what is best SLR for a newbie? I am looking for my first SLR camera. I have read reviews for days and still am no closer to a decision. I am considering the Nikon d40/d40x, the olympus e-510, the pentax k10d, and the canon rebel xt/xti. Please give me some advice so I can make a decision, including other cameras that I may not have considered. Thanks so much for the help. what is best SLR for a newbie? I am looking for my first SLR camera. I have read reviews for days and still am no closer to a decision. I am considering the Nikon d40/d40x, the olympus e-510, the... » Read More what is best SLR for a newbie? I am looking for my first SLR camera. I have read reviews for days and still am no closer to a decision. I am considering the Nikon d40/d40x, the olympus e-510, the pentax k10d, and the canon rebel xt/xti. Please give me some advice so I can make a decision, including other cameras that I may not have considered. Thanks so much for the help. « Show Less
36789
I got Olympus EVOLT 510 with two lens DSLR camera about two week ago. This camera pack with all the features for the pro. I really happy with Olympus camera after 300 pix test shoot and I love it more... Also. This camera was voted the best DSLR camera on WIRE magazine. You will not disapoint. No issue sofar.
989748
I guess you could go with any of the mentioned but the olympus in my opinion gives you more bang for your buck. Olympus also has the BEST self cleaning system which is important. The lens line up from olympus is also better price wise and they give you great lenses. The e 510 is also easy to use in my experience. The battery life is also one of the best. Try them out and see which fits best in your hands. Comfort is important.
989749
I have the Olympus E510 kit, so i'm biased. But I love my camera. It has all the features you could want in a DSLR, amatuer or pro. However, I don't think you can go wrong with the Canon or Nikon either. They all take great pictures, so it really boils down to ergonomics and personal preferences. I chose the Olympus.
989750
The Olympus E-510 was rated "the best entry level DSLR" on the Christmas 2007 issue of "What Digital Camera".I had this camera for a couple of weeks and the picture quality is amazing. (make sure to lower the intensity of the noise filter as recommended by most reviewers)
1003727
It is a great camera for beginner. You have to put some effort in learning it, read manual and get a good book, Dave Busch , dummies book, etc. you won't out grow 7100. 5200 is great camera, but only if your budget is limited id say get 5200. 7100 is perfect consumer/ next to pro level short of getting FX BODY like D600/610.
1324964
The Nikon D50 would be a perfect starter camera...just don't pay too much for it(150.00 of less). Pair it with the 18-70 lens and you will be able to take outstanding photos. If you like the results, you can always upgrade later. I've had mine for years and use it as a back up, but I love the quality of the pics from the D50.
792518
I have been wondering the same thing & still can't decide. I was wondering if you have decided yet & if so which way you went? I have a Pentax Optio A10 right now & I love everything about it except the shutter speed so I have been looking for a new one & can't decide between the Sony DSCW80 & the Canon SD1000.
422104
I too went to his website and decided on getting the D40. Wow, what a camera! The light sensitivity that he mentioned is no joke; most of my indoors pictures have been taken without any flash and the pictures are beautiful. For an amateur like myself, I have never taken better pictures in my life. No more worries about poor developing and printing of pictures from film. I love the what you see is what you get with a digital camera. But the biggest bonus for me is that digital SLR's like the D40 can take pictures one after another without batting an eyelash; unlike the point and shoot cameras that take forever in between shots. I too went to his website and decided on getting the D40. Wow, what a camera! The light sensitivity that he mentioned is no joke; most of my indoors pictures have been taken without any flash and the pictures are beautiful. For an amateur like myself, I have never taken better pictures in my life. No more worries about poor developing and printing of pictures from film. I love the what you see is what you get with a digital camera. But the biggest bonus for me is that digital SLR's like the D40 can take pictures one after another without batting an eyelash; unlike the point and shoot... » Read More I too went to his website and decided on getting the D40. Wow, what a camera! The light sensitivity that he mentioned is no joke; most of my indoors pictures have been taken without any flash and the pictures are beautiful. For an amateur like myself, I have never taken better pictures in my life. No more worries about poor developing and printing of pictures from film. I love the what you see is what you get with a digital camera. But the biggest bonus for me is that digital SLR's like the D40 can take pictures one after another without batting an eyelash; unlike the point and shoot cameras that take forever in between shots. « Show Less
