[Butiqueso]

Hey everyone, I really want to get back into photography especially since a friend of mine was showing me the kinds of things you can do with raw photos.

I want to get an entry level DSLR to learn on... I'm thinking I'm going to put it on a BestBuy credit card so browsing from their site online I'm kind of thinking about a few different cameras... Wanted to get some peoples opinions on which one I should probably go with..

I want to try and keep it under $800.


Canon:
EOS XS: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1214611419717
EOS XSi: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1205537713445

Nikon:
D60: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1200703005185

Sony:
A300K + Extra Lense: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....rd102700050000

Olypus:
EVOLT 520: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1214611419077

[vodaPlaps]

Keep in mind DSLRs are totally based off the lenses. Go for the one you think rounds up your photography better. CaNikon offers affordable crop lenses as well as more expensive full frame lenses. Those usually only shine with a FF body and ca be outperformed by their cheaper crop counterparts. Oly has a good selection of lenses but noone knows how they will support their line with the arrival of micro four thirds.
The questions are what do you think you're going to photograph and how do you plan on expect spending your following dollars after this (camera gear wise).

[CealialactBek]

Keep in mind DSLRs are totally based off the lenses. Go for the one you think rounds up your photography better. CaNikon offers affordable crop lenses as well as more expensive full frame lenses. Those usually only shine with a FF body and ca be outperformed by their cheaper crop counterparts. Oly has a good selection of lenses but noone knows how they will support their line with the arrival of micro four thirds.
The questions are what do you think you're going to photograph and how do you plan on expect spending your following dollars after this (camera gear wise).

I want to start out obviously with whatever lenses comes with the camera. Mainly taking scenic type pictures, photos of family...etc I really want to take raw photos and get in to photoshop and see what I can do. Potentially print/frame them...etc

I wouldn't see myself getting a really, really, nice lenses until a bit further down the road.

[replrobin]

I heard the xsi was putting out great files and had a very nice screen for its price range. As a Olympus E3 user I'm not going to tell I'm not biased against my format. All those cameras are great starters and probably can exceed your knowledge and skill. It took me almost 2.5 years to realize my old e-300 was what was holding my photography back.

Not too sure if best buy is the proper place to buy cameras tho...

[dabibibff]

I have a XS so i might be biased. Sensor in most of those cameras are about the same quality, the XS has lower high ISO noise than the XSI due to the larger pixel pitch (less megapixel than the XSI). I would just get the XS and save the money on the lens.

Not sure about other brands though.

[ppfpooghn]

I would steer clear of best buy. Just give this a gander

Canon XSi best buy price 799, amazon price 639 http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-...8478264&sr=8-1

Nikon D60 best buy price 650 amazon price 531 http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-10-2MP-D...8478370&sr=1-1

You can get much better deals then best buy if you look around a bit.

[AssinHT]

I would steer clear of best buy. Just give this a gander

Canon XSi best buy price 799, amazon price 639 http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-...8478264&sr=8-1

Nikon D60 best buy price 650 amazon price 531 http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-10-2MP-D...8478370&sr=1-1

You can get much better deals then best buy if you look around a bit.

Do those places give you credit cards with 90 days of no interest/payments?

[Idonnaink]

I have a XS so i might be biased. Sensor in most of those cameras are about the same quality, the XS has lower high ISO noise than the XSI due to the larger pixel pitch (less megapixel than the XSI). I would just get the XS and save the money on the lens.

Not sure about other brands though.

XSi is a better pick since it has overall better IQ, even when considering high ISO noise,
they barely differ noise wise. bottom line is that the XSi has a better IQ and more important features.

Have a look here, check ISO1600 of both the XS and XSi:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos450d/page19.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/cano...00d/page19.asp

[Krruqgwt]

Only you can choose this all of them have both pro & cons, your best bet is nip to a camera shop and try them all out yourself.

Whichever one you decide on buying will give you great images as there is no bad DSLR on the market today.

[G778G9P0]

Only you can choose this all of them have both pro & cons, your best bet is nip to a camera shop and try them all out yourself.

Whichever one you decide on buying will give you great images as there is no bad DSLR on the market today.

