Which Camera

[metalmaniac248]

Hi there

i am looking to buy a camera,

until now i have been using the small portable digital cameras E.G.

http://techdigest.tv/olympus_mju_750.jpg


but i have recently started becoming more and more frustrated with the quality and especially the zoom.

so i have decided to move on to a more profesional one with propper lenses
E.G.

http://www.total-image.com.au/images/NIkonD80digitalSLR_C0C9/NikonD803.jpg


But there is so much to choose from and im really out of my depth so any advice on makes and lense kits would be very helpfull.


All i want is about 10 megapixel, and i would like good zoom


thanks


PS sorry if i sound a bit stupid (dont know what im talking about) lol

[Calnumismatist]

My suggestion would be head over to a camera shop and handle a few different cameras to see what feels right to you and which ones will suit your needs. Don't get too caught up in the mega pixels. What you are going to shoot, and what other needs should be your focus.
Most larger camera shops will allow you plenty of time to handle a few different cameras, and this will help more than a specific camera suggestion.

[metalmaniac248]

thanks :-D

[Ungaloob]

Welcome to the 'Zo!

If you can, try to go to a local camera shop, rather than some giant chain like Best Buy, or even a place like Ritz Camera. In theory, a local place will probably know quite a bit more about the cameras, and give you more time to mess around with them. The personal attention will [hopefully] help you feel like you can ask lots of questions and seek advice on your choices. You're probably not going to go wrong with most of today's cameras, so pick the manufacturer/system that is most in line with what you're looking for. Good luck!

[mishlove]

Hi

I have always found the following site quite informative. He talks, in one of his articles, about the choice of camera's. Maybe this will help you get an idea on what you should get.

Hope it helps..... http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/great-camera.htm

[Ken_CCPW]

Agree.. go try them out...

I prefer to keep the CCD based cameras at 10 MP or lower.
Current Models with looking at
Nikon D60 / D80 (I would go with D80 as it is a more complete camera, it may be near replacement so has some really good prices)
The only Canon Rebel I would consider is the current 450D/XTI
12 MP CMOS / first rebel with sport metering / some other nice features.

I shoot Sony.. which has the advantage of stabilization in the body for all lenses. So I have a preference for how that system is built (continuation of Minolta when Sony bought the Minolta camera division off Konica Minolta, so supports all Minolta AF lenses)
There is the bargain A200 full 10 MP lots of good features not on others, no live view (like the D60/D80)
There is the A300 (same as A200, but with live view)
I am not a big fan of the A350.. at 14 MP if you want to shoot lower light or slower lenses low cost lenses its HIGH ISO is not quite as good..(though at 11x17 prints or smaller it might not matter)

Pentax and Oly should be looked at too... Pentax has some unique pancake lenses that cam make the camera very small etc. oly has done some interesting Live view implementations.

But key is figure out what you want to shoot:
What features do you want?
Spot metering
Wireless flash
Auto bracketing
in camera jpg editing
when do you want stabilization

What do you want to shoot?
what lenses do you need and plan to buy?
Canon and Nikon have the most lenses (though few need that many there is more subtle options at some lengths for good, better, excellent) And good selections of 3rd party and used.


Sony has the next best collection with about 25 current lenses and tons of 3rd party and used and all stabilized because of the body stabilization

After you know what you want to do..
Go handle that camera with you list of key features...

All current cameras in these classes will take great images each might have an edge in certain situations.. for how I shoot I choose the A700 which might be out of your range $1100.00 USD now with current sale.. Body only.

Good luck..

[Ungaloob]

One other note on Megapixels, since it's been mentioned a couple of times in this thread. Everyone makes a big deal out of them, and who could argue that more isn't better, but really there's nothing wrong with the remaining 6.1 and 8 MP cameras... Handled properly with a decent piece of glass in front of them, they will produce excellent images that fill nearly anyone's needs.

Everyone has their opinions about this, and of course this is only my own opinion, but I wouldn't necessarily rule out some of the lower MP cameras based on that criterion alone. You could save a bunch of money on the body and spend a little more on lenses, and then later on if you're getting more serious you can upgrade to a better body within whatever system you've chosen. I started with a Nikon D50, shot with it for about two years while I filled my bag with glass, and then upgraded to the then new Nikon D300. I would recommend that path to anyone...

[pete.rush]

Best advice is go to a camera shop and try all the brands out. See which one you like to hold and one that meets your budget. Nikon and Canon are the brand leaders, i.e. third party manufacturer like sigma and tamron will predominantly produce more produces for these makes and there also a larger selection of assessories/lenses to choose from.
Don't discount Pentax, Sony, Fuji, Olympus as they make some good camera's, but you have to weigh out the pro's and con's of each make.

