Nikon D40, D60, Olympus E510? PLEASE help me choose a DSLR.

[WDWFreak07]

Hi everyone!

I am asking for help again (SORRY!) wanted to open this up to all of you in hopes of getting a quick response because my parents need to know what I want soon. Anyway, I am 15 into graphic design and just recently even more with photography. I looked at DSLR and I really like the Nikon D40, D60, and the Olympus E510.

I have read many, many reviews on all three and I have held all three in the store. This, one of them, will be a Christmas gift but I need to decide fairly soon for my parents.

I know that with the Nikons that the autofocus must be built into the lens to have it, and they dont have some of the features the Olympus has. I can get the Olympus with two lenses for the price of the Nikon with one I believe. Also, the Olympus has the image stabilization while the Nikons have it in some lenses, is the VR, as Nikon calls it, worth it?

I really cant afford all these extra lenses and things, at least at the moment, so I would have to stick with what kits I can get online.

So please put in your $.02 and help me out as to if I should get the D40, D60, or Olympus E510. Thanks everyone!

 

[ukcatfan]

I have to say that if those were my choices, I would go for the D40. The money saved over the D60 might get you that extra lens or a better kit lens. I think one of the very popular Nikon upgraded kit lenses is something like 18-135mm. You will not need the extra MPs, especially while you are learning.

The reason I would pick that over the Oly is because of the 4/3 system that it is. That system has a different sensor that is a little smaller. Because of that, it tends to be a little noisier, has less control over the depth of field, and has the 2x crop factor (makes it hard to get a really wide lens for a decent price, if at all). Because of the differences to the APS-C sensors used in most other brands, there are not nearly as many 3rd party lens options and all the lenses that are available seem to be really expensive. For example, there is no inexpensive wide aperture prime lens like you hear about so much on Canon, Nikon, and Pentax. True the Nikon one will not AF on a D40, but at least there is one, and MF is not so bad if it is the only option. Also, I just do not like the more blocky shape of the 4:3 ratio compared to the 3:2 of the APS-C cameras. There is a reason that widescreen is so popular these days. It is just more pleasant to look at.

I am not saying that they are bad cameras, b/c there is no such thing as a bad DSLR. I just think the design elements of the system hold it back. The same would go for my opinion of Panasonic DSLRs that also are 4/3.

Not sure what deals you are finding, but I have to at least throw in the Pentax K200D, which is going for around $550-575 with kit lens or the K2000 that comes with the new lighter kit lens and includes an external flash for $700.

 

[WDWFreak07]

Thanks for your reply!

Ok so if I go with the Nikon D40 is it worth it to pay extra to the lens with Vibration Reduction in it?

I am still thinking that the Olympus is good since I have seen great pictures with it, and it seems to be a better value money wise. I looked at the Pentax and I am also considering that now too.

Thanks again!

 

[oogieboogieman]

IMO of the 3 you listed I would go for the Nikon D40. I own an Olympus and while it's a good camera, it's system you will need to buy into. I can go to lots of box stores ( Best Buy, Circuit City, even Target ) and buy accessories without any problem for Nikon. You can't do this with Olympus, it's the camera store for this one ( and Ritz/Wolf are very limited to what they carry).
The add-ons for Olympus will cost more also.
Take a good look into the Sony a200 also if you get a chance.

 

[annnewjerz]

agree about going with the D40. I have the D60 and love it but the features that it offers over the D40 aren't all that important if you are looking to save money. I would spend some extra money getting the VR lenses, especially on the longer ones like the 70-300 or 55-200 if you are considering those. All of my lenses have VR so I haven't seen what a lens without it is like but from the opinions I have read on here it is worth the price. If you can buy just the body or get the upgraded kit lens mentioned above that might be your best bet. Good luck and happy shooting!!

 

[YesDear]

D40 vr lens! What they said!

 

[spinetnglr]

Thanks for your reply!

Ok so if I go with the Nikon D40 is it worth it to pay extra to the lens with Vibration Reduction in it?

I am still thinking that the Olympus is good since I have seen great pictures with it, and it seems to be a better value money wise. I looked at the Pentax and I am also considering that now too.

Thanks again!

I have a D40 and I would agree with everyone here. You said you are leaning toward the Olympus because you have seen some great pictures taken with it. Any of the three would take equally great pictures. Alot of the esthetic and pleasing qualities of a good or great picture come more from the photographer than the camera. Good glass and camera dont hurt but composition and the settings you choose play a huge factor in the pleasing qualities of a picture. I wouldnt base a decision on the fact that you have seen great pictures taken with camera X. You stated in your first post you have seen and held all three. Go with what felt most comfortable for you and with practice shooting you will soon be posting great shots of your own.

 

[WDWFreak07]

Thanks for all the advice guys!

I think I am going to eliminate the D60 from my list of options because it is a little more expensive and we are tight on money, but I do really like the features it offers. I like the orientation sensor, the dust sensor thing (sorry dont know the technical name) and that the viewfinder turns off when you put your eye up to it.

The Olympus has these feature, most of them I believe so I think I will have to remove the D60 off my list, plus it is the highest price wise.

Now stupid question hre, but is it better to get the D40 something many entry DSLR people or something like the Olympus E510 more feature wise, and something I have never seen other people have.

These are the types of pictures I would want, even if a little post processing is necessary.

First taken with the Olympus found this here on Disboards.

Second taken with the D40, by WDWFigment.

