A lot of people I know seem to be in the DSLR market and have asked my opinion on the topic. Here are some general thoughts about DSLRs and some general advice on this purchase.
- No matter what, you will take better pictures with a DSLR
The sensor is bigger, the cameras turn on faster, they take pictures faster, they focus faster, the flash works better, you are less likely to get any red-eye in the pictures, and the batteries last longer. There is even more that DSLRs do over regular point and shoot cameras, those are just some of the simplest advantages. The biggest single deciding factor for me in getting a DSLR was all of the times I tried to take pictures with our little canon, and they did not turn out, and all of the memories I missed. Many life events do not happen again, using a point and shoot limits what you can capture. - DSLRs are flexible and upgradeable
You can buy a new lens and transform your DSLR into a new camera. This seems obvious, but I figure I should throw it out there. Zoom lenses, Macro (up close), Fish Eye, and more. - Shots in low lighting are hard for even a DSLR, get image stabilization
I was not a believer in image stabilization at first, but now that I have used it and seen the results I am sold. It works great indoors on fixed objects. Motion indoors is not so good, but for everything else it works great. - Take a while to play with a camera before you buy it
This one is huge. Seems small but it is huge. Go to a big chain that sells the camera you are looking at and play with it. Since you are there you should see if they can match the price you found on-line. They probably cannot, but it is worth a shot.
I was set to buy a Canon XT, but when I played with it, I did not like how it felt in my hands. The XTi was modified and I liked how it felt better, so that is what I bought. This is huge as you do not want to be holding an uncomfortable camera for hours on end, you will end up not using it.
For a middle level DSLR get the Canon XSi. It is what I would buy if our XTi stopped working. I am a bit biased toward Canon, as I like how their pictures look, and we have canon lenses already. This camera is a bit more money, $699 retail, than the Sony, but has a better image stabilization option, and as I said, I like how the pictures look better. You can find this camera with a lens here. It is not really a middle level, it is really entry level, but price wise it is middle entry level. Here are the basic review, middle review, and high-level reviews of this camera.
I do not really know enough to recommend a high level camera, but if you buy an expensive Nikon you will not go wrong. It is the iPod argument. iPod dominates the MP3 market. The reason is they are not only the best, they are the easiest to use. If you want a MP3 player you would be crazy not to get an iPod. If you look at high-end camera stuff, like people who take pictures for a living, they almost all use Nikon. Nikon makes big boy cameras. Buy a full frame Nikon and you will be happy.
Closing thoughts
I used to recommend the Nikon D40 for the entry-level camera. It is a good camera, and very inexpensive. However it does not have dust reduction, and with a DSLR dust is an issue. Dust will get in you camera, and spot your pictures. It is not a matter of if; it is a matter of when. If you can live with that, or want to process the dust out of the pictures using the computer, the D40 is a fine way to go. If you never plan on switching lenses, the D40 is a fine way to go. If this is you, you should ask yourself why you are buying a DSLR, but it is your choice. The dual lens kit can be found for $560 and the single lens kit for around $430. This camera is slightly easier to use than the Sony, and has more lenses available for it, but the lack of dust reduction kills it.
Good luck to all in your camera purchases. The XSi is what I would get without considering cost. The A200 would be what I get thinking of bang for the buck. One last piece of advice, if you are getting a new camera, or lens for a trip, buy them early so you know how to use them and can play a bit before you leave and the pressure is on.
-- Update --
I forgot to mention what else you will need to get a fully functioning camera. You will likely need a memory card, a lens filter, a case of some type. I recommend getting at least a 4Gb card for a DSLR, and I like the Sandisk Extreme series. You can find a past post on good deals on memory cards here.
A UV lens filter is basically cheap insurance for your lens. Lens scratches are very bad, and ruin a lens, if you scratch a lens filter, who cares, you are out $10, buy another one. I buy mine from Amazon, just make sure they are the right size for your lens.
Lastly a good case is very nice. We have two, a big one for everything, lenses, tripod, charger, everything, and a little one for just the camera and one lens. The big one is here, the little one is here. I really like the little case, it is the prefect size to carry just the camera and give it some protection.
-- Update 2 --
A special thanks to Jon for the comments. In light of his comments I fixed the iPod spelling in this post. I have not read, or done any extensive research on UV filters. Using my logic and that alone it would seem that some glass with a bit of coating on it is some glass with a bit of coating on it. If anyone happens to have a more expensive UV filter it would be interesting if we could do a double blind test and see if there is any difference. If no one does for a Canon I will just buy a cheap one for Jon and assist him with the testing.
For a clarification. I do not think you should get your advice from the local experts then buy online. I do not have a problem with it, but I do not advocate doing that either. I meant that you should play with it at a big chain. They can compete with the on-line prices if they want to, the little guys likely cannot. I am all for the little guy, you usually get better service and they usually know more than a chain. The only reason I buy on-line and push the on-line purchase is that salesmen have an agenda. Maybe not all, and maybe not the little guys, but for the most part they do. They know the mark-ups on the different cameras and how much they will make if they sell you whatever. Sometimes this influences what they tell you, and possibly what you buy. If you buy on-line after doing the research yourself you take that out of the equation. Jon alluded to this in his post. All in all an excellent comment, keep up the good work.
One last thing. I was trying to figure out how I would tell someone what to buy with regard to cameras and I came up with this analogy. These three cameras are like cars. The Sony is a Toyota Camry, the Canon is a BMW 5 series, and the Nikon is a Mercedes S500. All will get you from A to B, and do a much better job than the crapbox Chevy Cavalier you have been cruising in for the last couple of years. The differences are in the extras. The Toyota does the job, and well, but you are not going to take it to the track, and you are not going to turn heads. It is fine transportation but that is all it is. The BMW you can do all that, but you can turn some heads and it will work on the track. The BMW also has bells and whistles coming out of everywhere, lots of things the Toyota will never have and the Mercedes will get around to installing sooner or later. The after market pieces for the BMW are wide and varied as well. Toyota upgrades are few and far between. Lastly the Mereceds is old and established. It does everything well and has a rich tradition and following. You can get more add-ons for this car than you know what to do with. You pay a lot for all of that, but for some it it worth it.
So there you have it, my attempt to clarify the camera differences using cars.
Later,
John
