2006-08-23 21:45:18 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cameras
Pentax has a few moels that are dirt cheap, but the cheapest dSLR that I would personally consider is the Nikon D50. That camera costs $550 without lenses or a memory card, $750 with a basic lens, and $970 with a decent lens (Nikon 18-70mm) and a 2GB memory card.
One step up, you can chose between a Canon 350D (a.k.a. Rebel XT) or a Nikon D70s. Expect to pay $700 for just the body and around $1200 for the whole setup with a good lens.
After that, you're looking at $1000+ for just the body.
---
added:
I know this isn't a discussion board, but I feel obliged to comment on the models that ffrench and glen suggest.
Regarding the Canon 400D: this looks like a 350D with 2 extra mega-pixels. The official release isn't until tomorrow, so we'll have to wait for information on pricing and availability. The really good news is that it might lower prices on remaining 350D stock.
Regarding the Sony Alpha: This body costs $1000. It has built-in image-stabilization, which is very nice of course. But for the same price the Nikon D80 seems like a better general purpose camera - I'd get that instead.
Regarding the Olympus E500: This camera looks really good for just $550 but it has no real advantages and two big drawbacks when compared to the Nikon D50: the Olympus has a startup time of 1.7 seconds, and it has a tiny viewfinder. For me, the tiny viewfinder would be a deal breaker. I'll gladly concede that Oly includes better kit lenses. (For the Nikon D50, I actually suggest you pass on the kit lens.)
So... I'm sticking to my story: Nikon D50, Canon 350D, Nikon D70s.
2006-08-24 00:26:00 · answer #1 · answered by OMG, I ♥ PONIES!!1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Nikon D50 does good pictures, it is on the low end for cost. If you want a cheap SLR digital camera, give up quality.
2006-08-24 13:13:44 · answer #2 · answered by ivonkcme2 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look at the Olympus E500 2 lens kit, Compare the features of the E500 to the Canon, the Pentax or the Nikon 'cheap' DSLRs. clearly the best value for the money.
Oly kit lenses are much better than the other camera kit lenses.
2006-08-24 07:38:40 · answer #3 · answered by glenbarrington 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the upcoming Canon 400D has nice specs:
http://www.canon.co.uk/eos400d/index.asp
My other choice would be the Sony Alpha 100 (packed with features, very reasonable price)
http://www.sony.net/Products/dslr/
2006-08-24 07:26:37 · answer #4 · answered by le_ffrench 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check www.digitalcamera.com for ratings and comments by owners. We had good luck with the Kodak C330. I got a new one on eBay for $80 (Amazon has them too). Canon seems to be good too.
2006-08-24 17:15:16 · answer #5 · answered by topcat_TEC 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