What's the best DSLR camera out there?

Question

Okay. I'm having a tough time choosing one to purchase.

My friend has the Fujifilm FinePix S5200 and it takes great pictures:

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k316/ARG_08/4367346copy.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k316/ARG_08/DSCF0092copy.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k316/ARG_08/DSCF0091copy.jpg

But I reallly want the new Nikon D80, which is $600 more.

DSLR owners, why do you suggest?

Thanks.

Answer 1

The Fuji S5200 is a great camera and great value for money. Here's a review: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/fuji_s5200_pg5.html
The same goes for the Nikon D80, of course: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/nikon_d80_pg8.html
The D80 does several things better than the Fuji S5200 (or any other point & shoot):
* Better image quality with any halfway decent lens, to professional image quality with a good lens.
* Responsiveness. The D80 is a MUCH better camera for action photography and candids - you will not miss the moment. It has faster auto-focus, NO shutter lag, NO waiting between shots, etc.
* Better low light performance. With the D80 you can take pictures in dimly lit rooms, etc. without the flash.
* Shallow depth of field - when you want to blur the background for artistic effect, the D80's your camera.
* Interchangeable lenses - with the D80 you can always find the right lens for the job. You're not limited to the one lens that comes with the camera (and some cheezy add-on lenses if you're lucky.)
* The large optical viewfinder makes composing the shot and reading the settings a joy.
* More megapixels. Enough for a small poster.
And this same list of advantages is true for just about any digital SLR camera. I happen to really like the D80 too, but there are also cheaper options.
The cheaper options aren't as good as the D80, but they're still better than the Fuji S5200. You could consider the Nikon D50, the Canon Rebel XT, or the Pentax K100D, for example.
And then there are things that a point & shoot like the Fuji S5200 does better:
* They can record video.
* They have swivel screens, so you can compose the shot from a weird angle.
* They're cheaper. Much cheaper when you consider the extra cost of additional lenses for a dSLR camera over time.
You'll have to decide for yourself if the digital SLR is worth it. It's a great camera for the price... but is the extra price worth it for YOU.
For me, a digital SLR camera was worth it. I had a fancy Nikon point & shoot before, but it drove me crazy that it was so sluggish. With my dSLR, everything flies.

Answer 2

As I understand your question, the digital camera is sort of a point and shoot style, whereas the dslr is more advanced and usually resembles the 35mm cameras of a few years ago. One of the most desired features of a dslr is the ability to change lenses. The thin, pack-of-cards sized digital cameras now produce very good photos, pack easily in a shirt pocket and cost under $300. A dslr is a full sized camera, bulky, weighs over a pound and can cost $1000 and up for a good one. As long as we photographers continue to view our photos on computer screens and television monitors, the superior optics and resolutions of expensive cameras is moot. The difference is only seen in large photo prints.

Answer 3

OMG has given you a comprehensive answer, so give him credit (ie: the VOTE), but here's something to back him up - along with teef's experience. I have a Nikon D200 and I absolutely love it, but I think I would have purchased the D80 if it was available. There was no "bridge" between the D70 and D200 when I bought my camera.

I posted a "question" a short time ago to get this information out there. You may find the answers to that question helpful.

"The February 2007 issue of Popular Photography has just come out and they compared the top 10 MP DSLR's. I am posting this question for general information and so I can refer to it in future answers.

"I took the scores and ranked the cameras similar to the way Formula 1 gives championship points. I just gave 5 for 1st place down to 1 for last place, splitting the difference when cameras tied in their catagories.

"They evaluated Image Quality (giving this twice as much weight as anything else), Ease of Use, Control, and System Flexibility.

"The final order and my scores are:

Nikon D80 - 17.5 points
- BEST in Image Quality, Control and System Flexibility
Canon Rebel XTi - 13.5 points
- Tied for best in System Flexibility
Pentax K10D - 11 points
- Tied for best in Ease of Use
Samsung GX10 - 11 points
- Tied for best in Ease of Use
Sony Alpha 100 - 7 points
- LAST in Image Quality, Ease of Use and System Flexibility."

Go to the original question and read the responses for more opinions.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiG00eHyd0oq5b.X7J.jiULzy6IX?qid=20070113133139AAHWJY0

Bert - the D80 is NOT the same as the D200. The sensor and processing software are the same, so I understand, but the construction and several features are different. The D80 is an EXCELLENT camera and, as I already said, I probably would have bought the D80 if it was available when I was ready to upgrade, but it's not the same camera as the D200, which is still selling quite strongly.

Answer 4

Those pictures are all photoshoped. If you have the time by all means you can do it. I own the Canon Rebel XTi and it takes really good pictures. Nikon is a good camera too just depeds on how you like the interfaces of both cameras. I would stay away from the Sony Alpha just because its Sonys first crack at the SLR. Let them work out bugs and see how it goes.

Answer 5

I have owned a Fuji S7000 (good camera)
Fuji S9500 (Poor Camera)
Nikon D50 (Great Camera)
Nikon D80 (Fantastic Camera)

Don't waste money, go straight for the better camera. The Nikon D80 is worth absolutely every extra cent you pay for it. I say that without question or reservation. Take from someone who has been there.

Answer 6

I looked at most dslr's before I bought mine 2 months ago. I chose the D80. Just look through the view finder and handle it as opposed to ALL the rest, and I think you'll find that it beats the rest easily. As far as picture quality and features, try and find 1 article, review or opinion that says it's not near or at the top of it's class. (I love mine)

Answer 7

i have an olympus sp320 7.1 mp digital camera. takes great pictures in the dark outside over 300 ft with the flash. great camera except on the battery life of 30 minutes to an hour on 2aa batteries (constant use). but it beats my old poloroid digital camera that wouldnt take pictures in the dark no more than 20 ft.

heres a pic taken with my olympus sp320 7.1 mp using 1mp by option. http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q167/manningbj/PB090025.jpg the trees were about 90ft away in lacancer kentucky.

Answer 8

go to the website...."kenrockwell.com"

this is a fabulous site & should answer your question.
I have the Nikon D 200 and it is unbelievable! I understand that the D80 is the same as the D 200.

Answer 9

I absolutely love my Sony A100. It takes great photos. They can be printed at a large size without loss of detail. On top of all that it is very simple to switch from manual to auto and vice versa.

Answer 10

Take your time and do your homework. www.dpreview.com

This site will give you a boatload of info on virtually every digital camera ever made.