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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Best camera under $1,000?
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 01/15/2005 09:04:00 PM · #1
Hi,

Looking for at least a 6.5 MP camera or more MPs for under $1,000. Have a coolpix 4500 Nikon now, which I love because of the swivel lens (not sure if they make them anymore), but very disappointed with low light situations making it virtually impossible to take an indoor photo. Not totally against Nikon again (had a coolpix 995 that I liked), but don't want to run into that problem again. Any ideas, or is $1,000 or less not possible to get something decent at 6.5 MP. Going to thank everyone in advance as I have something going on and will be in and out of the internet for a while. Thanks!

bj
 01/15/2005 09:15:31 PM · #2
$1000 total? If you were interested in a dSLR then there are bodies to be had for under $1000. Canon 300D for example. You can go hog wild with lenses and other accessories though. Perhaps you could take a look at dpreview.com. They have a buying guide that allows you to compare cameras that meet criteria you select.
 01/15/2005 09:19:31 PM · #3
the new olympus evolt 300 dSLR is a great 8 mp cam, a friend of mine just bought it, its really nice. more lenses for its format are coming, by olympus and sigma. it comes with a 14-45 (28-90 35 mm) for 999.00
 01/15/2005 09:20:45 PM · #4
the 300d isn't at least 6.5 megapixels though -- it's 6.3 ;-)

Best camera for *around* a grand. I say around because you're going to need (at the very least) a lens and a good memory card and should get a backup battery, an extra memory card, an extra lens, a flash if you like doing portraits, and of course a bigger camera bag to fit all the new toys in.

My suggestion: don't buy something you're not going to like. If you're $200 short of what you really want, it will be worth the wait.
 01/15/2005 09:22:30 PM · #5
The Rebel is 6.3

I have one. I use it for back-up.

Drawback: Low burst rate when shooting in raw.

Positive: Takes all Canon EF lenses. Can produce very sharp images. Light and easy to use even in advanced modes.

Can be had for well under $800. Check here.

Do not get it with the kit lens. The kit lens is not sharp.
 01/15/2005 09:24:13 PM · #6
It's slow compared to your 1ds -- but much faster than most if not all p&s cameras.

Do get the kit lens -- it's plenty sharp and is good quality for the price.

check out //www.steves-digicams.com for a review.
 01/15/2005 09:34:51 PM · #7
Originally posted by deapee:

Do get the kit lens -- it's plenty sharp and is good quality for the price.



You like that? Every one I talked to said that after they got other lenses they never use that one. Plus it is an EF-S so you can not use the lens on anything but the Rebel and the 20D.
 01/15/2005 10:09:33 PM · #8
Yeah I like it. I've only used it and a canon 28-200 -- the latter seemd to focus faster, but I am not going to complain about it. My next lens will be in the 70-300 range though as this one seems to do just fine for me for now anyway -- maybe it's my inexperience that makes it seem ok.

Although I've been out with other photogs with the rebel and with a wide arsenal of lenses to shoot with and they seem to use their kit lens a good bit. Over the 28-200 and the 50mm 1.8 -- I guess they all have their place.
 01/15/2005 10:14:38 PM · #9
Originally posted by nsbca7:

You like that? Every one I talked to said that after they got other lenses they never use that one. Plus it is an EF-S so you can not use the lens on anything but the Rebel and the 20D.


I agree that the kit lens isn't too bad. An extra bit of unsharp mask in PS and it's fine. I love the range. It doesn't get as much use now I have the 17-40L but I still use it when I want that extra bit of focal length. I've used it for the past year constantly and have photographs in exghibitions taken with it.
 01/15/2005 10:35:46 PM · #10
It's not the sharpest lense but for the extra 100$, image quality can't be beat.
Plus, like Anjella said, a little bit of USM and you're good to go.
 01/15/2005 10:46:46 PM · #11
Sorry, I have always though you should get the best glass you can afford. The 50 f/1.8, although not near as versitile is, according to Canon, much sharper and around the same price. Great starter lens.
 01/15/2005 10:57:59 PM · #12
I agree -- the 50 1.8 has it's place. But it certainly, at this point anyway, has no point in my arsenal of gear. It's great for portraits and such, but I'll take the versatility over the sharper, less-versatile lens at this point. It's definately on my list of things to get, but if I just had a camera and a 50 1.8, I don't think I'd have nearly half the shots I have now.

EDIT: Note that this is considered thread hijacking and, in some countries, considered a crime and punishable by imprisonment or fines. It should be noted that the original topic was about a camera, not a lens.

Message edited by author 2005-01-15 23:08:09.
 01/15/2005 11:06:50 PM · #13
I have the 50 1.8 and the 20d kit lens. Of the two the 50 1.8 stays on the vast majority of the time, and will most likely do so until I can afford the 16-35mm f2.8 L and/or the 24-70mm f2.8 L

edit: Oh ya and to try and avoid further thread jacking :D I would go with the 300D

Message edited by author 2005-01-15 23:19:06.
 01/15/2005 11:21:07 PM · #14
Originally posted by deapee:


EDIT: Note that this is considered thread hijacking and, in some countries, considered a crime and punishable by imprisonment or fines. It should be noted that the original topic was about a camera, not a lens.


So I guess majority oppinion says 300D?
 01/15/2005 11:30:19 PM · #15
Have you looked at the Canon G6 it is a 7.1MP camera. It is not a dSLR but it is regularly priced at 699.99 at Best Buy and Circuit City.
The camera is highly rated and is a great camera.
 01/15/2005 11:32:09 PM · #16
Originally posted by deapee:
I agree -- the 50 1.8 has it's place. But it certainly, at this point anyway, has no point in my arsenal of gear. It's great for portraits and such, but I'll take the versatility over the sharper, less-versatile lens at this point. It's definately on my list of things to get, but if I just had a camera and a 50 1.8, I don't think I'd have nearly half the shots I have now.



