Good digital SLR camera?

[Travelover]

I have a Canon SX10 IS that I got for Christmas in 08', and while it may not be a DSLR, it takes very nice pictures. It's more of a high end point and shoot camera with a lot of extra features to make it appeal to a DSLR user. Now I believe Canon has the SX20 IS out as well, which has the same amount of zoom (20x optical), but it has 12.1 mega pixels instead of 10. The one reason I chose the SX10 IS, (at the time), over any other camera on the market was because of it's ability to take very clear pictures at full zoom. Here's an example:

The target is the white boat in the center of the first picture, and the second picture is of the target fully zoomed in on. I should also note that these pictures were taken through a window, and I did a slight bit of post processing on them in Photoshop, but I think they still make the point.

Agree, this was my point in post #4, but your photos speak volumes.

 

[Bird]

We have an Olympus E410 that we bought at Sams Club for around $300. It came with 2 lenses. We are very pleased with the photo's that it produces.

I guess the E410 is newer than my Olympus D-460ZOOM. It's the only digital camera I've ever had and it was 9 years old last month; cost $432.99 including sales tax at Circuit City. Before buying it, I was using a Nikon 35mm film camera and I also have Nikon binoculars. So I actually am partial to Nikon, just didn't feel I could afford a Nikon camera 9 years ago.

 

[johnk]

I am longing for a Nikon D90 myself...

The KenRockwell site has great info.

I just bought a Nikon D90 3 weeks ago. Prior to that I had a Pentax IST. The Nikon is defininitley a few steps up. Takes great pics and has many feaTURES...

 

[johnk]

Here are a few pics..I trally am enjoying this camera. The Penrax was nice and I took over 10K pics with it in 3 years but this camera takes some really crisp pics with many cool features. I'd recommenf it for the price..

 

[dcyrilc]

I have a Canon EOS 50D. I'm quite pleased with it. Bought it to replace my 35mm EOS 650 film camera. My only complaint is that I always forget to turn down the pixels I'm shooting when I'm going to post the pix. My average pic is 4-6 MB. I have to seriously reduce the pic to post it here on TBN. LOL

It's great for photographing wildlife as I can do an 11x14 print without having to blow up the image.

 

[RobertN]

The camera body probably will not make a big difference. Lenses can. My 80-200 2.8 is a big difference compared to my Sisters zoom lense. I think hers is in the range of 28-300, and has a variable aperture(something around 4.0-5.6; can;t remember exactly). Anyways, I can capture images with the 2.8 aperture lens that she could never hope too. But, it is a $150 lens vs a $800 lens.

I would rather have a $200 body and $500 lens than a $200 body and a $150 lens. Or, a $1500 body and $200 lens.

I think digital makes people point and shoot too much. Nothing beats taking a few extra moments and composing a picture, rule of 3rds, depth of field ect.

I just have to wonder about the actual picture quality difference between a $500 camera and a $1200 camera in MY hands. Looked at some SLR's today, and big difference in size as well compared to the one I "lost".

 

[Cat_Driver]

Wow that's a pretty open question.

Everything every one else has suggested would work but you need to decide on really depends on what your shooting needs are.

I have the Nikon D3 and it is the best camera I have ever owned and has made me a lot of money, and here comes the BUT. I only use it for either making money or shooting really, really important events. It produces 25 MP files so you better have a powerful camera to play around with files that big.

Most places, concerts, events, etc. won't let me in with that camera because it's a Pro model and they have copyright rules or they have a exclusive contract with a pro photographer.

I probably shoot more with my wifes LUMIX, you won't believe what that thing will produce, and the best thing it's about the sixe of a pack of cigarettes. No interchangeable lenses, but does zoom in and out - that is a sweet camera.

Now I just bought my daughter at costco a Canon 18MP camera with a two lens deal and I must say those 18 MP do make a difference. It's nice interchangable lenses and is pretty light weight.

 

[riptides]

The camera body probably will not make a big difference. Lenses can. My 80-200 2.8 is a big difference compared to my Sisters zoom lense. I think hers is in the range of 28-300, and has a variable aperture(something around 4.0-5.6; can;t remember exactly). Anyways, I can capture images with the 2.8 aperture lens that she could never hope too. But, it is a $150 lens vs a $800 lens.

I would rather have a $200 body and $500 lens than a $200 body and a $150 lens. Or, a $1500 body and $200 lens.

I think digital makes people point and shoot too much. Nothing beats taking a few extra moments and composing a picture, rule of 3rds, depth of field ect.

Excellent points. How many people really understand f-stops and just leave their high dollar camera on auto? Sigh....

 

[Sigarms]

Excellent points. How many people really understand f-stops and just leave their high dollar camera on auto? Sigh....

One reason why I'm thinking the lower end SLR may be fine for my amature hands.

My wife and I were talking about the "old days" where we both took some photogrphy classes in high school. I can't forget taking all the notes on the film, shutter speed and F-stops only to develope the picture, compare notes, and being dissapointed on how the picture actually came out.

High school kids nowadays don't realize how lucky they are! (sounding like my dad again)

My "good" camera is a Nikon D90 for which I have 3 Nikkor lenses; 10-24mm, 18-200mm, and 70-300mm.

Funny, I remember growing up salivating over those Nikkor lenses, looking at them in some catalog that our family would get.

 

[RobS]

It's really kind of a Kubota/John Deere, or Ford/Chevy thing these days. There are so many good cameras out there you can't hardly go wrong. I happen to shoot Canon but the Nikons are great too. There are other brands but they are far less popular than Canon/Nikon so you won't have as much support.

Beyond brand it really gets down to what you want to do. The sensors in the low end (Canon Rebels) are the same as the "pro-sumer" line (Canon 30, 40, 50D). What you get with the pro-sumer body is more features and functions. If you intend to get serious, and do much shooting in modes other than "P", you will greatly appreciate the ergonomics of the higher line bodies.

It's a big topic, much like tractors. Best bet is to head to your local camera store and put some hardware in your hands.