Best DSLR reccomendations, $600-$800, above avg low light abilites, great color?

Question

I'm looking to buy a DSLR, with a budget around $600-$800.
Most important to me is:
-great low light shooting capabilities (low noise at high ISO); I take many action shots for my school paper
-rich, bright colors
-decent kit lens that can take a nice macro shot

Also:
-I would love a live view LCD, but this limits my options quite a bit, so it's not necessary.
-How helpful would you say image stabilitzation is?

So far I've looked at
Olympus E-510
Canon Rebel Xti
Nikon D40x
Nikon D80
Pentax k10d

Any recommendations would be wonderful as I am overwhelmed with options! Thanks!

Any details about your recommendations would be awesome :)

Answer 1

The Pentax K10D has Image Stabilization (IS) in the camera body.

A lower-cost alternative would be the Pentax K100D Super. The main difference is its 6.1mp and the K10D is 10mp. Plus the K10D will accept the new "DA" lenses from Pentax.

Every Pentax K-mount lens ever made will mount to it. They will be manual focus but at least they'll have the benefit of IS. You will have access to a lot of quality glass.

You can read a review of the K100D Super and the K10D at shutterbug.com or dpreviews.com or digitalcamerareview.com.

Regardless of which camera you buy, plan on spending some quality time to READ & STUDY the Owner's Manua for the camera.

My vote goes to the Pentax.

Answer 2

I would recommend the pentax. I have a 35mm nikon, cannon, minolta,pentax and have always preferred my pentax. so, when shopping for a DSLR I did my homework and found that once again pentax is great. nikon's and cannons are also great cameras. you'll pay for the nikon name and everything you buy-lenses,flashes, etc will be more for the name alone. pentax is more affordable, excellent quality has the stabilization feature as well as equal and awesome flexibility and control over your image and light conditions. but very importantly, all my 35mm lenses compatible with my pentax fit my DSLR and for my other lenses I simply purchased an adaptor and they too fit. This is a pentax benefit. I am almost sure you have to buy that feature in the cannon and possibly not available at all in nikon. that is a HUGE plus. I would forget the olympus all together. Also, hold the cameras and see how they feel. Pentax are a bit smaller than cannon's and I think they feel better to hold and work with but that is personal. When you attach a lense and flash that becomes important for stability.

Answer 3

Canon Rebel Xti

Answer 4

PENTAX K100D SUPER. this is an ideal SLR that you purchase for less than 600$ with 15-28mm lens as a KIT.

I use canon 40D and I have used K100D and trust me this camera is beautiful ,the only reason why i changed to canon is:

1 .I am canon loyal .
2. it is big and it feels nice in the hand(personal choice)

do check the PENTAX and i can assure you ,it will not disappoint you.

Answer 5

I recommend Nikon D40x. The good points of it are:
Excellent feel and compact size.
Very customisable menu architecture.
Nice guidance for dSLR newbies.
Excellent noise characteristics for high-ISO shots.
(I get these from a review site...)
http://www.cnet.com.au/digitalcameras/cameras/0,239036184,339272401,00.htm
A decent deal for it is only $700. You can have a look:
http://dealstudio.com/viewtopic.php?t=33289

Answer 6

I'd try the canon Rebel XTI because when you choose a canon you get a wide variety of lenses to choose from

Answer 7

I'd go with the Canon XTi. Also depends on whether you have any lenses that can transfer over to your digital. I had a ton of lenses for Canon, so for me, that's what I went for. Good luck.

Answer 8

I would go with the Nikon D40x

Answer 9

XTi is my choice

Answer 10

I have a Nikon D50 and it is AWESOME!