What is the best affordable beginner D-SLR camera, in your opinion?

Question

I am very interested in purchasing a digital SLR camera to learn with. I have taken a photography class and would like to experiment more creatively with a digital SLR so I would say I am a beginner. I am mainly looking at Canon and Nikon. I have other Canon products which I am very happy with but the D-SLRs are a bit on the pricey side from my budget right now, however I do hear that they have the widest range of lenses. So my questions: 1) What are the main differences between the Canon Rebel series and say the 20 or 30D models? 2) Is a Nikon 80D comparable to a Canon 30D? What would you say is the best one for a beginner? 3) If I see a good price on a camrea body alone, should I take it and then invest on a good lens or start off with a kit? --- The cameras that are attractive to me in terms of affordability are the Canon 20D and Nikon D40.

Answer 1

Nikon and Canon are the two top D-SLR manufacturers. Most pros shooting digital will be using a camera made by one or the other. The huge selection of lenses and accessories is what most attracts pros to these brands. They know they can buy or rent lenses for any kind of photography.

Neither brand is better. They are equal. Asking for an opinion on who is better between Nikon and Canon is like asking for an opinion on religion. Both sides will argue until they are unconscious. The truth is, both Nikon and Canon make fantastic cameras and lenses. It's almost pointless to debate over who is better because the other company will announce something even better next year. You can't lose with either choice.

Whatever camera you choose, it will go out of date eventually. That's the nature of electronics and you can't escape it. Both Nikon and Canon are very competitive and both of them invent new cameras continuously.

What is important for you to consider, however, is the lens and accessory SYSTEM you are buying into. Once you start investing money into lenses, flashes and accessories you will be more and more invested into one brand or the other. Cameras will go out of date in 2 years. Lenses and accessories will last you much longer. Have a look at the lenses, flashes and other gear available from Nikon and Canon. Think about what you will be interested in doing pictures of and look at the lenses and accessories each company offers to get you there.

Consider the availability of rental lenses and other equipment in your area. Being able to rent a lens for your camera can give you a lots of creative choices without needing to buy expensive lenses.

Finally, what matters the most is picking the camera you most love to use. Features and specification mean nothing if you don't love using the camera. Try equivilant Nikons and Canons at your local camera store. Maybe rent each for a week to really try them out. Choose the one that makes you want to make thousands of pictures.

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http://www.lenslenders.com

Answer 2

1) The Rebel XTi is Canon's current entry level model. The semi-pro 20D has been discontinued and replaced by the 30D. The 20D/ 30D are more rugged cameras and they have more (advanced) options, like 5 frames per second vs. 3.

2) The Nikon D80 is more evenly matched with the Rebel XTi. It's a tad more expensive than the Canon but it's also worth it. The 30D can best be compared to the Nikon D200. Again, the Nikon is a bit more expensive, but it's worth the price difference.
The Rebel XTi and the Nikon D80 are both great for beginners. You could also look at the cheaper Nikon D40 and at the entry level Pentax models (the K110D and the K100D which has built-in image stabilization). It's true that you have a wider lens selection with Canon and Nikon. Charles' warning regaring the D40 (and D40x) is valid to some extent: these two models can not use all of Nikon's lenses. Most noticeably, they can not use prime lenses, such as the 50mm f/1.8.

3) You get a better price when you buy a kit vs. buying the same body + lens separately. If you can get the lens you want as part of a kit, do it that way.

4) The 20D and D40 are miles apart in terms of price and performance. The 20D is a MUCH better camera. Perhaps you meant the D40x. That's a different model, but the Canon is still miles ahead. I think the kit lens for the 20D was the Canon 17-85mm. That's a seriously good lens, too. That combination is probably overkill for a beginner, but if you can afford it, why not?