Good point!...you seriously need to try them all out since overall fit and feel of the camera is a big issue. They all have great photo quality so fit and lens selection will be more important in my opinion. For me the canon eos xxxd series was was too small for my hands and I ended getting a 30d which is a lot bigger and feels a lot better in my hands.

[SmuffNuSMaxqh]

Yeah it's a personal thing, really. Technical specs are pretty much proportional to how much one spend on the camera. I picked the XS because I wanted something small and portable.

[Catalogov]

If you plan on taking pictures indoors, please understand, the KIT lenses will require a large amount of light to produce some quality pics. I made the mistake of using kit lenses for a wedding. WOW did it suck! and I have a wonderful flash. BUT, investing 185.00 for a sigma 24-60mm f2.8 lens, made a huuuuge difference in the picture quality.

xs http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...8&Tpk=EOS%20XS 519.99

xsi w/EF-S 18-55mm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830120262 649.00

D60- dont do it. Owned one, sent it back after two days.

Sony- not sure about.

OLYMPUS E-520 w/14-42mm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830111217 549.99

[Gilowero]

If you plan on taking pictures indoors, please understand, the KIT lenses will require a large amount of light to produce some quality pics. I made the mistake of using kit lenses for a wedding. WOW did it suck! and I have a wonderful flash. BUT, investing 185.00 for a sigma 24-60mm f2.8 lens, made a huuuuge difference in the picture quality.

xs http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...8&Tpk=EOS%20XS 519.99

xsi w/EF-S 18-55mm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830120262 649.00

D60- dont do it. Owned one, sent it back after two days.

Sony- not sure about.

OLYMPUS E-520 w/14-42mm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830111217 549.99

Yeah I think I'm going to get it from newegg (XSi). For the price of it at BestBuy I added an extra lense, case, and memory. Only problem is I wanted to put this on credit, but newegg is refusing to process my application, says my information is wrong, same as bill me later... But it's correct... Don't know what that's about.

[corriffuniee]

Yeah I think I'm going to get it from newegg (XSi). For the price of it at BestBuy I added an extra lense, case, and memory. Only problem is I wanted to put this on credit, but newegg is refusing to process my application, says my information is wrong, same as bill me later... But it's correct... Don't know what that's about.

For indoor use, get at least an f2.8 lens. I got my sigma 24-60mm EX DG f2.8 off ebay, used microsoft's cahback and got 30% back 185.00 -30% = OMG WEEEEEEEEEEEE for a rrrreeeeally good lens.

[Ekzamenov]

For indoor use, get at least an f2.8 lens. I got my sigma 24-60mm EX DG f2.8 off ebay, used microsoft's cahback and got 30% back 185.00 -30% = OMG WEEEEEEEEEEEE for a rrrreeeeally good lens.

Zoom lens are versatile, but if low-light is a priority, sometimes even the 2.8 struggle with it, especially when you don't have IS. Get an EF 50mm f1.8, it's dirt cheap. Or I would also recommend the Sigma 30mm f1.4 for canon. Both lenses are very useful for indoor event photography.

Here is some 50mm f1.4 shot taken in some really dark places. The karaoke photo is pretty much lit by a single TV screen.

[Meowmeowz]

Okay I ordered an XSi combo, comes with an extra lens an I also got the starter kit for the XSi which comes with a nice case, filter, and rechargeable battery.

Can't wait to get some photos up. [thumbup]

[12dargernswearf]

canon has best high iso performance for sure but well the gap isnt huge between all of those .. great buy.

i personally would go a300 but thats me .. best livewiev cheapest lenses (expensive ones available too) best construction (canon uses complete garbage plastic). movable screen cheaper accessories etc. etc.

but again image quality between dslr's are very close u can't go very wrong.

[somamasoso]

i'd also like a DSLR but would rather not spend too much on a first one. I was thinking the D40 or A200... are these worthwhile or should i spend a bit more to get something thats decidedly better than a regular compact camera?

[KuRoregioNka]

Okay I ordered an XSi combo, comes with an extra lens an I also got the starter kit for the XSi which comes with a nice case, filter, and rechargeable battery.

Can't wait to get some photos up. [thumbup]

You don't need that filter, don't use it, unless you're shooting in a battlefield (pun intended), or where there's water spray and such things.

[Sotmoigma]

Why has no one mentioned pentax yet?

Check out the K20D or K2000.