What is the best DSLR camera for a beginner that is under $700?
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$10 Answers
Your first choice should be Nikon D40. As it is superior not only in price tag but also in image quality. There is still no such proof that anti-dust control system wipes out all the dust on the camera sensor actively, rather it looks like only a business tick for the companies to make their sell better. Actually you should not prioritize the anti-dust control system of a camera when you are going to buy one. Rather your main concern should be on the sensor size and pixel ratio on that camera to make it sure that the camera is fast enough to response in low light conditions.
D40 is off course better than D60 in the concept of light sensitivity as D40's base ISO is 200 where D60 got only ISO 100 as its base. D40's pixel density is 1.6 MP/cm² where as D60 has 2.7 MP/cm². This means images on D40 are surely comes out with less noise than D60. Always remember that the more the pixel density there the more fuzzy and noisy image will be produced. Besides D60 will cost $150 more than D40, and the only thing looks like you will get with that $150 is extra 4 more megapixels. But with the cost of image quality off course. And remember that for everyday print (or way bigger than that) 6 megapixels are enough for sharp and crispy printing. And you can also use that extra $150 to buy other important equipments for photography (filters, tripod, memory card, etc).
Your question is so much related to me in the way that currently I am managing my only Mahalo page named as "Best Entry Level Digital SLR". This page is entirely dedicated to the beginner photographers who are looking for their first best entry-level dslr.
Here you will find all the great links that are currently available on the web referred to the best starter dslrs (all low budget but best performers off course). Besides I made a thorough research on the different website's reviews on these entry level cameras and made a list of top performer cameras under $600. I also add the main features of these cameras with photos and videos in this list to give you the most of it.
I also wrote an article on this page "DSLR Buying Tips for Beginners", where I told about the main facts or features that one should consider before buying a dslr for the first time.
Whether you are a beginner or an enthusiast in photography, I am sure that this Mahalo page will greatly help you to find your best camera under $700.
The link of my "Best Entry Level Digital SLR" page on Mahalo is given below:
http://www.mahalo.com/best-entry-level-digital-slr
Go there and have fun. You can also make your comment there on that page's message board, I will try to help you with all my abilities. Wish you good luck.
Thank you.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$Right off the bat, I'd eliminate Sony. Their DSLR "Alpha" brand is relativity new. This makes used equipment hard to find and unbiased hardware reviews elusive as well.
There are subtle differences between Canon and Nikon. The biggest difference is the onscreen menus. So, pop into a store that carries both and play with them for a while. If you're not sure in store, buy one at a big box store that has a liberal return policy so that you can try it out and return it easily if you're not happy.
My personal recommendation goes to this camera:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542463-REG/Nikon_25438_D60_SLR_Digital_Camera.html
The D60 is a very good entry level DSLR. It accepts the same lenses, flashes, etc as the pro models and even has very similar features as the pro's. At $600 it will leave you $100 for a nice bag and a tripod!
If you had just over $1000 to spend, I'd suggest that you purchase the newer D5000
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/620581-REG/Nikon__D5000_Digital_SLR_Camera.html
The big differences between the D60 and this camera are:
This kit comes with a 18-105 lens. This is a very versatile lens that can shoot wide-angle closeups or extend to reach long distances.
The LCD is bigger and it moves. Big LCD's are nice for reviewing photos and importantly viewing historgram details. The LCD also has "live view" meaning that it's similar to a point-and-shoot where you don't have to look through the viewfinder all of the time.
This camera shoots 720p (hd) video. The D60 doesn't.
This camera also has better ISO sensitivity meaning that it will shoot in low light conditions better than the D60.
One last note, once you know which camera you want, shop around. Many photographers (hobby and pro) sell their gear online so that they can upgrade to newer models. You can save hundreds of dollars by shopping used.
This site is the online standard for camera reviews:
http://www.dpreview.com/
Best of luck with the camera purchase, Demanda!
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Here's an active discussion of the D40 vs. the D60
http://www.flickr.com/groups/nikondigitallearningcenter/discuss/72157620665805458/
I think that the D60 is worth the couple of extra bucks because of the anti-dust tech inside of the camera. Dust can make a big difference and most new folks don't want to (and maybe shouldn't) clean the inside of their camera very often.
But past the dust stuff... they're very similar and a lot of folks may tell you to go with the D40 so you could easily be right @quantummechanic.
I agree with all of the above but I decided to go with the d40. It goes for $100-$200 less leaving more room in the budget for accessories.
The extra megapixels are a waste for me, and since it has the same size sensor the d40 is a smidge faster and little better in lowlight.
The most important thing is it takes great pictures of my fast moving baby.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=111
research on web and grandsons camera
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Good Shooting! Remember to always check out your lighting and decide on the proper settings before snapping away.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Another good one is the Pentax K100D. My fiance' is a photographer and she started out on this camera. It's affordable, durable, and the quality of the images is fantastic.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
The advantage of the electronic viewfinder is that you immediately see the picture you've taken without taking the camera away from your eye to look at the screen at the back of the camera (which is still there by the way). And even before taking the picture you can see if focus, white balance and exposure are OK.
By the way, I do not agree with the remark that Sony is too new in the DSLR world. Sony bought Minolta some time ago. Their DSLR camera's are built on the Minolta experience under the Sony brand name.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
If you want to find some other top rated and best selling Digital SLR cameras please check out this awesome list - http://www.squidoo.com/top-10-digital-slr-cameras-2011
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$Consider your capabilities, limitations and interest in photography.
Consider the situations and occasions you generally use to take photos and select suitable camera accordingly.
For the beginner, low-cost point and shoot digital cameras are suitable. Set the camera to auto mode and frame the subject. The camera makes all the adjustments for focus, aperture opening, shutter speed, etc. Auto focus features are important, but a camera with manual focus features can give greater flexibility.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
One good thing about Nikon D60 which D40 does not have and I forget to tell is that D60 has kit lens with VR (vibration reduction Technology). But this also true that unless you use zoom lenses for tele-photography this does not actually make great problem, as D40's sensor is fast enough to tackle low light condition better than D60. However having a kit lens with VR (nikon's image stabilization technique compared to canon's IS) is surely a good plus point to consider. But remember that you can select a D40 package with VR equipped lens. Follow the link below to find such a package of D40 with basic kit lens (18-55mm) +VR equipped kit lens (55-200mm):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/532253-REG/Nikon__D40_SLR_Digital_Camera.html