I am planning to buy a digital SLR camera sometime in the next few months and I need recommendations. I've read through some review sites and based on that, I'm thinking about a Canon Rebel XS or XSi or a Nikon D60, D3000, or D5000. I'm looking for something in the $500-$650 range for the camera and standard lens, and ideally for a telephoto lens also (I'm pushing my luck a bit there, but Amazon has a few packages like that).
I wish I knew a little more about the technicalities of digital photography. I'm doing some reading online, but it's difficult to keep all the terms straight. I've read that you're supposed to think about what you take pictures of, and for me that's mostly landscapes, macro photography of nature, and documenting events (portraits of people standing in front of something). However, I've been saying I'd upgrade to digital SLR on the occasion of either going on a major trip or having a baby, and we're planning a trip to Scandinavia this spring. Thus, I'm planning to use this camera to take pictures of interesting things I see while traveling, and later on when we have kids I'll use it to take pictures of them.
From what I've read, it seems like the cameras in the category I'm looking at (bottom of the price range for dSLRs, good for someone like me who is not a professional photographer and just wants better picture quality than a point-and-shoot can provide) are all about equal in terms of photo quality. So how do I figure out which one to buy?
4 comments:
I have no advice on which to buy EXCEPT to say that I have a Canon Rebel (it's an older SLR- film, not digital, so not comparable that way) and I really really have liked it. I've had it since I was like 15 and it has served me well. But I imagine if you trust all the brands and the features and prices are comparable, just pick one and you'll probably be equally happy. Or, chose based on your comfort level with the design of the camera. It sounds stupid, but I just always feel more comfortable with the icons Canon uses, and the basic features of their cameras. So if you can go in to a store and just hold all of the options, and see which one you "click" with. No pun intended.
Um.... that's a good question. ;) I have a Rebel XS eos, and I love it. I got mine for about the bottom of your price point, but no zoom lens. I was split between this camera and a comparable Nikon. Ultimately, I went into Best Buy to actually hold the cameras - and the Canon just felt more comfortable/natural in my hands, if that makes sense. So that would be my advice - got see and hold them.
I have a Nikon d40 with a 55-200mm lens. If you want the camera for portraits/landscapes etc then you probably want an 18-55/35mm prime lens. My 55 drives me nuts when I want to get portraits; it's far too close. I'd love the d3100 (the new one!) and several come with an 18-55 lens in the kit! Maybe go to a couple stores and pick some brains and then do price comparisons online? Good luck! Can't wait to see pictures from your Scandinavian trip!
ALSO I wanted to say - go to flickr and type in several different cameras you're considering, you can see what some of them are capable of. Granted a lot of the photography is in the lens/photographer, but it's a good starting point.
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