Which are the better Digital SLR Cameras to consider buying today?

Answer 1

It all depends on what you mean by "better." 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.

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.

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

www.dpreview.com is the most trusted website for reviewing DSLR cameras (and other cameras as well)

However, you need to consider your needs before entering to this world. Nikon and Canon are two best brands today. After taking over Minolta, Sony does a quite good job with their Alpha 100 DSLR.

Don't just care abou megapixel! That is not the main features that you need in your DSLR. Canon seem to have more expensive lens than Nikon. However, Canon have a really good noise reduction system in their camera, which help you to shoot at night really easily. The auto-focus system of Canon is really good too, especially with the 1Ds Mrk II which cost you aroung $8000 USD.

On the other hand, with the average and budget DSLR, Nikon is better. Nikon D50 or D70s (D70) has a good body built. They seem to be better than the tiny 350D of Canon. Nikon D50 has a good noise reduction intergrated with the 6.1 Megapixels sensor.
Nikon D40, which is the latest DSLR of Nikon that came out apprx 4 months ago is a good choice. However, you will not be able to use the AF lens with it, since it only supports AFs lens, which has CPU and a motor for focusing inside the lens. With other normal AF lens, AF is not available, that means you have to manually focus.

Here is the list of choices of the begining user:

Nikon D40, D50, D70s, and ..... D80

Canon 350D, 400D (which is really good camera), ...and 30D

When you buy them, they usually come with a kit lens, therefore, you won't have to spend so much time consider which lens to buy at first. After getting the basic lens (kit), you will need to understand more about photography, DSLR technology, to dicide which lens you gonna buy next.

Hop you will get your camera soon :)

Answer 3

If your are really looking for a slr (single lense reflex) camera you should go to consumers report. They just finished a report on all camers a few mnths ago.

You are going to pay a lot of extra money t get a SLR, do you really need it.

The digital camers have really improved lately. The consumers report also has comparison between the different types of cameras.

Answer 4

Nikon and Canon seem to be the best. My own preference is for the Nikon family. They have more great lenses and clever-features on their cameras. You can't go wrong with either.

Depending on your budget you can go from about a thousand dollars for a Nikon D50 or D 80 up to over $2500 for a Nikon D200, equipped with good autofocus zoom lenses. Of course if you start adding long focal length vibration-proof zoom lenses they get to be more expensive than buying a new car.

Answer 5

It really depends on what you're after.
If you like the idea of interchangeable lenses, but really don't want to learn a lot about photography, then Olympus, Sony, Pentax and Nikon all make decent point-and-shoot style DSLR's.
If you're more serious about photography, then Nikon and Canon are the only real choices, at least, until you get into the serious high-end machines. The other brands are trying to catch up, but still have miles to go before they get there.

Answer 6

Depends on your budget. In my opinion you cant go wrong with Nikon, D40, D80, D200 different prices, great cameras. I seriously considered the Canon EOS 30D, once I handled it side by side with a Nikon, the Nikon just felt better.

Answer 7

Sony, Fuji (both have more expensive memory), Canon (you pay an extra price for the NAME Canon and Sony), Kodak, especially the Schineder lens Kodaks, Nikon and Casio.

Anything else ain't work looking at.

Answer 8

Nikon D80 or D200 top of line.

Answer 9

For the money and features...Nikon D200 HANDS DOWN!

Answer 10

all i know about buying one is what i learned while shopping for one myself.......that the lower the number of mega-pixels the better the camera...... i had always thought it was the other way but i was wrong....lol good luck