Best Digital Camera < $500

[BlackEleven]

Originally Posted by fredr123

Looking at taking the plunge this weekend. However, I think I've convinced the treasurer wife to let me get a DSLR.

There's a good sale this weekend and I can get a Sony Alpha 200 kit for less than the Nikon D40 kit. I've read a bunch of reviews on both and it seems that they're pretty close to on par. Anyone have any thoughts on either model? Is there a different route to go?

My 2 cents...

If photography is something you really want to get into I'd go with the Nikon. Mainly because of the vast array of quality lenses and accessories available.

If you just want nice pictures, but more casual use I'd go with the Sony because you get a bit more bang for buck right out of the box. From what I've heard though, stay away from the kit lens and pick up something else.

[fredr123]

Appreciate the input.

Sony bought out Minolta or something. Ergo, the Sony cameras have a Minolta lens mount and work with all their lenses. That's reassuring.

We'd probably just get the kit lens with the Nikon as well. $500 is about our price point now though I fully expect to get other lenses and equipment as we progress. I figure any kit lens would be better than the 7 year old digital camera we have now and would give us a chance to learn and experiment a bit.

[octothorp]

I've never tried the Sony Alpha, but the D40 is fantastic, I'd highly recommend it. My wife has one and gets a lot of use out of it both professionally and creatively.

[Barnes]

The G10 was announced last week and if it's marginally better than the G9, that's the camera to buy.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Barnes

The G10 was announced last week and if it's marginally better than the G9, that's the camera to buy.

Hmm, that does sound interesting. The G9 and G10 seem to be about where the good compact cameras overlap with the entry-level DSLRs. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

[REDVAN]

Originally Posted by fredr123

Looking at taking the plunge this weekend. However, I think I've convinced the treasurer wife to let me get a DSLR.

There's a good sale this weekend and I can get a Sony Alpha 200 kit for less than the Nikon D40 kit. I've read a bunch of reviews on both and it seems that they're pretty close to on par. Anyone have any thoughts on either model? Is there a different route to go?

I have a Canon xTi, and I chose the Canon over the Nikon basically because it just felt better to me. Kinda like when you are buying a car, and you just "know" that's the car for you. Or when you meet that girl that you know is the one. Sometimes you just know.

I know that Canon makes the newer xSi now, but do they make an xS? If so, the Canon equivalent to the D40 is the Canon Rebel xT (old model, cheaper price if you can find one, but same functionality) and you should check it out. I will bring my xTi to the battle of CP teams for you to play with if you like.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

I have a Canon xTi, and I chose the Canon over the Nikon basically because it just felt better to me. Kinda like when you are buying a car, and you just "know" that's the car for you. Or when you meet that girl that you know is the one. Sometimes you just know.

I know that Canon makes the newer xSi now, but do they make an xS? If so, the Canon equivalent to the D40 is the Canon Rebel xT (old model, cheaper price if you can find one, but same functionality) and you should check it out. I will bring my xTi to the battle of CP teams for you to play with if you like.

Not sure I'll be at the battle of the CP teams but I appreciate the input all the same. Thank you.

[Shawnski]

Saw a flyer at Best Buy for the Nikon D40 for $449. $599 with a second lens. Reviews seem good on it.

But... as I always tend to do, I go overboard and buy more than I need and grow into it. There is a new Nikon D90 that interests me. Any thoughts from people on that one?

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by Barnes

The G10 was announced last week and if it's marginally better than the G9, that's the camera to buy.

Actually, I would say it's not. Improvements seem somewhat minor.... a new dial for exposure comp... a few face recognition improvements...a wider lens at the expense of zoom for which YMMV....but 14.7MP up from 12.1 just seems unecessary other than for marketing, I'm wondering about noise.

I suspect some great deals can be had on the G9 - I'd say the minor improvements won't be worth the extra $125 or so but YMMV.

Canon is starting to tick me off....G9 came out less than a year ago when I got mine (great camera BTW)... I'd like to see quantum improvements rather than these incremental yearly improvements.

[Barnes]

The G10 has the digic IV and Canon has fallen behind Nikon in terms of reducing noise. It will be interesting to see how it peforms at low light, high ISO vs the G9's DIGIC III.


