Shopping for a new camera

[PlutoSchwartz]

I just bought a nikon j1 - love it!

 

[nvtsallo]

If you havetie i would wait a moth or two. Canon is expected to announce their 70d. Sony is expectedto announce the next 7n and its dslr sibling. I would not be shocked if a few more lenses were announced. I would look at those then make an informed decision. Either way the new models will only drive the price down of the current ones. As far as IQ and dxo mark is concerned
Those scores should be taken with a grain of salt. Good glass is very important.

 

[Cafeen]

There's a reason most pros use Canon !

There is...

Money. Sponsorship. Kinda like why lots of pro athletes use Nike (or Adidas or Reebok, etc). (There's a reason that those camera straps have the brand name written in a large, high contrast font ).

For the OP:
As mentioned all over this thread, any of the systems will get you good results, though the variations (either sensor factors, accessories, style, etc) will vary. Not sure if it's already been recommended (I skimmed the 2nd page ), but if you can get your hands on a few of the different models, that should certainly help you figure out which works best with your hands. You really can't go wrong with any of the major systems these days, so pick your favorite flavor and dive in .

 

[cjstarr]

There is...

Money. Sponsorship. Kinda like why lots of pro athletes use Nike (or Adidas or Reebok, etc). (There's a reason that those camera straps have the brand name written in a large, high contrast font ).

For the OP:
As mentioned all over this thread, any of the systems will get you good results, though the variations (either sensor factors, accessories, style, etc) will vary. Not sure if it's already been recommended (I skimmed the 2nd page ), but if you can get your hands on a few of the different models, that should certainly help you figure out which works best with your hands. You really can't go wrong with any of the major systems these days, so pick your favorite flavor and dive in .

 

[HPS3]

I have shot with all if them and even I have a hard time telling the difference on my monitor. One area where Canon really lacks is in the shadows. When you push the exposure in post the shadows look terrible. I currently use a K-5II and love it.

I agree with Gianna'sPapa, the main reason pros use Canon and Nikon is the lens selection.

 

[nigelp]

I agree with the others, Canon has the best image quality (duh, that's what the pros use !) but the other camera manufacturers can produce good pics in capable hands.

and that is why 80% of dslrs buyers walk into their local store and buy a Canon without thinking.

(Is that how you made your choice Bob?)

They then shoot in auto mode using the kit lens - Hey, they are shooting like a pro - they have Canon!
But after a year leave it in a cupboard and buy a P&S.

 

[mom2rtk]

and that is why 80% of dslrs buyers walk into their local store and buy a Canon without thinking.

(Is that how you made your choice Bob?)

They then shoot in auto mode using the kit lens - Hey, they are shooting like a pro - they have Canon!
But after a year leave it in a cupboard and buy a P&S.

Everyone's path is different.

I bought my Canon when it was the first DSLR to go under $1K in 2004.

Then I proceeded to shoot in automatic for 5 years. But instead of putting it in a closet an buying a P&S I decided at that point to finally invest the time in figuring out what the heck I was doing.

If I had it to do over today, I'd buy Sony or Pentax for the in body stabilization.

 

[bob100]

a
They then shoot in auto mode using the kit lens - Hey, they are shooting like a pro - they have Canon!
But after a year leave it in a cupboard and buy a P&S.

all those pro's shooting in auto mode!!

 

[HPS3]

Now that I have the Pentax with in body stabilization, I love it. Every lens is stabilized, even primes. People definitely overlook this feature.

 

[mom2rtk]

Now that I have the Pentax with in body stabilization, I love it. Every lens is stabilized, even primes. People definitely overlook this feature.

Every time I get close to plunking down money on a new lens with IS, I pull back and wonder if I should just save up for a brand switch. So there's a whole lot of inertia going on here. Not very fun either.

 

[cjstarr]

In Body Stabilization, this is the very reason I went with the Sony. That and the cost of the IS lens.

 

[havoc315]

Every time I get close to plunking down money on a new lens with IS, I pull back and wonder if I should just save up for a brand switch. So there's a whole lot of inertia going on here. Not very fun either.

I don't know if in-camera stabilization is worth switching brands. And at least in Sony, in many cases, the lenses are no cheaper just because they don't need image stabilization.

For example, Tamron makes a 70-300 for Canon, Nikon and Sony. The price is the same for all 3 brands, though the Canon and Nikon require the image stabilization.

Where it does save money is often when looking at older used lenses. I shoot with a bunch of 20-year-old Minolta glass, that get the added benefit of image stabilization.
Also, all primes and macros become stabilized.... And that's pretty rare for Nikon and Canon. I find it particularly helpful in low light and macro --- Not only can I get the benefit of a 1.7 aperture, I can also get the benefit of a pretty slow shutter speed (1/8 typically), thanks to image stabilization. And I can do macros pretty well without a tripod, thanks to it.

