Digital SLR Camera recommendations?

[w3stfa11]

My brother is looking to buy a Digital SLR camera and I was wondering if you guys have any recommendations. I think he's narrowed it down to the Canon XTi and the Nikon D40. He said the Nikon D80 was too expensive and too professional for his use. He said he wouldn't like to spend more than $1,000 on it.

 

[KeithTalent]

I would suggest posting your question over here in the Digital and Video Cameras board: http://forums.anandtech.com/ca...tid=65&flcache=5683919

Good luck!

KT

 

[w3stfa11]

Ah, I don't know how I missed it. Can a mod move this or should I just repost?

 

[episodic]

I'd recommend a pentax k100d

In camera stabilization (no expensive lenses with IS)

Spend 500 on the cam and kit lens, then get a 50mm 1.8, and then get a nice zoom, and you have a nice setup for under 1000.

 

[Anubis]

the D80 really isnt that "professional" and is a much better camera then the D40

D80
Canon XTI
Pentax K100D

you really cant go wrong with any of those 3, tell him to go to a store that will let him play with them, most stores have a demo modle, so he can see what one seems best to him

 

[WombRaider]

I'm a first time DSLR user myself and I'm going to go with a refurb Canon EOS 20D.

 

[dartworth]

Pentax K100D

 

[AmigaMan]

Sony Alpha. In camera stabilization, lots of Minolta and Sony lenses to choose from, and pretty cheap with the kit lens at only $750 shipped. I love mine and take great pics with it.

 

[Tu13erhead]

.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead
Not to thread jack, but I'm looking for my first DSLR myself. Would anyone recommend the K100D over the XTi, even though the XTi is generally a few hundred dollars more? If so, why?

Thanks!

with that few hundred you can buy some lenses and accessories. k100D also has a much better viewfinder and most people will find it's grip better.

 

[randomlinh]

yeah, nearly everything other than the rebels will have a better viewfinder.. DAMN YOU CANON. If you look for some used K100D's, you can save even more to get either more lenses, accessories, or just plain save it for future upgrades

 

[tdawg]

Originally posted by: episodic
I'd recommend a pentax k100d

In camera stabilization (no expensive lenses with IS)

Spend 500 on the cam and kit lens, then get a 50mm 1.8, and then get a nice zoom, and you have a nice setup for under 1000.

Does the K100d have in-camera stabilization? I was under the impression that the feature was only available on the K10d.

Back on topic: I would bypass the d40 and shoot for the d80. The d40 is crippled in that you have to use AF-S (Nikon), or HSM (Sigma) lenses to be able to autofocus. The d40/d40x does not have a focus motor built into the camera to autofocus non AF-S/HSM lenses.

The XTi vs D80 vs K10d is a much better choice. I'm personally biased towards Nikon cause I love mine and the D80 feels great in my hands, but the simple solution is to just go to a camera shop and play with all the options and look at the available lenses for each system. For the most part, when you decide to buy a camera, you're not just buying a camera body, you're buying into a camera system (lenses, speedlights, accessories).

 

[Tu13erhead]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: tdawg
Does the K100d have in-camera stabilization? I was under the impression that the feature was only available on the K10d.

Yes, the K100D has camera stabilization. K110D does not.

I went and checked out the XT, XTi, D40, and D40x at a Circuit City tonight. While I'm basically too much a n00b to know much of a difference between the XT/XTi and D40/D40x, I did decide that I like the feel of the Nikons much more than the Canons.

I _almost_ went and bought a D40x but realized I could get the K100D for a few hundred bucks cheaper and that's probably my best bet. However nobody carries the K100D locally so I'd have to buy it without playing with it first. I suppose I can deal.

 

[Jawo]

It's pretty much down to personal preference. Canon/Nikon have nearly any lens you could want, but then again it doesn't sound like you want a $4,000 400mm IS USM super zoom. There's an endless debate over the "Best" camera, but I love my XTi with the battery grip.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

I am a proud Canon Xti and S3IS owner, but if I were you, I would check this out:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/0...s-k100d-is-just-super/

 

[BabaBooey]

D40X

 

[secretanchitman]

honestly? the D80 isnt that professional of a DSLR...the D200 fits that bill.

i would say a D40x would be a good choice for him.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson
I am a proud Canon Xti and S3IS owner, but if I were you, I would check this out:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/0...s-k100d-is-just-super/

that's not a bad deal at all. the addition of SDM lens support is very welcome. how is the dust reduction system working out from the k10d?