It you have never used a DSLR before keep to the beginner/intermediate offering from the manufacturer, just alot easier to use and setup unless you know what your doing.

Peter

[DennisP]

First a couple of caveats. 1. You don't say what your budget is. 2. Photozo, from my brief acquaintance with it, is not really a gear site. 3. There are pros and cons to any camera, so recommending one over another risks one's reputation as an impartial evaluator.

Nevertheless, I will stick my neck out and tell you that if I were in the market today for an entry level DSLR, my choice would be the Sony A200 plus the Tamron 18-250mm lens. Permit me to defend my choice.

The Sony A200 is one of the least expensive 10 megapixel cameras around ($460 at B&H including the 18-70 kit lens). I would immediately sell the merely adequate kit lens (you'd get maybe $25 for it) and buy the Tamron 18-250mm lens ($480 at B&H), giving you almost a 14X zoom in a single lens, which by virtue of Sony's in-body sensor system, would also be stabilized. I don't think you'd get quite this range in a single lens, stabilized, with 10MP, for a lower price.

There are negatives. The major one is that the Sony A200 does not have live-view. Live View is a feature that would make it more like the point-and-shoot experience in that you don't have to look through the optical viewfinder to frame your shot. Lack of live-view is not a negative for me, but it might be for whatever shooting situations you have in mind for the camera.

Another inexpensive alternative is the 10MP Nikon D40x ($480 at B&H with the 18-55mm kit lens). Again I'd sell the kit lens.

The major negative IMHO is the D40x's lack of an in-body autofocus motor, which means that you'll have to choose from amongst only those lenses that have a motor in them. Tamron has built an 18-250mm for the Nikon D40x with an in-built focus motor, so it would be compatible. It would not, however, be stabilized. The D40x also does not have live-view, if that is important to you.

Since the Sony A200 is the cheaper of the two and would give you stabilization in the 14x Tamron zoom lens, it would be my choice.

I'm a big fan of single-lens solutions for a couple of reasons. 1. Fewer lenses to carry around means less weight and less money spent on a variety of lenses. 2. Making fewer lens changes mean less chance that dust will get on your sensor.

There are those who say superzooms have poor image quality, but that's not been my finding on the Sony version of this Tamron lens, nor on a Sigma superzoom that I regularly use.

One other piece of advice - don't feel that you're wedded to whatever camera system you first try out. The experience should be less like getting married and more like buying a car. Try it out for a little while; sell it; try something new. If you keep your purchase of accessories and lenses to a minimum (which you should do anyway), then switching systems will be a lot easier.

Which reminds me. Don't ignore buying secondhand. A used Canon 30D would get you excellent image quality at a really good price.

Best of luck in finding what you want.

[pete.rush]

The major one is that the Sony A200 does not have live-view. Live View is a feature that would make it more like the point-and-shoot experience in that you don't have to look through the optical viewfinder to frame your shot. Lack of live-view is not a negative for me, but it might be for whatever shooting situations you have in mind for the camera.

Live view is a gimmic on DSLR's, if this was one of the major reasons for buying a DSLR, then you might as well get a point and shoot.

At the moment, there are no DSLRs which show a live preview as seamlessly as a fixed-lens camera. The main issues are with slow focus and lack of exposure-priority display. Among the DSLRs that do manage to focus using the standard phase-detection sensor used by DSLRs, none has managed to show 100% frame coverage like conventional digital cameras, thereby removing the key advantage of live preview over optical viewfinders.

Peter

[DennisP]

Live view is a gimmic on DSLR's, if this was one of the major reasons for buying a DSLR, then you might as well get a point and shoot.

I tend to agree, especially for those cameras whose live-view has a fixed LCD. While Sony's implementation is at least articulated, it's at the cost of a smaller optical viewfinder.

The only advantage to live view for me would be the ability to shoot down low and up high (over the heads of a crowd for instance). It doesn't diminish the quality of the light that gets to the larger sensor of a DSLR, so it's still going to give the user a better quality image than through a point and shoot, but it certainly isn't for everybody.

For down low I prefer using an anglefinder clipped to the optical viewfinder. But I've never found a good way to shoot overhead. On the other hand, I've wanted to shoot overhead maybe twice in the last ten years.

[Ken_CCPW]

The major one is that the Sony A200 does not have live-view. Live View is a feature that would make it more like the point-and-shoot experience in that you don't have to look through the optical viewfinder to frame your shot. Lack of live-view is not a negative for me, but it might be for whatever shooting situations you have in mind for the camera.

Live view is a gimmic on DSLR's, if this was one of the major reasons for buying a DSLR, then you might as well get a point and shoot.

