Help with my first DSLR

[lesch2k]

Edit on 1/28.

I am looking into my first DSLR and I think the next 2 are the best to look at. I could use suggestions on lenses and what not. Average amateur photographer usage. Want good balance of options.

I have about $400 in amazon.com gift cards so i need to purchase from there.

Canon XS. $457. 10 MP, Digic III. 18-55 MM f3.5/5.6 IS lens.
$120. Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 (USM - does that mean the same thing as IS)
$215. Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS

Nikon D60. $440 (refurbished) . 10 MP. 8-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens
$156 Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR


Is there a discernible difference between the cameras and lenses. I'm having a hard time coming up with a difference from the review websites.

 

[jpeyton]

Yep, G10 or LX3. Can't go wrong with either one.

G10 has:
More resolution (14.7MP vs. 10.1MP)
Optical VF (albeit a pretty crappy one)
Longer optical zoom (105mm vs. 60mm)

LX3 has:
Wider lens (24mm vs. 28mm)
Faster lens (f/2.0-2.8 vs. f/2.8-4.5)
HD Video
Smaller size

However, if you want the best camera for ~$400 and size isn't an issue, look at some entry-level DSLRs.

 

[996GT2]

"best" depends on what you are looking for. If you mostly shoot in daylight, then the G10 is a good choice.

If you value a faster lens, wider wide angle, and good high ISO performance, then the Panasonic LX3 is a better bet.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

What criteria do you have besides price? For example, if you want a really wide angle lens, but not much zoom, there's the Panasonic LX3, which also has better high-ISO performance.

Personally, I'm disappointed in the amount of noise the G10 produces above ISO 200.

Have you checked out sites like DPReview, Imaging Resource and Luminous Landscape, among others?

Heck for $400 you're approaching DSLR territory, if you are so inclined.

EDIT: heh, 996GT2 & jpeyton, I was answering same time as you...

Originally posted by: 996GT2
If you mostly shoot in daylight, then the G10 is a food choice.

Hungry?

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle

Originally posted by: 996GT2
If you mostly shoot in daylight, then the G10 is a food choice.

Hungry?

Oops, iphone spellcheck ftl

 

[lesch2k]

does it make a difference as to which type of memory card i get?

 

[Krioni]

Just my $0.02... since no details have been provided about the type of camera you want or the type of shooting you'll do....

If you're going to spend that much money, I would look for a good deal on a used DSLR kit. I got my D50 with 2 lenses for $300 shipped on ebay. I've seen plenty of similar deals.

 

[Krioni]

Originally posted by: lesch2k
does it make a difference as to which type of memory card i get?

Depends a bit on the camera, but I like the Sandisk Extreme II or III cards a lot. They're reasonably priced, fast and reliable.

 

[lesch2k]

the canon g1 matched my photography style since it was a good mix of features with portability. the DSLRs are nice but i prefer something i can put on my belt or in a bigger sized pocket. I've taken pictures of family events and people, sporting events and natural parks so i've used the manual settings...

 

[tracerbullet]

^^^ G10 sounds perfect for you then.

I had a G9, but sold it as I didn't care for it. I'm a DSLR guy though and simply didn't use the G9 much (I prefer to shoot landscapes from a tripod, and don't mind having a larger camera in a backpack when I hike). If you're used to that type of camera, want something about that size, are taking those types of pictures, and can find it for that price, I think you have a winner.

B&H, Adorama, KEH, and Newegg are a few of the places I'd look for a G10. Be wary of online stores located in NY or NJ that have deals "too good to be true".

 

[Krioni]

buydig.com is also a good shop.

 

[lesch2k]

Originally posted by: Krioni
buydig.com is also a good shop.

i remember back when resellerratings wasnt integrated in google.

 

[Krioni]

Originally posted by: lesch2k

Originally posted by: Krioni
buydig.com is also a good shop.

i remember back when resellerratings wasnt integrated in google.

