Want to by a new DSLR Camera....?

Question

I have a digital camera a Sony DSc-r1. Good camera but it is not a SLR. I'm looking at the Nikon D40x. What do you think of this camera? Is it worth it? Any better suggestions?

I want a DSLR. Thanks!

Answer 1

It's worth it, nikon makes good cameras. I own a D80, which is a small step up from the D40x, in terms of cost I look at it as being a better investment. If you are interested in a nikon, I suggest you spend the extra couple hundred bucks and by the D80. In return for that investment, you will get a few more features, higher ISO range, and auto-focusing capability on all non AF-S (I) lenses. That last bit is what I would consider worth the upgrade, considering I have a couple of AF fast primes I'd rather be able to use with autofocus. The D40x, while having the same MP sensor and much of the same features, does not have an in-body autofocus motor. Good camera, but limited in my opinion.

Answer 2

I would go exactly the opposite of the respondent above who said to buy the best camera you can:

If you're serious about photography, buy the cheapest D-SLR you can find that will do the job. You can get used Canon 10D's for a few hundred dollars, for instance, that will take really great pictures under most conditions (not as great in low light/high-ISO, but lovely otherwise).

Spend the rest of the money you've saved on:
1. Classes
2. Books
3. Lenses

From a pure equipment standpoint, you'll have better luck with a cheaper camera and better lenses than vice versa. Your lenses also will hold their value while cameras will continue to depreciate. At some point, when you outgrow the camera, you'll still have good quality lenses to use on the new body.

I'd much rather shoot on a used 10D and a killer 24-70 f/2.8L than a 40D with a lame kit lens... and the pricing would be close.

I'm not as up on Nikon kit, but I'm sure there are equivalents.

And notice that school and books were the first two: you'll get MUCH more improvement per dollar spending your money on education of some kind: its the photographer, not the gear, 90% of the time.

Picture quality is determined by, in order of importance:

1. Photographer
2. Photographer again
3. Circumstances (lighting available, time available, etc)
4. Lens
5. Camera

Answer 3

When buying a DSLR (or just SLR) don't just think about the camera (BODY), but the whole system. DSLR (and SLR) are actually modular system with great upgrade capability. You may indeed NEVER by anything else beside a zoom lens. But you don't want to be limited because of cost or options.

Look at the price and availability of external flash, lens, etc. You don't want to be suckered into buying a body and then find that other parts are really expensive or hard to get.

Almost all DSLR are very good. Even the lowest end beginner DSLR are good enough for professional use (in terms of quality). Nikons are certainly great company (note: I am a nikon user).

You can read more about this from the world's most famous Nikon nut:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm

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But take what he says with a large grain of salt (or try a rock salt). He is obviously a nikon nut.

Good Luck.

Answer 4

D40x is an excellent choice. But surprisingly almost all pros I've consulted on this, and reliable on-line reviewers (such as stevesdigicams) agree: the earlier and cheaper D40 is a better choice. Not only about $200 less expensive, it is also faster, and most importantly (unlike the D40X) accepts all Nikon lenses, which the "X" DOES NOT! I'd buy one myself tomorrow if I had the bread, while there's still new, in-warranty ones to be had.

Answer 5

I have the Canon Rebel, the 20D and the 30D, all excellent but the 30D is the best I can afford. I'd buy a 5D if I had the $$.
The reason I say that is I started with a Rebel, and when I got the 20D all the batteries, compact flash cards, filters and lenses all worked on it. Same with the 30D, I didn't have to go out and buy all new accessories. Especially with cameras, you get what you pay for. If you buy a cheap camera you'll have a cheap camera.

good luck!

Answer 6

Check out the Pentax K10D. 10mp, Image Stabilization (IS) in the body (not in the lens like some), Auto Focus in the body (not in the lens like some) and it accepts all Pentax K-mount lenses ever made. With IS in the body it works even with lenses that have to be manually focused.

Read reviews at dpreview.com or shutterbug.com or popphoto.com.

Answer 7

Its a great camera. But If you have the money to spend, i would go with a Canon EOS 40D.