What is a good, easy, afordable DSLR camera for a beginner?

Question

Does it matter the amout of megga pixels are on the camera? is it worth spending extra to get 12mp or is a 8mp good? I have a regular 8mp digital camera but i was wondering if dlsr cameras need more megga pixels

Also if the camera doesn't come with a lens, whats a good begnner lens to use with it.

my price range is 600-700$

any advice is good advice

thanks for your time

Answer 1

Hey,
Both Canon and Nikon make great camera's in that price range. Canon has the Rebel series and Nikon offers two versions of the d40. I would personally recommend the nikon D40 or D40x. Basically the only major difference between the two is the amount of megapixles. the D40 (which I have and love) has only 6 megapixles where as the d40X has 10. I was hesitant at first about only having six megapixles because like you that would have been a step backwards from my point and shoot but then I relized the biggest I will every really blow my images up was to 8.5 x 11 so 6 mp was just fine. I took an intro to photography class last semester at a well known art school in here in new england and the camera was fine for everything I needed. At first I was worried because I was up against a few Mark II's and D2x's but the D40 held its own. Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind if you are truly a beginner is the ease of use of the camera. the d40 offers a ton of settings that can appear to be a bit overwhelming at first. In fact they are very easy. There are picture samples stored in the camera that go along with a lot of the setting options that you can look at to see what will happen if you change to this setting. For example there is a picture of a sea-doo at 400 iso to show this is a good setting for action. A picture of outside at night for ISO 1600 to show this is good for little light. Also there is a button on the camera with a "?" mark and you can press that and it will very clearly explain what it is you have highlighted. The D40 will make learning all the settings fun and easy. If you choose the d40 over the d40x I would recommend using the extra money saved to get nikons 55-200 VR lens that you can find all over the internet from $200-$250. Hope this helps and if you have any questions please let me know

Answer 2

If you are truly a "beginner" you might want to take a couple of photography classes before jumping into the DSLR market. However, you can learn to use any camera IF you are willing to READ & STUDY the Owner's Manual.

If you buy a DSLR and simply leave it in Program or Auto or whatever setting that allows the camera to choose aperture and shutter speed you may as well save your money and buy a "point & shoot" digicam. One buys a DSLR for the creative control, not because they think it will take "better pictures".

If you buy a DSLR and never buy another lens for it you may as well save your money and buy a digicam. One buys a DSLR so they can use different lenses in different situations.

As to your megapixel question, go to shutterbug.com and do a Search for the article "The Pros & Cons of Pixel Packing" which was in the Nov. 2007 issue of Shutterbug Magazine.

Its possible to produce better results with a 6mp DSLR than with a 10mp digicam because the sensor in the DSLR is bigger.

Every time this or a similar question is asked the answers are nearly always the same: Canon or Nikon. Both are excellent cameras and well worth considering. However, there are other choices.

IMO the Pentax K100D Super and the K10D are both worth considering. The K100D Super is 6.1mp and has "dust removal" for the sensor; the K10D has 10mp and "dust removal". Both have Image Stabilization (IS) in the camera body and every Pentax K-mount lens made will mount on these cameras. You'll be using manual focus but at least they will benefit from IS. (I'm not a big fan of IS in the lens since you are paying for it every time you buy a lens. No doubt someone will say it works better in the lens and perhaps they are right but IMO its like having to buy new tires for your car every time you fill up with gas.)

Good luck and enjoy whatever camera you buy.

Answer 3

Handling is very important. Canon and Nikon are both good. Others are Pentax, Sigma, and Sony. If your stuck with the $700 price tag all together then get one with the kit lens. It wont be pro quality but theres not much sense in getting a camera that cant take pictures. Also keep in mind that your going to need a memory card too. Most cameras dont come with one. One gig at least, I would suggest two.

As for the more megapixell race, it is nice to have those few extra pixells, but its not a huge problem if you cant afford them.

I have the Canon Rebel XTi and love it. But I bought it without coming to Yahoo! Answers first and asking what your asking. My advice to you is get a lesser expensive camera (like the XT) and a better lens along with the kit lens.

Heres a Nikon kit http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/500315-REG/Nikon_9420_D40_SLR_Digital_Camera.html
and an Olympus kit http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/488297-REG/Olympus_262042_Evolt_E_410_Digital_Camera.html

What ever you consider, go and hold it in the store. Cycle through the menus. See if you can figure out how to set the custom white balance and things like that. One will feel right to you and you should go with that one.

Answer 4

Ive got a Sony A300 which is good but if you want a good zoom then get the Sony A300 Body only and a zoom lens. A DSLR is a digital SLR so and SLR takes pictures onto film and a DSLR stores them on a memory card

Answer 5

Olympus E410 with kit lens is around $700 retail. 10 meg.

If you don't mind spending a hair more The Pentax K10D with Lens is now around $800 after mail in rebate (USA) and is the best 10 meg camera in it's class.

Answer 6

Get Nikon D40X kit or Rebel XTI kit. I suggest you try both of them in camera store. But you probably might like d40x more cause is more beginner friendly. Also better handle over canon.

Answer 7

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