Need opinions on DSLR before we make the leap!

[kamgen]

We are looking at these cameras and would appreciate ANY tips or advice from those who have them! Thanks!!!!

Canon T1i
Nikon D90
Nikon D3000
Nikon D5000

What do you guys think or are we missing out on a better camera? We are looking for our first DSLR, but dh has worked with Nikons in the past. We want easy to use with great quality and these all fit around what we would spend. Any ideas are appreciated!

 

[dianne1974]

I just bought the Nikon D5000 today. I have still been "playing" but I love it. The pictures are crystal clear. It was a tough descision, but in the end I feel like I have made a good choice.

 

[boatlover30]

My sister just bought the Nikon D5000 and loves it. I was going to get it but ended up spending a little more on the Pentax K20. I really don't know anything yet about a DSLR but have been wanting one to get better pics! I haven't gotten it out of the box yet as I want to save it for Christmas. What sold me on the K20 was the fact that it is weather resistant. Not that I'm going to dunk it in water but if I'm caught in the rain as we frequently are at WDW, or go to the beach, down by the pool, etc. I have that extra added feeling of security. We are always on the go and with 4 kids I just wanted to not be worrying as much about the camera getting splashed. I hope I like it. At this point I think I will like anything though. Good luck in your decision.

 

[disneyboy2003]

I honestly don't think you'll go wrong with any of the cameras you're looking at. Canon & Nikon are like the Coke & Pepsi of the DSLR world, so it's really a matter of personal preference.

However, the choice you make right now will be the one you'll be with for the rest of your DSLR career. ie. once you choose Canon, you'll be staying with Canon and its products for a long, long time. It'll be expensive to switch to Nikon (or vice versa) later on down the road. No pressure!

Be sure to stop by your local camera store (not just Best Buy...I'm not sure if they carry all the above DSLRs) and hand-hold the cameras yourself to make sure they "feel right" to you.

I've got a Canon DSLR, so I can tell you more about Canon stuff. The T1i is a great camera that now includes HD video. Canon is well-known for its dozens and dozens and dozens of high quality lenses, so you'll have plenty of lenses to choose from. If you ever decide to rent a lens, there are tons of companies renting Canon lenses. If you ever want to buy or sell a lens, you can pretty easily find another Canon person to buy from / sell to. If you ever decide to upgrade your camera body, Canon's got a great family of camera bodies to move up to (ie. Canon 50D, 7D, 5D Mark II, etc...)

I'll let someone else comment about Nikon's advantages. Nikon is certainly no slouch in the lens department. And I've heard really good things about the Nikon D5000. And, as you've already found out, Nikon also has lots of great cameras to choose from.

Not sure if I made your decision any easier. Let us know what you picked (Canon!). Good luck!

 

[Frantasmic]

IMO, narrow your list to the Canon and the Nikon D90. Then, go play with them at the store. I think those are the two best cameras of the bunch. Read as many reviews as you can, etc. I focus on user reviews rather than "pro/editorial" reviews. Those are the people who use it like you would.

 

[NLD]

If you can afford the Nikon D90, then don't even consider the D3000 and D5000 in my opinion.

I have a Nikon so can't speak to Canon systems. Good luck!

 

[ukcatfan]

You should seriously look at the Pentax K-x. It is the entry level model but has some really good specs. Only the Canon T1i has better specs in your group and it is sort of a toss up where it is better at some things and the Pentax is better at others. For example, for probably the first time ever the Pentax is the class leader at FPS speed. It is just now coming out, so I do not believe there are any reviews yet, but opinions of people seeing it and using it have been very positive.

As for the available lens thing, I do not personally believe it applies to this level of a purchase so much. If you ever do decide to become a professional photographer as your primary profession, you are likely going to start from scratch on equipment even if you stay with the same brand. About anything an entry level or intermediate level person needs is available in all brands. Also, there are many lenses available for the "other" brands (Pentax, Sony, Olympus, Sigma, etc.) and some of them are even top of the line such as the Pentax prime lenses.

 

[Groucho]

What Kevin said - also, the K-x has been reported to have the best high-ISO noise performance of any APS-sensor DSLR yet, including the D90.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

How many fps does the K-x shoot Kevin?

 

[Groucho]

Kat, the K-x can do 4.7 fps, 1/6000 top shutter speed, 720p/24fps video, in-camera HDR, 11-pt autofocus, image stabilization with any lens, new 12.4mp sensor, 12,800 ISO, etc, etc... it's pretty well spec'ed for an entry-level DSLR. It even comes in black, white, red, or blue, or a ton of other colors if you import one from Japan. My only real gripe is that it's not weathersealed - but none of its competition is, either.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It does have some very nice specs. And every time I see the red one in a picture I think "what a perfect camera for Disney!".

 

[REL1203]

What Kevin said - also, the K-x has been reported to have the best high-ISO noise performance of any APS-sensor DSLR yet, including the D90.

