Entry level DSLR

[Cooper]

Well my Canon SX100IS serves me well, but I'm leaning towards better quality images. I'm not willing to break my budget here and up to $500(250 quid) would be best bet. What would be best body+lens kit to suit the price and give great output. Could be an outdated camera too - ebay ftw

[Nate P.]

Canon Digital Rebel XT or Nikon D40; both of which come with decent kit lenses.

[[XC] 2long4u]

Rebel XT is $500 without a lense. The Nikon D40 is $500 with the 18-55 lens.

[[XC] 2long4u]

I was looking to sell mine to upgrade but I don't think I'm ready quite yet.

[Cooper]

What about older models ? Or in this price range they all use similar size sensors and overall same functionality?

[Nate P.]

What about older models ? Or in this price range they all use similar size sensors and overall same functionality?

The Rebel XT and D40 are the older models...

All beginner/consumer DSLRs have basically the same sensor size. It's only when you get into the Canon 5D and Nikon D700 range that you begin to see bigger sensors.

[[XC] 2long4u]

You may want to look for a Nikon D50. It is the older model before the D40 but it has an internal focus motor, and that is a good thing.

[Nate P.]

You may want to look for a Nikon D50. It is the older model before the D40 but it has an internal focus motor, and that is a good thing.

Agreed... good luck getting one in good condition though...

[Cooper]

Checked prices on amazon and Nikon D40 is significantly cheaper than Canon. Are there any noticable differences between these two apart from frame resolution?

EDIT

So D40 doesn't have proper auto focus feature then?

[Nate P.]

So D40 doesn't have proper auto focus feature then?

It only focuses properly with AF-S lenses. AF lenses are incompatible.

[[XC] 2long4u]

They are all over ebay. Some look refurbed.
http://photography.search.ebay.com/D...0QQsacatZ31388

[[XC] 2long4u]

They are compatable they just don't autofocus.
Edit: The 18-55 kit lens is based on an older film lens that was AF. The 18-55 is just an AF lens with a motor attached to the existing gear inside the lens .

[Nate P.]

They are compatable they just don't autofocus.

IMO, that is incompatible.

[[XC] 2long4u]

Not when you have the kick ass 50mm 1.8. That is the best lens I have and it kills me that it won't auto focus. It makes me want to get a different body.
The nice thing about SLR is you can upgrade slowly.

Here is a great combo the D70 with the 18-70mm lens. That lens is way better then the 18-55
http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-d70-digita...QQcmdZViewItem

[Cooper]

I guess the standart lens for Nikon does not have auto focus? So if let's say price differenmce between two is marginal canon would be better option providing higher resolution as well?
I'm not really willing to upgrade - perhaps in a few years time...but just perhaps.

[[XC] 2long4u]

The 18-55 has autofocus. One way you can tell if the af is built inside the lens is if has a white alignment dot on the lens. If it is red it is a AF lens and won't focus without a focus motor in the body.

Sorry those are US. But it gives you the idea what you can get. The D70 is a great body and the 18-70 is a great starting lens.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nikon-D70-6-1-...3286.m14.l1318

Edit: Here is a review on the D70 http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d70.htm

[Nate P.]

Not when you have the kick ass 50mm 1.8. That is the best lens I have and it kills me that it won't auto focus. It makes me want to get a different body.
The nice thing about SLR is you can upgrade slowly.

Yea, I have the Canon 50mm f/1.8 and it's great!

[[XC] 2long4u]

I guess the standart lens for Nikon does not have auto focus? So if let's say price differenmce between two is marginal canon would be better option providing higher resolution as well?
I'm not really willing to upgrade - perhaps in a few years time...but just perhaps.

Higher resoultion doesn't mean much with a DSLR as you frame your shot.

If you are not willing to upgrade or get a few lenses it becomes expensive right off the bat. If you only want 1 lens than you have to get something like the 18-200 which is a $600 lens. You are better off to get a body and a short zoom like the 18-55 or 18-70 and get another lens like a 55-200 or a 70-300. When you add VR to the later said you add more cost. Basically the SLR by nature demands more. If you want to keep it simple stick with the point and shoots and upgrade the whole camera every so many years. With the SLR's you can stay on top of the curve by buying and selling.

[berk]

You could get the Pentax K100D IS- brilliant little all-rounder , and the standard lens is great ,dont worry about building a lens collection if all you want is something better than your old P&S:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk100d/page24.asp
As mentioned,you could also get the Nikon D40/D40X:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/page25.asp

..how big are you going to print?

[Cooper]

Actually I never printed out any picture as of yet
TBH that Pentax doesn't look like a deal breaker to me. Canon 400D or even 450D have better price for what it delivers.

[Soulburner]

First off, you want higher quality images. Let's think about that for a minute.

Sure, a DSLR camera will get you one step closer. However, don't expect for it to actually improve your pictures. An SLR camera gives you total control over all of the settings for you, the photographer to take good pictures. I see too many people disappointed after taking it out of the box, putting it on auto mode and coming back saying "why aren't my pictures any better than my old xxx camera"? As long as you understand that, and know why you are getting a new camera, you'll be ready to learn how to use it.

For an entry dSLR I always recommend the Nikon D40, or D80 depending on your budget. Reason being, the D80 has more features. The D40 doesn't autofocus with older lenses, doesn't have the top LCD, doesn't have bracketing and can't command wireless flashes without an SB-800 on top. If you don't need any of those things, then go for it. It is almost every time considered to be more comfortable and enjoyable to use than the entry level Canon Rebels.

[berk]

Actually I never printed out any picture as of yet
TBH that Pentax doesn't look like a deal breaker to me. Canon 400D or even 450D have better price for what it delivers.

The Pentax was closer to the £250 in Argos,thats why i mentioned it..now the D40 is £250?
http://www.ajpurdy.co.uk/erol.html#1X0
Thats a steal!!..prices have really come down on DSLRs of late
It could worth waiting for the 450D/XSI to come down and you could even consider the 1000D when that stabilises in price,the lower spec'd 1000D is more than the 450D at the mo,so it has to come down(??).

Look at the image quality comparison from the Imaging-Resource
Canon XSi vs 5D, Nikon D700, D300, and Canon XTi
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/XSI/XSIA.HTM

Staggering!!!..good luck with your choices.

[Cooper]

Actually I never used my current SX100 on Auto mode. I used to take pics with film Zenit-e camera. Ahh the good old days.

I think I found good offer for Canon 400D - just hope it'll get through

[berk]

Actually I never used my current SX100 on Auto mode. I used to take pics with film Zenit-e camera. Ahh the good old days.

I think I found good offer for Canon 400D - just hope it'll get through

I hope it turns out well for you
Slightly o/t if you have a soft spot for the Zenit-E,you'll love this site..it'll drive your imagination wild!!!
I love it,have a real good look round and the attached galleries
http://www.lomography.com/

[Shadowmage]

I guess the standart lens for Nikon does not have auto focus? So if let's say price differenmce between two is marginal canon would be better option providing higher resolution as well?
I'm not really willing to upgrade - perhaps in a few years time...but just perhaps.

The standard lenses for Nikon all have autofocus (AF-S) (assuming that they're made recently). Even the Sigma 3rd-party lenses are starting to get in on the AF-S action.

http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/1194..._sigma_lenses/

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0712/07...ma18200d40.asp

Nikon will be making a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens for the D40/D60 as well.