Can anyone suggest a good SLR Camera?

Question

I love photography and have been using ok digital cameras for the last few years however now that im serious about photography I want to get a professional camera that allows settings to be changed instead of defaults on digital cameras that cant be changed.
So I want a SLR Camera with:
- 6Mega Pixel Resolution (minimum)
- 8X Optical Zoom (minimun)
- Rechargable Batteries (If possible)
- £300 (Maximum)

Answer 1

If you want an SLR camera, you really don't care about the optical zoom as that is going to depend on which lens you put on the camera. SLR's allow you to change lenses for different focal lengths. Also, the batteries are generally rechargeable.

Also, if you probably really don't want a "professional" camera because as soon as you are talking "professional" you are way beyond the £300 range. At £300 you are barely going to be in the SLR range infact, and you will still be in the point-and-shoot range. Most entry-level SLR's will start closer to £400 or so (I could be wrong on this though--I'm in the US where most digital SLR's start at about $800). A "professional" camera will be somewhere in the £800 range for just the body, not including lenses.

A couple recommendations would be the Nikon D50 or the Cannon Digital Rebel. These are both good digital SLR's that will let you change lenses, shutter speed, aperture, white balance, and other nifty things--probably more than you will ever want to change.

One thing to ask yourself though is why do you want a SLR?
Be aware that when you buy an SLR camera, you also have to buy the lenses and flash separately. Also, SLR's sometimes require a little more work in processing the pictures after you take them. They do give good pictures, but if you are handy with Photoshop or some other photo editing tools you will be able to tweak them to look much nicer. Point-and-shoot's generally are configured to give better color balance and settings for most scenarios without much tweaking. Also, SLRs are not as easy to carry around on vacation, and extra care has to be taken with the lenses. If your main concern is being able to override the default settings, there are several point-and-shoot cameras out there that let you do that. Don't get me wrong--I'm not trying to convince you not to get a digital SLR--I've been using one for about 5 years and I love it. Just trying to help you ensure you aren't spending money on something you won't end up using much or liking.

You should definitely do your homework before buying a digital camera, though, whether it is an SLR or a point-and-shoot one. A good place to start is http://www.dpreview.com On this site you will find tutorials of how to pick a digital camera, reviews of just about every digital camera out there, sample photographs from the different cameras, and user forums.

Answer 2

Optical zoom varies between each lens. If its a 70-200mm lens it has about 2X optical zoom. If its a 20-100mm its about 5X optical zoom. It depends on the millimeters. People go by mm's in SLR for the different lenses.

I cannot think of a good SLR thats $300 new. I mean the Pentax arent a bad camera but its just not as good as lets say the Canon XTi or the Nikon D80. I recommond the Canon XT, its a great camera thats about $500 I believe now. It takes really nice pictures and its 8MP! Cant beat that.

Answer 3

It sounds like you need either the Nikon D40 or the Canon 350D (the UK name for the Rebel XT mentioned above; also an old model now so you'd need to be quick in getting one). But those are the only two budget DSLRs worth considering. The Pentax and Olympus models simply don't cut the mustard.

However, *deep breath* you can't get a DSLR for much less than £400. And you're going to have to shell out at least another £200 to get your "8x zoom". I use the quotes because SLR zoom isn't expressed that way; it's expressed in millimetres of focal length e.g. 18-200mm).

On the plus side, both the models I've mentioned meet your megapixel and rechargeable battery requirements.

If you really can't spend what it costs to get an SLR, the Fuji Finepix S6500 or the Panasonic FZ7 are excellent sub-£300 compromises, providing huge zoom lenses, and much of the functionality of an SLR but without quite the same speed of operation or the ability to change lenses.

[EDITED for minor addition and corrections 5 minutes after posting]

Answer 4

How about the Canon Digital Rebel XT? Its 8mp, and you can add any EOS lens you want.

Honestly, 300 (your currency) is the bare minimum for DSLR. I just paid 420 US dollars for a mediocure lens!

If you can save up a bit more, the new sony DSLR is getting good reviews... its top feature is that it has image stabilization built into the body, so you don't re-buy the feature with every lens like I have to on with the Canon.

Nikon would be a third choice with the D series. The D80 competes with the two mentioned above.

Answer 5

Hmmm you love photography so much that you dont know that an SLR camera doesn't have an optical zoom, its determined by the lens to attached to it, also your chances of getting one for £300 are nil.

Answer 6

If you can, go for the Pentax K110D, with an 18-55mm lens. Ive got one and its great. For an extra lens, ie, 70-300 zoom, try
http://www.tecno.co.uk

Answer 7

Try the new Pentax range with anti shake. Many user settings. Only downside, no rechargeable batts only AAs Lovely feel to it

Answer 8

Sony is the best brand to buy camera in this budget. It has good picture quality.

Answer 9

buy 600d or nikon 5300 or a sony alpha a58 and have fun..