Digital SLR Cameras

Choice magazine reviewed SLR cameas last month.
I think you can buy individual reports online.

They tested over 80 cameras

have fun
swampy

Check out dpreview.com. I use a Nikon but Canon is good too so are a few others, it boils down to personal preference, there is a similar thing between Nikon and Canon as there is between Toyota and Nissan.

What is probably more important is the person standing behind the camera than the equipment.

Have fun choosing then get out there and take photos.

Cheers

I have just upgraded my Camera, and of course same as Vehicles its horses for courses. After mths of research, I went for a Sony DSLR A200, its features were better than any other Camera under $1200 and even better than some $2000 kits, with twin lens kits I believe you can get this unit for under $900

Rated better on review sites listed above than most others in most uses, again as I said horses for courses Sony DSLR A 350 is dearer but rates lower and extra functions, didnt suit me anyway..

Happy shopping...

If you are going to buy a Canon , think about buying a body only on Ebay, because in Aust they are offering two fairly low grade lenses as a combo to try to get business . Then do some thinking about your needs and buy one good lens off Ebay .

I am on my third Canon and have found them easy to use .

I have had a Nikon D70 for 3 years. It is a very good piece of kit and allows you to evolve from point and shoot photography to other more complex methods that produce some really good shots.

As has been said, the lenses are the real investment. Don't buy cheap because it will invariably be garbage. Take my Tamron 28 - 300 zoom. Garbage. My Nikor 18 - 70 is ok though.

I've been doing some research on this subject too. Here's what I am leaning towards:

I am looking for a camera body with one good zoom lens rather than get two cheap lenses for the price of one deals you get with some package deals. I've narrowed down my choice to two cameras

NIKON D90 (12.3 megapixels) with a 18 to 105mm VR lens
Pentax K20D (14.6 megapixels) with an 18 to 250mm Pentax lens.

The Canon 450D and the 40D while both excellent cameras don't have the lens that suits my needs so they are out. I won't buy on ebay.

Be aware that technology is changing and CCD sensor technology is older than CMOS. Nikon is moving from CCD in their D200 and D80 models to CMOS in their D90 and D300 models, while Canon are now mostly using CMOS sensors as are Pentax in their K20D.

I don't want to be changing lenses too often as the possibility of dust getting onto the sensor will become a problem so one good, Vibration Resistant lens will have to do me. Its also fiddly carrying and changing lenses while on tour in Europe for instance.

My next step is to go out and buy the damn thing.
Look at Digital Camera Warehouse http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au

Their prices are quite good. There are of course many other sellers so look around. Ebay were a couple of hundred $ cheaper when I last looked but I won't deal through PayPay on this sort of item.

Happy hunting

Toolman

The "quality" of the camera lens is very important, some cameras use interchangeable lens anyway and you should use the best quality lens available and they are not cheap, some are dearer than a new (cheap) camera.

I won't nominate the 'best quality' lens here because I don't have the relevant information at hand to back it up, but I'm sure some one will offer up the same advice.

Mainey . . .

I just bought a Nikon D60 with twin lens kit, its my 1st SLR, paid $1100 with a bag and 4g card, they are advertised for only $849 but that is not with VR lenses

I have Pentax and definitely will recommend it. While Canon and Nikon far bigger players, they far more expensive, Canon in particular. Entry-level Canon DSLR just cannot stand against similarly priced competition and one need to climb up in their steep ladder to get decent piece of equipment. Also for the same money Pentax offer far better lenses, primes in particular. Not saying that Canon or Nikon have not got good lenses – quite on the contrary they have much better variety to choose from, but their asking price much higher. Also Pentax offer dist and moisture sealed body and such feature only can be found in Canon and Nikon in their up-market units. Last but not least – Pentas does in-body image stabilization and believe me it does work. Canon and Nikon do only in-lens one. There was massive debates what is better, general consensus that in-lens has small edge, but one pay huge premium for privilege. Also such thing like fast image stabilized prime does not exists in Canon and Nikon catalogs, while with Pentas any lens mounted to body became stabilized.

Good luck in your search.

Serg

My only bit of advice is to learn as much about photography as you can as most people have cameras that are way beyond their photographic skill levels.

I'm sure I have mentioned this on the forum before but award winning photographs have in the past and still will be taken by very cheap cameras.

A good photographer with a crap camera will always outperform the photographer with no understanding of light, perspective, composition, exposure etc, but with a $10k camera. One can still take junk with the $8000, Nikon D3.

I'm not advising you NOT to buy what you're heart desires, but if you want photos to match the camera's quality you will need to do some learning (if you haven't already).

Cheers,

Mark

Its not the camera that is the expensive part . Its the other lenses that you want to buy . Canon has the best lenses . Get something like a 70mm - 300mm telephoto usm and a speedlite flash .

G'day Cookie & Di

My choice is Canon! Just recently I bought another body on eBay from a Sydney seller with fully Canon warranty, new in the box and a great price, if you are interested I can email his userID to you? No affiliation other than being a satisfied customer.

Canon has just released the 50D but if you want to save a few $$$'s there is absolutely 'nothing' wrong with the 30D or 40D, both will give fantastic results...half of the great photos are a good lens. There are many, many compatible lenses so you could always be assured of finding one to suit your needs and it doesn't have to be a genuine Canon lens. While these are in the higher price range, I've bought mine as pre-loved on eBay and had absolutely no problems at all. Some people need to have the latest and greatest and always upgrading...so I buy their cast offs and save heaps!! LOL One such lens is over 20 yrs old, cost about a sixth of it's original price and looks and shoots like a brand new one. It's one of my favourite lenses.

Don't be tricked into buying a high megapixel count body, this is necessary in low end cameras but on DSLR's is not the be all and end all.

Hope this helps?
Bronwyn ;-)

A few have already said this but a great camera doesn't make a good photographer. A camera is just a box with a hole in it and a way of recording the image.

Don't worry about what camera you get, just get one and start taking photos. I do a lot of photography and when I look at photos in exhibitions etc, knowone cares what camera it was taken on.

I mainly use Nikons because I have lenses I can take from one to the next but I could just as easily use any name brand. I also buy in Australia from a reputable dealer as backup is important.

Remember, cameras don't take photos, people do.

Very happy with the Pentax K20D. Bought it Dec 2006 - think probably through ebay (was a present for me) - because it came from USA, before was available here. I know the warranty was valid here, though have not had to use it. Was some sort of special offer because it came with 2 lenses. My only issue is that it is just a bit bulky to take on the long walks we do, so I rely on the Pentax Optio for those. Am very happy with photo quality from both cameras - clarity and colour. Husband loves the fast bracket shots on the big one - great for bird photos.

Went through this process about 5 moths ago. Bought a Canon 40D from an Aus seller but at a price competitive with many O/S. Came with the 17-85mm IS USM lens. Then bought a 70-300 IS USM lens from a Hong Kong outlet (delivered to Aus saved me $150+ over local outlets).

For online sales in Aus check out www.etech-direct (where I got mine with a full warranty but also paid for an extended 3rd party warranty.

Also try www.camerasdirect.com.au (cheaper than www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au)

I used the Choice reviews when making up my mind. A report well paid for. I also updated my video camera at the same time and used Choice as well.

As has been said, the lenses are very important. Good lenses will make all the difference IF the camera is used properly. I am still learning how to use mine.

Rob

I have the Pentax K20D with 18-200 Sigma lens .One lens does all.

Great Camera .Brought from Paxton's in Sydney and got a free camera course with it.

Derek