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Hey photographers, I need some digital SLR advice...

blackredyellowblackredyellow Posts: 5,889
edited December 2009 in All Encompassing Trip
So, I need a new camera, and have become sick of the limitations and usually sub-par quality that point & shoot cameras have.

I'm looking at entry level DSLR's and think I have narrowed it down to:

Olympus E-520
Canon Rebel XS
Nikon D3000

Any experience with any of these? It's been many years since I've played around with manual settings and have a lot to learn and re-learn. So, I want something with decent capabilities, but at the same time it needs to have enough scene modes and auto settings that I can quickly use it, and that my wife can grab it during a birthday party or something and take a few shots without getting frustrated with it and yelling at me that we spent $500 and she can't even take pictures :)

Any thoughts?
My whole life
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • loveheroineloveheroine Posts: 22
    I have always been a fan of the Canon cameras and quality, so that's the one I would recommend. Mind, that when you pick an SLR camera you are also committing to their lenses as they are not usually interchangeable.
    I have an older Canon DSLR and though I have not figured out all of its functions yet, it is easy to pick up and use when set to auto mode. That's probably the mode you will be using most often anyway unless you are really adventurous :D
    It's possible that the Nikon is a little more user friendly but don't quote me on that. I am happy with my Canon and Rebel XS has excellent reviews! Hope that helps some. ;)
    " I'm like an opening band for the sun "
  • keeponrockinkeeponrockin Posts: 7,446
    I got a Sony last year for Christmas... Might not be the best, but is easy as hell to use, and I've had a lot of fun with it.
    Believe me, when I was growin up, I thought the worst thing you could turn out to be was normal, So I say freaks in the most complementary way. Here's a song by a fellow freak - E.V
  • DeLukinDeLukin Posts: 2,757
    Id recommend the Nikon D90. It has a smaller body than older Nikon DSLRs but isn't as small as the soccer mom D40 series. It also shoots HD video which I was skeptical about at first, but after playing with my father's new D90 this past weekend I'm sold (it's great for capturing spontaneous shorter clips that you want to upload to youTube, etc. as opposed to longer recordings which you'd want to use a camcorder for). When my trusty Nikon D70s finally gives up the ghost I'll be getting the D90. Great camera for the price.
    I smile, but who am I kidding...
  • LauriLauri Posts: 748
    Canon Rebel is a good choice. I'm very happy with mine. I can't say it's better than the others because I haven't tried the others, but it's supposedly a very good "entry level" SLR.

    But I also have a Canon Power Shot point and shoot camera and it's excellent! It really does a lot, and I always use it in manual mode. The digital macro on it is great.
  • drivingrldrivingrl Posts: 1,448
    Do you have any intention of shooting in film in the future? Canon lenses can be used on both digital and film SLR cameras. It was a selling point for me.

    But I do recommend either the Canon or the Nicon.
    drivingrl: "Will I ever get to meet Gwen Stefani?"
    kevinbeetle: "Yes. When her career washes up and her and Gavin move to Galveston, you will meet her at Hot Topic shopping for a Japanese cheerleader outfit.

    Next!"
  • blackredyellowblackredyellow Posts: 5,889
    Thanks all...

    The Canon or Nikon is where I'm at right now. I have to get to a camera store where I can try them out.

    It seems like the reviews that I've read say that the canon has slightly better image quality.

    Now I'm annoyed because all of the good online deals that I've found are for companies based in NY, so I'm gonna get hit with sales tax.
    My whole life
    was like a picture
    of a sunny day
    “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
    ― Abraham Lincoln
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    i use a nikon ... my understanding is that canon and nikon are interchangeable ... i will caveat with a photographer i know who switched over to Canon and invested a bunch in lenses ... she's been having techinical malfunctions with her canon cameras but i think that could be she just got a two bum cameras ...

    i would also suggest that you take basic photography classes as going SLR means nothing unless you know how to use the camera ...
  • DeLukinDeLukin Posts: 2,757
    blackredyellow wrote:
    I'm annoyed because all of the good online deals that I've found are for companies based in NY, so I'm gonna get hit with sales tax.
    Be VERY careful about buying from online photo stores. Places like Boardway Photo are notorious for bait and switch techniques (you place an order, they call you back and say it's out of stock and try to upsell you, never ship the product, etc). Be sure to read reviews of ANY online retailer you're considering buying from. It might be best to stick with the big name retailers or a local place that you absolutely trust when it comes to camera purchases. And you definitely get what you pay for, so if you find a deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Buyer beware, for sure...

    EDIT: Also, because DSLR technology changes so rapidly, you can often find great deals on ebay for cameras that might not be the latest model, but are still pretty good being sold by people upgrading for the latest bells and whistles. Just make sure they haven't been used TOO much - they all have a finite amount of shutter releases, which are like miles on a used car.
    I smile, but who am I kidding...
  • strummersstrummers Posts: 2,611
    It has to be Nikon!
    http://www.wishlistfoundation.org
    http://www.strummersphotography.com

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