462533
This is a great camera for beginners, but be prepared to spend more on glass/lens as this is the most important part of any camera, all SLR entry level cameras are very close in quality and options as it all really depends on the quality of your lenses. To really learn the camera, do not use the auto modes, learn to use the aperture, manual and shutter modes to take complete control of your photos. There are thousands of youtube videos out there that will teach you all about this camera and how to use the different modes and features. As for this camera model, it is a great camera, i love it, takes amazing photos (with a good lens) and is very easy to operate. This is a great camera for beginners, but be prepared to spend more on glass/lens as this is the most important part of any camera, all SLR entry level cameras are very close in quality and options as it all really depends on the quality of your lenses. To really learn the camera, do not use the auto modes, learn to use the aperture, manual and shutter modes to take complete control of your photos. There are thousands of youtube videos out there that will teach you all about this camera and how to use the different modes and features. As for this camera model, it is a great camera, i love... » Read More This is a great camera for beginners, but be prepared to spend more on glass/lens as this is the most important part of any camera, all SLR entry level cameras are very close in quality and options as it all really depends on the quality of your lenses. To really learn the camera, do not use the auto modes, learn to use the aperture, manual and shutter modes to take complete control of your photos. There are thousands of youtube videos out there that will teach you all about this camera and how to use the different modes and features. As for this camera model, it is a great camera, i love it, takes amazing photos (with a good lens) and is very easy to operate. « Show Less
2212637
Canon T3 is an AMAZING CAMERA, I would recommend everyone to buying it, ive had nikon before and im not as satisfied with it like i am with canon...
392882
I think you should be comparing this camera to Nikon's D70s, not the D50. I just bought the D70s after much comparison shopping with the Canon XT. I don't think you can go wrong either way. The deciding factor for me was the superior lens in the Nikon kit vs. the Canon which everyone agrees is practically a throw-away. So if you do decide on the Canon, at least buy the body only and upgrade your lens.
1796824
The Canon G12 is a nice camera but it appears it will be allowed to fade away (prices remain high, easily available, no one buying). I've noticed many cameras (including Nikons) have reduced build quality --- even the Elph 310 vs. the Elph 300. So, don't wait for the G13 or G1a. Get this or the Fuji (I also like the viewfinder). (The Fuji is better built, costs more, and is made by a company with no customer service.) The G12 has been replaced by the SX40 --- so say even Nikon techs. Want a 5x lens (with great video thrown in) and a non on the mantle camera --- get the Elph 300 (in black) for $149. (Just live without the viewfinder and have a beer first.) :-) The Canon G12 is a nice camera but it appears it will be allowed to fade away (prices remain high, easily available, no one buying). I've noticed many cameras (including Nikons) have reduced build quality --- even the Elph 310 vs. the Elph 300. So, don't wait for the G13 or G1a. Get this or the Fuji (I also like the viewfinder). (The Fuji is better built, costs more, and is made by a company with no customer service.) The G12 has been replaced by the SX40 --- so say even Nikon techs. Want a 5x lens (with great video thrown in) and a non on the mantle camera --- get the Elph 300... » Read More The Canon G12 is a nice camera but it appears it will be allowed to fade away (prices remain high, easily available, no one buying). I've noticed many cameras (including Nikons) have reduced build quality --- even the Elph 310 vs. the Elph 300. So, don't wait for the G13 or G1a. Get this or the Fuji (I also like the viewfinder). (The Fuji is better built, costs more, and is made by a company with no customer service.) The G12 has been replaced by the SX40 --- so say even Nikon techs. Want a 5x lens (with great video thrown in) and a non on the mantle camera --- get the Elph 300 (in black) for $149. (Just live without the viewfinder and have a beer first.) :-) « Show Less
1057128
I use it with my Pentax k-200 and I love it. The picture quality is up to Pentax high standards. I have used Pentax cameras since 1975 and I think they are the best SLR's on the market. The DSLR's are even better.
