• Looking for a DSLR, budget $400-$600
    28 replies, posted
Hey guys, sorry if this isn't the right place to put it (the pinned thread says there's a megathread for this but I couldn't find it) but I'm looking to buy a new DSLR for around $400, $600 tops. I've lined up some of the features I want in order of importance down below. Brand doesn't really matter to me. - Built-in image stabilization (having it on the lens itself is a huge hit on the costs) - Live View LCD (hopefully with variable angle for the more tricky shots) - 14+ megapixels (for more cropping freedom) - Dust Control (I enjoy landscape photography so this might help, but I'm not really sure how much) - Extended Dynamic Range (again, mostly because I enjoy landscape photography) - Auto-focus motor (most of the lens being sold around here don't have AF motors in them) As for some additional info: I'm still a beginner photography but I'm currently depending on my cousin's D60 to learn, which I might have to return at anytime so I'd rather get something for myself to keep. I've already learnt all the settings and how they affect the final results, but I have yet to photograph something worthwhile. I also plan on getting a 70-300mm for "macro"/misc photography and keeping the regular kit 18-55mm for the rest. If anything seems too ridiculous/wrong about the post, feel free to post about it because there's really no other way I can learn. Anyways, thanks for your time and help.
[QUOTE=Kabstrac;36504643]You could try and find a Pentax K-7, but if you can deal with 12.2 mp BUT with better ISO/IQ, you can get K-r's pretty cheap. I believe Pentax has body motors, I dunno for sure. I believe either of those satisfy all your needs.[/QUOTE] Yeah, I've taken a look at both before but Pentax cameras are really hard to find here in Brazil. Might have been a good idea to mention it in the OP but I had forgot all about them.
Nikon D5100 with a kit and don't look back.
just gonna say this now buddy, you ain't gonna get all of those things for that price... you need to lose the picky-ness and you will find something!
[QUOTE=Kabstrac;36509409]except it doesn't have either: - Built-in image stabilization - Auto-focus motor if he can accept these terms, then yeah I guess it would work, though I doubt you'd find it for $400-600[/QUOTE] I dunno, maybe it's not something I look for, but are there bodies with built-in image stabilization? This is the first I've heard of it. And, not having a focus motor is a nuisance, but for $600 (if you shop around) I think the D5100 is one of the best DSLRs you can get. And, I know some people are probably going to disagree with me on this one, but for landscape photography, autofocus is really just a time saver, not a necessity. Sports photography? Absolutely a necessity. Event photography? Necessity. But in landscapes, there's [I]rarely[/I] a time when you've already got your camera out, just not in focus, and you say "I need to get this shot in less than ten seconds or it's ruined", and that's a generous amount of time to manual focus a lens. Plus, once I found out about zooming in on the live view to check focus (which gets really easy when your camera is on a tripod and you've got the D5100's articulated screen) and in the viewfinder if you place your autofocus point over where you'd want to autofocus anyway and then manual focused, the dot still comes up when you're in focus, so really, there are ways to get in focus shots every time without relying on manual focus. Soooo, my recommendation from the Nikon line is the D5100. I don't know hardly anything about Sony, Pentax or Canon, so I can't really say 100% it's absolutely the best choice, but I bought a D5100 almost a year ago and have never said "Man, I wish I'd gotten a different camera in this same price range."
[QUOTE=Him1411;36510922]just gonna say this now buddy, you ain't gonna get all of those things for that price... you need to lose the picky-ness and you will find something![/QUOTE] I know, I've just listed all the things I could wish for on a camera and hoped to find something with at least half of these things that fits in my budget. [QUOTE=Kabstrac;36509409]except it (the d5100) doesn't have either: - Built-in image stabilization - Auto-focus motor if he can accept these terms, then yeah I guess it would work, though I doubt you'd find it for $400-600[/QUOTE] I've found a kit with the D5100 + 8GB SD + camera bag + tripod + kit lens for about $750 so it seems like a fair choice to keep in mind. [QUOTE=Sirrus;36512993]I dunno, maybe it's not something I look for, but are there bodies with built-in image stabilization? This is the first I've heard of it. And, not having a focus motor is a nuisance, but for $600 (if you shop around) I think the D5100 is one of the best DSLRs you can get. And, I know some people are probably going to disagree with me on this one, but for landscape photography, autofocus is really just a time saver, not a necessity. Sports photography? Absolutely a necessity. Event photography? Necessity. But in landscapes, there's [I]rarely[/I] a time when you've already got your camera out, just not in focus, and you say "I need to get this shot in less than ten seconds or it's ruined", and that's a generous amount of time to manual focus a lens. Plus, once I found out about zooming in on the live view to check focus (which gets really easy when your camera is on a tripod and you've got the D5100's articulated screen) and in the viewfinder if you place your autofocus point over where you'd want to autofocus anyway and then manual focused, the dot still comes up when you're in focus, so really, there are ways to get in focus shots every time without relying on manual focus. Soooo, my recommendation from the Nikon line is the D5100. I don't know hardly anything about Sony, Pentax or Canon, so I can't really say 100% it's absolutely the best choice, but I bought a D5100 almost a year ago and have never said "Man, I wish I'd gotten a different camera in this same price range."[/QUOTE] Yeah, after talking to a friend and reading some reviews I've decided just to buy the D5100 kit I found earlier and a 55-200mm. I mean the lens is gonna be more of a long-time investiment thing since I don't really plan on getting any others anytime soon, so paying a little extra for AF-S and VR isn't that big of a kick in the nuts considering for how long I'll be using these things. So yeah, thanks for all the help guys.
