Best DSLR Camera for GCSE Photography

RobTang

I'd be somewhat surprised if a GCSE course would require more than a kit lens (The basic lens you get with the camera, its usually cheap zoom lens with a ok focal range for most applications) looking at some of the GCSE specs anything with full manual control would be fine.


If you do buy second hand make sure it at least comes with the kit lens, the one you linked is the camera body only, so you would additionally need to buy a lens.


I think most online reviews think the D3300 is the best entry level dslr but it is one of the more expensive ones. On paper it has the best specs anyway.

[Deleted User]

Helen224488 wrote: »

Bedsit Bob - The school have stated it must be DSLR.

I know, but I'm asking (and maybe the OP should ask the same question of the school), why a SLR, rather than a Bridge Camera?

A SLR is OK, until you start buying additional lenses, then it gets really expensive. :eek:

Le_Kirk

Ask the teacher/school if they have any deals going with local or on-line suppliers. If they are requesting 30 (average class size) students to buy a DSLR every year that is quite a bit if business to put someone's way.

onomatopoeia99

Helen224488 wrote: »

I am definetely going to take her to a shop to handle the cameras, excellent idea.

Though there are far fewer shops than there once were, as everyone just went into them to handle the cameras then bought online once they had decided what they wanted.

Mr_Toad

I have a Canon 400D and it's a great camera. I regularly think about updating to a newer model, especially after reading photographic magazines. However, a newer more expensive camera will not improve my photography skills or pictures so I stick with what I have and know.

A second hand 400D or 450D will cost between £100 and £160ish on eBay with a kit lens. Well within budget and still a good camera.

Johnmcl7

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Why specifically a SLR?

Why not a Bridge Camera?

Because the proper bridge camera market now is almost entirely gone, it's only partially coming back with Sony's RX10 and Panasonic's FZ1000 series. The current bridge cameras are mostly just compact cameras with a massive zoom lens and a couple of extra features, what's surprising is that they use tiny, tiny sensors (1/2.3in) with similar image quality to high end mobile phones. The new Sony and Panasonic cameras use 1in sensors which are far bigger but they're still considerably smaller than the APS-C sensor a Canon EOS or Nikon D3xxx camera uses. Plus these 1in bridge cameras are not that compact nor cheap either.

The reason a bigger sensor is important for learning photography is that you have far more control over aspects such as depth of field - aperture numbers are not equivalent between different sensor sizes so F1.4 on a DSLR will make for paper thin depth of field (giving a nice blurry background and good subject isolation) while on a small sensor camera that will generally give a background that's still in focus.

Larger sensors also have far better high iso control and wider dynamic range allowing for a much wider range of modifications to the photo after it's been captured.

In short, current bridge cameras are generally only good for having an impressive zoom number and not very good for photography.

John

Johnmcl7

RobTang wrote: »

I'd be somewhat surprised if a GCSE course would require more than a kit lens (The basic lens you get with the camera, its usually cheap zoom lens with a ok focal range for most applications) looking at some of the GCSE specs anything with full manual control would be fine.


If you do buy second hand make sure it at least comes with the kit lens, the one you linked is the camera body only, so you would additionally need to buy a lens.


I think most online reviews think the D3300 is the best entry level dslr but it is one of the more expensive ones. On paper it has the best specs anyway.

Kit lenses are very limited for depth of field control compared to a wide aperture prime (even the cheap ones) which give a lot more options for shallow depth of field and shooting in low light. Also other lenses open up options for shooting ultrawide, macros, telephoto etc.

I definitely agree with the recommendations above to check if the school has any Canon equipment students can use with their cameras as that would significantly sway the decision.

John

[Deleted User]

I've got the Fujifilm FinePix SL1000, and I think it's fantastic.

Geodark

Faith177 wrote: »

the LUMIX DMC-GH4 or the LUMIX DMC-GH5 are both DSLR

Are you sure those are DSLRs?

Geodark

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

I've got the Fujifilm FinePix SL1000, and I think it's fantastic.

Nice camera, but it isnt DSLR and the school has specified a DSLR