Best beginners (but not too basic either) digital SLR?

Question

I am in the market for a new Digital SLR camera. I have a budget of AU$2000. I would prefer one which had image stabilisation built into the camera unit, but I am open to all suggestions.

Answer 1

Don't let me talk you out of anything, but read this (my own opinion supported by others) and then floow fhotoace's link to read about the Nikon D40. The D40 is way under your budget, so it will allow room for you to buy a lens or two after you get your feet wet. Come back in a couple of months and tell us what type of photography you have become interested in and we can recommend a lens or two.

Here's my piece about image stabilization in the camera vs. in the lens:

With the on-board "shake reduction," as far as I know, there is one mode and it can be fooled under certain situations. I asked for clarification on this and no Pentaxians or Sony-users came forward to answer my question. I did not find information on either the Pentax or Sony sites, either.

With Nikon and Canon lenses, there are two modes that will allow you to choose the proper mode. Of course, you can always turn the VR/IS off if you do not want it. On Canon lenses, they are called Mode I and Mode II, but I don't know for sure which is which. On Nikon lenses, the modes are called "Normal" and "Active."

From a Nikon lens manual:

NORMAL: The vibration reduction mechanism primarily reduces camera shake, making smooth panning shots possible.

ACTIVE: The vibration reduction mechanism reduces camera shake when taking pictures and those from a moving vehicle. In this mode, the lens does not automatically distinguish panning from camera shake.

Popular Photography writer Michael McNamara has a piece about image stabilization on-line. The two schools of thought are to either put the image stabilization technology in the lens (as Nikon, Canon and Sigma do) or in the camera (as Pentax, Olympus, Samsung and Sony do). He says, "So far, lens-based IS has the lead, with one Nikon VR lens logging a 3- to 4-stop improvement (a few big tele zooms barely reached 2 stops). In contrast, the best result from a sensor-shift DSLR is 2 to 3 stops, with the average closer to 2 stops." Read the whole article here:

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/4615/image-stabilization-special-stop-the-shake.html

There is a chart on page two that is a real eye-opener. Far and away the best at image stabilization is the Nikon 18-200 VR lens, which shows gains of 3-to-4 stops!

Note: If you can FIND one, you would be able to buy that 18-200 lens after you buy the D40 with its stock 18-55 lens and still be within your budget. I think. If not, the 70-300 VR is a nice lens for about US$500. The 55-200 VR is a STEAL for US$250.

However, I can't argue with Clavestone about the Pentax K10D. It's a great camera. If you really want your "IS" in the camera, this is an excellent choice. I'd say that the Sony is okay, but their lens selection is rather thin at present.

Answer 2

Pentax K10D has taken the mid range cameras by storm. It has won about every major award (TIPA, EISA, Japan's Grand Prix, MacWorld Editors choice, American Photo editors choice, etc)

It's not quite as good as Nikon D200/300 or Canon 40D but trounces their little brothers (Nikon D80, Canon 30D)

Answer 3

Take a look at the Pentax K10D. 10mp, Image Stabilization in the body, can use every Pentax K-mount lens ever made.

At shutterbug.com you can read a review of the camera. It was in the Aug. 2007 issue.

Answer 4

Canon Digital Rebel 300D, but its not new..