[d1Bc25UP]

Hi every one! Soon I'll be looking for an affordable entry level dslr camera to replace my Fuji s5500. I use the camera for casual photography, family gatherings and family events. While the quality of the s5500 is quite acceptable for me, I found that it lacks considerably in low ligh conditions where I can't use flash, e.g. my sisters master graduation ceremony. Dim light, far distance.

I've read reviews, and the best camera is hands down the eos 350D. Best of everything but size (small not a problem since I hve small hands), lcd size (not a problem for me) and price (problem!).

The ist dl seem to have better than e500 iso quality (very important) but still not a mtch for the eos 350D. ist dl is quite cheap with very good lens coverage.

Is the eos worth the extra cash? Is there any super zoom dslr like camera with good high ISO performance that I sould consider?

Thanks for your input!

Deni


edited: As for a dslr like camera I'm considering Panasonic Lumix FZ30.

[juliannamed]

with your talk about wanting to shoot subjects from a distance - don't forget its quite likely that whatever DSLR you choose, you will probably have to buy a longer zoom lens, in order to take some of the shots you want.

The Canon 350D is great, especially the low noise at high ISO - although its not of course the only option. The market is very tight, with Pentax also having some very good offereing that are comparable to the 350D.

[Karpattaisp]

You might want to look at the Nikon D50 too, it's pretty much neck to neck with the 350D.

[scemHeish]

I just chose these cameras because of the price, just forgot about the d50. Good call. But comparing to eos 350D it looks very inferior, at least to my eyes:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/page23.asp

@chrisinthesun20, well if I go the dslr route I'm planning to use 2 lenses, first up to ~70mm and the other up to ~200mm.

[Jackson]

I just chose these cameras because of the price, just forgot about the d50. Good call. But comparing to eos 350D it looks very inferior, at least to my eyes:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/page23.asp

@chrisinthesun20, well if I go the dslr route I'm planning to use 2 lenses, first up to ~70mm and the other up to ~200mm.

I own a D50 and I have used a 350D a lot since my friend has one and I can say from personal experience that they are pretty equal cameras. There are only a few things that set them a part. The only thing really envy my buddy of is that he can use the 70-200mm f/4 L.

[OvDojQXN]

I just chose these cameras because of the price, just forgot about the d50. Good call. But comparing to eos 350D it looks very inferior, at least to my

There are no very inferior or very superior camera's in the budget dSLR area. All the camera's out there are very good and operate very good. Of course there are difference which make one camera a bit more expensive then the other and could thus make that more expensive camera superior to another but I would not go as far as to call such a judgement. When you buy your camera you will not use it all your life, as it is with all electronics, and especially with digital equipment, it gets outdated very soon. So, when you buy a camera, you buy yourself into a lense-system flash and other equipment of a certain compagny, cause lenses do not get outdated and will not get as easily replaced.

Any camera, the Pentax, Minolta, Canon or Nikon will make a great camera. It is what you plan to do with photography in the future that matters. When you want to stick with the stock lense or maybe a 50mm 1.8 then it does not matter as all compagnies have that, then buy the body you love. If you plan on getting professional or at least high end amature, then you have to look beyond the first body and see what you want you like and not like in a compagnies range of equipment.

[TypeTeasiaDer]

From personal experience, do not get the E-500 if you plan on using it for *low light* situtations. It's ISO is worthless pass 400. Other than that, it's a nice camera.

Also from personal experience, I find the D50 has good ISO at 1600, not too grainy. ISO 800 is usually always useable also.

Other two cameras I can't comment on from a personal experience. Like others said, I would get one that feels comfortable for you because that's all your buying, is the body. All those cameras can have almost equal lenses (but at a price.)

[Sertvfdnhgjk]

I don't know if you read my review a few threads down, but I have owned both the *istDL and the 350D, take a look at my thread. Also, the D50 and *istDL use the same sensor.

[IvJlNwum]

I don't know if you read my review a few threads down, but I have owned both the *istDL and the 350D, take a look at my thread. Also, the D50 and *istDL use the same sensor.

I did read your review, before starting my thread. This is sort of big investment for me, if I take the step. I loved the Pentax from the first time I saw its specs and price on newegg.

But if I do actually take the step and go dslr I don't want to buy a camera that will not offer a marginal improovement over a cheaper dslr like camera, especially in dim light conditions.

I read a review on Fuji's Finepix F30 and the camer looks very good at iso800. Now if the up coming finepix 5600fd (max iso 3200) is a bit better than it than I might consider that as well (the only minus till now is that it doesn't have hot shoe).

As for the technology improoving, I'm hoping my financial position with improve as well , but for now I'm very happy with 4mp.

[Appeselve]

I just chose these cameras because of the price, just forgot about the d50. Good call. But comparing to eos 350D it looks very inferior, at least to my eyes:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/page23.asp

@chrisinthesun20, well if I go the dslr route I'm planning to use 2 lenses, first up to ~70mm and the other up to ~200mm.

