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08/02/2012 08:22:52 AM · #1 |
Which is the best digital SLR below $800(with lens) ?
Any suggestions? |
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08/02/2012 08:38:37 AM · #2 |
Used Nikon D200 - RAZOR sharp images, fully reinforced body, professional, does not have very good HIGH-iSO performance but it will be the best teacher you can have as a former pro contender camera. I learned how to WORK a camera on my old D200, then I moved to newer more expensive bodies. A used great condition D200 should run you around $400, that leaves you wiggle room for some key lenses... like the 35mm f1.5, and a 55-200mm or something along those lines as a good starter kit :)
Amazing D200 images...
Used Nikon D200 Bodies for sale
Just to update some image links to the cameras others have mentioned on their posts below... I still stand by the D200 listed above, due to the professional body ripe with external controls and the rugged nature of the camera. But the cameras other have listed also produce great images, Just trying to make it easy to see what fellow DPC users have done with the cameras folks are mentioning, and make use of the great equipment sites DPC has :)
Canon Rebel T3
Nikon D3100
Nikon D5100
Canon Rebel T2i
Message edited by author 2012-08-02 13:46:06. |
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08/02/2012 08:41:26 AM · #3 |
Both Canon and Nikon provide entry level cameras (Rebel T3 and D3100/D5100) that would fit your price point that are very good cameras. At this point, the technology for DSLRs is very good so you really won't do wrong with any of the major brands.
You would do well to go to a store that has multiple brands so that you can put camera to hand and decide which works best for you. You want it to feel natural, with the settings, dials, and buttons in good locations for you. And only you will be able to answer that...
You may also want to consider the newer mirrorless technology (allowing exchangeable lenses). Several companies (nikon, olympus, panasonic) all have some very good systems and these are also fitting in your price point.
Good luck in your search.
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08/02/2012 09:36:15 AM · #4 |
i cant speak for Nikon, probably cost for performance would be the Canon t2i. its shares the same sensor as the 60D and 7D.
The t3i is newer and has more features but wont offer anything as far as IQ.
if you dont need the prostyle layout, my advice would be to get a t2i and get a really nice used lens to go with it, the tamron 17-55/2.8 Non VC i hear is great and will offer a major upgrade over any kit lens. used they go for about $300-$350 and are always for sale.
you could get the brand new body and used lens for your $800 budget.
Message edited by author 2012-08-02 09:47:40. |
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08/02/2012 09:26:49 PM · #5 |
As well as recommending the D200, it's worth noting the D90 is a newer sensor with better noise performance and can be had for sub $800. A D300 can be had for around $800 if you look, as well, and it has the same sensor but is built much better, has a better shutter, and has more functions. It is, however, larger, heavier, and built more towards a pro outlook (no scene modes, for instance. This is also true of the D200).
The nice thing about these cameras is they also have a screwdrive, which means you can use all the AF lenses and are not confined to the largely more expensive and less varied lens lineup that has AFS (this is what you would be limited to with the other "entry" Nikon DSLR's). |
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08/03/2012 12:48:35 AM · #6 |
| I would not argue with any of the fine new cameras recommended above, if you are looking for the biggest bang for the buck, do not neglect the used market. Every time a "gotta have it" new body comes out, someone who gets it has to sell their old body at a steep discount on the used market. And any lens that comes as part of a kit with that new body enters the used market quickly at about two thirds the price having never been used once. |
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08/06/2012 03:03:49 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by bassbone:
You may also want to consider the newer mirrorless technology (allowing exchangeable lenses). Several companies (nikon, olympus, panasonic) all have some very good systems and these are also fitting in your price point.
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How does this mirrorless technology compare qualitatively with the existing technology.
Which are the Mirrorless Canon/Nikon models? |
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08/06/2012 12:02:18 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by kbhatia1967:
Which is the best digital SLR below $800(with lens) ?
