Good Digital SLR's under $600?

Question

I'm thinking of getting a digital SLR but would like one with interchangable lenes for under 600 bucks any suggestions?

Answer 1

Get the Nikon D50. Of course, you can't buy a body AND a lens for under $600, but maybe you already know that. You can get the "cheap" kit lens and a decent sized memory card (required) and keep your whole purchase in the $700 range.

You may think you only want one lens now, but you WILL want more. When you start looking for lenses, you will never run out of options with either Nikon or Canon. When you have a closet full of lenses and win the lottery, you wil be able to buy a serious upgrade in a new DSLR with Canon or Nikon and this option really does not exist with the others mentioned above.

I anticipate that the D70s will be running close-outs soon and you might want to check out the rebates or reduced prices. It won't be under $600, but it will be mighty tempting.

You might not be into eBay, but I found a seller with over 5,000 positive transactions with a 100% feedback score. Look at this auction, even if it's only to find out about the D50 and lens.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Nikon-D50-Digital-SLR-1000-Kit-18-55mm-Lens-D-50_W0QQitemZ280016137116QQihZ018QQcategoryZ122616QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Here's another one with the bare bone essentials for a bit le$$. I've dealt with Cameta Camera a few times with no problem and I would not hesitate to buy from them again. They've got almost 150,000 positive feedback score!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D50-Digital-SLR-Camera-18-55mm-Lens-2GB-Kit_W0QQitemZ160018422371QQihZ006QQcategoryZ122616QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Cameta has quite a number of factory demo D50's with two Nikon lenses that look like they will sell in the $500 range, so this is a great deal for your budget. They have a one year warranty.

Good luck.

Answer 2

SLR prices are deceptive because the kit lens that comes with them is of low quality. Quite literally, your camera is only as good as the lens on it. If you use the lens that comes with the kit, the camera will not perform up to its capabilities, making it pointless to buy an SLR in the first place. If you buy the camera body only, it will cost you roughly $400 for a good lens of the type you will definitely want if you buy an SLR. Pretty much, the only camera you should consider is the Canon Digital Rebel XT, which will cost you roughly $700 for the body only:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/digital_rebel_xt-review/index.shtml

A better alternative for most people is to get a good fixed lens digital camera. For about $800, you could get the Sony DSC-R1, the best fixed lens digital camera on the market. This camera takes professional quality pictures, has a high quality lens and SLR grade electronics. It is equal to the XT with a $400 lens and superior to it with the kit lens. It's also is alot easier to take good pictures with than an SLR camera:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dsc_r1-review/index.shtml

If you are serious about the $600 limit on your budget, then your only option is a midrange, full size, fixed lens digital camera of the ultra-zoom variety. The best one is the Sony DSC-H5:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dsc_h5-review/
http://dcresource.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=17744371

Probably, this is the camera you will be happiest with, for under $600. It takes VERY nice photos, albeit not of the professional quality of the R1 (like anyone would ever notice as a causal camera user, lol), has a high quality lens, superior digicam electronics (just not the high quality CMOS sensor you would see in an SLR) and the best screen on the back of the camera, on the market.

Answer 3

There are 4 curent models for under $600
Nikon D50: $550
Pentax *ist DL: 500
Pentax K110: $550
Samsung GX 1L: $550
The problem is, those are prices for just the body. When you add a lens and a memory card, you're over budget. You'll have to check eBay for used cameras.

Answer 4

Nikon D50 is about it for quality SLRs in that price range. You might find the Canon XT for that much but I'd be cautious about buying it.

Try Pricegrabber.com for the best prices on the net.

Answer 5

OLYMPUS E-300 8.0MP Digital Camera 1.8" 134K LCD. For price and details on the camera go here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16830111157

Answer 6

Check out the options at "www.dpreview.com"

Answer 7

http://keh.com has good used cameras.

Answer 8

Hmm.....I dunno if you'tr gonna find a good one for under $600

This Nikon one is $699 check it out

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7213348&type=product&id=1113954482861