which camera would you recommend between Pentax K100, Nikon D40 or Canon rebel xt?

Question

I am looking for my first digital slr. I would like to do some photography as a hobby.

Answer 1

All three are solid camera that will grow with your skills. I'm a Nikon fan, but my brother shoots with a Canon Rebel XTi, so we argue alot. :)

The Pentax has nice features at a good price, but it doesn't have the support from other lens makers that you'll find for Nikon & Canon cameras.

One of the reasons I like Nikon is the handling. Very consistant design and controls in bodies that feel right in my hands. Notice I said, "in my hands", because you need to make your own decision.

Here's some reviews for help you.
Pentax K100:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk100d/

Nikon D40:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/

Canon Rebel XT:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos350d/

And here's some side-by-side comparisions:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/NikonD40/page17.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/NikonD40/page20.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/NikonD40/page21.asp

One more bit of info from J.D. Power:
http://www.jdpower.com/electronics/ratings/digital_camera/dslr

My photography started as a hobby and just grew. Remember, the camera is just a tool. I don't think I could do too much with Leonardo DaVinci's paintbrush!

Just remember, a DSLR is a camera that will grow with you, as your skills and interests grow.

I hope this helps.

By the way, the photos in the link below were shot with the model before the Nikon D40. I used an older D50 and an outdated Nikon 75-300mm lens from the 56th row across the stadium, then cropped and resized the photos before uploading. With the newer equipment and lenses, I think one could do as well or better.

Answer 2

I'd go with the Pentax K100 because of the superior image stabilization built into the camera body. As for consumer support, Pentax/Asahi is well-known for its service and support. Currently, the Canon rebel [all models] do not offer virbration reduction either on their lenses or within their camera bodies. And only recently has Nikon offered a singular vibration reduction (VR) 200mm lense with the D40 starter kit., The other VR Nikon lenses besides the 200 mm are downright expensive.

Good luck!

Answer 3

The newest Pentax is the K10D which has 10 megapixels and Image Stabilization in the camera body. Since it uses the venerable Pentax K-mount that means all K-mount lenses can be used with it, from the ones originally designed for the K1000 35mm film camera. You'll have to use manual focus with the older lenses though.

The Nikon D40 doesn't have auto focus except with the Nikon AF-S & AF-I lenses - they have the focusing motor in the lens body.

Answer 4

If you are going into SLR's, you must begin to consider lenses apart from camera bodies. If you make a decision based on camera body alone, you will limit your selection of lenses. For example, if you get a D-40 and invest in lenses for it, in a few years you may find the lenses limit you from upgrading to a D-80.

I urge people to look at yesterday's camera body and save half the cost. Get a D-70 instead of a D-80 for example and invest the savings in glassware. You can find used cameras on ebay and a lot of dealers with stock. Compare the 80 with the 70 or the Canon 400 with the 350 or 300 and you will find that half the cost of the camera does not justify the additional features.

All the cameras you mentioned are good cameras. My question to you is who makes the better glassware?

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Answer 5

They are all equally good, so with goods of the same quality the next question comes about price. Go with the Nikon D40, it's cheaper than the other two by $200-$300, it's lighter, and has a greater flash range.

Answer 6

As has been stated before...
Nikon D40X only supports 22 (or so) AF-S lenses for autofocus and you pay a premium for VR (stabilized) lenses...

Canon Rebel XT/XTi Has 20 years of EOS lenses available and has larges selection of available glass (70-80 lenses or so) but again paying premium for IS (stabilized) lenses

Pentax K100D/K100D Super has 70+ years of leses available for it (yes, alot are MF lenses) Aftermarket lenses are available (some of the newest one are still yet to be released though) and since body has SR (stabilization) in it your not paying the premium for VR/IS lenses.

Pentax K10D goes one step further and for well under Nikon D80/Canon 30D prices you get 22 bit A/D color (no one has this!), weather sealing as good as Nikon D200, SR (shake reduction), Dust removal, metal mout kit lens (18-55)

Answer 7

From these cameras I recommend Canon XT body only because Canon's kit lens isn't so good as camera. In my opinion Canon's 8MP CMOS 22.2 x 14.8 mm sensor is much preferable then Sony's 6MP CCD (K100, D40).

Answer 8

I surely have the Pentax, in spite of the incontrovertible fact that, to make it a honest assessment, the different cameras are equivelant to the Pentax K110D no longer the 100D. i like the pentax exceptionally because of the fact i will use ALL of my old lenses from my K1000 instruction manual SLR which you would be unable to do with different fashions. The Pentax additionally has a imaginitive Shake alleviation gadget (practically each and every of the Pentax comments on the internet instruct a %with it on and with it off so as which you are going to see that how properly it works), intuitive controls, element and shoot effective aspects that are commonly absent from DSLR's, takes SD playing cards, can run on AA batteries (works super with Rechargeable AA's - i take advantage of Kodak style), is easy and versatile. The layout is likewise very intuitive, it purely feels precise on your hand. the familiar of the photos are impressive, yet I do believe a prior poster that it additionally relies upon on who's applying the digicam. the only factor that should apply progression is the flash (i take advantage of a flash hood indoors). MY suggestion is which you flow to a digicam save on your section (ex. Ritz digicam) and carry each and every on your palms. See which feels precise and which has controls which you're feeling are least complicated to get used to.