Best DSLR $1000USD or Thereabouts

[ronbo613]

A friend wants me to recommend a DSLR for her, she wants to spend about $1000USD. I have a pretty good idea of what I will suggest to her, but I thought I'd throw it out here to see what other opinions there might be.

 

[blastingcap]

Does she even know about mirrorless alternatives like Micro Four Thirds and NEX? I've found that women really like the smaller cameras as they aren't so big and heavy. And now that Sony is supplying sensors for MFT/NEX, both systems match or beat the best APS-C DSLRs.

The NEX-5R and NEX-6 are in that kind of price range and may be very good--review aren't quite ready yet though.

The Oly E-M5 is excellent and a smash hit. The Panasonic GH2, GH3, and G5 are very good as well.

 

[kbp]

Body only or a "kit" model with a lens?
I have a Nikon D90 for sale in the for sale/trade forum.

 

[ronbo613]

Does she even know about mirrorless alternatives like Micro Four Thirds and NEX? I've found that women really like the smaller cameras as they aren't so big and heavy. And now that Sony is supplying sensors for MFT/NEX, both systems match or beat the best APS-C DSLRs.

I will suggest that to her but I think after "Nikon" and "Canon" I may start to lose her...

 

[gevorg]

NEX-6

 

[PhoenixEnigma]

Does she want a camera to take pretty pictures, or does she want to get into photography and needs a serious tool? You could spend $1000 going either direction, but you'd end up in pretty different places.

 

[Syborg1211]

Does she want a camera to take pretty pictures, or does she want to get into photography and needs a serious tool? You could spend $1000 going either direction, but you'd end up in pretty different places.

^This. With the size of her budget, it sounds like she actually wants to get into the hobby, or she's just a rich white girl. If she actually has interest in getting into the hobby, an SLR is the way to go because of the ergonomics and accessibility of all the buttons/settings. Learning the basics of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO is much more difficult on a mirrorless or compact camera where these settings are often buried in menus instead of having their own dedicated buttons that are easy to access.

The other question of whether 1000 is for a body or for a kit is a big question too. If the question is 1000 dollars for a body, then the D7000 can't be beat. If it's 1000 dollars for the whole kit, then you're looking at either a D5100 or T3i with some lens options. Or you could go the used route and find a D7000 or the Canon equivalent off Craigslist or something. If you know your way around SLR's, then the used route is a good option. I got my D7000 used off CL and have no regrets.

 

[blastingcap]

It sounds like she has no freaking clue what she wants. The kinds of people who decide how much to spend FIRST, and then look around to see what they can get, are usually not the kinds of people who get into it as a hobby. Hell, does she even want a second lens? Does she know what "A" stands for? Would she be lost if you asked her to manual focus?

I suspect that she should save her money and get a compact camera. A nice one, but a simple compact camera with no interchangeable lenses to worry about, like a Canon S100 or Sony RX100 or something like that.

 

[gus6464]

Is she going to be buying more glass or just use the kit lens? Because if it's the latter you might as well just tell her to buy a Sony RX100.

 

[ronbo613]

or she's just a rich white girl

She's not, but you're a jerk.

It sounds like she has no freaking clue what she wants.

Well, she does. She is a web developer who has to start coming up with her own content. Of course she's not the Ansel Adams of 2012 like you are, but she's learning.

You know, I'm sorry I asked this question here. If anybody else feels like posting a response here, feel free, but I won't be checking back.

 

[Syborg1211]

She's not, but you're a jerk.

Well, she does. She is a web developer who has to start coming up with her own content. Of course she's not the Ansel Adams of 2012 like you are, but she's learning.

You know, I'm sorry I asked this question here. If anybody else feels like posting a response here, feel free, but I won't be checking back.

Interesting... you asked a question without providing enough information. You have multiple people trying to ask for more information so they can make a better recommendation to HELP YOU, and your only response is to the jokes or couple people who jump to conclusions based on the lack of information? You must not spend much time on forums, huh?