Help My Friend Choose a Starter DSLR

[mom2rtk]

I helped a friend get her first DSLR last year. I posted a thread here and got some great suggestions. She ended up with a Sony (maybe a55??? Can't recall the model) and has been very happy with it. It was before the earthquake and the photography price increases that came with it.

I now have another friend looking for her first DSLR and would like to help her get the most for her money. She'd like to keep it around $700 but might eek out a little more if necessary.

I have suggested that she get something with good High ISO performance and that she get an 18-135 or 18-200 range of kit lens.

I have a T2i but the price with the 18-135 appears to be around $850. I'm wondering what models of Pentax or Sony others might recommend, maybe getting her a few more features for the money.

Thanks in advance for the help (again)! My other friend has been very happy with her Sony. I can't reach her right now to confirm what model she got, but she loves it.

 

[reimero]

I've got a T2i as well. To be honest, the T2i with a kit lens makes for a great starter camera. The 18-135 lens would be one of many upgrades. If you're looking for more than the standard 18-55 kit lens, you're going to drop upwards of $1000, since that's a premium upgrade. The nice thing about the T2i is that it is a good, solid, well-rounded camera with lots of help for the beginner and lots of expandability for the veteran. The extra zoom would be nice, but the kit lens really doesn't stink.

Additionally, Canon is supposedly on the verge of releasing the T4i and discontinuing the T2i, which should drive prices downward over the next couple of months.

 

[mom2rtk]

I've got a T2i as well. To be honest, the T2i with a kit lens makes for a great starter camera. The 18-135 lens would be one of many upgrades. If you're looking for more than the standard 18-55 kit lens, you're going to drop upwards of $1000, since that's a premium upgrade. The nice thing about the T2i is that it is a good, solid, well-rounded camera with lots of help for the beginner and lots of expandability for the veteran. The extra zoom would be nice, but the kit lens really doesn't stink.

Additionally, Canon is supposedly on the verge of releasing the T4i and discontinuing the T2i, which should drive prices downward over the next couple of months.

I agree that the T2i is a great camera. I've been very happy with mine. And it would be great if she had the same one as me so I could answer all her questions.

I just think that before I push her past her budget, I'd like to see if there are any better deals out there, maybe on a similar level of Pentax or Sony. I just don't know the models to consider.

And now that I have her ready to buy a "real" camera after all this time I'm not sure I want to tell her to wait a few months. I might lose her!

 

[photo_chick]

I think Pentax still gives you the most camera for your money. But I don't think you can go wrong with any of the entry level DSLR's.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Pentax, rumor has it, will be introducing a replacement for the entry/mid-level Kr sometime in the future. They have stopped manufacturing the Kr. They are still available on Amazon with an 18-55 for just under $700. The big issue in the Pentax community is the new pricing model. In the past, there were discounts for large orders which allowed for lower pricing to consumers, but contributed to the smaller b & m stores unable to compete, hence they stopped carrying the line. Pentax Ricoh has overhauled their pricing model to match that of the other major manufacturers which has caused an increase in the price of their lenses. Over time, the hope is that the market will stabilize and the lens prices will drop a little. The only other Pentax DSLR option is the K5 with 18-55 for a little over $1,100. Its a great camera but out of the stated price range. They have the K-01 which is a mirrorless (same sensor as the K5, Nikon 5100, 7000 and Sony cameras) with a 40mm lens for about $900 which again is over your budget.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think Pentax still gives you the most camera for your money. But I don't think you can go wrong with any of the entry level DSLR's.

I was thinking that was the case.

Pentax, rumor has it, will be introducing a replacement for the entry/mid-level Kr sometime in the future. They have stopped manufacturing the Kr. They are still available on Amazon with an 18-55 for just under $700. The big issue in the Pentax community is the new pricing model. In the past, there were discounts for large orders which allowed for lower pricing to consumers, but contributed to the smaller b & m stores unable to compete, hence they stopped carrying the line. Pentax Ricoh has overhauled their pricing model to match that of the other major manufacturers which has caused an increase in the price of their lenses. Over time, the hope is that the market will stabilize and the lens prices will drop a little. The only other Pentax DSLR option is the K5 with 18-55 for a little over $1,100. Its a great camera but out of the stated price range. They have the K-01 which is a mirrorless (same sensor as the K5, Nikon 5100, 7000 and Sony cameras) with a 40mm lens for about $900 which again is over your budget.

