Entry level SLR/Consumer cam

[teK--]

Hey guys if I was to look at getting a basic digital SLR or even the higher end consumer cams which have the bigger lens, what do you recommend?

Something with a decent range of settings and which I don't need to start buying a big range of lens for. Good battery life is a considering factor. I just want something that is around $500-$1000.00 tops (all parts included) which preferably uses SD Card (I have heaps of 4GB, 8GB micro SD cards from old phones lying around that I can put into adapters).

I just need something for when the compact digicam or even my phone cam (N97) doesn't cut it. Especially in low light conditions when I can then lower the shutter speeds with the mini tripod I have.

Sony, Canon or Nikon?

[smythie]

Or even Panasonic. I have a G10 (Canon) which is serving me pretty well. The Panasonic LX3 is as good if not a little better in the quality of pictures it can take and its auto modes are reportedly a little bitter. The G10 for me just felt better in the hand though. Neither the G10 nor LX3 have a particularly big range of zoom though (5x for the Canon and 2.5x for the LX3) so

On the entry DSLR front, you can get away with the entry level options from any of them (Canon 1000D, Nikon D40/x, Sony, Panasonic, Olympus). I'm a bit more familiar with the Canons, so can suggest that the 18-55 kit lens (make sure it's the IS lens) is pretty good for the money and if what you want is essentially a really good point and shoot should do the job pretty well for you. Coupled with the 55-250 tele zoom you have a really good entry level set of optics (a kit like that will set you back along the lines of $1200)

[Jimmy S]

Canon 400D for me... love it and its a great camera to start off with in my experience...

Comes with the 18-55mm lens as has been mentioned, and its a great all round lens while you get used to using the different features of the camera and getting your head around whats involved!

Highly recommend!

[jamesvdm]

Canon 500D if you can afford just a little bit more. The main advantages over the 400 are the 15MP and it does HD video.

[senator]

Canon 500D if you can afford just a little bit more. The main advantages over the 400 are the 15MP and it does HD video.

also comes with IS lenes too

[tangcla]

Do you want an slr or a decent compact camera? ie are you willing to sacrifice portability? There are a lot of high quality prosumer compacts - Canon G10, Panasonic LX3 etc.

[teK--]

Awesome suggestions everyone, thanks .

In order of price lowest to highest it appears to be:

Canon G10 (With some change to spare)
Panasonic LX3 (just about right)
Canon 400D (top end of my price range)
Canon 500D (out of my price range)

It's interesting the comments re the LX3 giving better picture quality; as someone with basic knowledge of photography my first impression looking at such a compact camera, is that the G10 would beat it. Is it a safe general statement that the bigger body cameras which (look like they) have larger lens will be better for night photography?

My primary use will be daytime and low light photos, but I really want to start taking photos at night (both portrait and scenery modes) which is why my old Canon IXUS compact is not up to the task. Running low ISO speeds and limited adjustments give lots of noise and poor colour saturation. Also I love that really lush, coloured photo that is often produced by professional photographers even in the daytime. Just look at the cruise photos that some of the regulars here take, and you can tell they aren't using compact cameras. If they ARE, then I want to know what cameras they are using

If I can stretch my budget the 400D looks good because it will allow expansion through new lens. My only concern is that photography is a deeeeeeeeeep rabbithole and I can't let myself get sucked in and spending thousands on lens later . For those who have gone on to buy different lens, for what features do you usually buy new lens? I.e. super low light, high speed, super zoom etc.

Clarence: Something like the G10 is a manageable size; I don't expect to have to be able to carry the camera in my jeans pocket but at the same time it should be light and compact enough to chuck into a small shoulder bag for the day.

[Ric]

Just look at the cruise photos that some of the regulars here take, and you can tell they aren't using compact cameras. If they ARE, then I want to know what cameras they are using
.

Pick a photo, and ask what camera was used to take it

[chik_25]

Canon 400D has been superseeded.
Base Canon SLR is the 1000D, followed by 450D, then 500D and so on

[teK--]

Yo Ric the recent ones I was looking at were Yin's from the Melb Cruise; looks like he's using an EOS of some sort. I'm checking out reviews of the LX3 for which the specifications look really really good. Plus the retro styling gets a big thumbs up from me!

I am still keen to receive answers for my other Qs re lens

[Jimmy S]

Yeah sorry, should have clarified that, the 400D is what I personally have, however if buying new, you will have to go for the 450D as that is now the current model. It is around the same price anyhow, and is much the same camera with a few extra features.

In terms of buying additional lenses, you would really only need to buy a telephoto lens if anything, as the twin lens kit which the 400/450D is sold with generally includes a low light lens(not that you will use it overly often).

[dwayne]

Yeah sorry, should have clarified that, the 400D is what I personally have, however if buying new, you will have to go for the 450D as that is now the current model. It is around the same price anyhow, and is much the same camera with a few extra features.

In terms of buying additional lenses, you would really only need to buy a telephoto lens if anything, as the twin lens kit which the 400/450D is sold with generally includes a low light lens(not that you will use it overly often).

I'm looking at the 50D/T1i single lens kit from bhphotovideo.com

Canon EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR Camera Kit w/EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens15.1Mp CMOS Sensor HD 1080p, 720p, and VGA Video Capture 3" Clear View LCD with Live View DIGIC 4 Image Processor ISO Expandable to 12,800 EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Compatible w/ 60-plus EF & EF-S Optics

Will be around $1050 landed - is that a good price ?

Also, if I take sh!t photos with a powershot, does this mean I'll just take better quality sh!t photos with an SLR ?? Or am I doomed to take crap photos regardless of the quipment (carpenter vs tools) ??

I'm specifically after good car photos, both full daylight, and "tangcla" style , as well as good nighttime christmas light photos.

Cheers

Dwayne

[smythie]

I'm looking at the 50D/T1i single lens kit from bhphotovideo.com

Canon EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR Camera Kit w/EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens15.1Mp CMOS Sensor HD 1080p, 720p, and VGA Video Capture 3" Clear View LCD with Live View DIGIC 4 Image Processor ISO Expandable to 12,800 EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Compatible w/ 60-plus EF & EF-S Optics

Will be around $1050 landed - is that a good price ?

For a 50D? Yeah, that's quite a bit less than a new, Australian delivery, item. Don't forget that Canon Australia will not likely warrant any overseas items. Whoever you're getting it through may but they'll be sending it back to the country of origin.

Also, if I take sh!t photos with a powershot, does this mean I'll just take better quality sh!t photos with an SLR ?? Or am I doomed to take crap photos regardless of the quipment (carpenter vs tools) ??

Cameras are very much affected by the skill of the operator in both operating the equipment and also framing the shot (which I have big issues with). That said though, the 50D will be a fair bit better than any Powershot in low light situations. In good light a good photographer with a Powershot will generally take better shots than a rank amateur with a good DSLR

[jamesvdm]

T1i is the 500D

50D doesn't do video stuff and is less entry-level

Re: carpenter v tools - in my experience if you get a dslr you will find yourself paying more attention to the different aspects of the camera/photography which will result in nicer shots.

[chik_25]

My advise is to go into a dedicated camera shop that has a large range of compacts, dslr's, lenses and accesories, where, you will get after sales service, the staff are experienced and know what they are talking about. You wont get that at the "refridgerator" shops or the internet...