Any suggestions? |
The "feel" of the camera in your hands is very important in my view. Do you like a heavier body? Lighter? Smaller? Bigger? Are the controls easily reached/activated? All important questions to resolve by handling them. |
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08/06/2012 02:36:35 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by kbhatia1967:
How does this mirrorless technology compare qualitatively with the existing technology.
Which are the Mirrorless Canon/Nikon models? |
what do you mean by technology?
if you want the best camera, best sensors, best AF best iso noise, best glass, best shutter speed best battery life, best, you get the idea, go dslr,... if you are willing to compromise any of that for a more portable less obtrusive camera, then look into mirrorless.
it all depends on what your needs are.
Message edited by author 2012-08-06 15:28:16. |
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08/06/2012 03:08:55 PM · #10 |
| The best camera is the one you use. |
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08/06/2012 03:15:36 PM · #11 |
Adorama sells a refurbished Canon T3i with lens for $579. BuyDig has a new Canon T4i with lens, assorted gear and a terrific Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mark II printer for $848, and Sears sells a Nikon D5100 with lens for $582. If you want to go REALLY cheap, you can get a refurbished Rebel T3 with lens from Adorama for $349.
The Canon Rebel series is probably the best technology on the low end. The Nikon consumer DSLRs are good, too, but often omit the focus motor in the body, so you need to use lenses with built-in motors for autofocus. Mirrorless cameras sounds appealing, but the lenses tend to be considerably more expensive with fewer options available. |
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08/06/2012 03:35:38 PM · #12 |
May I suggest a DSLT? I've been happy with my Sony A33. To me, it just felt right in my hands. Could have been because I was coming from a Konika Minolta.
However, the Sony DSLTs seem to be aggressively priced with regards to similar cameras from Canon or Nikon. The down-side is reduced aftermarket size. |
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08/08/2012 01:00:45 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by mike_311:
Originally posted by kbhatia1967:
How does this mirrorless technology compare qualitatively with the existing technology.
Which are the Mirrorless Canon/Nikon models?
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if you want the best camera, best sensors, best AF best iso noise, best glass, best shutter speed best battery life, best, you get the idea, go dslr,... if you are willing to compromise any of that for a more portable less obtrusive camera, then look into mirrorless. |
Is there any mirrorless-DSLRs also? |
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08/08/2012 01:19:03 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by kbhatia1967:
Originally posted by mike_311:
Originally posted by kbhatia1967:
How does this mirrorless technology compare qualitatively with the existing technology.
Which are the Mirrorless Canon/Nikon models?
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if you want the best camera, best sensors, best AF best iso noise, best glass, best shutter speed best battery life, best, you get the idea, go dslr,... if you are willing to compromise any of that for a more portable less obtrusive camera, then look into mirrorless. |
Is there any mirrorless-DSLRs also? |
By definition all DSLR's have mirrors. That's the "reflex" part of D-igital S-ingle L-ens R-eflex. The Sony Alpha skirts the line because it's mirror is translucent, but it still has the same bulk (and benefits) of a normal DSLR.
There are a few mirrorless cameras that have sensors as large as a crop DSLR. The Sony NEX and Samsung NX11 are both other $800 with APS-C sized sensors. There are others but they exceed $800. |
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08/08/2012 01:30:32 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by kbhatia1967:
Is there any mirrorless-DSLRs also? |
DSLR is an acronym standing for Digital Single Lens Reflex. The Reflex portion refers to the reflecting of the image off the mirror to the viewfinder. This is in contrast to older systems like rangefinders that had two parallel lenses, one for viewing, and one that is directed to the recording medium. There is one type that is somewhat like an SLR and somewhat like a mirrorless system, and that is the Sony Single Lens Translucent, which has a mirror that allows light to pass through and works as a compromise between an SLR whose mirror is opaque and must move to record an image and a mirrorless system that requires contrast AF (which is slower). The SLT systems have some drawbacks and some gains, and the system can be found in various models of the Alpha series of cameras from Sony. SLT cameras will have similar size and function to a DSLR.
Message edited by author 2012-08-08 01:31:10. |
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