Answer 3

Sigh, OMG said it all but Ill just repeat some stuff too,
1) The Rebels vs the 20Ds/30Ds. Basically the Rebels are easy to use, not hidden features execpt for Custom Functions which happens, amuetuers will never use so dont really a problem. The Rebels are cheaper, made mostly of plastic, but the XTi has moore megapixels than the 30D. The 30Ds have 5FPS while the XTi has 3 FPS. Same size sensor. The 30D is made of mostly metal, more pro features, like the spot meter, thumb wheel. Their basically the same camera but the 30D is has more flexiblity and is more durable than the XTi. Not saying theres anything wrong with the XTi, I love mine but the 30D is a very prosumer orietened camera.
2) D80 vs the 30D. I would chose the 30D just because the 30D has better JPEG formats and is basically the same IQ in RAW. So if your doing alot of JPEG shots the 30D is great for beginners. BUT its a prosumer camera, you will have to learn how to use it.
3) I would start off with the kit and build up later. Whats the point in investing in a $1000 lens when you shoot in auto? Doesnt make sense does it? Learn your camera, shot a few months with the kit, and learn the limitations of your camera and lens. It will help you decide on which lens to buy next.

I would get the XTi over the 20D and the D40. The 10MP is very nice, its really easy to use, not heavy, and it has everything the 30D has but no spot, thumb wheel, status LCD, metal body. IF you dont need those, then the XTi is the best bargin you can get with a lens kit for under $1000. Of course B&H has kits that have the 28-135mm f/3.5-4.5 thats a great lens but of course youll get L glass fever later on.... trust me.... XD

Answer 4

The D40 is a great little camera, very easy to use and quite reasonably priced. It will get you in the Nikon family which is a great place to be. If you buy accessories and lenses, you will be able to use everything on any Nikon that you might upgrade to later on.

Here are a few reviews, in case you have not read them yet. Be sure to note that they are several pages long and some of the reviews also have some sample images that you can look at.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/nikon_d40.html
http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3756/camera-test-nikon-d40.html
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/d40-recommendations.htm

I hate to see people slam the camera because it can't autofocus with older Nikon lenses. It is true that there is a "slight problem" with older Nikon lenses not autofocusing on the D40, but if you do not own a bag full of older lenses, it is not going to be a problem. It is barely a problem anyhow. If you check www.nikonusa.com for "AF-S" lenses, which are ALL 100% compatible with the D40, you will find 23 lenses, including 7 "VR" (vibration Reduction) lenses and one true macro lens with "VR". There are another 25-plus lenses in the current catalog that provide all functions except autofocus as well as many (possibly dozens) "out of print" lenses that will work just as well. In addition, although these lens will not autofocus, most of them will still give focus confirmation. From the D40 manual: "If the lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 of faster, the viewfinder focus indicator can be used to confirm whether the portion of the subject in the selected focus area is in focus. After positioning the subject in the active focus area, press the shutter release button halfway and rotate the lens focusing ring until the in-focus indicator is displayed."

The D40 only has 3 autofocus zones arranged horizontally at the center, 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. This might be considered a limitation, but realistically, most people will find this perfectly adequate, especially if you are moving up from a point and shoot with only a center zone.

You can get the D40 with the 18-55 kit lens at B&H Photo (available through Yahoo! Shopping or at 1-800-622-4987) for $550 (April 2007). You will want to add a decent SD memory card and I recommend a Sandisk Ultra II or Lexar Platinum II - either 1 GB or 2 GB would be great. You can get one from B&H also for $30-45.

Answer 5

Either will be fine. Also look at Olympus, Pentax, Sony. 1. Any of the above. Although if you stick with it, you will be interested in the wealth of lenses for Canon and Nikon. 2. Your call. The kit lens is fine for a beginner. 3. View B&H or Adorama's web sites. 4. Personally, I'm too paranoid to go second hand, especially on an entry-level model. I'm too afraid that it will be either stolen or broken. Plus with a new one, you get a warranty. Congratulations for taking a course that requires a digital camera. All too many are stuck in the film genre because of a narrow-minded romantic attachment to the "Good old days". They make students buy cameras that few of them will ever use once out of the course.

Answer 6

nikon D40

Answer 7

my suggestion
go to yahoo shopping
digital cameras
digital camera GUIDE
it will help you choose