Want to buy a digital SLR

[Mike325]

Hey guys.

I want to get a digital SLR soon and have narrowed the selection down to three cameras.

1) Sony a230
2) Nikon D40
3) Canon Rebel XS


These cameras are basically the entry level cameras from each manufacturer and are pretty similar. I am leaning towards the Sony and the Canon and just wanted to know what you guys thought about them in terms of brand quality and so on.

Thanks.

[Jean]

Canon or Nikon.... then get hooked on buying lenses for them.

Or you can pick up a few years old Canon XT or something like that, and learn from it.

[dinanm3atl]

What is your budget? How you picked up and used any of these cameras?

Canon or Nikon.... then get hooked on buying lenses for them.

Or you can pick up a few years old Canon XT or something like that, and learn from it.

To be honest if you can get past not using the 2 big power houses Sony is bringing the heat in the dSLR game.

[Jean]

Who care if they are, with Canon or Nikon you have a HUGE selection of quality lenses and have background.

[Mike325]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I have not used any of them yet, except for a Canon rebel. Not the same one, but about the same I would think in terms of feel and size. My budget is about $500-$600 so that is why I went with these.

I like the Sony a lot, but I do like to go with more well know camera brands like the Canon.

[dinanm3atl]

Who care if they are, with Canon or Nikon you have a HUGE selection of quality lenses and have background.

AND the lens game.

Certainly they are not yet to a full lens line up like Canon and Nikon but many old lenses can also be used on the Sony. Many AWESOME lenses.

[Mike325]

I know what you guys mean about the lenses and I am not going to be buying one for a while anyways.

So in terms of quality, do you think that all are all a safe buy? I know I will have to go out and play with them first before I buy to get a personal feel for them.

[silversleeper]

I was walking down this path not too long ago... I ended up picking up a D90. I felt I would "outgrow" most of the entry level dslrs. Probably not for some time though, but I'd rather have more flexibility in the long run. But a cheaper DSLR leaves you with more money to spend on lenses, so that is a big plus. I'd stay away from the D40, it just seems too limited to me.

If I were you, I'd go with a used Canon Rebel. XT, XTi, XS, whatever you can grab in your price range that's in good shape. The Sony's are nice from what I've seen, but I don't think their footprint is large enough in the DSLR community for me to totally trust it. They are more of a consumer focused company, they do decent in the P&S world. Although I think Canon is #1 for P&S, but that just maybe my own bias. I'm rambling.

[dinanm3atl]

I would recommend a used 30D over the 3 you listed. More robust, faster controls, better controls and more features.

My personal opinion is to skip the 'entry level' line and buy used in the Prosumer line up.

[ron1999]

Dont get Canon
i have a Canon, 40D, before i had a 30D -
i only stayed with Canon since i have a lot of Canon lenses, but i must tell you -
to keep track with Nikon's range - you will have to spend great amount of money.

Canon does not have a mid-class lenses
they either have great L glasses (that cost like nice treated E30 325IS) or non-L glases wich are very close to shxt.

My BF bought a camera not too long ago - the Nikon D40 - and ther kit lens is great, other lenses from Nikon's mid range are great - and they also benefit a great value for money.

so, as a "Canonist" i will tell you - unless u have the money - Go for Nikon.

[Philo]

I'm a canon guy. I think Dinanm3atl hit it on the head with the "skip entry" theory. It depends on what you are looking to do with the camera. If you just want a Dslr to take a few pictures with, then it is up to you. If you want to get serious with it and plan on becoming very good with the camera then I would recommend two options:

The Canon Ti1. Although it is slightly higher than your price range, it contains tons of features and is a great camera. Then if you feel you have mastered that the only thing above it is a full frame camera. (which is where the $ is at)

Or you can buy a good quality used camera like dinanm3atl advised and spend some money on a nice lens.

[Mike325]

I think that is a good idea to go a step above the entry level too. I will have to look for some used "better" cameras to see if I can get it down into my price range. The T1i is $750 new at best buy right now, so getting a nice used one for around $600 seems doable.

Thanks.

[dinanm3atl]

Dont get Canon
i have a Canon, 40D, before i had a 30D -
i only stayed with Canon since i have a lot of Canon lenses, but i must tell you -
to keep track with Nikon's range - you will have to spend great amount of money.

Canon does not have a mid-class lenses
they either have great L glasses (that cost like nice treated E30 325IS) or non-L glases wich are very close to shxt.

My BF bought a camera not too long ago - the Nikon D40 - and ther kit lens is great, other lenses from Nikon's mid range are great - and they also benefit a great value for money.

so, as a "Canonist" i will tell you - unless u have the money - Go for Nikon.

That is just plain and simple. FALSE.

First off the lens does NOT have to say "Canon" on it and have a "Red Ring". There are quite a few high quality, Canon L rivaling 3rd party lenses available in the market today that don't cost 1000+. You also have to consider the used market as well.

UWA Is something you need?
Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 is built like a tank and sells in the 500 range used

Wide Angel?
Canon 17-40 f/4L is not the sharpest L glass but it is damn nice and can be had in the low hundreds used

Zoom?
Canon 70-200 f/4L is actaully considered the sharpest of that series and is also the cheapest...


It is an EXPENSIVE hobby so jumping to Nikon because it has better 'cheaper' lenses is simply not the case. Their lenses that are comparible to Canon are as expensive. Their top glass demands the same price.

Is their kit lens better? Yes the Nikon kit lens is better but let's give Canon where the credit it due. Their lens lineup is amazing. From their ultra fast primes to their amazing zooms. Nothing stacks up in my opinion.

[Stephen]

To be honest if you can get past not using the 2 big power houses Sony is bringing the heat in the dSLR game.

I like mine. No complaints. About the only downside is lens availablity, but since you can use old minnolta lenses, its not really a problem, like dinanm3atl said.

And also, i havent really comparison shopped recently on non sony lenses

[Mike325]

The more that I look at the t1i, the more I like. I like the fact that it can shoot video too. I just need to work my magic on the family to see if I can get this as a Christmas and birthday combo gift.