Which DSLR camera? 2 choices

SShopper1

Hello

I am looking to buy a DSLR camera. I am not the slightest bit techie so didn't know what to look for therefore I have looked to friends for assistance.
As I am not very techy I don't want a complicated camera or one that's heavy however having looked at both reviews, both appear to be light weight .
I have had compact/bridge cameras in the past and enjoy taking photographs so I am wanting to get more creative with photography but more importantly want a clearer more detailed photogrpah.

Although I will have an everyday lens I will use 80% of the time l will also buy a long distance lens as I will want to use my camera to photograph animals and for use on safari. I understand this lens would make the camera heavier however as this lens would only be used occasionally I am fine with this.

I am looking at the Canon 700d . Unsure if I do go with this option if I should buy only the body and a lens seperate or as an everyday and upclose lens is the 18-55mm it comes with good enough?

My friend recommended the Sony ILCE5000y
With comes with a SEL1650 and SEL55201.
He's explained the difference between this camera and the DSLR. This has wifi which is a good feature I would use.

Any thoughts or suggestions welcome.

Strider590

If you've not used one before, then i'd go for an entry level DSLR where things are a bit more user friendly. You risk doing what my father did, buying a bit heavy and expensive bit of kit, not having a clue how to use it, giving up and using a compact instead.

Le_Kirk

If you have time before you make your selection, grab one of the What Camera type magazines. In there you will find unbiased reviews with pictures taken by the various cameras. The magazines will tell you what is the most important aspect to look for given that you want clearer more detailed pictures. Lens choice is important as, if you don't have a good lens, you will be recording poor quality, less detailed images.

A._Badger

The main reason to buy a DSLR is to take advantage of the huge range of lenses and attachments which can be obtained - not, necessarily, to take better pictures.

In the hands of a skilled photographer even a cheap compact will take better pictures than the most expensive DSLR being used by someone who either isn't essentially a good photographer or who hasn't mastered the complexities of using the more advanced camera.

Don't rush into this. Read about the many options open to you. Use websites like Imaging Resource ( http://www.imaging-resource.com ) to learn about taking pictures and the equipment types on offer then make an informed decision.

Don't rush into buying a DSLR when it is quite possible that a mirrorless or a bridge camera would do all you need a lot less expensively and more conveniently.

Nebulous2

At the bottom of the DSLR ranges a compact system camera is just as good. You still get interchangeable lenses in a lighter weight smaller camera.

I read reviews obsessively and tie myself in knots before I make any major purchase.

With two cameras if you google them with a v in the middle, eg "canon 700d v Sony ILCE5000y" you may get a direct head-to-head detailed review, but will certainly get a detailed spec comparison.

force_ten

the sony is a compact system camera or a mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses and sits in between compact cameras and DSLR cameras

a mirrorless camera is smaller and lighter than a DSLR and the one downside that i see with a mirrorless camera is they don't have a viewfinder and you have to rely on the rear LCD screen which can be a big issue in bright sunlight

the 700D is a great camera and even with the basic kit lens you would get very good results and have lots of room to expand your photographic skills

what camera is right for you?, I cant really help with that but i will say that many people buy a fully loaded DSLR with multiple lenses and then leave it all at home because it is to heavy to lug about and end up shooting most of their pictures on a camera phone

they do say the Best camera is the one that you have got with you

Have a look at that video for some info on the pros and cons of mirrorless

www.youtube.com/watch?

ballyblack

This has wifi which is a good feature I would use.

You can make any digital camera wifi enabled simply by using a SD wifi memory card


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-Flash-Class-Wireless-Memory/dp/B00DR590OM/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1462830131&sr=1-1&keywords=wifi+sd+memory+card

Mirno

You're serious about photography, but starting out, you don't buy for the body, you buy for the lenses.
If/when you're thinking about moving up to the next level, do you want to buy a whole new set of lenses? If not, you're stuck with the same manufacturer as the first body you bought.

Other than that, go to a physical store, pick them up, play with them. Comfort in the hand, how the settings are accessed, things like that can't be judged from an online review. If you're spending a chunk of money, it's important that YOU like it, not some reviewer. (Reviews are good for durability, and knowing what features are present/lacking though).

Mr_Toad

To add to the above.

I also recommend that you should go and hold a few and try them for size. I was initially looking at Nikon, only because my father had several excellent Nikon 35mm SLRs, but ended up with a Canon.

This was because the Canon fitted my hand better and the controls seemed to be better laid out, they were laid out more like what I had in my mind, if that makes sense? Whereas the Nikon, while excellent, didn't feel right or comfortable.

Mine is the Canon 450D so old by digital camera standards but it takes excellent pictures. As others have said a better camera doesn't take better pictures. For that you need skill and lots of practice.

A friend of mine used his entry level Canon 350D to regularly win the work photo club competition, it's a global company with hundreds of entries every month. He never did as well after he invested in an expensive pro Canon body costing several thousand pounds, it took ages before he started getting pictures anywhere near as good as he did with the old basic camera that he knew so well.

Have you considered a second hand one?

I've just had a quick look at completed listings on fleabay at the 450D like mine, and body only are going for £80-£100 and about £20 more with the kit lens. A lot less money than a newer model and still a great camera.

nearlyrich

Go to a real store ( not PCWB) and have a play with a few models think about what you will use it for etc. I have various cameras for different situations eg Canon DSLR ( 60D) for studio work and places where I don't have to carry it around for long, it's heavy with all the rest of the kit. Panasonic G series for holidays still has interchangeable lenses but it is very light and doesn't give me a strained neck when I "wear" it all day. I also have a couple of compact models which are as good as DSLR in some instances. I have cameras with WiFiI have never really used it. Sometimes real camera shops have offers which you can't get on line such as free extended warranties extra lenses batteries etc.

Shimrod

SShopper1 wrote: »

I am looking at the Canon 700d . Unsure if I do go with this option if I should buy only the body and a lens seperate or as an everyday and upclose lens is the 18-55mm it comes with good enough?
.

If you are considering the Canon 700d, you might also want to consider the Canon 100d. It's smaller and lighter than the 700d (also a bit cheaper) but has broadly the same set of features and came out at the same time as the 700d. Here's a comparison of features on dpreivew: http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-side?products=canon_eos700d&products=canon_eos100d

I would recommend the Canon over Sony as there is a much greater choice of lens (both from Canon and third parties such as Sigma/Tamron), although I have been a Canon user for over 25 years so may be a bit biased!