OK, so maybe it's not the case any more.

I don't think the 55 lens is going to be long enough, and I am trying to help her find something with reach all in one. Did the Kr ever come with a longer kit lens? Maybe an 18-200 or something?

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I was thinking that was the case.



OK, so maybe it's not the case any more.

I don't think the 55 lens is going to be long enough, and I am trying to help her find something with reach all in one. Did the Kr ever come with a longer kit lens? Maybe an 18-200 or something?

I never saw it in a kit. Their had a multiple lens kits, the 18-55 and either a 50-200 or 55-300. Those were going for around a $1,000. Amazon does have a used (good condition) Kr with the 18-55, 55-300 kit at their Amazon Warehouse Deals. That's where I got my K5 but it was listed as like new.

 

[mom2rtk]

I never saw it in a kit. Their had a multiple lens kits, the 18-55 and either a 50-200 or 55-300. Those were going for around a $1,000. Amazon does have a used (good condition) Kr with the 18-55, 55-300 kit at their Amazon Warehouse Deals. That's where I got my K5 but it was listed as like new.

I really think she'd like to keep with a single "all in one" kit if possible. I thought I saw some in the Pentax line when I helped my other friend. But man, it appears that things have changed quite a bit in a little over a year.

I did just confirm with my other friend (the one I helped last year) that she got the a500 with 18-200 lens for $600. I'm seeing now that will be a really tough deal to get remotely close to. It appears that the A500 has been discontinued. Can any Sony shooters give me an idea of what might becomparable in the current Sony lineup?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

And the Sony A500 wasn't even an entry level! That really was a great deal.

As it is prices with Sony (and a few others I believe) have just gone up.
Sony has filled their line up with SLT cameras which means they no longer have a moving mirror and use an electronic view finder. I like it! It is different from the traditional DSLR and has some advantages in that you will see white balance and exposure but there also is a very slight delay if shooting fast moving subjects. Without the moving mirror they are slightly more compact and lighter.

Sony models that fit where the A500 did that I'd recommend are: A55, A580 or A560.

In the Sony SLT line the A55 is a very good camera. Bundled with an 18-250mm lens, which is a good ultra zoom, it's $999 at B&H so a bit over budget. Bundled with the 18-55 it's around the budget at $728 at B&H. It's about to be replaced by the A57 so maybe some deals will turn up. Then there's the A580 which is a traditional DSLR. The sensor in the A55 and A580 are identical and one of the best in the aps-c cameras and used in some of the Nikon and Pentax cameras. Or the A560 is the upgrade to the A500. Both A560 and A580 have been discontinued so perhaps you could run across a deal there too but they have become harder to find.

All of the cameras I listed have video (with autofocus in the A55) and lots of other features like Panorama, articulating screens, high FPS shooting (7-10 fps depending on the model), in camera HDR, multi frame noise reduction and several picture effects to chose from. I don't think I've pulled out a tripod since I first got an A55 because of the low light features.

The entry level version of this is the A35 and has many of the same features as the A55 and same sensor although updated and apparently slightly worse in the high ISO noise. You lose the articulated screen with that model which was odd because the model it replaced, the A33, had one.

One of the hottest Sony lines is the NEX if your friend wanted the picture quality of a DSLR but a more compact camera. The NEXC3 and the NEX5N also have the same sensor as the A55 and A580. It's a good one and Sony's making the most of it!

That's a quick run down on the Sony's. The 18-250 lens is now $650 new so the A55 package that B&H still has actually is a very good deal. Another option is with the kit lens and add a 55-200mm for $200 but that's almost up to the A55 + 18-250. I'm actually very surprised to see that price on that kit at $999.

 

[mom2rtk]

And the Sony A500 wasn't even an entry level! That really was a great deal.

