Hi folks

I've had a browse at pixel-peeper and dpreview websites & visited a local Jessops.

I'm looking at entry level DSLR after five years with a Minolta Superzoom

(had Practika & Canon film SLRs for years before that).

Favourites so far seem to be ...

Sony Alpha A200 (or A300 with flip screen)

Canon EOS 1000D

Nikon D60

Any thoughts?

cheers ... Darren

Sorry - this is becoming my stock answer now to this type of question, but it seems to have found favour with others asking a similar question.

Unless you have a burning desire for an SLR, have you considered the Panasonic FZ28 ?

Zoom range is awesome (18x at 10mp and more if you lower the resolution) - has image stabilization - 10 megapixel - decent quality video mode - and all the manual overides and auto settings you can shake a stick at.

Have a look at the user comments on dpreview - you might be surprised !

Recently got a Sony A350 and it rocks!

Recently got a Sony A350 and it rocks!

:iagree:

Although I got the 300 as I didn't have the funds for the 350. I wish I had of waited and saved but for the price compared against other similar priced DSLR's this got my vote.

:iagree:

Although I got the 300 as I didn't have the funds for the 350. I wish I had of waited and saved but for the price compared against other similar priced DSLR's this got my vote.

The only difference is a 10mp sensor instead of the 14mp in the A350 so it has slightly better performance with less noise in low light and a faster continuous shooting rate. I initially wanted a 300 but couldn't get one so went for the 350 instead.

Sorry - this is becoming my stock answer now to this type of question, but it seems to have found favour with others asking a similar question.

Unless you have a burning desire for an SLR, have you considered the Panasonic FZ28 ?

Zoom range is awesome (18x at 10mp and more if you lower the resolution) - has image stabilization - 10 megapixel - decent quality video mode - and all the manual overides and auto settings you can shake a stick at.

Have a look at the user comments on dpreview - you might be surprised !

I've had a look, as I've seen various FZ28 fanclub posts on here, previously.

However, the image sensor size & speed from "off to shot" on even the best superzooms aren't quite up to DSLR. You'd be surprised at how many shots I've lost in "less than perfect" light, as my current camera feels the need to hold a committee meeting, then hold a postal ballot, even in sport or manual modes! I've become a sunny days & still objects only snapper.

cheers ... Darren

Recently got a Sony A350 and it rocks!

I spoke to a friend yesterday, he's a pro-photographer, he reckons on the press shoots he goes on, 60/40 split Nikon v Canon. He warned me off the Sony, as he knows a couple of friends who've had to have replacements under warranty.

Now, in contrast... my experience of Minolta reliability has been good, my experience of Carl Zeiss lenses likewise and anything with a Sony badge (mobile phone, car head unit, home hi-fi amp) has all been very good.

Likewise my last film camera was a Canon SLR (manual lenses), bought 2nd hand, 15 years old & used it for a further 7 years. I doubt that any digital will last that long, my previous Practika was over 25 too & PX'd for the Canon

Still undecided at the moment.

cheers .. Darren

if it helps I have been a long term Canon user and love them

moved from a eos 500 to a 30d about 2 years ago and I still can not fault it now.

the thing that made me buy a canon camera was that on the lower end dslrs was that you can use both the ef-s and ef leses on the body so I did not have to chuck out my leses or worry about buying new ones

between canon and nikon it is down to personal preference as both are very good

Basically what swayed my choice was the size of the camera in my hands. I went for a Nikon D70s instead of a low end canon eos due to the size (prefer bigger camera). Made sure it had all the functionality I wanted via dpreview.com and also that it had a focus motor in camera for older lenses. I can't remember whether it's the D40 or D60 that doesn't. I had a limited budget so went for an older (albeit still new) camera rather than 2007's current model. Response time is amazing, and is major improvement on compact camera. Having built up a collection of lenses I can upgrade the body when it suits.

the 1000D is the replacement for the 400D right?

ive always been told that the 400D is a great bit of kit.

Recently got a Sony A350 and it rocks!

Me to ..... it's awesome and flatter's my limited ability quite nicely

Depending on what you are doing with it, all three cameras you list are a good bet. Did your Minolta have image stabilisation (A1 or A2)? I loved my A1 and regret selling it.

The Sony has the in body stabilisation as its prime advantage over the other two. On the downside, there are probably more lenses from third parties available for the other two.

Reliability wise, I don't think there is much between them. Pros use the big 2 because they have support / lens hire / studio lighting compatibility. The big disappointment in reliability at the moment is Canon with their not at all cheap 5D MkII which is seeing quite a high failure rate.

So far I am well impressed with the build of the Sony I just bought.

Chris

Keep the feedback coming.

My Minolta doesn't have image stabilisation

I use a pentax K20d, and it's awsome, the samsung dslrs are essentially pentax units so don't get put off by the brand!

Olympus e-510

A friend had a nice Nikon D90 with him last night, impressive, but "a little" over my budget.

I'll have to pop over to Sheffield to have a better browse around.

Canon every time. If you've had Canon 35mm SLRs before you'll know how good they are and the digital versions are just as good. Excellent choice of lenses with both ef and ef-s to pick from. (Just be careful, if you think you may ever upgrade to anything from EOS 5D upwards then you may want to avoid ef-s as they won't work. They'll always sell though)

I've a pentax K10D and it's great - my only annoyance is Jessops stopped stocking Pentax lenses, and I missed out on the reduced stock they were trying to punt over Christmas.

Mind you, I chose it becuase I already had some pentax lenses from a film camera that would fit. I've I was plunging into the world of DSLR now, i dunno which camp I'd head for.

