Need help in choosing a camera

Hopefully in the next week or so I will be looking to buy my first DSLR camera but which one I have no idea. I have around £500 to spend.

I'm undecided as to go for say a D40 and buy a lense for it or go for a more expensive camera possibily the D40X, D60 or EOS400D and leave the lense for a while.

I am planning to get out to some camera shops this week and see what I like but any help in picking a camera is really appreciated

If you can stretch to it I would recommend the Nikon D80 Kit at £638.00, right now they are offering a £50 cashback too, so long as you buy UK stock (from an offical UK seller).

Reason I say that as you already have a camera that's quite a bit like a beginners DSLR, so you could bypass the entry level Nikon D40/60s/Canon 400D

Maybe even the Canon EOS 450D (around £560) - but I don't know much about that one, or how it compares to the D80. Generally the D80 is rated better than the 400d so I don't know how much the 450d improves on the 400d.

Then there are the new DSLRs coming from Sony!

Carole

There are those that like Canon and those that like Nikon It depends on what YOU are happy with. There will always be people who are in one camp or the other. See how the camera fits into your hand. Tip here is the heavier the camera the steadier one can hold it as a rule of thumb. Some cameras now have built in "anti shake" but both makes have that on some their lens lineup.

Couple of tips, don't just look at the camera and price but the cost of lenses and accessories that you will be buying for it in the future. Also before you actually buy the camera try out the demo ones in the store. One check you can do if possible is to photo something white and see how close the camera gets to the original colour. Nikon tend generally to have a cold colour (white) in my experience whereas Canon tend to be on the warm side ( more of a creamy look), you will see what I mean with the test shots. Also take photos in the street and in the shop (flash?), If they won't let you do this then go to another shop as all they are interested in doing is grabbing your money.

See how easy/hard it is to set the camera up for both locations, Although getting used to the camera will make things easier.




Don't go for the D40 range, lens motor drive isn't available on the D40 at least ,not sure about the D40x. As AZZ says have a look at the D80(no dust off feature) while in the shop.

I have seen the D60 ( latest addition to the range) and have to admit I was quite impressed with it, especially as it has the dust remove feature which is a big problem with any DSLR, and has a healthy 10meg pix, don't even think about a 6 meg pix camera they are on the way out, ie D70 range.

The canon EOS 400(no dust off feature) has been upgraded to the new EOS 450 so maybe the 400 is going to cease production who knows.

I can't speak for the Canon as I am a Nikon owner so you know which camp I am in but still trying to be fair to both makes.

What will blow your mind is the amount of different settings either camera has, Don't worry at this stage too much about this, it will come in time and both makes cover almost every possible situation you will come across, they all have auto settings which is where I guess we all start from and learn different settings bit by bit.

I know I am going on about dust but with all DSLR's it can be a problem and while in the shop have a look at the "rocket" blower a hand held squeeze thingy looking like a rocket.

One last tip, Don't forget to buy a memory card they are cheaper on the net but make sure which type SD or CF, and at least 2 gig with fast write speed (Sandisk Extreme 111) for example. Hopefully a good shop may throw in a 1 gig card as a good will gesture worth a try.


Hope this is of some help

Bazza

D60 is the same as D40 Bazza. AF-S lens only.
400D does have anti-dust as far as I remb.

D80 doesn't have anti-dust. It's only downside imo.

If you're not in any rush, I would wait closer to the summer Ca. I suspect the D80 will get replaced, and by then the new Sony and Canons will be out.

I cant fault the d40 so far, it was perfect for me as a beginer, the price was a bonus aswell.

AZZ
the D60 has dust off the D40 doesn't that is the big difference, and well all know what a pain it can be to get rid of same.
Having said that at the end of the day Carole will no doubt check out all the mentioned cameras and choose the one that suits her best and her pocket.

They are now so very much alike making a choice is hard and its hands on which will decide.





Bazza

The D60 doesnt have an AF motor in the body either (i think)

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1030

Carole
Have a look at the above link and see what others say about cameras, also camera reviews.

If that don't make things harder to choose.

Bazza

I was referring to the lens bit Bazza - D40 and 60 are similar in that respect

Sorry Azz.