it or what the specs were.

JMO

 

[bob100]

The camera I originally had decided on from research was the Canon Xsi. And there are many satisfied users - it's a nice camera. When I held it I could feel my hand cramping up after just playing around with it in the store and knew that would never work for me to take many pictures at one time no matter how much other people liked it or what the specs were.

JMO

right, but compare the smaller models like the Canon XSi and the 35mm film cameras, back then people thought the 35mm cameras were the right size and now in the digital age some want larger and heavier cameras!
For me the smaller models like the XSi, 550D, etc. are a good size, the other larger models like the Canon 1d series seem absurdly large!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

right, but compare the smaller models like the Canon XSi and the 35mm film cameras, back then people thought the 35mm cameras were the right size and now in the digital age some want larger and heavier cameras!
For me the smaller models like the XSi, 550D, etc. are a good size, the other larger models like the Canon 1d series seem absurdly large!

I know - isn't it funny! My 35mm film camera compared in size is smaller than many of the bridge camera's - less any big lenses attached of course. It's more comparable to the "small" mirrorless DSLR's.

I'm not for the heavier camera's myself - but the different designs do make a difference in my hands - there's a little arthritis at play so I probably feel the differences more quickly. But thankfully that hasn't always meant the bigger camera's!

 

[photo_chick]

My 35mm Canon Rebel G is a bit larger than my Canon Rebel XT. And the new Rebels are a little smaller still.

Size does matter. If it doesn't fit well in your hands you're not as likely to use it often.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

I agree the current Sony offerings are better at low light, likely due to the fact they have picked up Minolta's technology. My nex3 is a dream of a camera for it's size and capabilities.

 

[LimoFam5]

Going to buy my first DSLR and I wanted everyones opinion.
I have decided on the Canon EOS T2i Rebel however there are two packages that I am considering.

1.Canon EOS T2i Rebel w/15-55mm & 70-300mm
2.Canon EOS T2i Rebel w/ 15-55mm & 55-250mm

Basically the difference is the second lens / 70-300mm or the 55-250mm

Can you please tell me what package you would go with and why?
What is the difference in the two lenses?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

What are the apertures to each (f numbers) and what type of shooting do you do or plan to do? Are they IS (image stabilized)?

Aside from opinions here, there are lots of reviews online. Reading some of those might help you figure out which will be best for you.

 

[Frantasmic]

The 2nd package has two Image Stabilized lenses that are pretty good. The 70-300 is a longer lens, but I don't believe it is IS.

Pick two

 

[ThurlFan]

I have Canon XSi with the 18-55 and 55-250 and am very happy. The reviews I've read for the 70-300 are not as nice as those for the 55-250 FWIW.

 

[okstate_angel]

I was debating the same thing, I just bought the XS this last week. I believe that the previous poster is correct, the one that goes to 300 does not have the Image Stabilizer, that made the decision for me, my hands are not steady enough to go without.

 

[LimoFam5]

The 70-300mm does have IS

 

[ukcatfan]

I agree the current Sony offerings are better at low light, likely due to the fact they have picked up Minolta's technology. My nex3 is a dream of a camera for it's size and capabilities.

How could they have improved with Minolta's technology now being included when Sony never made a DSLR before they bought Minolta. Unless you are talking about their p&s models, but that would be comparing apples to oranges.

 

[zackiedawg]

How could they have improved with Minolta's technology now being included when Sony never made a DSLR before they bought Minolta. Unless you are talking about their p&s models, but that would be comparing apples to oranges.

Point of fact, they actually have improved on Minolta's technology - Minolta had the DSLR experience that gave Sony a good base to start from, then apply their enormous technological knowhow and much larger budget to improve on what Minolta already had. Current Sony DSLRs all focus considerably faster than previous Minolta DSLRs - and Sony DSLRs also have some of the most consistent, reliable, and accurate focus systems among DSLRs, this despite the number of cross-sensors and focus points (more focus points don't often mean better focusing, but better tracking and coverage - Sony's low light focus has always been quite good even since their high-end P&S days). I have in two Sony DSLRs never encountered a situation where the AF system could not achieve focus in low light, and I have extremely extensive experience shooting in low light at both slow shutter and high ISO handheld. In my own personal experience, I find Sony's low light focusing to in fact be better, more accurate, and more reliable than any Canon or Nikon models I tried or which friends have (those being entry or mid level models, NOT pro).

To the OP, I'd say the reasons listed to omit Sony are not really apropos with their DSLRs, which in fact NEVER were Memorystick exclusive - in fact, their first 4 models of DSLR didn't even take memorystick at all...and even now, memorystick remains an additional usable format alongside SD. As for low light focus, that has not ever been an issue with Sony's DSLRs. However, I would by no means try to convince you to get a Sony - people choose what make them happy, and whether you don't like Sony because you hate Playstations, or don't like camera companies with only 4 letters in their name...that's your own right! I just wanted to correct those two issues you mentioned not really applying to Sony's DSLRs.

