WHat to choose?

[Mick00]

Hi I was just wondering if anybody could help me chose a new camera I am currently just using a standard small 10mil pixel advant digital camera but want to upgrade to maybe a good quality decent cannon or nikon or somethong. I have about 1000 dollars to spend on it any help much appreciated thanks

 

[AndrewWG]

So, you are giving me $1000 to spend for you? Splendid!

Before I can spend it though, I need to know what kind of camera you are looking to get. Do you want another point and shoot? By this, I mean one that has one fixed lens, not one that you can change lenses and have a HUGE learning curve to figure out how to use it. Those would be the DSLR cameras. A DSLR will produce a much better image but is a large investment and as I said is harder to learn. A point and shoot is easy to learn and will give you a fine image about 80% of the time, but if you are looking for great low light or indoors shots only, it will be sub-par.

Just let us know what you want and we will be happy to help you spend the money.

 

[El Nebuloso]

For $1000 you are definitely in the DSLR range (Nikon D80, Canon Rebel XTI etc). Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Pentax all offer models to meet your budget. As far as the learning curve goes, DSLR cameras in your range all offer a fully automatic mode that make them as easy to use as any point and shoot, but also offer the additional flexibility of allowing you to take more control of your exposures as your abilities grow. As for choosing a model, the features offered will be largely similar. I am a Nikon fan, and I came to that decision based on my visit to a camera store where I got to try the various models in my price range. I made my choice based on what felt best to me. Good luck and enjoy

 

[Mick00]

I would prefer a DSLR opposed to a point and shoot. I am prepared to take the time learning and figuring out how to get the most out of them. Is 1000 dollars enough for a fairly decent DSLR in your opinion? I love taking pictures and am opten dissapointed by the quality aslot of point and shoots give thanks for the help.

 

[AndrewWG]

I would prefer a DSLR opposed to a point and shoot. I am prepared to take the time learning and figuring out how to get the most out of them. Is 1000 dollars enough for a fairly decent DSLR in your opinion? I love taking pictures and am opten dissapointed by the quality aslot of point and shoots give thanks for the help.

Sure, you can get quite a bit for $1000 in the DSLR world these days.

I would look into the Pentax line, personally. They have very cheaply priced and high quality cameras. Not sure of all the model names nowadays. I'm certain that $500 can get you into a camera with kit lens with no problem. The main reason I like them at this point is the built in Image Stabilization that is in the body of the lens and does not need to be purchased in each lens. Is it necessary? Well, maybe yes and maybe no. Depends on how steady your hands are. I prefer it, even though I am still pretty stable (well at least my hands are).

Now, I personally bought into the Canon line and am very happy with it. Like I said though, if I want IS, I have to pay a premium for each lens that has it. I've always been a Canon shooter so I took that as something I just had to do. If you want to look into Canon's, a GREAT deal right now is the XT at beachcamera.com. They are extremely reputable dealers and many people here have bought from them. This does not come with a lenss so you would have to purchase one separately, but it is a great entry level DSLR. For $380 for the XT body, I may just have to get one as a backup camera myself. Here is the link.

http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=CNDRXTB

One thing to consider. You should go to your local camera store and see how all the models feel in your hands before purchasing. Some are larger than others, have rounded edges or squared edges, heavier, lighter, etc. You really want to get one that feels right to you. I didn't really do this and the 30D was kind of uncomfortable to me at first. Now I love it. It is a BIG change from the p&s world.

I can not give much info on the Nikon line other than the D40 and D40x have no focus motors in the body and that is a HUGE drawback in many people's minds as you have to buy lenses with focus motors in them. Most have them, some don't. If you get one that doesn't have it in it, you have to manual focus that lens. Not a big deal but something to think about. The other Nikon cameras D50, D70, D80 (I think) are all great cameras but I have no specifics on them.

Keep asking questions. Many here will chime in with their thoughts, I'm sure.

 

[Mick00]

Thanks for the feedback if I was to purchase that camera is there and specific lens you would recomend I get for it?, also I want a camera with a good zoom on it that does not deplete the quality of the image when I zoom in if that makes any sense ha?? Thanks

 

[YEKCIM]

Just to muddy the water a little bit, you can currently purchase a D80 + 18-135mm lens for a few dollars over your $1000 budget, online. The D80 is an excellent DSLR, and the 18-135 is a pretty good do-it-all starter lens, covering a 35mm equivalent of 28-200mm. Nikon has some less expensive models, as well, including the D40 and D40x. The rumor-mill also speculates that new Nikon models may be just around the corner, but only time will tell. If a D80 replacement is announced, there may be some pretty good D80 deals in the not too distant future.

