Best prosumer digital camera currently available is.......?????

Answer 1

depends what you mean by prosumer?

entry-level digital SLRs are considered prosumer these days. So that's either the Canon EOS 400D, or the Nikon D80. Canon has anti-shake, better anti-dust. Nikon has a few nicer imaging features, but is more expensive.

among non-SLRs (a fundamentally better design because lens closer to sensor so allows for smaller lenses - too bad for the time being the sensors are smaller than on SLRs which limits sensitivity, and image quality at least in difficult situations of sharp contrasts and the like), you have either big ones such as a Panasonic DMC-FZ50 with its 12x stabilised zoom (which would be 10 inches long and weigh 2-3 pounds on a DSLR). Or you have quite decent smaller / lighter ones, such as the Canon PowerShot S3 IS (12x stabilised zoom), or the Panasonic DMC-FZ7. Or if you're ok to settle with "just" a 6x stabilised zoom, the Canon PowerShot G7 is quite good.

At the end of the day, what matters, apart from money, is portability. A good digital SLR with a good set of lenses (or a good zoom) is a big, bulky, heavy beast, not discrete, you name it - but gets you the best image quality. A good non-SLR will give you much more portability, discretion, ability to play (12x zooms).

Answer 2

I would generally agree with what has been said with a couple of exceptions and suggestions.
First, the Sony has never been "best" at any camera level. Has major problems - some color issues and distortion. Go to dpreview.com for a source of camera and accessory reviews. Even so, to get the best "prosumer" body, which normally means none interchangeable lens, it will cost close to $1,000. For that there are a lot better options.

Second, the Nikon D50 with a decent lens in the kit and will run around $800 or so. I also recommend buying the body only and then the lens that fits your needs the best. The zoom lens on the market today have become terrific quality lens over the last five years. But, there is crap out there as well. I would advise sticking with a camera manufacturer's lens. Tamron, Sigma, etc., just do not measure up. You can always upgrade the lens.

Third, the Canon Rebel is an excellent camera body but be careful of the lens. Canon makes some dogs.

Fourth, you might consider a used Nikon or Canon. That way you can save enough money to upgrade the camera and/or lens. Don't know what country your live in but warranties are not always transferrable. I have purchased many used Nikon lens and bodies and never had any issues.

In case you haven't figured it out, I am a Nikon user of many years and currently have three digital bodies - the D70s, D80, and D1x. Also have a Canon SD550 for a pocket camera to carry with me at all times.

What you have to ask yourself is what am I going to be taking and how large a print am I going to make. Most will do 5x7 or even 8x10, but anything larger and you are going to have to step up the quality of the body and lens.

If you want, I can give you another 10 questions to help narrow down your requirements to help with camera/lens selection.

Norm

Answer 3

You probably mean what is the best digital non-SLR camera currently. That's the Sony DSC-R1.

However, with the recent release of high end, entry level digital SLR cameras, a good one is now affordable. The two you should consider are the Canon Digital Rebel XTi and the Nikon D80.

If you go with the Nikon, get it with the 18-135mm kit lens. This is a pretty good prosumer level lens. Relatively high quality. Very versatile range and extremely affordable. If you want better, you will have to pay for it, is the issue. And if you were going to do that, you'd be considering a much more expensive camera.

The Canon, on the other hand, has a completely unacceptable piece of crap as the kit lens. Buy this camera as the body only and buy a better lens seperately. A nice lens to consider is the EF-S 17-85MM f4-5.6 IS USM. This is a VERY nice quality lens for this camera. The IS in the name stands for image stabilization. Canon implements this feature on its lenses rather than the camera. Something you might want.

Answer 4

... a waste of money. For the same price, get a dSLR camera.