I'm pleased with my Sony A350, but it is a weighty lump! Beware of that if you're going to be carrying it around for long periods of time, but other than that, a pretty good camera, and good value for money if you shop around for a good deal.

Before you buy a DSLR and end up carrying a shed load of equipment around with you, have a play with a Canon G10. I have one now, and I think it knocks the socks off my old 350D, and it fits in my pocket. Crazy notion I know, but a valid suggestion.

All the picture on my flickr were taken with it. Resized for uploading, but look up Canon G10 whilst you are on flickr and see what other people have achieved with a pocket sized camera.

Before you buy a DSLR and end up carrying a shed load of equipment around with you, have a play with a Canon G10. I have one now, and I think it knocks the socks off my old 350D, and it fits in my pocket. Crazy notion I know, but a valid suggestion.

All the picture on my flickr were taken with it. Resized for uploading, but look up Canon G10 whilst you are on flickr and see what other people have achieved with a pocket sized camera.

Certain looks a quality item, but a bit restrictive having a 5x optical and no ability to change lenses - hence the Panasonic Z28

Hi folks

I've had a browse at pixel-peeper and dpreview websites & visited a local Jessops.

I'm looking at entry level DSLR after five years with a Minolta Superzoom

(had Practika & Canon film SLRs for years before that).

Favourites so far seem to be ...

Sony Alpha A200 (or A300 with flip screen)

Canon EOS 1000D

Nikon D60

Any thoughts?

cheers ... Darren

Darren, this is a minefield question. The range of entry level DSLRs at the moment is extensive to say the least, and everyone will have an opinion.

I was in as imilar position a couple of years ago and due to budget i went for a reconditioned Canon 350D. Can't say i have any complaints at all. Depending on your budget, you could get a number of entry level cameras with the kit lens or possibly 2 lenses. But, be warned, depending on the IQ and sharpness/ fringing/ vignetting etc etc, you may want to upgrade the lens straight away. Also, i am sure you will want a similar zoom range to what you have currently, so again, more cost on additional lenses.

if i were you i would start buying some camera mags. I found that i based my decision on which camera to go for from a very good review of DSLRs in WHICH Camera magazine. I would highly recomend you start looking at them in your local newsagents.

I am glad you mentioned dpreview, as i found it very helpful, although to be honest, it's unlikely you will see any entry level DSLR now which isn't "Highly Recomended".

It would be benificial to register on AVforums and check out their photograpy forums. you will find people asking the same questions about their first DSLR almost Daily. However, have an idea of what exactly you want the camera for (sports/ low light/ concerts/ family shots/ wide angle or zoom etc) and specify this in your post otherwise you won't get as many replies.

P.S. i bought my 350D for £210 with Kit lens. I have since spent the same on 2 more lenses (portrait lens and zoom lens) and am considering spending another £200+ on replacing the crap kit lens, so think carefully.....

Hope this has been helpful.

JD

Darren, this is a minefield question. The range of entry level DSLRs at the moment is extensive to say the least, and everyone will have an opinion.

I was in as imilar position a couple of years ago and due to budget i went for a reconditioned Canon 350D. Can't say i have any complaints at all. Depending on your budget, you could get a number of entry level cameras with the kit lens or possibly 2 lenses. But, be warned, depending on the IQ and sharpness/ fringing/ vignetting etc etc, you may want to upgrade the lens straight away. Also, i am sure you will want a similar zoom range to what you have currently, so again, more cost on additional lenses.

if i were you i would start buying some camera mags. I found that i based my decision on which camera to go for from a very good review of DSLRs in WHICH Camera magazine. I would highly recomend you start looking at them in your local newsagents.

I am glad you mentioned dpreview, as i found it very helpful, although to be honest, it's unlikely you will see any entry level DSLR now which isn't "Highly Recomended".

It would be benificial to register on AVforums and check out their photograpy forums. you will find people asking the same questions about their first DSLR almost Daily. However, have an idea of what exactly you want the camera for (sports/ low light/ concerts/ family shots/ wide angle or zoom etc) and specify this in your post otherwise you won't get as many replies.

P.S. i bought my 350D for £210 with Kit lens. I have since spent the same on 2 more lenses (portrait lens and zoom lens) and am considering spending another £200+ on replacing the crap kit lens, so think carefully.....

Hope this has been helpful.

JD

Some good points in there.

Yeah I'd imagine this is equivalent to "Which tyres / remap etc for my VRS" on Briskoda.

I've had some "interesting" advice in camera shops over the last few days which I'll summarise thus ...

Shop 1 (a camera chain) -- at entry level Nikon & Canon aren't really interested, definitely buy a Sony

Shop 2 (another camera chain) -- same as shop 1

Shop 3 (an independent) -- Nikon & Canon aren't interested in entry level, avoid Sony at all costs, we've stopped selling them as the shutter (an old Minolta fault) hasn't been fixed, several customers are on their 3rd replacement under warranty. Pentax rules! Otherwise Olympus are good within budget too....

Hmm, I'm going to another independent later in the week ... place your bets

That's one from my A350 this lunchtime

Well I've heard these scare stories about Sony reliability,

yet a quick search of the DP review forum hasn't got mountains of "my Sony has packed up again" threads ...

So for the money an A200 looks pretty good.

However a Pentax Dm with two lenses is pretty competitive, although DPreview express doubts about its in built RAW to JPEG conversion, it does take real AA batteries though, a VERY BIG PLUS point for me.

Still no clear winner as yet.