~YEKCIM

 

[Mick00]

Thanks I am currently just looking up sites to try and gain as much knowledge about dslr cameras as possible before I choose one I wont be purchasing it for another 2 to 3 months yet also the 1000 dollars is just a round figure it can be a bit over that. I would preferbly want a fairly decent lens with the camers also.

 

[YEKCIM]

Suggest you incorporate the following into your research:

www.dpreview.com
www.steves-digicams.com
www.dcresource.com
www.imaging-resource.com
www.pricegrabber.com
www.resellerratings.comg

There! That ought to keep you busy for a while!

~YEKCIM

 

[Master Mason]

For your price range your looking at

Canon XT or XTi
Nikon d40 or d40x
Olympus e-410 (maybe e510 I am not that familiar with Olympus)
Pentax K100D super
Sony A100

Each of these brands has a next step up, but you will be close to your budget with just the body only, so therefore no extra for any lenses. I would go to the sites listed above and check these models out, then go to a store and hold all of them, and play with the menus, most likely one of them will just feel better to you for whatever personal reason that might be.

My usuall suggestion is to get the kit lens that comes with the body, and then use the camera for a while, learn what it will do, and how to take advantage of what it does.

Then figure out what pictures you are wanting to take that the kit doesn't allow you to get and then choose your next lens based on that. This will save you a lot of money from buying lenses that don't really do what you need.

For example. If you just wanted a zoom lens, you might go buy the 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 lens, it is pretty cheap and gives good zoom and works well in good light. But if you had waited, you might have noticed that the pictures you want the zoom for are to be taken inside a gym at your kids basketball game, or dance recital. The 70-300 will fall short in this situation, as you really needed something with a larger apeture. So now you have to go buy yet another lens. Or maybe you bought the same lens, and now realize you really wanted to be able to Macro zoom, so again, you have the wrong lens.

 

[Groucho]

If you want something slightly more advanced, the Pentax K10D can be had for very cheaply at the moment - $509 w/o lens from Beach Camera at the moment. It plays at a whole different level than other cameras at this price range, with a sturdier, larger, heavier body, weathersealing, unlimited continuous shooting (in JPG mode), large viewfinder, many advanced features like ISO priority and Hyperprogram mode, many more external buttons and controls, etc - but it is meant for a slightly more advanced photographer, with no "scene" modes. Generally speaking, it competes more with the Nikon D80 and Canon 30D. It's cheap at the moment as the K20D will be introduced in a few weeks.

Regardless, you don't NEED to spend more than that to get a good camera. The entry level cameras are all excellent and capable of growing with you. It's better to have a lower-end camera with a higher-end lens than vice versa, also.

 

[brightvalleyjrts]

Just to muddy the water a little bit, you can currently purchase a D80 + 18-135mm lens for a few dollars over your $1000 budget, online. The D80 is an excellent DSLR, and the 18-135 is a pretty good do-it-all starter lens, covering a 35mm equivalent of 28-200mm. Nikon has some less expensive models, as well, including the D40 and D40x. The rumor-mill also speculates that new Nikon models may be just around the corner, but only time will tell. If a D80 replacement is announced, there may be some pretty good D80 deals in the not too distant future.

~YEKCIM

This is what I bought and have been happy so far. I am wanting to add to my lens collection, but the 18-135 is serving it's purpose for now.

 

[Mick00]

Hey thanks for all the replys and the sites with info to help yekcim. This may seem a really silly question but do the DSLR's have a flash on them or not? It's just that I noticed on some of the pictures of the camers that the flash Thingy??? seems to be commected to the camera seperatel if yas get me? Cheers

 

[YEKCIM]

Hey thanks for all the replys and the sites with info to help yekcim. This may seem a really silly question but do the DSLR's have a flash on them or not? It's just that I noticed on some of the pictures of the camers that the flash Thingy??? seems to be commected to the camera seperatel if yas get me? Cheers

Yes, most consumer dSLR's have a pop-up flash built in. More importantly, they also have a hot shoe for mounting accessory flashes, which are much more useful. Check the review sites for detailed info on each model. You can also compare several models' features using this tool.

I would also point out that, when you buy a dSLR, you are really "buying into" a system of accessories that includes, but is not limited to, different lenses and flash units. Were I you, I would think about what kinds of photography I would like to do, and give due consideration to the lens/flash/accessory lineup available for each of the camera models you are considering, based on your anticipated needs.

~Y

 

[MICKEY88]

For your price range your looking at

Canon XT or XTi
Nikon d40 or d40x
Olympus e-410 (maybe e510 I am not that familiar with Olympus)
Pentax K100D super
Sony A100

a great list, however Sony just announced the a200 which will be replacing the a100, it has more features and will stil be in your price range