Suggestions for a budget digital SLR for a beginner

3DataModem

Mam us taking up photography a little more seriously. She'd like a digital SLR (or at least she has been told that's the next step).

Suggestions for;
- a €500 model
- a €300 model
- a $200 model

All help appreciated.

DK32

First off i'd say read through this thread as it provides a ton of handy information about buying.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055557678

Having started at the bottom and worked my up to the higher end models I'd say starting around the €500+ mark will get you a nice starter kit with maybe one or two lenses.

These are just examples of what is available in that price bracket, I'd suggest you check out some of the review websites as well to help you decide and it pays to shop around Dublin & Ireland, mainland Europe & the UK can sometimes offer decent shipping.

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/2506254/art/canon/eos-1000d-ef-s-18-55-f-3.html
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/3230692/art/canon/eos-1000d-ef-s-18-55mm-le.html
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/1176254/art/olympus/e-520-zuiko-digital-ed-14.html
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/3970750/art/nikon/d3000-af-s-dx-nikkor-18-5.html

Reputable review site:

http://www.dpreview.com/

Hope this helps

CabanSail

If she is the one taking Photography more seriously then I would suggest it's better to let her decide what will suit her best. I know it may take away the surprise element but getting your first DSLR is an entry into a System which is a decision which will determine how she proceeds for many years. Most people stay within the system in which they begin.

My advice would be to set a budget & let her select her own gear. Many here can give advice if needed. The thread linked to above should help her a lot.

WedPhoto

Choosing a cemera depends on the type of photography you are doing. The lenses are very important also, not just the camera. Check how much lenses are before you buy.I don't think you'll get a decent DSLR+lens for under 500 euro, unless you get a used one. like mentioned in other posts, DP Review is a great place to start as they offer in depth reviews for loads of cameras (they even post samples taken with the said cameras).
Whatever you'll decide to buy make sure you know what that camera can do and see if it is a good buy for you. Then, go to a shop that sells cameras and ask them to show you the cameras you are thinking about - this way you'll get a bit of a feel of the camera. play around with it for a few minutes and take some photos in the shop...Good luck

kumate_champ07

canon eos 20d

duffarama

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

canon eos 20d

Olympus e420 will be nice and capable and super cheap.

However, she may like to stick with whatever brand camera she has now and every camera you buy has to sit right in the hand, otherwise you'll never take it anywhere.

kumate_champ07

duffarama wrote: »

Olympus e420 will be nice and capable and super cheap.

However, she may like to stick with whatever brand camera she has now and every camera you buy has to sit right in the hand, otherwise you'll never take it anywhere.

20d can be got for 200-250euro second hand and is a great camera. has better high iso performance that eos50d, ie more signal to noise,dynamic range,color performance,detail retention at similar iso's

e420 is a nice compact dslr at a great price, but iso800 and above is very noisy. you need to study the four thirds format before you invest in it.
olympus have very nice jpegs straight from the camera

duffarama

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

20d can be got for 200-250euro second hand and is a great camera. has better high iso performance that eos50d, ie more signal to noise,dynamic range,color performance,detail retention at similar iso's

e420 is a nice compact dslr at a great price, but iso800 and above is very noisy. you need to study the four thirds format before you invest in it.
olympus have very nice jpegs straight from the camera

I did, that's why I'm on my second body

DK32

Available today only:
http://www.ibood.com/ie/en/product_list_comments/14993/Olympus_E-600_123_MP_Single_Lenslrefle_Camera_with_Zuiko_Digital_14-42mm_lens_and_double_memory_card/

kumate_champ07

duffarama wrote: »

I did, that's why I'm on my second body

that wasnt directed at you personally. some people may prefer a larger format.

I had the e510 and was happy with the image quality and size but autofocus and noise in low light was bad so I switched to canon.

Freddie59

Get her THIS BOOK as well. She will find it invaluable as she starts her DSLR odyssey.:)