Which is the best DSLR?

Question

I've been researching for good DSLRs for a few days now. Now that the Sony Alpha 100 and Nikon D80 are out, the job has become tougher. Any ideas what is the best DSLR one could get for within $500-1000?

Answer 1

I wouldn't be so fast to buy the Sony Alpha 100 or the Nikon D80. Although they are 10 megapixel cameras, it is somewhat disappointing to see that they have CCD sensors instead of larger CMOS sensors. That is somewhat inappropriate in a digital SLR.

Also, understand that the kit lenses that come with entry level dSLR are not adequate (your camera will not perform up to its abilities with these lenses). Instead, you should buy the camera as the body only and pay for a good lens seperately. That will run you about $400, BTW, so budget that in.

Canon makes the best digital SLR cameras, hands down. Unless you have a whole bunch of lenses left over from a film SLR camera you want to upgrade from, you should stick to Canon.

With the budget you have, that essentially means you want the Digital Rebel XT:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/digital_rebel_xt-review/index.shtml
http://dcresource.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=7139451

Consider buying a nice zoom lens for it and you will be VERY pleased with this rig and should just squeak by at under $1000:

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=7443

As an alternative, consider buying a high end fixed lens digital camera instead. Specifically, the Sony DSC-R1:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dsc_r1-review/index.shtml
http://dcresource.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php?masterid=13088802

Should run you about $800 after the $100 rebate from Sony (good until september). Note the nice CMOS sensor on this camera that is mysteriously absent in the A100. Go figure. This camera takes professional quality pictures. I think it outperforms the XT, except in those rare cases where you want to take very high ISO settings pictures (ie in the dark, without a tripod). Also, it is a hell of alot easier to operate than an SLR. For most people who want a top of the line camera but who aren't serious prosumer hobbiests, this is a better choice for a camera.

You can get the best prices for memory for any camera, from pricegrabber.com

Answer 2

I'd get the Nikon for the awesome selection of lenses and the upgrade path. The specs for the D80 are very impressive. It looks more like a slightly slowed down D200 than an upgrade to the D70s.
On the other hand, if $1000 is your total budget, the Nikon D50 is your best bet.
D50 body: $550
Nikon 18-70mm: $320 (the kit lens for the D70)
SanDisk 2GB Extreme 3 SD: $100
Total without sales tax: $970
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edit: I just popped back to see who had responded after me... I had a hunch it was Panacea.
Regarding his comment that the Sony R1 outperforms a Rebel XT "except in those rare cases where you want to take very high ISO settings pictures", let me add that the R1 uses an electronic viewfinder with a 1/10th second delay. In effect, this means that the Rebel XT and other dSLR cameras also outperform the Sony R1 in those rare cases where your subject is not a still life.
Also, The Rebel XT is a $700 body. I agree that it's better than the D50 (as the price difference indicates), but there's no way that you can put together a decent package for under $1000.
You should take his CCD vs. CMOS and fan-boy Canon remarks with a grain of salt, too. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
For what it's worth, I've been an amateur photographer for over 20 years. I currently use a Nikon D200.

Answer 3

NIKON is always the IT of camera's as Sony is to walkman.