Help choosing DSLR

tom666

Hi there,

I'm after some advice from someone who knows about cameras. I'm after a DSLR for general use and taking some nature shots while out walking. I've decided that I would like 2 lenses, one 15-55 ish and one 50-200 ish. After a fair bit of searching I've come up with the following short-list of cameras that I like and can afford!

Pentax K-x with Pentax 18-55mm & 50-200mm lenses

Sony A290 with Sony 18-55mm lens & tamaron 55-200mm lens

Olympus E-450 with Olympus 14-42mm & 40-150mm lenses

All are around the £400 mark, with the Olympus being slightly cheaper. Any help or suggestions would be greatly received

Thanks, Tom

althas

Hi Tom

Now with DSLRs, you have to think in the long term

With a DSLR, you are not just buying a camera, you are buying a system, and along with that, the upgradability in the future, the range of lenses, bodies, accessories etc

If you are JUST wanting this set up as you have said, and never want to upgrade things, then pretty much any DSLR manufacturer would be ok. Just have scan on a site like dpreview for indepth reviews of them

If you think you are wanting to move on in the future, then you really need to be looking at one of the big two, Nikon or Canon. Now this will undoubtedly limit options now (as they will be a little more expensive), but in the long term, you will really appreciate you did

Something like the Canon 1000d with the 15-55 kit lens, or the Nikon D3100 with the 18-55 kit, would be ideal

If you are going to use the camera for wildlife (my passion), the cheap lenses will drive you CRAZY, and you will feel like throwing them at a wall. For still life, these lenses are great, but they have a SLOW autofocus time. More ofthen than not, you will miss the action/wildlife shot you want as the lens is still "looking" for its focus. Also a 200mm lens, although will get some good shots, you will have to get closer to the animal, and risk spooking it more. A GOOD wildlife lens for a Canon (which I am saving for) runs at about £1,200. These are the prices you will realistically need to pay to get a decent set

Sorry if this is sounding all negative and doom and gloom, but I would hate for you to feel like you have wasted your hard earned cash on something that will not do what you want

Another option to consider is a "bridge" camera. They have some of the diversity of a dslr (controlable shutter speeds and f-stop for example), and a good zoom. Something like a Canon G12 for example

What I would suggest is go to a shop like Jesop and have a "feel" of the cameras. See how they sit in your hand. And talk to the guys there, get their help and advice

Hope this has been some help for you, but good luck on whatever you decide to get, let us know

tom666

Hi althas, thanks for the reply.

My current situation means that I can only really look at buying a setup now which will need to last me a good few years. It has taken me long enough to persuade the wife to let me buy the camera, if I started talking about new lenses as soon as I buy it I may very well end up under the patio! So while I would love to look at the Canon and Nikon I don't think that they are really an option due to their price.

I've looked at a few bridging cameras, and used to own one. Looking at the prices though, a G12 is around £349, and the current offer on some of the DSLR's mean I can get a twin lens E-450 for the same money if not a little less!

I think a trip to a local photography shop is in order, problem is my local one doesn't stock the Sony or Olympus, and the nearest shop that will is around 25 miles away! Never mind, will be a chance to play and make my mind up.

Thanks again, and you have definitely given me some food for thought:)

paddyrg

Whilst at the camera shop, have a play with the Canon 550D, which also shoots 1080/25p@44Mbps video at a respectable bitrate far cheaper than the equivalent video camera for the quality. It's a nice added bonus. It won't replace a proper video camera for things like school plays, but for studio/drama it's very impressive, and a very respectable camera toboot.