something in betweeny DSLR and Compact

DanGerMus

Basically it's my mothers 50th and we'd like to get her something decent because i've loaned her my D90 a few times and she loves it. You know yourself lovely pictures and on full auto dead handy.

So something that will come close to the D90 on auto without all the bells and whistles. A little more compact and cheaper. say around 500 Euro.

Sir Gallagher

How about a bridge camera a little mixture of both, you'd get a very good one for under 500 quid.

Something along the lines of a Panasonic LUMIX perhaps?

Nforce

Was just about to suggest a Lumix G2...don't think it'd fit in your budget though.

Slidinginfinity

I would suggest something a bit different.
Look in to the new Nikon D3100.
It's the new entry level camera from Nikon and it has a "learn as you grow" mode or she can just leave in auto.

johnmcdnl

Sir Gallagher wrote: »

How about a bridge camera a little mixture of both, you'd get a very good one for under 500 quid.

Something along the lines of a Panasonic LUMIX perhaps?

I'd recommend this camera - have one myself and it can do everything I want it to do - without having a bag full of lens to carry round - pretty good quality image too - nothing on a dslr now but it's still pretty high quality and much better than most compacts...

have a look into it anyways and see what you think of it yourself - but it get's a +1 from me

DanGerMus

Thanks for the suggestions lads, the lumix looks fine but i really want something with as good image quality as possible as this is what the attraction comes down to. So a simpler version of the d90 really, the d3100 seems to fit that bill and i we should be able to stretch the budget a bit for it.

Thecageyone

D3100 looks a great little camera for the price. It has a Guide mode for beginners to walk you through setting up shots for the scene, as well as full on Auto of course. It's also tiny, might suit your Mother to have a smaller camera than the D90? It's small, but neat. Also you can borrow her your lenses.

nilhg

While going with another Nikon would make sense, the OP could also have a look at something like the Oly E-PL1, fits the spec and nice and compact.

cnocbui

nilhg wrote: »

While going with another Nikon would make sense, the OP could also have a look at something like the Oly E-PL1, fits the spec and nice and compact.

Spot on!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympus--PL1-Compact-System-Camera/dp/B0036DE108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1290285683&sr=8-1

£364.99

There is also a silver version for slightly more:


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympus--PL1-Compact-System-Camera/dp/B0036DE10I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1290285683&sr=8-2

£392.70

Thecageyone

I can't think of one advantage to a pen, or any other micro 4/3/reto style compact over any half decent dslr, other than it's a bit smaller. D3100 every time for me between the two.

cnocbui

Thecageyone wrote: »

I can't think of one advantage to a pen, or any other micro 4/3/reto style compact over any half decent dslr, other than it's a bit smaller. D3100 every time for me between the two.

I don't care what you think or what you would choose for yourself, I was addressing my suggestion to the OP.

Yes, they are a bit smaller:

Thecageyone

There's always one ... "Buy the camera I have, because if I own it it must be great ... " yawn.

get over yourself kid, I couldn't care what OP selects, jut suggesting what would actually be best. the Oly-Pens are a joke, there are far better compacts for the price. But ... I won't sleep over it

Kintarō Hattori

Thecageyone wrote: »

...But ... I won't sleep over it

You won't 'loose sleep over it'? :P

Borderfox

Take a deep breath and start again on this subject

Thecageyone

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

You won't 'loose sleep over it'? :P

Or lose? :P

Borderfox

This is me asking nicely anymore responses and the red cards coming out

joepenguin

OP id say a basic dslr is what you should go for. Im not up on nikon models but if the d3100 is the basic entry level one then that with a kit lens would be perfect. Plus you can always pick up a cheapish telephoto lens or accessories for future presents
Do have a look at various bridge cameras as you would have the pick of the bunch with 500 quid really although if image quality as opposed to features is the priority probably best with the d3100.

eyefordetail

What about the new Sony NX5. I ordered one the other day....havent got it yet but a friend whos a professional photographer got one a few weeks ago as a "handy" camera to take with him when hes just out and about. It can be fully automatic but you can do everything manually too. Sony have a VAT back offer at the moment so the camera with one lense and a flash actually comes in at around 500 when you get the vat back