The lens I keep on my 1Ds for 90% of my shots is the 85mm 1.2.

The field of view on the Rebel with the 50mm lens would be close to that.

Go to my web site and look. Most of all the images posted there, with the exception of the Wildlife page, were shot in the last year with the 85mm, and I have a fair assortment of good primes.

When you get used to 1 good prime, your imagination becomes versitile.

Besides, most people who shoot with zooms shoot most every shot they take at one end or the other.

I think it all comes down to a matter of personal preferences. There is no best way to go on this. All I am saying is do not discount the usefulness of a good prime.

Message edited by author 2005-01-15 23:33:09.
 01/16/2005 12:00:14 AM · #17
Originally posted by nsbca7:
All I am saying is do not discount the usefulness of a good prime.


I definately won't. It's just not in the budget at the moment -- probably not until after the 75-300.
 01/16/2005 12:11:49 AM · #18
For under $1000, your best bet is certainly the Canon 300D. Yes, it's less than 6.5 megapixels, but all megapixels are not created equal. A 6.3 megapixel 300D can produce a cleaner shot than an 8 megapixel point and shoot. Aside from the obvious plus of interchageable lenses, the biggest advantages of a DSLR over a point and shoot are lack of noise (especially at high ISO) and vastly reduced shutter lag.

As noted, the kit lens isn't the sharpest available, but it IS only $100 and offers a much wider field of view than the 50mm. If you want to skip the kit lens and go for something sharper, I would strongly suggest the Tamron 28-75mm XR Di f/2.8 for $369 (one of the best non-L zoom lenses available), but then you're pushing the $1000 limit. Be sure to check eBay for 300D camera bodies... some folks are selling them very cheap in order to increase their rebates on multiple lens orders.
 01/16/2005 01:20:54 AM · #19
Thanks for all the great insight, it's very helpful:)
 01/28/2005 10:55:54 PM · #20
I agree, the 300D is the by far the best digital under $1000, don't be fooled by the megapixles, the sensor size of the DSLR is more than twice the consumer ones, a 4 megapixel DSLR will actually produce cleaner photos than an 8 megapixel consumer, not to mention the other advantages (faster processor, shutter lag, higher iso, lenses, etc..)

There are lots of people like me who ended up selling their like new 300D on eBay because they wanted to upgrade to the 20D, mine was sold for $680, my advice is to get a used 300D from ebay, get a 50 mm f/1.8 lens, you'll have an excellent camera for way under $1000.
 01/28/2005 11:01:10 PM · #21
Yes! Mine's going up on Ebay very soon with about 7,000 shots under it's belt. My 20D ROCKS!

P.S. 300D is the best < $1000 DSLR and the kit lens is a steal. I'm using it with my 20D until I can afford the kit lens that comes with the 20D (no discount with the kit at the price I got my body for).

Message edited by author 2005-01-28 23:03:11.
 01/28/2005 11:18:16 PM · #22
Originally posted by deapee:
the 300d isn't at least 6.5 megapixels though -- it's 6.3 ;-)

Best camera for *around* a grand. I say around because you're going to need (at the very least) a lens and a good memory card and should get a backup battery, an extra memory card, an extra lens, a flash if you like doing portraits, and of course a bigger camera bag to fit all the new toys in.

My suggestion: don't buy something you're not going to like. If you're $200 short of what you really want, it will be worth the wait.


memory card will apply to any camera, and he may be able to use what he has there. extra batt for some cameras, but not really necessary on teh 300D. A charged batt will do 400+ shots. If you are shooting more than that in a day then yes, memor cards become an issue too!

Flash...he has issues with low light now, so just a flash alone may fix that. If you have not tried an acc'y flash you don't know what you are missing. Sigma makes some that are TTL capable for the Canon for under $200, i assume similar for hte Nikons.
 01/28/2005 11:36:20 PM · #23
Well, let me give you a different choice for less than $1000. Pick up a Pentax *ist-DS. They are not as common (which I like, so I'm not like everyone else). But the build quality is so much better. I have the *ist-DS, and I have a Canon 300D in my possession right now (for another 2 weeks), and there is no comparison between the two when I hold them in my hands. It uses the same sensor as the Nikon D-70, so you get fantastic quality. It is available for $859 from zipzoomfly with the 18-55mm lens (which as a kit lens is a lot better than the kit lens on the Canon).

Pentax is known to be a medium format camera, and the people who have been around a while know the brand. It is also backward compatible with (practically) every lens they have made in the past, which means you can pick up used lenses very cheaply and reasonably.

Well, just another one to think about...
 01/29/2005 12:03:03 AM · #24
Originally posted by skief:

Pentax is known to be a medium format camera, and the people who have been around a while know the brand. It is also backward compatible with (practically) every lens they have made in the past, which means you can pick up used lenses very cheaply and reasonably.



I've always been a big Petax fan. I own 2 Spotmatics, 2 K1000s, an ME, an ME Super, a 6X7 and about 70 lbs of lenses. Great stuff. Ergonomic, reliable and built like tanks, every one. Only drawback I can see with getting the *ist-DS is that there is no place to step up (at the moment).

With the 300D at least you know if you outgrow you camera later the lenses you've invested in will fit a professional grade full frame sensor camera. (which are going down in price all the time)
 01/29/2005 12:06:55 AM · #25
if you go for the rebel be prepared to spend a LOT later in lens, if you are going to spend a LOT later in lens, you may want to get the 20d instead it is a lot more camera for not much more money. If you go for the rebel, but one used and then you can have money left for a nice lens or 2 : )
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