1803406
I had a D40 before the D60, the D60 is MUCH better, just my personal thoughts 1-Dust, if you live in a dusty environment is a BIG ONE 2-Active D-light, Say good bye to underexposed photos, the camera produces very consistent results, not so with the D40 3-Expeed produced lower noise at higher ISO 4-THE VR Lens is SOOO much worth it, my pictures are always sharp I considered the D80, but... 1-No Active D-light "a big one" 2-more focus points yes, but you can do anything with 3 if you use them well 3-the D80 has a motor, but Nikon will be updating most of this primes to AFS this year, I tried the camera motor its slowwww 4-I was planing to get the D80+50mm 1.4 lens for low light, got the sigma 30mm 1.4 its a much better lens to keep on the camera IMHO 5-Expeed processing on the D60 seems to produce more saturated/vivid pictures vs.. D80 I shoot RAW/convert with capture NX, tried all the options, capture NX is slow and ugly, but it gives you the BEST picture period.
592676
I have a 40D that I use all the time. I did buy a 60D but I find myself still using the 40D for most of my photos. Unless the 40D is broken I'd keep using it. Of course if like me, you just want a new toy, there are a lot of 60D's on the market. I don't us my cameras for video so I can't speak to their abilities. Hope this helps.
2009521
I'm a bit of a lens snob too, being a contax shooter. I bought the Lumix fz50 for my wife and it arrived yesterday, and let me tell you, it is fantastic; best digital camera I've ever held. We considered the nikon d80, but my wife preferred the LCD preview on the Lumix, and although it is easy to use, the manual options are versatile. FZ50 is not lighter than the nikon, but on the other hand, it has a 420mm Leica lens, so it does the job of two lenses.The price is incredibly low, I think because once you get out of the 300 dollar range, people think they need skip over to a DSLR. They're wrong! Lumix provides all you need with a Leica lens. I'm a bit of a lens snob too, being a contax shooter. I bought the Lumix fz50 for my wife and it arrived yesterday, and let me tell you, it is fantastic; best digital camera I've ever held. We considered the nikon d80, but my wife preferred the LCD preview on the Lumix, and although it is easy to use, the manual options are versatile. FZ50 is not lighter than the nikon, but on the other hand, it has a 420mm Leica lens, so it does the job of two lenses.The price is incredibly low, I think because once you get out of the 300 dollar range, people think they need skip over to a... » Read More I'm a bit of a lens snob too, being a contax shooter. I bought the Lumix fz50 for my wife and it arrived yesterday, and let me tell you, it is fantastic; best digital camera I've ever held. We considered the nikon d80, but my wife preferred the LCD preview on the Lumix, and although it is easy to use, the manual options are versatile. FZ50 is not lighter than the nikon, but on the other hand, it has a 420mm Leica lens, so it does the job of two lenses.The price is incredibly low, I think because once you get out of the 300 dollar range, people think they need skip over to a DSLR. They're wrong! Lumix provides all you need with a Leica lens. « Show Less
2254947
Thanks for the good info. I had a Canon Rebel that I returned because of picture quality with the standard kit lens. I have been trying to decide between the Nikon D90 & the Pentax K20D. I am going to go with the K20D and start with the 18-250 and see how far I go. So I am off to shop now. Again... Thanks a lot.
392883
Hi, Douglas! I saw what you discussed about the lances and the whole camera and I want to ask you if you have any experiance with Nikon Coolpix 5700 (I have that one) and how is it against Canon DigitalRebel XT? Is it much more I'll "earn" if I switch to Canon? Thank you in advance!Ivan Hristov, Houston, TX
227602
Just bought the D40x two weeks ago, and spent the weeks before that researching the D40x vs. the XTi.I'd go with the D40x... you can't go wrong with a Nikon, and the kit lens that comes with the XTi is terrible. I bought the D40x, and have since added a few accessories. I feel like I made the right decision and I am totally thrilled with the purchase... No regrets at all. Plus, Nikon makes a longer-lasting camera.D40x!!!
1222504
Yes it is a good camera. It is light weight, quick to focus, can take lots of micro 4/3 lenses, and the price was right. Is it the best camera? Probably not because there are a lot of terrific cameras out there including several updated variations on this model. If you're thinking about dipping your toe into micro 4/3 photography then there is probably no better camera for getting started. Do your research first to see if this might be something you want because there is no substitute for a well thought out purchase.