As it is prices with Sony (and a few others I believe) have just gone up.
Sony has filled their line up with SLT cameras which means they no longer have a moving mirror and use an electronic view finder. I like it! It is different from the traditional DSLR and has some advantages in that you will see white balance and exposure but there also is a very slight delay if shooting fast moving subjects. Without the moving mirror they are slightly more compact and lighter.

Sony models that fit where the A500 did that I'd recommend are: A55, A580 or A560.

In the Sony SLT line the A55 is a very good camera. Bundled with an 18-250mm lens, which is a good ultra zoom, it's $999 at B&H so a bit over budget. Bundled with the 18-55 it's around the budget at $728 at B&H. It's about to be replaced by the A57 so maybe some deals will turn up. Then there's the A580 which is a traditional DSLR. The sensor in the A55 and A580 are identical and one of the best in the aps-c cameras and used in some of the Nikon and Pentax cameras. Or the A560 is the upgrade to the A500. Both A560 and A580 have been discontinued so perhaps you could run across a deal there too but they have become harder to find.

All of the cameras I listed have video (with autofocus in the A55) and lots of other features like Panorama, articulating screens, high FPS shooting (7-10 fps depending on the model), in camera HDR, multi frame noise reduction and several picture effects to chose from. I don't think I've pulled out a tripod since I first got an A55 because of the low light features.

The entry level version of this is the A35 and has many of the same features as the A55 and same sensor although updated and apparently slightly worse in the high ISO noise. You lose the articulated screen with that model which was odd because the model it replaced, the A33, had one.

One of the hottest Sony lines is the NEX if your friend wanted the picture quality of a DSLR but a more compact camera. The NEXC3 and the NEX5N also have the same sensor as the A55 and A580. It's a good one and Sony's making the most of it!

That's a quick run down on the Sony's. The 18-250 lens is now $650 new so the A55 package that B&H still has actually is a very good deal. Another option is with the kit lens and add a 55-200mm for $200 but that's almost up to the A55 + 18-250. I'm actually very surprised to see that price on that kit at $999.

Many thanks for the thorough rundown Kat! That was extremely helpful.

It's starting to look like she's not going to get a deal with an ultra-zoom. I hadn't looked at cameras since I helped my first friend and... oh my! Things are very different in a very short time.

So now she's back to considering the bundle deals with a separate zoom. She has asked me about the Nikon D3100. And I don't know anything about the Nikon lineup either. Best Buy has it with the 18-55 and 55-200 for $729. Can anyone say how that compares to the Canon bodies? Does that line up with the T2i, or is it more comparable to the T3? I just want to be sure she's comparing apples to apples.

 

[YesDear]

I do not disagree with anything said here so far. I would encourage you, however, to make an assessment of your friend. If you think they are looking to take better pictures and will use the DSLR as a bigger point and shoot then I think you are leading them the right direction. No offense intended to any of the brands mentioned, but if you think they will seriously get in to photography, they may want to look at a brand and see how they can grow into it.

I know I may get flamed for it but the Canon/ Nikon products can go the gamut of skill and desire where some other products may not.

Just a comment.

 

[nigelp]

I know I may get flamed for it but the Canon/ Nikon products can go the gamut of skill and desire where some other products may not.

I don't understand this comment. What aspects of photography would the friend of the OP not be able to achieve with a non Canon/Nikon?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Many thanks for the thorough rundown Kat! That was extremely helpful.

It's starting to look like she's not going to get a deal with an ultra-zoom. I hadn't looked at cameras since I helped my first friend and... oh my! Things are very different in a very short time.

So now she's back to considering the bundle deals with a separate zoom. She has asked me about the Nikon D3100. And I don't know anything about the Nikon lineup either. Best Buy has it with the 18-55 and 55-200 for $729. Can anyone say how that compares to the Canon bodies? Does that line up with the T2i, or is it more comparable to the T3? I just want to be sure she's comparing apples to apples.

Your welcome!

One other option with the Sony's is at Adorama. The A560 kit + 55-200 zoom for $847. This was Sony's update to the A500 and is a mid-level camera in the line so more features than an entry.

