what is the best SLR camera to buy? i just want to take great pics of my kids?

Question

between the nikon D100, D 80 or D 50 and canon rebel. or should i just stick with a high end point and shoot camera? i'm torn! i want good quality photos of my boys as they grow (ages 2 and 3) - i want to take photos quickly without the flash going off 3 times first, and the kids have already looked away. i have a sony 3.2 megapixel digital and i need to upgrade. help!

Answer 1

Get a Nikon D50. It has a few "consumer friendly" automatic modes that make it very easy to use. It will be just like your point and shoot, only it takes pictures the instant you press the shutter release. The D50 still offers total photographic control when you are ready to take charge. The "kit" lens is a decent lens optically, but you might want to upgrade to the Nikkor AF-S 18-70 f/3.5-4.5G ED DX lens for a bit more range and a lot more durability. When you are ready to add lenses, the sky is the limit with Nikon. Then, when you upgrade your camera, you will have a nice, useful collection of lenses.

Get a 1 GB memory card, such as the Sandisk "Ultra" for decent write speed.

This is the exact set-up my wife has and children on the run are her primary subject. (D50 and the 18-70 lens I mentioned) If you can spare the change, the D80 will work just as well, obviously. It's just a question of what else you might want to do with your photography and if you don't mind the extra size of the D80. It will cost about $500 more than the D50.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d50.htm

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Nikon/nikon_d50.asp

http://www.bhphotovideo.com has a kit with lens AND 2 GB Sandisk memory card for $650.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=420992&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

The D40 is the hot new cute DSLR from Nikon, but frankly, it costs the SAME as the D50 and is not as versatile, should you decide to learn more about what you are doing. I'd just buy the D50 and be done with it.

Actually, many people are picking up on the idea that the D50 is the bargain of the century and it's getting hard to find.

The D40 kit from B&H does not include a memory card and the kit sells for $590. Add a card similar to their other kits and the total is $655. See what I mean?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=471716&is=REG&addedTroughType=search
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=471716&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Answer 2

The D100 is now outdated. The current nikon models are the D200, D80 and D40. All are excellent- each in their own category. But- for taking photos of kids- the D40 will be fine. Anything else is overkill, unless you're a real enthusiast.

The advantage of a DSLR over a compact digicam is faster focussing. There are a list of disadvantages such as cost, weight, lens cost/range. But- realize that taking photos of fast moving children, especially in low light is some of the most challenging photography their is.

If you do go with a digicam- think about getting one with a flash hotshoe (i.e. Cannon G7 for instance). A real flashgun that's bounceable off the ceiling, will make a big difference in how the images look. Or- go with a compact that works well in low light- which leaves you to the Fuji F20/F30/F31. Which- really are terrific cameras and cheap.

Or, consider the Canon 30D which will shoot 5 frames per second vs 3.

Answer 3

Well, there are a few ways to look at this problem. A compact digital camera has a lot of the features of a film SLR (composing through the main lens, for example) while being compact and simpler to operate. On the other hand, no small camera will have the light-gathering power of a large lens or the flexibility of an interchangeable lens. A digital SLR is more expensive, but in the hands of a skilled and well-equipped operator can make much nicer photos.

Thinks to consider:
- How's your budget? How much are you willing to pay, and how much would you like to pay?
- Would you prefer for the camera to make technical judgements, or would you like to control it yourself based on the camera's instruments? If the former, a compact one may be better; for the latter, an SLR.
- Would you like the flexibility to use old 35mm film lenses? Some digital SLRs can accommodate them.
- Would you like sophisticated tools like wireless mobile flash units? SLR, again, would have a wider range at the high end.

In terms of resolution, I doubt you'd find an SLR these days below 8 megapixels. That's tons of picture data, more than enough for fairly large high-resolution prints.

Answer 4

To take pictures of your kids and family, no need to spend big bucks on a DSLR. I am perfectly happy with my Sony DSC-H2. It has 6 MP, 12X opt, doesn't eat up batteries and I'm perfectly happy with 8X10 prints from it. Comes with batteries and battery charger. Canon makes lots of very good cameras at much less than a DSLR. If you want lots of zoom as I have consider Canon PowerShot S2 IS or Powershot S3 IS.

Answer 5

I would be inclined to agree with Alan M, and recommend the D50. I have a D50 and a D80, they are both fantastic cameras. They offer a nice balance between pro and point & shoot modes too, so a D50 should suit you just fine.

Answer 6

Canon are the easiest to use and has the best color balance. Also the range of lenses is better than Nikon's.

Based on your budget - you should get Digital Rebel XTi or Canon 30D.

Answer 7

if u want to take pics of your kids... i think u should go with a high end aim and shoot camera.. like the canon s3is or so... it is rich in features..

and if u r not a pro in photography, by the time u make adjustments and set up a digi slr, your kids will grow up.. :D....

Answer 8

I will suggest D80, coz i personally use that and i am a greatest fan of that..go for that blindfolded