entry level digital SLR Camera

viddy

I am planning to buy a enrty level digital SLR camera. I have had a look on the net and narrowed down to Sony alpha 200, Nikon D40 and the Canon EOS 300D. If you have experience in photography and having been using any of the above please advise. Thanks

o_t_e

Do you mean the Canon 350D? There seem to numerous deals on the 400D so that might be the way to go. The D40 is a good camera though I doubt you'd be saving much not buying the D40x. The in-camera image stabilisation makes the Sony an interesting choice and quite keenly priced.

Basically all these will take decent photos; canon's arguably take less grainy jpeg images in low light than nikon but lack certain features that make something like the D40x easy to use.

If you don't have any lenses and they are all similarly priced I would go into a shop and see which one feels good in your hand then look here for some of the best prices:

http://camerapricebuster.co.uk/

If you're trying to keep the price below £300 then I would probably go for the Sony (I say this as a nikon user).

toastydave

Have a look here, you may well waste an afternoon, but the site is ace!

http://www.dpreview.com/

meld_2

Personally, I would stick to either the Canon 400/450D or one of the Nikons. Between them you can't really make a bad choice.

Blacksheep1979

Have a look at the Olympus 400/410 - they're quite nice and light

isofa

Been using Canon's pre digital and post-digital SLRs, never had a problem, owned the 350D which was an excellent camera, better than the 400D IMO (as the 400D misses the secondary LCD which to a keen photographer is a backwards step).

I'd certainly stick to the Canon or Nikon, they are both as good as each other, but once you buy into one technology you'll end up staying with it, potentially forever, as if you are keen you'll buy extra lenses etc, and Canon and Nikon lenses aren't interchangeable.

I use Canons in semi-pro work, pro-work and every day snaps, utterly excellent and reliable, you can't go wrong IMO.
Personally, I wouldn't choose the Sony, although it's an excellent camera (get's rave reviews) for the purist who wants endless options of lenses and dealing with a true camera company, Sony aren't for me. I don't know any pro photographers using Sony's.

Marty_J

I have a Nikon D40, and it is a fantastic camera. Can't be beaten for the price, and will do pretty much anything most people will ever need.

GaryS

As most people have said, stick with either Canon or Nikon.

I personally use a Canon 10D, its about 3 years old now, but is built solid and still does everything I need.

Go to a shop and have a play with them first, then look for the best deal on the net.

viddy

Thank You guys, I will probably go for the Nikon, will do a bit more research on dpreview, its a excellent resource for a beginner like myself

mr_fishbulb

Another vote for the Nikon D40. Got the kit lens and 55-200 VR. Great

moonrakerz

mr_fishbulb wrote: »

Another vote for the Nikon D40. Got the kit lens and 55-200 VR. Great

Ditto ! Ditto great !