Best Economy DSLR for begiinners

panzertroop

panzertroop

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Aug 8, 2008
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I am looking for a nice outdoors camera that can shoot digital. My budget is small, so I want to see some recommendations.

thanks!
 
Your title says "DSLR". Canon and Nikon both have base model DSLR's that are in that price range. I have bought Nikon for more than 30 years but other buy Canon and like them so buy whichever one seems best to you.

You can certainly buy decent digital cameras for less, but they will be limited compared to a DSLR. I have a cheap Canon that is very small. It does well for outdoor photos even at 7 megapixels but doesn't do well for indoor photos, and its lens doesn't have very much zoom range.

let me add this-
when researching digital cameras I recommend going to dpreview.com. You can read their reviews and you can go to their forums and read what users of the various camera models say about them.
 
So my requirements are this:
Outdoor use (nature, vacation photography)
Various family photos (indoor events, graduation, etc.)
Video is a plus but not necessary

I have an older Canon powershot. Works well but you tell the photos are not the same as from a DSLR. I just looking for something more. I see so many great shots on the web these days. It seems anyone can take pro looking photos with today's cameras. Never use to be the case 20 years ago.
 
From what I gather the Nikon D3100 has the same image sensor as the D7100. After playing with my father-in-law's D3100 I don't like it as much as my D90, can't make adjustments as quickly, but it takes a pretty good picture and is the cheepest I'd consider for a DSLR.
 
The bottom of the line from Nikon is the new D3200 that retails for about $650. But there's good news: the older models are selling for much less. If you can find a store with a D3000 left in stock, you should be able to purchase it for under $500. And that's for a 'kit' that includes the camera body and basic lens. I'm sure I've seen them recently at KMart or WalMart for that price.

Mine is the D5000, which costs more obviously and offers more features, but from what I've seen pictures from the D3000 are just as good.

Woo-Hoo, you're in luck. I see the D3100 online at BestBuy for $499, marked down from $650. And that's with a lens included. I doubt you'll find a better $500 camera than that.
 
Nikon D3100 or the Canon EOS Rebel T3. Looks like the D3100 is the top seller in that price category on B&H. Might want to run the "Compare" query to see features. Probably can't go wrong with either one.
 
I think it's worthwhile to go somewhere you can handle them. A lot of people have a strong preference for Canon or Nikon based on how they handle. You might also consider the second-tier brands like Sony, Olympus, Pentax, etc. They tend to have less of a full line of "pro" lenses and accessories and support networks but that doesn't really matter much on a consumer level and I think you can often get a little more for your money. Competition is so fierce that I don't think anyone really makes a "bad" camera, it's more of a preference issue.

Do not make your purchase based on megapixels. I don't think anyone makes a camera with too few megapixels these days and you will pay for more megapixels in filling up cards and hard drives faster and your computer taking longer to process the pictures. Anything over 6 or 8 is very adequate.

If your budget is limited it's also very worthwhile to look into a Canon S95 or G12 (13? whatever they're up to now). It will give you great pictures while being less bulky than a DSLR. You lose the ability to swap lenses, they aren't as good in low light, they focus slower, you have less control over depth of field, and manual control tends to be a little more awkward/slow but they are easier to use and produce fantastic pictures in good light, probably better than a DSLR with a medium quality lens. Most people who are serious about photography end up with a DSLR and many lenses, but if you only ever intend to use it with one lower-end lens, consider a high-end point and shoot. I do feel that in this category Canon's top end is the best.

If you do buy a DSLR consider buying a cheap fast prime (fixed focal length) lens. Canon makes a 50/1.8 for about $100 and a 35/2 for 200. I think Nikon's equivalents are a little better built but more expensive. These lenses will really open up possibilities for you in low light and shallow depth of field.
 
I don't know that you can really call Sony, Olympus, and Pentax second tier by any means. Sony's line of cameras has absolutely exploded in the recent years. For you needs, I would also check out the Sony Nex series. All of the features of a APS-C sensor, in a very compact body. I currently use a Sony Nex 5N and get great results. I actually shoot mostly with two old Canon Lenses with adapters, but when I want to shoot quick I will either grab the 18-55 or 16mm that came with it. Make sure you get all the features you want in the camera you buy, if you don't you will want to upgrade in a hurry.
 
I'd suggest looking at slightly used dSLR's in local papers, Craigslist, places like that. You can get something really nice for not a lot of money. Because the entry level dSLR's are so affordable now, it has opened the segment up to a lot more people, making the cameras more available. A lot of people buy them for trips or vacations, or thinking they're going to use it to chase the kids, etc., and then end up just going back to a point n' shoot or a mobile phone and sell the dSLR. This means you can get them for pretty cheap with hardly any use.

I started out with Fuji point n' shoots and graduated to Canon dSLR's. I now shoot Nikon exclusively for several reasons. That's not to say other brands aren't as good, or even better for a given set of circumstances.

If I were you, I'd look for a good used Canon Rebel dSLR with as many accessories/lenses as you can get. Canon's consumer-level lenses are more affordable than most others, and you can shoot third party lenses (true for all camera brands as well) which are sometimes cheaper.
 
Burke said:
...but if you only ever intend to use it with one lower-end lens, consider a high-end point and shoot. I do feel that in this category Canon's top end is the best.
Click to expand...

I don't agree with this. Sensor size, shutter speed, flash sync, customization options and the unmeasurable difference in viewfinder size and clarity between dSLR's and the best P&S's are just some of the reasons why even a single-lens setup dSLR is a much better option than a P&S. Just my opinion. I agree with most of the other things you said.
 
As a photographer I have to recommend the Canon platform. The T2i is a fantastic camera for that price range:
-large APS-C sized sensor for good depth of field
-mirror shutter for no shutter delay while taking photos
-large LCD for viewing pictures
-and it even shoots full HD video at different frame rates (including cinematic 24p and 60p for slow motion!)
 
I agree with the Sony NEX-5N. It is under $500 now with a good kit lens. Really good low light capability and DSLR size sensor.
 
Just got a Nikon 3100 last week and love it. I was seriously into film photography 20 years ago, but just took point and shoots since then. I think the 3100 is an excellent start into digital slr photography. I've been very impressed with the pictures I've gotten. I got the camera, 18-55 mm lens, 55-200 mm lens, and memory stick for something like 750 from Best Buy.
 
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