Just want some really good vacations pictures without having to carry around many lenses so the lens I get with the camera that I choose will be it for now that is why I am looking towards a good lens on each.

So I really cant decide right now they both feel good in my hands and Olympus has more features. I will not ever be buying many lenses or anything but is it better to go with Nikon because alot of people have it and it is well known in the DSLR world or go with Olympus who has good reviews too but less known in the DSLR world?

Thanks for all the help everyone! We have eliminated the D60, two left.

 

[Pugrpooh]

Have you seen this thread? It's about the E510 and E520. I have the E520 and there's a lot of information on the different features of the Olympus cameras. Also lots of pictures included.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1659521

I like how there are dedicated buttons for ISO, WB, metering and AF mode and how you can change other settings straight from the super control panel.
It makes it very easy and quick to change settings. When I use DH's p&s (also Olympus), I have to go into the menu to change any settings and it takes longer because I never can remember exactly how to do it.

For me, it came down to handling, features and price, in that order. I eliminated the Sony, which was on top of my list, when I actually held it and it just felt too big. I have small hands and the E520 felt a lot better to hold.
Just do your research and handle the ones you're interested in and you'll be happy with whatever camera you choose, because they're all good and they all have advantages and disadvantages.

 

[WDWFreak07]

OK. Yeah as I've said I really do like the features on the E510, and Nikon takes stunning photos so I REALLLY dont know.

People, on other DSLR forums, say that the sensor in the e510 is smaller so the quality isnt as good, and I would really like to take great photos.

I dont know at this point because people reccomend the 510 and people reccomend the Nikon.

I am just more worried that the, if I went with it, the Olympus will not take that great of photos. I know the Nikon can, but I still need help.

Do you guys think that the extra feature on the E510 are necessary?

Thanks to all who have helped so far.

 

[oogieboogieman]

Both cameras will take good photos. IMO, the Nikon offers more room to grow. You have more options. Say if you bought the Olympus, I believe only 3 companies make lenses that will mount on that camera ( Olympus, Sigma, Panasonic). From what I've seen they are also more expensive. Like a lot of people have said, the Nikon is a hard camera to beat. Good Luck in your decision.

 

[jfinke]

My humble opinion...

Any new entry level DSLR is capable of taking stunning pictures. It is more the skill of the photographer than anything else.

However, if you have any inkling of turning this into a hobby, get a Canon or a Nikon. They own the market. There are many lenses and accessories. There are multiple communities around the Internet.

Just my opinion. Not trying to start a flame war.

"Amateurs worry about equipment. Pros worry about money. Masters worry about light."

 

[YesDear]

As Jfiinke said the nikon will allow you to grow as a photographer. There is not a magic camera that will let you walk around with one lens and get all the shots you want.

 

[ukcatfan]

As Jfiinke said the nikon will allow you to grow as a photographer. There is not a magic camera that will let you walk around with one lens and get all the shots you want.

Not true, my camera has a "Magic" mode on it. There is a big "M" on the dial. I assume that is the "Magic" mode, but I am too scared to try it

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It sounds like you really like the Olympus. I did, too, and I went with it (510). It was a good choice for me. If I were buying now I'd probably go with the 520 (it has a few improved features over the 510). One thing I really love about it is that it's a very light system which was hugely important to me. I also loved the feel of it and found the dials very intutive, as opposed to all the other systems I handled. And you're right about all the nice features it has. I wasn't planning to buy a lot of extra lenses, either. The kit lenses are among the best (if not the best) out there.

There are not too many Olympus users here, and few others know a whole lot about the system. There's a lot of speculation about what it "can't" do, and no question, other brands are far more popular (so just make sure you wear your big kid underwear if you buy one, you might take some heat. ). As others have said, a lot of it's about the photographer as much as it is about the camera. If you really want to know more about what it's like to use an Olympus, go to the Olympus SLR Forums on dpreview, there are lots of happy users there. (And if you happen to live near me, I'd be happy to let you use mine for the day.)

This was one of the articles that sold me on it. http://www.nwpphotoforum.com/ubbthreads/information/php/2007_Reviews/Isaac/Oly510Review.php

And to be fair, you certainly can't go wrong with the Nikon.

 

[Andrew*A]

Took this with my D40 at EPCOT last week.
I'm still a novice, but I think it's a good result.

 

[WDWFreak07]

Hi everyone again!
I went to Ritz Camera and fell in love with the Canon Rebel XS and XSI. I am leaning towards he XS because of the lower price. I really like the Canon over the Nikon now because of some extra features but I have a HUGE problem now.

I found a Casio EX-Z750 and EX-Z850 yesterday which has AMAZING reviews and on top of that it has a full manual mode which would be very helpful.

My parents are willing to get me the Rebel but think I am only buying a camera I will use at WDW and since I hate lugging around bags in WDW that having a big DSLR is something I would get very tired of.

At the moment I am looking at compact point and shoots that have full manual modes, anyone know of some?

Ultimately, I want to take GREAT pictures at WDW like the ones I see on here and other WDW forums and I REALLLLY cannot decide now if I should go with a DSLR or a point and shoot with manual modes.

I like compact cameras as it will be easier to take literally everywhere and I really cannot see myself taking the Rebel everywhere to take photos. And unfortunately, I do not have the luxury of buying both, and if I did my parents would not buy both as they think one or the other, not two.

So PLEASE everyone help me, what do you think is right for me based on what I have said: a compact with manual or a DSLR for taking great pictures at Disney?

Thanks everyone!