When buying into a system for the first time, I would see it as a definite benefit of Pentax and Sony. Just not sure if it's big enough to switch brands.

 

[bob100]

I don't want to get in an argument, but there is more to producing great images than a camera body (manufacturers). The truth be told the reason that the "pros" use Nikon and Canon is they have the best selection of full frame camera bodies and professional full frame lenses. If the OP wishes to spend $10,000 on a camera body and one lens then go for professional equipment. Most of us are unwilling or unable to afford that level of equipment. I shoot side-by-side with pros about 30 weekends a year and I shoot Pentax. That does not mean that an amateur, hobbyist or semi-pro cannot produce stunning images with whatever level of equipment they have. I can almost guarantee that if you put a consumer lens on a pro body and a pro lens on consumer body with the photographer being equal, the pro lens will out perform the pro body! I would never make the statement that one manufacturer will automatically provide a better image. There are too many variables. I have read that you can't shoot sports or action with Pentax. Obviously, I would respectfully disagree:


NSTC 2145 by Terry McGraw Photography, on Flickr

right, and some say you can't shoot sports with a Canon Rebel, that you need a 50D or 60D or 7D - but I have done it !!


Canon Rebel XSi /450D

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't know if in-camera stabilization is worth switching brands. And at least in Sony, in many cases, the lenses are no cheaper just because they don't need image stabilization.

For example, Tamron makes a 70-300 for Canon, Nikon and Sony. The price is the same for all 3 brands, though the Canon and Nikon require the image stabilization.

Where it does save money is often when looking at older used lenses. I shoot with a bunch of 20-year-old Minolta glass, that get the added benefit of image stabilization.
Also, all primes and macros become stabilized.... And that's pretty rare for Nikon and Canon. I find it particularly helpful in low light and macro --- Not only can I get the benefit of a 1.7 aperture, I can also get the benefit of a pretty slow shutter speed (1/8 typically), thanks to image stabilization. And I can do macros pretty well without a tripod, thanks to it.

When buying into a system for the first time, I would see it as a definite benefit of Pentax and Sony. Just not sure if it's big enough to switch brands.

For me it's about weight, size and cost. I'm really ready for a fast zoom. I just can't convince myself to pay for or carry around any of the stabilized fast zooms.

But then I love my Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS lens so much that I'm not sure I want to give that up either.

Maybe I just need to wait for an upgrade to Canon's sensor so I can crank the ISO up a little more.

See? There goes that inertia again.

 

[nigelp]

all those pro's shooting in auto mode!!

I think you totally missed the point

 

[filks1313]

I think for all around use a decent price point and being weatherproof the Pentax K30. Good luck

 

[MAJPLO]

I think for all around use a decent price point and being weatherproof the Pentax K30. Good luck

That's where I was leaning with the Nikon D3200 second until I have a chance to get my hands on them. Then I saw that the great deal I had been looking at on the Pentax had disappeared. Ugh.

 

[photo_chick]

All the brands have pluses and minuses. I'm partial to Canon for what I want and need (currently use a 50D have a 5DmkIII headed my way). It's all personal opinion really though. Any DSLR out right now can all produce great shots in the right hands. As far as getting into "pro gear", you can get started for under $3k USD now if you were to feel compelled to drop that kind of cash. But the gear is just a tool. Like bob100 I've shot sports with a Rebel. 3 FPS and I never felt hindered by it. I've heard people say countless times that you need X frames per second to shoot sports... It's all bells and whistles. Bells and whistles on newer models do make life easier but we were shooting with far less and still producing great images before they came along.


Money, sponsorship and what pros use... Multiple sales people have told me that Nikon gives rather large kick backs to them for selling specific model Nikons. Apparently they did it big time back when the D40 was launched to try and surpass the sales of the Rebels. And Nikon is known to give massive amounts of gear to certain professionals so that it will be featured in books, blogs, etc. I'm sure Canon gives gear out to a degree, but you just don't hear about it as much. Who knows. Either way, I wouldn't choose a camera based on what anyone else uses. I'd choose one based on what I want and need.

Old lenses... you can get adapters (cheap) and use old manual focus glass with all DSLR brands. Some brands pair better than others. Pentax probably has the best compatibility there.

OP... if you decide to go Canon give a good look at the T4i. You can find the body with the 18-55 kit lens for $650 right now. It's a great price for a great camera and at this moment probably the best bang for you buck in DSLR's. At least until the Canon rebate ends.

 

[MAJPLO]

Somehow I don't think I have found this info in my research or comparisons I have looked at. I am hoping someone here can help me. Does the Pentax K30 have automatic zoom? Or does that depend on the lens?