Best Digital SLR Camera?

Question

I am interested in getting a really good digital slr camera, i'm willing to look at various brands and prices. My main two focuses, which i realize are two extremes, are sports (hockey) and portraits. I would also prefer one with a good optical zoom, not digital, if you have any suggestions. Thanks!

Answer 1

It all depends on what you mean by the "best." If you have no budget constraints at all, you can find excellent cameras out there from about $2,500 to over $30,000, just for the camera body without a lens.

If you are asking this question, I assume that you are not familiar with those cameras (very high end Nikon, Canon, Leica and Hasselblad) and you are an average Joe looking for the best way to spend his money in the real world. For this, I would suggest that you look at the 10-12 MP range.

At the top end of these cameras, you will find the Nikon D200, Canon 30D and (get ready Heinz) the Sigma SD14. These cameras are all in the $1,200-1,500 range without a lens.

In the "prosumer" segment of the market, there are currently five cameras that are available for around $1,000 that are attracting the most attention.

The February 2007 issue of Popular Photography has an article where they compared the top 10 MP DSLR's.

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 (400D) - 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."

Then again, this is the same magazine that put the Sony Alpha 100 dead last in this comparison named it the camera of the year in the previous issue!

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

If you want to get the "best" for the real world, consider the Nikon D200 or Canon 30D if you can afford it. For about $300-500 less, look at the results of the recent PopPhoto test and choose from that list according to your taste.

Personally, I use a Nikon D200 and would recommend it without hesitation to someone who has some knowledge of photography. For someone who wants the "best," but is starting with somewhat of an "entry level" knowledge base, I'd suggest the Nikon D80. Either one of these cameras would be excellent for portraits or sports. The D200 might be a little better at tracking really fast action with autofocus, but I'm not even sure about that, since much of the D80 innards came from the D200 design.

There are people out there who will state their preference for the Canon cameras and I will not argue with them. The Canon 30D and 400D are excellent cameras as well and either would be well-suited for your needs..

You would have to visit a camera store or camera department and pick them up and see what you think.

This review is now available online at:

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3569/10mp-dslr-shootout.html

Answer 2

Aparently you haven't done really any research - DSLR's don't have a digital zoom. Only the zoom provided by the lense, which is always optical.

Since you are doing portraits you need something with at least 6.1mgp. Portraits are done truest at a 70mm focal point to produce an almost true 1:1 ratio.

Sports need a better zoom so a zoom up to 300mm is just as good as a zoom up to 500mm and is about half the price.

What I would suggest is to go out to a store and actually hold the cameras. Find one that fits with your hand well and isn't bulky or odd. You'll be holding it for a while so you want comfort and also check the weight.

As far as brand - it's all a matter of personal opinion. I've used the Fuji S1, S2, S3 (and soon the S4) and have loved the performance of them. I use Tamron for the lenses and have had outstanding results (even when I set the lense on fire :().

One of my favorite teachers in the past (Don Blair) would use the Kodak DSLR series (not sure they are in production anymore though) and they worked great.

My previous boss loved his Canon systems and would swear the world on them.

Do some research and again, take the time to feel the cameras and see how they work

Answer 3

Depending on what you can afford, I would suggest that you consider the Nikon D200. Otherwise, consider the Nikon D80 and also look at the Nikkor AF DX 18-135mm lens, and perhaps the 80-200mm f/2.8D ED lens (which will crop like a 120-300mm lens).

Answer 4

Canon EOS 30D

Has Auto AND Manual Settings

As well as various Modes

This one has so many features for the price!

Good luck! ; )