Entry-level DSLR decision

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trawsaj

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Hi guys

I've made the decision to move from my trusted Fuji S3500 and get into the DSLR market. Unfortunately due to budget constraints, i can only really afford one of the entry level DSLR camera's with a kit lens at the moment.

But how do i decide between the Oly E-420, Nikon D60, Canon 1000D and Sony A200/A230? All of which are more or less available for the same price.

I'm leaning towards the Sony's because of their built-in IS, but not sure if this is a big enough reason to discard the D60 and E-420.

Any thought or comments will be appreciated.
 
You can obviously read on the tech-specs and compare them. But remember one of the biggest factors is how you like the feel of the camera. Go to a camera store. Hold it, play around with it. There might be big things that peev you off or that you like. Also do consider, if you are intending to upgrade in future, as once you get more pricey glass you are pretty much locked into the brand.
 
Another thought... I always try to find the biggest flaws in equipment when I buy. Those are the things which are deal breakers. So check out on wibbly web, for people who had bad experiences with those cameras.
 
I've got the A100 Sony. I would advise you to go for one of the others, probably D60. I have some noise issues on long exposures and high ISO images. Didn't bother me when I started out, but now it drives me insane. Also, the kit lens is very soft.

I'm still using it and get some good results, but I can't wait to move on... :D
 
SubliminalThought said:
You can obviously read on the tech-specs and compare them. But remember one of the biggest factors is how you like the feel of the camera. Go to a camera store. Hold it, play around with it. There might be big things that peev you off or that you like. Also do consider, if you are intending to upgrade in future, as once you get more pricey glass you are pretty much locked into the brand.
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+1 Big reason why I chose the D60 over the 1000D. It felt a lot better imo. Stats and price wise they are very alike.

Good luck and no matter which one you chose im sure you will enjoy it endlessly.
 
Thanks guys. Will definitely try to get a feel for the camera's first before making my decision.

Have just read a couple of good reviews of the E-420 and I like the fact that it has Live View, seeing as that's what I'm used to.
 
Also have a look at second hand stuff. Really good bodies can be had for some for reasonable prices if you're patient and shop around a bit.

20D/30D's still are super camera's and will blow most entry level camera's out of the water, and you won't take a huge bath on depreciation etc.

Rather save up for a proper lens. As they say: "It's all about the glass..."

Also... You will be buying into a system, which is a huge deal. I am, for example, a very happy Pentax user, but second hand pentax kit is hard to find. Canon/Nikon on the other hand have a very healthy second hand market going and something like a second hand 70-200 f2.8 L will probably fetch the same price you paid for it if you ever decide to sell.

There is awesome value in the Sony/Pentax/Olympus systems, but in the long run it will be a limitation....
 
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Where are you buying from and what price are you being offered?

I recently bought the E620 from B&H for pretty much the same price as the E420 was being offered here in SA
 
I have 2 x standard Pentax SLR's (35mm film type, not digital) and an assortment of lenses. I would love to upgrade to digital, but what should I go for if I still want to use the lenses?
 
EchoZA said:
I have 2 x standard Pentax SLR's (35mm film type, not digital) and an assortment of lenses. I would love to upgrade to digital, but what should I go for if I still want to use the lenses?
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I had the same problem just different camera. depending on the lens' though, your more than likley going to have to use an adaptor and you usually lose a few of the functions (ie: autofocus, lens IS, etc)

What I did was search on google for people who had actually converted to digital and put up reviews on how the old glass still worked. Of course most I found were Oly users who had moved to the same brand, so I did the same. My lens' are pretty old so I didn't have any of the functions to lose, I like focusing manually anyway with the old glass, and the worse that happened is some of my images will be cropped. Also since IS is built into the body for my new Camera, I actually gained some functions

@trawsaj, here is a nice comparison between them all, but they are all pretty good compared to each other. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/com...oly_e420,sony_dslra200,sony_dslra230&show=all
 
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Kalvaer said:
Where are you buying from and what price are you being offered?

I recently bought the E620 from B&H for pretty much the same price as the E420 was being offered here in SA
Click to expand...

Have mostly been looking at the prices on SACamera and ORMS. Does B&H ship to SA?
 
EchoZA said:
I have 2 x standard Pentax SLR's (35mm film type, not digital) and an assortment of lenses. I would love to upgrade to digital, but what should I go for if I still want to use the lenses?
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Any K-mount lens will work on any of the digital bodies.

For the older manual focus lenses the KA lenses will have automatic aperture control.

Latest model digital body is called the K7. It replaces the K20D. Both are really good bodies.
 
trawsaj said:
Have mostly been looking at the prices on SACamera and ORMS. Does B&H ship to SA?
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Ayup, and it arrived within 7 days.

I got the E620 with dual kit lens, Camera bag, 25mm Extention tube, Raynox Macro attachement, spare battery, and a 32gig memory card, which all cost +/-12K including import fees. The E620 alone cost the same as SAcamera's E420 lens kit
 
Kalvaer said:
Ayup, and it arrived within 7 days.

I got the E620 with dual kit lens, Camera bag, 25mm Extention tube, Raynox Macro attachement, spare battery, and a 32gig memory card, which all cost +/-12K including import fees. The E620 alone cost the same as SAcamera's E420 lens kit
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BUT... you don't have a local warranty.
 
Kalvaer said:
Dont need one.. Olympus offers a worldwide warrenty
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Most manufacturers offer a worldwide warranty, but their products imported, distributed and supported by local companies unrelated to the manufacturer, and unfortunately more often than not if you can't provide proof of buying it locally (i.e. going through their them) they will not honour the warranty.

The above is my general understanding, but if Olympus honours it that is real awesome of them.
 
Vetseun said:
There is awesome value in the Sony/Pentax/Olympus systems, but in the long run it will be a limitation....
Click to expand...

Only if you think you have to "upgrade" to another brand to become a better photographer. You don't.

EchoZA said:
I have 2 x standard Pentax SLR's (35mm film type, not digital) and an assortment of lenses. I would love to upgrade to digital, but what should I go for if I still want to use the lenses?
Click to expand...

All the K-mount lenses will work. The first K-mount lenses are simply branded "SMC PENTAX" - they're fully manual and fully mechanical, and using them requires shooting in M, but it works well. I have used this on my K100D Super.

The later ones are "SMC PENTAX-A" (like this and have some electronics. I can't remember if it can do Av or Tv or both - I don't own one like that now (someone walked off with my K1000 and 50mm f/1.2 long ago :()

Any lens after that, will work fully automatic with any of their the DSLR bodies.

In my opinion, the Pentax bodies are better than the Sony ones - high ISO/low light and colour reproduction in particular looks better to me. The K20D is superb.
 
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