I'd say honestly choose what you want, what you like the feel of, and what you'll feel good about. Despite some suggestions otherwise from Sony or Pentax fans, it sounds like you would feel a little more confident buying from one of the two 'big' DSLR brands in the market in Canon or Nikon - they've both got plenty of excellent cameras from which to choose, so that would probably be a fine direction for you to be looking in. If you really honestly thought you'd be open-minded to considering one of the smaller players like 3rd place Sony or 4th place Pentax, that'd be fine too as both also have some excellent cameras to offer. But if you're going to have any issues with walking around with one of those names on the front when most people you encounter will have Canon or Nikon badges, then you're probably not a good candidate to buy from the smaller players. Most important is to be happy and feel confident in your decision and enjoy photography!

 

[AlbertZeroK]

Point of fact, they actually have improved on Minolta's technology - Minolta had the DSLR experience that gave Sony a good base to start from, then apply their enormous technological knowhow and much larger budget to improve on what Minolta already had. Current Sony DSLRs all focus considerably faster than previous Minolta DSLRs - and Sony DSLRs also have some of the most consistent, reliable, and accurate focus systems among DSLRs, this despite the number of cross-sensors and focus points (more focus points don't often mean better focusing, but better tracking and coverage - Sony's low light focus has always been quite good even since their high-end P&S days). I have in two Sony DSLRs never encountered a situation where the AF system could not achieve focus in low light, and I have extremely extensive experience shooting in low light at both slow shutter and high ISO handheld. In my own personal experience, I find Sony's low light focusing to in fact be better, more accurate, and more reliable than any Canon or Nikon models I tried or which friends have (those being entry or mid level models, NOT pro).

To the OP, I'd say the reasons listed to omit Sony are not really apropos with their DSLRs, which in fact NEVER were Memorystick exclusive - in fact, their first 4 models of DSLR didn't even take memorystick at all...and even now, memorystick remains an additional usable format alongside SD. As for low light focus, that has not ever been an issue with Sony's DSLRs. However, I would by no means try to convince you to get a Sony - people choose what make them happy, and whether you don't like Sony because you hate Playstations, or don't like camera companies with only 4 letters in their name...that's your own right! I just wanted to correct those two issues you mentioned not really applying to Sony's DSLRs.

I'd say honestly choose what you want, what you like the feel of, and what you'll feel good about. Despite some suggestions otherwise from Sony or Pentax fans, it sounds like you would feel a little more confident buying from one of the two 'big' DSLR brands in the market in Canon or Nikon - they've both got plenty of excellent cameras from which to choose, so that would probably be a fine direction for you to be looking in. If you really honestly thought you'd be open-minded to considering one of the smaller players like 3rd place Sony or 4th place Pentax, that'd be fine too as both also have some excellent cameras to offer. But if you're going to have any issues with walking around with one of those names on the front when most people you encounter will have Canon or Nikon badges, then you're probably not a good candidate to buy from the smaller players. Most important is to be happy and feel confident in your decision and enjoy photography!

My NEX-3 almost has me convinced to switch to Sony Actually. If the lenses were comparable between their DSLR and NEX, I'd likely switch now.

 

[jacksmomma]

We are getting a DSLR! I am scanning the Black Friday ads and have found deals for both the Nikon D3000 and the Canon EOS XS. I have looked at and tried out both; there is a $20 difference (with the Nikon being higher). Which should I get? Suggestions?

 

[Marlton Mom]

Boy is this a loaded question!

The Nikon People will say Nikon.
The Canon people will say Canon.
The Pentax people will say Pentax.
You get the idea....

The best thing for you to do is learn as much about the cameras and decide which one will fit your needs the best.

Here is a link to the Nikon Digitutor site for the D3000. Digitutor will help you learn more about the 3000's features.

http://www.nikondigitutor.com/eng/d3000/index.html

Good Luck,

Marlton Mom

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Both of these models are not the latest entry level DSLR's from those manufacturers. Do they come with a lens or two? Have you looked at all the manufacturers? What is your budget? What type of photography do you expect to do? Because the ergonomics of each camera is important, you really should try to handle all the manufacturers. Once you find the right one you will know. You really do want this decision to be correct because once you start with a manufacturer/system you are liable to be there for a long time because of the cost of lenses and peripherals.

 

[photo_chick]

The black friday deals I have seen for these two cameras have not been good deals at all, they've been really close to normal price.

As far as which one.... whichever has the features you want and fits in your hands well.

 

[Frantasmic]

Both are older sensors; however, I believe the Canon XS has the oldest technology, sensor-wise. Nikon is going to the 3100 as it's base camera, which I think is the 3000 with hd video added.

Based solely on performance of those two cameras, if I didn't prefer one brand over the other already, I'd probably go with the Nikon.