What a horrible comparison on dpreview's part.
Canon is using a much more expensive lens in that comparison.
The lack of corner sharpness is most likely due to Nikon budget 50mm F/1.8 lens. Throw in the F/1.4, and it'll easily be as sharp as the canon.
Lens make a huge difference in quality.

[grofvuri]

I did read your review, before starting my thread. This is sort of big investment for me, if I take the step. I loved the Pentax from the first time I saw its specs and price on newegg.

But if I do actually take the step and go dslr I don't want to buy a camera that will not offer a marginal improovement over a cheaper dslr like camera, especially in dim light conditions.

I read a review on Fuji's Finepix F30 and the camer looks very good at iso800. Now if the up coming finepix 5600fd (max iso 3200) is a bit better than it than I might consider that as well (the only minus till now is that it doesn't have hot shoe).

As for the technology improoving, I'm hoping my financial position with improve as well , but for now I'm very happy with 4mp.

That's a good concern. However, the Pentax *ist DL does not cost much more than a full featured P&S and still provides better quality.
Fuji's S9000 is an excellent camera though. If you're just going to use cheap superzooms with the Pentax, the image quality will be comparable. But if you get some high quality primes, the image quality will blow away the fuji.

[CHEAPSOFTOEMONLINE]

I was in the same situation as you

Pentax
#1 in overall price/performance for body
#2 in low light ISO performance (less noise)
#3 in pixel count
Good lenses available
- Now are Samsung cameras if I'm not mistaken

Olympus
#1 in overall value with dual lens kit
#3 in low light ISO
#2 in pixel count
fastest in performance specs
Best feel for kit lenses - good manual focus ring, tighter response

Canon
#1 in image quality
best image processing chip
#3 in proce/performance
Terrible ergonomics (IMO)
Kit lens feels like a toy, has terrible manual focus ring, zoom ring is far too loose

Although the Olympus has worse low light sensitivity it will still be light years better than your old camera. If you want to get "up close" you'll need to buy another lens with the Pentax and Canon. I bought a 350D but once I had it and played around I just didn't like the camera at all. The photos were great but I couldn't get used to the size or cheap feel.

The Pentax is a closer match to the Nikon D50 than the 350d or e500. Noise levels are low but overall detail is less.

[corsar-caribean]

I was in the same situation as you

Pentax
#1 in overall price/performance for body
#2 in low light ISO performance (less noise)
#3 in pixel count
Good lenses available
- Now are Samsung cameras if I'm not mistaken

No, Samsung makes a DSLR which is just a rebadged *istDS2, but Pentax is very much alive and well. They have 2 new DSLRs out this month in fact.

[isogeople]

Well I'll wait till the fuji s5600fd comes out. I might buy a fuji f30 or f20 for compact, and s5600fd for zoom.

If I don't like their reviews I might get the f30 or f20 for compact, and the pentax k100d.

[denyffishh]

You should look at the Sony Alpha... The camera snobs will balk at it because it's Sony, but indications are it is an order of magnitude better than any of the three you have listed here. You can use any KM lens with it as well, so there are thousands on the market already.

[derty]

You should look at the Sony Alpha... The camera snobs will balk at it because it's Sony, but indications are it is an order of magnitude better than any of the three you have listed here. You can use any KM lens with it as well, so there are thousands on the market already.

While it is a nice camera indeed, it's also quite a bit more expensive than the others listed. More than twice as much as the d50 or *istDL.

[Hodstcopter]

While it is a nice camera indeed, it's also quite a bit more expensive than the others listed. More than twice as much as the d50 or *istDL.

True - actually I was thinking of the D70 and 20D... no idea why.

Have you seen the Sony 50mm Prime f/1.4 It's a work of art... really it is.

[selayeffethy]

I like taking pics, but I'm not a photography nut :P. If my camera had some decent high iso capabilities I'd be happy, as 4mp seems to be enough for me. That's why I'm split between a compact+dslr-like-camera and an entry dslr camera.

For now I'm weighted towards the f20/30+s5600fd options, as I can have 2 cameras with decent iso capabilities. THey're quite good up to iso800, and from the samples I've seen, I can live with iso1600 as well.

Thanks for the input though, I apreciate it!

[freediscountplanrrxip]

True - actually I was thinking of the D70 and 20D... no idea why.

Have you seen the Sony 50mm Prime f/1.4 It's a work of art... really it is.

What's special about it?
Pentax's 50mm F/1.4 is nearly half the price at $170.. and is usually known to be the best out there.
If you want to see a lens that's a work of art.. check out Pentax's limited lenses.
http://www.henrys.com/webapp/wcs/sto...iliate=froogle

[Iphone]

What's special about it?
Pentax's 50mm F/1.4 is nearly half the price at $170.. and is usually known to be the best out there.
If you want to see a lens that's a work of art.. check out Pentax's limited lenses.
http://www.henrys.com/webapp/wcs/sto...iliate=froogle

That's very nice actually... good find. I finally got my Photography Monthly (British Mag) who are reviewing the alpha... gonna see what they say about it and the lens.