highly recommend pentax for entry level personally, can't go wrong with in body image stabilization
[QUOTE=Inzalonus;36514004]highly recommend pentax for entry level personally, can't go wrong with in body image stabilization[/QUOTE] I know, but as I've said, it's almost impossible to find a new Pentax camera for a good price around here, they usually go for like 900+ dollars.
I personally have a Lumix G2, it's such a good bit of kit for the price you pay. I'd suggest it as a perfect entry level!
You could get a canon t2i, but i am not sure about the dust control and dynamic range, and its around 600
I have the D5100, great camera for the price. (got it for around 600)
Save some extra and grab a k30. It's a little more than your price range but has in camera image stabilisation and is weather sealed, which means no issues with dust or condensation when you use a WR lens. Pentax may not have the same market share, but they still produce damn fine cameras which are up there with Canon and Nikon in the way of quality and features. On top of that, they've kept the K mount for a long time, so you can pick up a tonne of second hand glass if you wanna try out a certain focal range before committing to an expensive lens in that category.
Yeah... I've already bought the D5100 5 days ago as I've said in the previous post, but thanks for the advice nonetheless.
oh haha, didn't see that The 5100 is a great camera too. It'll basically do everything you want and more.
[QUOTE=HiddenMyst;36600289]oh haha, didn't see that The 5100 is a great camera too. It'll basically do everything you want and more.[/QUOTE] Some would argue that the articulated screen is gimmicky but I've found it to be really helpful in situations where I would otherwise have to lay on the ground to look through the viewfinder or even just the LCD.
[QUOTE=Sirrus;36610547]Some would argue that the articulated screen is gimmicky but I've found it to be really helpful in situations where I would otherwise have to lay on the ground to look through the viewfinder or even just the LCD.[/QUOTE] I find it's great for long exposures with a tripod.
[QUOTE=Sirrus;36610547]Some would argue that the articulated screen is gimmicky but I've found it to be really helpful in situations where I would otherwise have to lay on the ground to look through the viewfinder or even just the LCD.[/QUOTE] I had a rotating/tilting screen as my lowest priority feature in a camera, but since I've owned my OM-D, I've used it quite a lot of times, don't knock it until you've tried it.
sounds like you want the sony a55 they run around $400 used body only, has built in IS, a 16.1 megapixel sensor, an auto HDR function, Phase Detection Autofocus with liveview and video (only Sony cameras have this), and an AF screw drive for Minolta AF lenses. So literally it has everything you want, but it will have an electronic viewfinder. The positive about the viewfinder is that it is massive, and not the tiny ones you will see on canon or nikon DSLRs.
[QUOTE=HiddenMyst;36600289]oh haha, didn't see that The 5100 is a great camera too. It'll basically do everything you want and more.[/QUOTE] Agreed. I have a D5100 and I really like it. The tilty screen is actually pretty useful.
[QUOTE=Trogdon;36684822]sounds like you want the sony a55 they run around $400 used body only, has built in IS, a 16.1 megapixel sensor, an auto HDR function, Phase Detection Autofocus with liveview and video (only Sony cameras have this), and an AF screw drive for Minolta AF lenses. So literally it has everything you want, but it will have an electronic viewfinder. The positive about the viewfinder is that it is massive, and not the tiny ones you will see on canon or nikon DSLRs.[/QUOTE] Wouldn't that make it not a DSLR?
No, it's called a SLT (Single-Lens Translucent) because of the pellicle mirror design.
Yes it isn't technically a dslr, but functions exactly the same and is styled like one, the only difference is lack of optical viewfinder. Instead of a pentaprism or mirror design the mirror is in a fixed place and transmits light to the AF sensor and imaging sensor simultaneously, and doesn't move during operation. It's Sony's bridge design between DSLR and mirrorless cameras.
[QUOTE=Sirrus;36610547]Some would argue that the articulated screen is gimmicky but I've found it to be really helpful in situations where I would otherwise have to lay on the ground to look through the viewfinder or even just the LCD.[/QUOTE] Yeah the articulated screen is far from a gimmick. Opens up a world of possibilities when you wanna hang over a ledge to get a great angle on something that you'd otherwise have to guess.
the articulated screen on my lumix g2 is absolutely brilliant! means i can take photos at ground level and still see a live view of the shot!
d3000's are good. Look into getting one of them.
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