What is a good and inexpensive DSLR?
By ideaman
@ideaman (64)
Singapore
June 15, 2007 11:01pm CST
Hi People,
Need some expert advices...
What is a good and inexpensive Digital SLR camera. I am looking for something that is no-frill but still can do the basics of SLRs.
Any recommendation will be appreciated.
Thanks.
4 responses
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
17 Jun 07
That's just their opinion on it. Some people like it, some don't. If you listened to that about every camera rather than going to take a look, you're never going to buy anything.
I personally went for the D80 instead, and actually, if you can't afford the D80 and are lucky enough to find a D50 or D70 available, those are nice cameras too.
Personally, I hate Canons because I think they are plastic pieces of junk, not as sturdy as Nikons. They're harder to hold and while simple to use in the beginning, I don't get as much out of them. But of course, there are many people who like Canons. You wouldn't know until you actually try one out. And that said, I do like Canon video cameras and I have one that is great. And I even have a little point and shoot Canon that's pretty cute and all. But just overall, I'm a Nikon person (and while I wouldn't have gone for the D40, it wasn't because it's not a good camera, but rather, because I already have older lenses for my film SLR that wouldn't have worked with the D40).
@jayperiod (870)
• United States
16 Jun 07
DPReview is a great place. The above post mentioned those. Another good site is Popular Photography.
www.popphoto.com
They have good articles on many different DSLRs.
I would caution, though on the Nikon D40. The price will pull a lot of people in, but there are some lens issues that concern me. The Nikon D80 is a much better route if you choose Nikon. It's a little more pricey than the Canon 400D, but it's more compatable to it than the D40. Both the D80 and 400D are great entry cameras.
I know Sony makes a 10MP camera, but I can't remember the model. It tested well, just not as good as the Canon and Nikon. Actually, nothing I've seen has tested as well as the Canon and Nikon.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
17 Jun 07
The lens issues would really only be important if you already have older Nikon lenses. If not, it just means that you can't buy older lenses, just the new ones to use with the D40 and D40x. There are plenty out there available now though. But if you already have lenses, the replacement costs may prove higher than just buying the D80 to begin with (or even the D70 or D50 if you're looking at the older models too).
@jayperiod (870)
• United States
17 Jun 07
The lenses also become an issue if you decide to update later. Nikon will only use them on newer entry level cameras. They will never use them for their more professional models.
@volschenkh (1043)
• South Africa
16 Jun 07
You should start with the entry level SLR's then from Nikon or Canon. The Nikon D40 and the Canon 400D is probably your best bet...don’t also forget about the Sony, Panasonic and Kodak ranges...but unfortunately I don’t know much about these other brands.
Here are some reviews about the Nikon and Canon Cameras I mentioned earlier:
Nikon D40:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/ND40/ND40A.HTM
Canon 400D:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon400D/
http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/9685/canon_eos_400d/
I prefer the Nikon range of cameras; they are more expensive though!
@celestemichelle (429)
• United States
22 Jun 07
I have a Nikon D70, which has been a great camera. I have used a Nikon D50, and it's much lighter, has fewer features and just feels cheaper (because it is). Still it's a respectable SLR. I don't know if the Canon digital rebels are still around but they were in the same class as the D50. A common complaint about the rebels is that they were too small to be comfortable in the hand. If you're lucky enough to come across a used D70 or D100 as people upgrade to the D200 I highly recommend them. Canon makes good cameras, but I've always been more comfortable with the Nikon controls. You'll have to go to the store and handle a couple to see which system suits you.
I've used a Fugi Film DSLR, and while it took great photos, it had some annoying issues and had to be fixed a few times during it's life in my work department.
I've also heard good things about Sigma digital, though haven't handled one myself.