Well, that was until the Canon 7D came out

I highly recommend you look at the lightweight Canon T1i, its a great little DSLR, and you can get it for a good deal with 2 pretty nice kit lenses if you wanted in the 18-55 IS and the 55-250 IS and have all your ranges set....

 

[ukcatfan]

Well, that was until the Canon 7D came out

I am not saying that you are wrong, but why? Considering that they came out at almost the exact same time and the K-x is getting the hype, your "until the Canon 7D came out" comment just does not make sense. It really does not matter though as these are completely different levels of camera, so the Pentax is a hands down winner in the bang for buck category even if the 7D is better, but at triple the cost.

 

[REL1203]

I am not saying that you are wrong, but why? Considering that they came out at almost the exact same time and the K-x is getting the hype, your "until the Canon 7D came out" comment just does not make sense. It really does not matter though as these are completely different levels of camera, so the Pentax is a hands down winner in the bang for buck category even if the 7D is better, but at triple the cost.

What i was referencing to was that for an APS-C Sensor (so a crop sensor), the best reported High-ISO performing camera is no longer the K-x, its the 7D. I never mentioned dollars, target demographic, ect... I was just stating the 7D is the king of high-ISO performing Crop Sensor DLSRs at the moment... Its been out now for over a momth, and generally available everywhere, and yes, I do love my 7D, and am the furthest thing from a Pro, normal consumers can buy this camera, hell, Best Buy sells it in there stores, its just a high-end consumer camera.

Bang for your buck, yeah, if high-iso is what you need, and dont have the money, its a great camera, but i was just saying, its not the best available. High ISO was REALLY important to me, i dispise digital noise, and looked alot into whats out there, and went with the 7D cause of it.

 

[ukcatfan]

What i was referencing to was that for an APS-C Sensor (so a crop sensor), the best reported High-ISO performing camera is no longer the K-x, its the 7D. I never mentioned dollars, target demographic, ect... I was just stating the 7D is the king of high-ISO performing Crop Sensor DLSRs at the moment... Its been out now for over a momth, and generally available everywhere, and yes, I do love my 7D, and am the furthest thing from a Pro, normal consumers can buy this camera, hell, Best Buy sells it in there stores, its just a high-end consumer camera.

My main point is that the K-x was announced at almost the exact same time and is not even out yet while the 7D is. Like I said, it really does not matter, but if the K-x came out after the 7D, why are people calling it the best yet? The time line just does not make any sense. Now, my gut says that the 7D probably is better, but people that have likely touched both at trade shows, press events, etc. are calling the K-x the best, so just maybe it might be better than the 7D. It will all make more sense once some reviews come out.

 

[Surr]

I recently purchased a T1i and have been very pleased with it. I will disagree with some comments here though, as I think selection of lenses is very important. Also, DSLRs are not as easy to use as point and shoots. They are easier than they used to be, but still not easy. Whichever you buy, I would recommend taking a class in DSLR photography at a community college. I just finished a six two-hour per session evening class and felt it was well worth the time and $65 it cost. If your dh has worked on Nikons in the past, you may want to go that way. However, I will say in my class the Nikon owners seem to have a harder time using them than the Canon owners did theirs. It didn't seem to be as easy to adjust settings.

If you do go with the T1i I would recommend getting the kit with the 18-55 lens, and many places are giving a good bundle price with the 55-250mm lens. Those two lens compliment each other well, and are available at a pretty good price if bundled. I think I saw HHGregg have them for $899 this week, even better prices may be available online. I would also recommend picking up the 50mm f1.8 lens that can be found for about $100. This lens is great for low light pictures, and portraits were you want a good background blur.

 

[ogreenlee]

i never use my kit lens. once you use a decent quality lens, it's hard to even think about putting the kit lens on there. i suggest body only and putting the money towards a tamron 28-75mm.

 

[Surr]

i never use my kit lens. once you use a decent quality lens, it's hard to even think about putting the kit lens on there. i suggest body only and putting the money towards a tamron 28-75mm.

If you have the funds sure, but the kit lens only costs $100 more than body alone. The tamron will run you $400 or so I believe. With the bundles being offer now, you can get the 55-250mm for only another $100 or so. If you have the funds for the tamron later you can likely sell than kit 18-55 for $80 on eBay and get some of your money back.

 

[scoot241]

If you're looking at the D90, why aren't you also looking at the Canon 50D? IIRC, those two cameras are fairly comparable.

 

[ukcatfan]

I will disagree with some comments here though, as I think selection of lenses is very important.

You are correct that the selection of lenses is important. The thing that has changed over the past few years is that just about any lens that about 95% of the average consumer is going to want is available in every mount. Sure, if you are considering only the OEM brand lenses, then Canon probably has it won. Who really does that though? There are many excellent lenses from 3rd party manufacturers such as Tamron, Sigma, Tokina, etc. that now come in any mount. There are not as many people buying the really high end lenses as reading a forum like this would make you think. The average consumer is not going to mount a $2,500 lens to a $600 Rebel.