Buying new camera this week...

[jonipossin]

I'm ready to move up from my Canon Power Shot SX100 to an SLR camera. I've been looking at everyone's "gear" under their user name and have been reading on-line. I always thought my next camera would be a Canon Rebel but now the Nikon D40 seems to be at the top of my list! You all have so much more experience than I have and I'd love, love, love to know what camera you'd buy for your first SLR camera... what would you buy?? I want to buy it now as I'm really anxious to start learning!!

Thank you!!
~joni

[MIDA78466]

I am new to a DSLR--have only had mine 6 months. I bought the Nikon D60 and love it. I narrowed my choices to the Canon or the Nikon---the Nikon felt better in my hands. Have fun with whatever you buy--I'm sure you'll be happy.

[audrey77]

Yes. Definitely hold them and try them out!

[Mary Rogers]

I am a Canon girl and first bought the Rebel XT, then upgraded to the Canon 40D last year...we LOVE our camera, especially now with our new 50MM lense. We upgraded from the 50MM 2.8 to the 1.4, what a huge difference...

now we will be investing in lenses : ) need to get a good sports lense next.

Congrats and Enjoy

[susiecw]

Digital Camera Database: Digital Photography Review

Joni, the above link DPreview provides comparisons for all the cameras. Thought you'd like to take a look. Susie

[artmidget]

When I got my SLR I looked at the canon rebel xsi and the Nikon D60. I was pretty set on the Rebel... but then on a whim I tried out a D90 and it was love at first click!! There was no choice, it had to be the D90 for me. I have had it for about 3 months now and love it!! But, as a side note I was told that canon and nikon are pretty comparable, it is really just a matter of preference. Both will take great photos.

[dugarner]

I think you do need to hold them and try them. But what helped me a few weeks ago talking to a photo professional about how frustrated I am with my new camera was he said, tell me what you take pictures of more often, what you want to do, and I can match you to the camera. Canon might handle something differently (better) than a Nikon, or vice versa, but you may not care if it has super-ultra logarithmic-geometric fancy-pants parallel hyperbolic processing because you never need that.

For instance, I know that I don't care much about continuous shooting, because I almost never do it---fps is not a big concern for me---but it really needs to be not noisy at ISO800 because I do a lot of low-light photography with a telephoto lens. Side-by-side models of different manufacturers don't always compare one-to-one, so read the reviews (Steve's Digicams is a good review site, too) and see if you can figure which matches your photographic style the best.

I didn't know my style when I bought my camera; it's a great entry-level camera, but that's exactly what it is---and I've completely outgrown it, six months in. It makes me sad. I'm selling it in September and upgrading (probably) to the Nikon D60.

So instead of primarily relying on brand loyalty, also look at the capabilities. I really think that the Canon and Nikon that run parallel in cost run fairly close in quality. Body matters, but when it comes down to it, glass will make or break the camera.

HTH!

[amcmillian]

Joni, I don't have any advice really as I am too green, but I just purchased my first SLR about 3 weeks ago. I went with the Canon Rebel XSi, based on reviews and the fact that my P&S is a Canon. It is very user friendly, the menus and buttons are easier than I expected them to be and I love the fact that the megapixels are high enough that if I do get a great shot that I would like to blow up poster size, I can. I have the kit lens and I got the 55-250mm in a package deal. I don't take pictures everyday and I still have a lot to learn, so I really don't see myself growing out of it too soon.

[hguenthe]

I am an oddball here and went with a Pentax because I found it fit my hand better and had features which were more important to me based on the types of photography I like to do, like Sarah (dugarner) mentions of matching the camera to you. Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus.. all good brands and going to give you excellent performance so fitting a camera to you is just as important as picking a brand.

Things that made my decision for me were: how it fit in my hand (button location for the ones you are going to use most often, how steady it feels in your hand), sealed body for better protection against weather as I tend to mainly do outdoor photography at beaches in whatever the weather is (wind, sand, water) and didn't want to have to worry about needing perfect weather to feel secure in taking photos & risking ruining my camera, and final major consideration for me was that the Pentax has the image stabilization in the body so I don't need to buy the more expensive lenses to get the stabilization in each and every lens so what I spent on the body, I more than save for in each additional lens I add to my equipment.

Whatever you choose, you will be sure to love!

[dorah]

I believe the new ones by sony also have the image stabilization in the body of the camera. I have been looking at the canon xsi or t1i but now am also considering the sony a230. I personally like the feel of the canons in my hand as opposed to the nikon.

[Jen D]

I agree with everyone else... I think it is what feels good to you. Canon girl myself =)

[THAT-GIRL]

I am the "NIKONian" girl... started with Sony-alpha-350... loved it 'cause of tilted screen option, but pretty soon (in 6 month to be correct) wonted something STURDIER in my hand, prone to bumping... I know we all saying that we going to be VERY careful with "my baby", BUT the truth is... anyway I got Nikon-D700... again 'cause it had pop up flash and Live View option... and basically never use nether of options... I think you just get MATURE with the time and use and many things that you think was important when you buy later... are not, like weight for example... never before wanted to carry too anything heavy for a shoot, but like my DH said: "If you ever want to become semi-professional... GET USED to it... so I did... builds muscles too... LOL
Good luck on your choice !

[audrey77]

I just upgraded (today) my Nikon D40 to a D90. The D40 was a great camera- taught me so much about photography. I feel like I am betraying it!

[sam ellis]

Being a nikon girl I am gonna say --NIKON.

One word of possible advice u need is that I think it is the D40 that doesn't auto focus (or something) with certain lenses. Maybe someone can jump in here that has had this but I know it has been an irritation to some people and i think it's on the d40.

Other than that have FUN shopping .

[jonipossin]

Bought my camera... a Nikon D40. I followed your advice and went in and held different cameras. This was a match!! Today Boyd and I went on my first photo shoot in our town of De Pere. The camera was so comfortable to use and I did get some good photos despite the off and on rain! We even lucked out with arriving at the locks when a big boat was going through. I had fun climbing all over the rails to get shots! Such fun!! Thanks for all your suggestions and help!

Now... how do I close this thread??