Which is the best digital SLR ?

Question

A little list here :

Olympus E-410
Canon 350D
Canon XTi / Canon 400D
Nikon D40
Sony A100
Pentax K100D Super
Pentax 110D

Which is the best for a beginner? Are they all good cameras? Which would you say are the 3/4 best on the list that are better for a beginner, however wont need to be replaced for 2/3 years to come?

Thanks A lot!

Also, where can you find good cheap camera? Is second hand still good? Can i trust a website ?

Cheers

Answer 1

I'm going to list the pros and cons from my own experiences using these cameras. Luckily, I've used all of these cameras at least once.

Olympus E-410: This camera has the "honor" of being called the smallest DSLR on the market. In fact, this is one of the hardest cameras to hold. There is no grip whatsoever, so dropping it is a real concern. Also, this Olympus camera, like the E-510, suffer from poor image quality at high ISO and overall soft images. They really lack detail, something of which I've never seen a DSLR suffer from. Also, the lens selection is not so good, and the lenses that they do have are hard to find and quite expensive.

Ah, yes, the Canon Rebel XT. This is one of my least favorite cameras, and not trying to anger any Canon users, to me, it feels like a plastic toy. In no way am I exaggerating. I've never quite felt a camera like this before, and since....Well, except for the next step up, the XTi. This camera is even smaller, and I really thought it was a joke. This sounds bad, I know, but this is from my experience. I could barely hold, it was so small. It even hurt my hands from trying to hold it properly. If you don't believe me, try it out yourself. Even though it's flaws, all Canon DSLR cameras have the best image quality on the market. Well, now they have some competition with the Nikon D300 and D3. If you go with Canon, I wold really suggest the 40D, which is an amazing camera.

The Nikon D40. This is a great little camera. Solid and durable, this camera feels strong, even though its small size. Though it is small, it still feels loads better than the Olympus or the Canon XT and XTi. The only "problem" I can think of is the fact that this camera cannot auto focus with older screw driven Nikkor lenses. While this may seem like a huge downfall, when you think about it, Nikon had thought it out perfectly. You see, the target audience are people who are moving up from point and shoot cameras, those who do not have any older Nikkors, and those who usually do not plan to buy anymore lenses. This is why the D40 and D40x do not have in camera motors. People who want an auto focus body will have to spend a bit more and get the D80; a much better camera. Overall, though the D40 is a great camera, and the best bang for your buck.

The Sony Alpha is a good camera, and it works with the auto focus Minolta lenses. But this camera suffers from a bit higher amount of visual noise and over saturated images. The in camera shake reduction is a plus, but only gives about 1 to 2 stops difference. A downside is that you cannot even see the system working since it is with the sensor, not the lens. This is not a big deal, I guess, but it would be nice to see it in action.

The Pentax K100D Super is a great camera, sturdy like the Nikon D40. However, unlike the Nikon D40, the Super uses AA batteries, which comes down to the Super having the worst battery life among DSLR cameras. This is very bad, since you'll have to constantly replace the batteries. The image quality at higher ISO is not as good as other DSLR cameras, either. Like the Sony the in camera shake reduction is not so good, and does not help as much as a lens based shake reduction would. If I could describe the camera in a sentance I would have to say, 'A good solid camera, but suffers from some major flaws.' As for the K110D, I think they got rid of this a while back. If they did not, I would not suggest getting this model for obvious reasons.

Out of the choices you selected, I would have to say the best choice would be the Nikon D40. For a bit more, though, I would also suggest the Nikon D40x. The Canon Digital Rebel XTi comes in next, bu the build quality is really something I cannot get over; just try it for yourself. Next would be the Sony Alpha, then the Pentax, then the Olympus.

Hope this helps.

Also, I could not do the spell check, since it is taking a very long time. There might be some spelling errors, so sorry.

Answer 2

I have the Canon 400D and I love it! I let my nephew use it to prove a point (he does know the first thing about it or cameras.). He picked up all of the features very quickly...he taken two days an dhe didn't even have it overnight!

I haven't used the others but I can swear by the Canon 400D.

Answer 3

Stick with Nikon or Canon, it's like sticking with Chevy or Ford. Good track record, easy to get parts and repair.

Only trust a website if it is a store and offers a warranty

Answer 4

If I were spending my money, I would avoid the Olympus and the Sony. Why those two?

The Olympus uses the oddball 4/3 system, which doesn't appeal to me and has far too limited of a selection of lenses, especially fast prime lenses. The ones that would interest me and cover the ranges I like are far too expensive.

I've played with the Sony, and didn't like at all how it handled. It reminded me too much of trying to set the clock on my VCR. It was too hard to get to and required too many button presses to get to important features.

Any of the others are great. I personally would probably be inclined to avoid the D40 because it won't autofocus with older lenses, especially most prime lenses. This is of no practical consequence for the vast majority of people, especially the sort for whom the D40 is intended.

Pentax is doing some really neat stuff, and has a good range of inexpensive lenses(especially manual focus).

Answer 5

The best is the one that you can afford. I have a Pentax K110D, and if you want to see what it is capable of doing, email me, and I will send you a link to my page on redbubble.

Answer 6

A beginner usually starts with what they have available.

I would start on an old manual camera. Then you'll learn real photography. Once you understand all the ins and outs of a manual camera then move onto a digital camera.

Otherwise it's like staring a medical career just learning how to operate on people and missing out all the stuff like how the body actually works.

Answer 7

All of the cameras you've mentioned are very good cameras, all are good to learn on.. Canon and Nikon are the 2 top cameras on the market right now, with the most lens options.


Remember when you are buying a digital SLR you are buying into a system of cameras and lenses, and you need to think about the availability of lenses and other accessories.

Go to http://dpreview.com you can compare the cameras side by side, to check out the features which are appealing to you. Then go to a camera shop and hold the different cameras in your hands, try them out in the shop, and try the different lenses. See which camera feels best to you.

Online you can buy them from http://adorama.com or http://bhphotovideo. com .. both have lower prices than most stores, and you can also buy used or refurbished photo gear from both stores.

Answer 8

My choice would be the Sony A100. With 10mp and Super Anti-Shake in the camera body and access to every Minolta Maxxum A-mount AF lens made since 1985 plus many of the accessories offered by Minolta for the digital Maxxum cameras IMO it simply offers more for the money than its comparably priced rivals.

My second choice would be the Pentax K100D Super.

Answer 9

first off all cameras are pretty good makes and as i don't know one from the other i can't really say which is best. try the which site (think it's which.co.uk) they are likely to have info on whats the best camera etc. there are lots of factors to look at, cost, battery life etc etc. have a look at what they offer and think about what your main use will be (motorsport i.e fast movement, landscapes etc etc).

in terms of buying a camera search online. if u r in the uk try jessops (tho just got a tripod from there and not necessarily the cheapest but it gives you a starting point), also london camera exchange. if you find the camera you are after then why not search online to see if it's cheaper. just remember to check they have an actual address and phone number before you buy tho. i was lucky, got my s7000 on ebay £100 less than shop price at the time and unused/unwanted crimbo pressie.

also go into a shop and take a look at the cameras u r after, get a feel of what they are like, i knew my s7000 from someone on my course so wasn't entirely blind when i brought it

Answer 10

I'm with electrosmack 100%.