There is also this camera that comes in about $100 less than the G10 with 20x zoom, DIGIC IV....

http://www.gadgetell.com/tech/tag/digic%204/

[MoneyGuy]

I used to be a newspaper photog and I don't think there is any such thing as a best camera in any price range. It's like asking: What is the best car for under $30,000? It all depends. Everyone is different and everyone's needs are different. Determine what you need it for as a starting point.

[Shawnski]

Well I bit the bullet and just picked up a Nikon D40 with an 18-200 lens. Figured by the time I start to get a hang of how to operate an SLR properly, I can upgrade the body, so I put more bucks into a good allround lens.

[johnnyrocket03]

Im looking to get my girlfriend a DSLR for christmas, under 400 would be preferred as im far from wealthy, anyone have any recommendations?

[OBCT]

Originally Posted by johnnyrocket03

Im looking to get my girlfriend a DSLR for christmas, under 400 would be preferred as im far from wealthy, anyone have any recommendations?

Cheapest while still staying "good!" would probably be the Nikon D40. I have no idea how much it'll run you in Canada though... maybe someone knows a good cheap Canadian retailer.

If that ends up being too pricey, give the Canon Rebel XT and the Sony a (alpha) lines a look. Or the Olympus line of DSLRs.

Sorry that I wasn't more helpful!

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by johnnyrocket03

Im looking to get my girlfriend a DSLR for christmas, under 400 would be preferred as im far from wealthy, anyone have any recommendations?

great website for camera reviews

http://www.dpreview.com/

don't know what the prices are in Canada, but I think under $400 will be very hard to find

[Flash]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Sony Cybershot's are great, and the night feature works well. I love my cybershot and highly recommend it. Being as compact as it is, is great too. I also highly recommend Canons. I did a lot of research before buying mine, and Sony and Canons seemed to get the best reviews in the $200-$400 range.

+1 on the Cybershot. My first digital camera was a Cybershot and I just got a new one a couple of weeks ago. Super easy to use, and it takes great pictures.

[OBCT]

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...55&catid=22553

This might just be your best bet. I was surprised to see the D40 w/ lens kit under $450 CDN.

That is a solid, solid camera for the price. I know you said you wanted to stay <$400, but I've gotta make the Nikon D40 my recommendation for economy DSLR.

[TimSJ]

I am thinking about getting my wife one of these for xmas.. is it worth the money to step up from the D40 to the D60?

[OBCT]

Originally Posted by TimSJ

I am thinking about getting my wife one of these for xmas.. is it worth the money to step up from the D40 to the D60?

Depends what you're looking for in a camera. There are definite improvements made in the 60 over the 40, but to say that they'll be worthwhile to you... that might be hard.

This review is quite in-depth, comparing the D40, D40x and D60 to each other at different times.

Here is a good deal on a D60 kit which includes the camera body and 2 lenses (18-55mm & 55-200mm). $700 shipped in the US. Probably in the $800 CDN shipped to Saint John, NB.

Something else to consider: you could buy just the body of the D40, D40x or D60 and then invest money specifically into the lens(es) you want on top of that. For example, some people purchase the D40 body and one nice (better than what is included in the kit) lens to go with. One good example is this lens, which offers extreme versatility in zooming situations as well as auto-focus functionality. This review from a notable name in the business is an excellent read on the topic.

The advantage of buying the D40 body and the 18-200mm lens is that the lens can be used forever. The body of the camera is the portion that will become obsolete, so looking down the road, when you decide to upgrade cameras, all you'll need to do is buy a new body. (Maybe one day, the D90?)

The only downside to this strategy is real good lenses are expensive. The 18-200mm lens I linked to above would put you back $800+ CDN. Pricey. But, again, if you foresee your wife and\or yourself really getting into photography, you'll be glad you bought that excellent lens from the beginning instead of spending money slowly upgrading lenses and bodies. The lens really can make all the difference in the world.

Not that there's anything wrong with the stock kits lenses for beginners... I've seen some great photos with out-of-the-box hardware and setting. It's just another way to look at it maybe, depending on your situation.


Conclusion
To answer your question: in short, it depends.

[SebC]

If you get the right Canon, you can load your own software onto it to give it special powers!

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

Personally, I'd stay away from Sony. Loved my P200 before it broke, but indoor shots haven't been very good on the newer versions I've had since, one of which I returned because of the notorious Sony defective sensor.