About the Nikon - AFAIK the D3100 is their entry level. I'm not familiar any longer about the Canon naming so I'm not sure which it lines up with but that might help since you know Canon's!

 

[ukcatfan]

I do not disagree with anything said here so far. I would encourage you, however, to make an assessment of your friend. If you think they are looking to take better pictures and will use the DSLR as a bigger point and shoot then I think you are leading them the right direction. No offense intended to any of the brands mentioned, but if you think they will seriously get in to photography, they may want to look at a brand and see how they can grow into it.

I know I may get flamed for it but the Canon/ Nikon products can go the gamut of skill and desire where some other products may not.

Just a comment.

I do not disagree that they offer everything you could need over many different levels of photography. The thing that I disagree with is that anyone really "grows" into professional photography. It is more of a leap based on what I have heard and observed here. The stuff you buy when at the entry level or advanced amateur level is typically of no use to you when you move to professional gear. Since pretty much any brand offers what anyone would need at the consumer level, I see the possibility of going to really advanced gear as unimportant to your decision.

 

[YesDear]

I don't understand this comment. What aspects of photography would the friend of the OP not be able to achieve with a non Canon/Nikon?

My only point was if the op's friend really wants to get into photography, they may want to look at a brand that could follow them wherever they wanted to go photographically.

That is in no way a slight, in any way, to the other brands. But when Canon and Nikon make up over 80%of the DSLR market and almost 100% of the professional market, someone just getting started may want to see what they have available.

My apologies to the OP for taking this thread down this road!

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks for everyone's help. I wanted to participate in the discussion yesterday but could not get logged into the DIS.

I don't see my friend getting into photography and buying additional lenses. She's really not looking for a hobby, just better photos of her kids.And I wanted her to get the the most for her money on a starter camera.

Kat, I'd love to see her stretch just a bit and get the A560. But I think that's just pushing the budget a little bit far. I think that WOULD leave her a little camera to "grow into", but I think that's hard to anticipate when you've never had a DSLR.

I'm still shocked that my other friend's deal is so far out of reach replicating just a little over a year later (earthquake and all). This friend will be spending at least $150 more, settling for 2 lenses (instead of the super zoom), and getting a lower level camera.

 

[nigelp]

My only point was if the op's friend really wants to get into photography, they may want to look at a brand that could follow them wherever they wanted to go photographically.

That is in no way a slight, in any way, to the other brands. But when Canon and Nikon make up over 80%of the DSLR market and almost 100% of the professional market, someone just getting started may want to see what they have available.

My apologies to the OP for taking this thread down this road!

I'm sorry but you still haven't explained what photography shots would I be missing out by going non -canikon

Claiming an 80% share of the market doesn't stop a Sony/Pentax shooter from taking the same kind of photos, does it? I was always told that the quality of the picture was down to the photographer not the equipment.

Als, my apologies to OP!
o

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm sorry but you still haven't explained what photography shots would I be missing out by going non -canikon

Claiming an 80% share of the market doesn't stop a Sony/Pentax shooter from taking the same kind of photos, does it? I was always told that the quality of the picture was down to the photographer not the equipment.

Als, my apologies to OP!
o

Yes, I'd rather just avoid the brand war here. I was only trying to help her get the most features for the money, regardless of brand. Turns out she wanted to buy something she could walk into and put her hands on. And I don't blame her one bit. Pentax and Sony make that hard to do.

She bought the Nikon D3100 today with the 2 lens kit. Since I am familiar with Canon, expect me to have more questions for the Nikon shooters here.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[photo_chick]

Glad she found a camera that fits her. And I totally get wanting to put your hands on it. You really should when you buy something that not only has the price tag of a DSLR but also really needs to fit your hands well to use it comfortably.

And now you have the joy of razzing on her for buying a Nikon.

 

[mom2rtk]

Glad she found a camera that fits her. And I totally get wanting to put your hands on it. You really should when you buy something that not only has the price tag of a DSLR but also really needs to fit your hands well to use it comfortably.

And now you have the joy of razzing on her for buying a Nikon.

Thanks Danielle. I've already started.

But I suppose that's far better than the razzing I've been giving her over using only a cell phone for photos.