What does your comment mean? Are you knocking buydig.com?... I've ordered from them a few times and have had good results. But, I have not looked at their ratings... and it has been quite some time since I've ordered. Personally, I order all of my photo related gear either from B&H, Amazon or eBay.

 

[shortylickens]

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong10/
These guys always have excellent reviews.

Also, I have to agree with my associates here.
For that kind of money you can get a low-end SLR and see a huge difference in image quality.
I just got the Nikon D40 at Newegg for $370 and its awesome.

 

[Krioni]

Yeah... and the lower end SLRs aren't *that* big... certainly bigger than a Point & Shoot... but nothing like a pro camera.

 

[virtuamike]

Used DSLRs.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: virtuamike
Used DSLRs.

+1. And keep Pentax in mind.

 

[lesch2k]

Originally posted by: Krioni

Originally posted by: lesch2k

Originally posted by: Krioni
buydig.com is also a good shop.

i remember back when resellerratings wasnt integrated in google.

What does your comment mean? Are you knocking buydig.com?... I've ordered from them a few times and have had good results. But, I have not looked at their ratings... and it has been quite some time since I've ordered. Personally, I order all of my photo related gear either from B&H, Amazon or eBay.

i said that wrong / or you took that wrong. i buydig is fine, i remember when it was harder to find out which stores were good.

 

[lesch2k]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong10/
These guys always have excellent reviews.

Also, I have to agree with my associates here.
For that kind of money you can get a low-end SLR and see a huge difference in image quality.
I just got the Nikon D40 at Newegg for $370 and its awesome.

interesting... the d40 is only $370 / 430 on amazon for used / new. i had thought it was ~$600

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: lesch2k

Originally posted by: shortylickens
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong10/
These guys always have excellent reviews.

Also, I have to agree with my associates here.
For that kind of money you can get a low-end SLR and see a huge difference in image quality.
I just got the Nikon D40 at Newegg for $370 and its awesome.

interesting... the d40 is only $370 / 430 on amazon for used / new. i had thought it was ~$600

MSRP is 600. But its been out for a little while now and you should never pay MSRP anyway.

 

[shortylickens]

Along those lines:
https://www.techondigital.com/...rchGo.x=0&SearchGo.y=0

Would this qualify as "too good to be true"?

 

[lesch2k]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
Along those lines:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.techondigital.com/SearchResults.asp?query=nikon+d40&SearchGo.x=0&SearchGo.y=0">https://www.techondigital.c......o.x=0&SearchGo.y=0</a>

Would this qualify as "too good to be true"?

WOW, a 0 / 10 rating with 32 reviews.

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: lesch2k

Originally posted by: shortylickens
Along those lines:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.techondigital.c......o.x=0&SearchGo.y=0"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.techondigital.com/...rchGo.x=0&SearchGo.y=0"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.techondigital.com/SearchResults.asp?query=nikon+d40&SearchGo.x=0&SearchGo.y=0">https://www.techondig............archGo.y=0</a></a></a>
Would this qualify as "too good to be true"?

WOW, a 0 / 10 rating with 32 reviews.

Damn!
I just checked ResellerRatings and they had 140 reviews. Every single one was "Very Disappointed". Scary that they could be so horrible and still in business.

 

[lesch2k]

I am looking into my first DSLR and I think the next 2 are the best to look at. I could use suggestions on lenses and what not. Average amateur photographer usage. Want good balance of options.

I have about $400 in amazon.com gift cards so i need to purchase from there.

Canon XS. $457. 10 MP, Digic III. 18-55 MM f3.5/5.6 IS lens.
$120. Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 (USM - does that mean the same thing as IS)
$215. Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS

Nikon D60. $440 (refurbished) . 10 MP. 8-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens
$156 Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR


Is there a discernible difference between the cameras and lenses. I'm having a hard time coming up with a difference from the review websites.

 

[lesch2k]

and do amazon.com merchants charge sales tax?