Posted: 12/2/2008 4:53:51 PM EDT
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Ok my wife and I have decided we want to get a DSLR camera. Our budget is not high end but probably in the $500-$600 range. So far I think I have narrowed it down to the following:
Nikon D40 Nikon D60 Canon EOS Rebel XS Sony A200 Camera will be used for portraits, vacations, etc.... My wife sells hedgehogs so being able to take photos for a website is a main priority. Any help, suggestions, or reviews of these would be appreciated. I'm open for questions. Thanks Travis |
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I like the Olympus Evolt - fair price and feature packed.
I use the Nikon at work - wow is it fast. If you have a Rebel 35mm already, get the Canon rebel and use the same lenses. You missed out this past weekend on the Black Friday deals - I know I saw some DSLRs. |
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"...Nikon D40 Nikon D60 Canon EOS Rebel XS Sony A200 ..." Of your above choice my OPINION in order is; Rebel XS Most current choice, currently have a $100 instant rebate when you buy the 18-55 kit w/ 75-300 Nikon D60 more current than the D40 Nikon D40 getting old Sony A200 I usually don't bash one to make the other look better but...Sony has a history of being the 800lb gorilla & doing what they do their way, while not always bad but can be difficult getting accessories down the road. Here is a link to DPREVIEW>COM review of the 4 cameras your looking at. 7mm |
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If you ever think you'll get serious with photography, I'd personally stick with Nikon or Canon.
I've known a few serious hobbyists who quickly outgrew the lens selection of both Sony and Olympus... which are newer to the scene and don't offer NEARLY the variety of N & C for addons (lenses being the big one). I'm a Canon guy, but I'd put Nikon right up there with Canon and say you can't go wrong with either brand. Just check them out in a store before you decide which way to go, and determine which is more comfortable to hold and use (different button layouts, settings, etc). If you're in the NE KS area (closer to Topeka) and need some help in person, let me know. If you decide to go the Canon route, you can check out our gear, and we even have a few older pieces that may be an upgrade to the XS for the same (or less) cost that may interest you. Specifically the #0D line (20D, 30D, 40D) being a decent step up from the Rebel series... some of those can be had used for less than an XS (if you're comfortable with used). |
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Now that Nikon is releasing a AF-S 50mm f/1.4G, the small Nikons are starting to look even more attractive.
The D40 and D60 lack the AF motor, so that allows them to be very small and light, but their utility wit AF lenses was limited to manual focus only. For me that would me that the awesome and not horribly expensive 50mm fast lenses were nearly useless. Now that there is an AF-S version of these, I would tell almost anyone that those cameras are great. |
| I was actually in a similar situation and I chose the Canon EOS XSI over the XS. The XSI has 2 more megapixels, Canon's newer autofocus system, slightly faster frames per second, and a 1/2" larger display screen. The slightly higher price difference of the XSI was negligible to me. |
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EVOLT 520 here. Price just went down at dell to only 529/free shipping and is a great price for tons of features.
Here's a good place to compare DSLR's. http://www.cameralabs.com/buyers_guide/budget_DSLRs/best_budget_DSLR.shtml Good site because they have had a review copy of just about EVERY DSLR you will run across in stores. Of the Sony's, the A300 is the best bang for the(Sony) buck in your price range. Every A200 or A350 review recommends the 300... Strictly in the <$600 range, go with the Oly 520, If you can bust it by a little bit, go with the xsi If you can bust $700 get the Nikon D80. |