At the moment, there are no DSLRs which show a live preview as seamlessly as a fixed-lens camera. The main issues are with slow focus and lack of exposure-priority display. Among the DSLRs that do manage to focus using the standard phase-detection sensor used by DSLRs, none has managed to show 100% frame coverage like conventional digital cameras, thereby removing the key advantage of live preview over optical viewfinders.

Peter

I don't own a live view camera.. it is not a deciding feature for me.. but I disagree that it is a gimmick.

AS implemented on the Canon/Nikon:
Pro: very useful in getting precise focus off the main sensor which especially on most APS systems is harder. Good for Macro or narrow DOF portraits etc:

can do exposure simulation and live histogram ( Pretty sure about this)

con: uses slower P&S contrast AF so not food for quick candids or spots shooting (so not having a tilt screen no as big a loss)

As implemented on Sony and Some Olys
Gives larger view of what is in the View finder

Pros:
Fast AF shooting at odd angles like over heads are a game or low angle candids shot from the chest etc.
LIve historgram and On Sony does manual mode exposure simulation.. I think Oly does this in auto with exposure comp too

Cons:
Since it is not off the main sensor.. not as good for precise focus checking..

Previous Gimmicks in the SLR world

Auto exposure
Auto Focus
Digital

Live view I think is here to stay.. but I think we are 1-2 generations from a the best implentations that can serve both fast AF and great focus assist.

[TonyBB]

Going to a DSLR from a compact digital camera I'd say it doesn't matter which "entry level" model you buy, they'll all do the job. Remember too, that for most images the camera is the least significant element in determining whether it's good or not. Remember also, that if you take to DSLR photography you probably won't have the body for more than a couple of years! But the lenses will have a longer life, and if you buy more than the kit lens(es) for your first DSLR then unless you're prepared to sell the lot, you're pretty much locked into that brand. The "safe" choices are Canon and Nikon, and are probably the best place to start (I currently use neither of those makes). If you want to have in-body image stabilisation try one of the other brands that offer it. If you want/have to limit your budget buy the cheapest, a model that has been discontinued, or a used camera. I don't really agree that handling several cameras will lead to a better decision on your part because you haven't enough experience of using one to make a useful comparison. You get a lot more from that exercise when you buy your second camera. Just my thoughts - others will disagree.

Regards, Tony

[Ari Sultanik]

My 2 cents:

- Start with a budget and do your best to stay as close as you can to it.
- Decide what you plan on doing with the camera. This will effect your decision on which lens to buy just as much or even more than which camera.
Ultimately, over time you will develop a need for different lenses. You
are actually buying into a system.
- Handle different cameras and check out the buttons and interface.
Is it comfortable? You need to feel comfortable with the camera.
- Remember, your just getting started. Don't get drawn into the megapixel or useless features race. Stick to the basics. I would invest money in a
better lens before I would on live view or an extra megapixel any day.
The older cameras in the market are still great and buying one of them will leave you cash for a better lens.

Good luck

[MyMonkey]

Not too long ago I found myself in the same position. I researched endless reviews on the net as well as here and other forums. In the end though my initial decision was turned upside down when I went to the shop and handled a few cameras. I chose the Nikon D80 because of the feel and because I had wanted secretly to be a Nikonian for years. :) Although, I must admit that after handling the Canon 40D, I was a bit jealous. That camera handles so well. Felt like it was an extension of my hand.

I suppose my advice would be to try as many as you can before you buy.

[StuartB]

Note: If you want a weather-sealed body then really your only choice is the Pentax K200D! There are no other entry-level dSLRs that are weather-sealed.

Otherwise, I agree that the Sony Alpha 200 is the best deal at the moment. Compared to the Canon and Nikon entry-level cameras it has a larger viewfinder, larger LCD, wireless flash, anti-shake, longer battery life, and a % battery display.

Also, I do not think that there is anything not "safe" about Sony / Pentax / Olympus.

[nbercasio]

I disagree that LV is a gimmick. Great for macro and overhead shots.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA350/AA350A.HTM Sony got it according to this review.




The major one is that the Sony A200 does not have live-view. Live View is a feature that would make it more like the point-and-shoot experience in that you don't have to look through the optical viewfinder to frame your shot. Lack of live-view is not a negative for me, but it might be for whatever shooting situations you have in mind for the camera.

Live view is a gimmic on DSLR's, if this was one of the major reasons for buying a DSLR, then you might as well get a point and shoot.

At the moment, there are no DSLRs which show a live preview as seamlessly as a fixed-lens camera. The main issues are with slow focus and lack of exposure-priority display. Among the DSLRs that do manage to focus using the standard phase-detection sensor used by DSLRs, none has managed to show 100% frame coverage like conventional digital cameras, thereby removing the key advantage of live preview over optical viewfinders.

Peter