Buying a new camera. £400 to spend

Chris_C

Chris_C

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Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a new camera. I have about £400 to spend. (That can be stretched a bit if necessary)

I currently have a Panasonic Lumix TZ8, which I find to be a really good compact camera, but I'm after something with a bit more, erm, ability.

So, what do I want from the camera?
  • Well, The ability to take good pictures of moving things, such as rally cars, (I'm going to WRC rally GB next week) woul;d be good. Is a higher FPS needed for this? I've seen a few with about 3fps that seem decent.
  • I'd also like to be able to take some good night time/starry sky images (long exposure). Anything below one minute is no better than my TZ8, so I'm looking higher than than that. Much higher if possible. I understand that the Olympus range can do up to 30 minutes, and the Sony NEX range have a bulb mode, but I've seen no reference of the maximum exposure trime.
  • The ability to take sharp images in the dark would be great too (example, skier in the dark).
  • I also enjoy landscape photography, so a camera that is good for long exposures during daylight hours (moving water/cloud images), as well as being good for sunsets, sunrises, and general landscapes woul be great.
  • Macro and zoom are something I'm also looking for, but I understand this is more in the lens. However, any help is appreciated!
  • Finally, video capability. I don't really have need for anything to do with 3d, but HD at 720p or above would be good.
So, thats my case. I've so far looked at:
  • Olympus E-PM1
  • Olympus E-PL1 (best deal so far, twin lens kit for £350)
  • Sony NEX-C3
  • Samsung NX11
  • Pentax k-r
  • Sony NEX-5
  • Nikon D3000
  • Canon EOS 500D
Now, as I've said, I have no need for 3d sweeping panoramas, I don't really have any need for tilting screens either, though if these are features of a better camera, then so be it.

So, please help me! Are any of the above good cameras? Which is best. What is good that I haven't looked at yet?

Any help will be really appreciated!!

Chris
 
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I just wanted to say that I've had the Nex 3 take a 10 minute exposure on bulb (So i'm amusing the Nex 5 can do this aswell).

I can only talk about the Nex, hopefully someone else with knowledge of the other cameras will give you the advantages and disadvantages of them.

Out of the Nex 3c and the Original Nex 5, i'd take the Nex 5. You should be able to pick one up for a good price second.

The Nex 5 will give you 7fp/s but the continuous auto focus might struggle with something like a rally, especially in low light. That's where a more expensive, conventional DSLR will always win.

The Nex 5 lets you use the Sony IR remote, meaning long exposures will be easier. (with my 3, I have to manually depress the shutter button on Bulb)

Sony only have 2 official macro lenses at the moment, the over sized and over priced SEL 18-200 lens and the SEL 30mm f3.5 prime lens. Instead I'd use Raynox adapter with the Kit lens. In terms of zoom, you have the SEL 18-200mm and the SEL 55-210mm. Next year Sony should release a fast zoom.

The Sony has a great built in HDR feature, which you may find useful for landscapes. And good dynamic range from the the 14mp sensor.

With the Nex 5 you get 1080 HD video, with the ability to change the aperture but not the shutter speed or ISO.

Good luck.
 
Was there any reason for looking at the 4/3rd cameras in particular ?

It sounds as if you want to do a bit of everything.
I'd look at a second hand entry level DSLR - say a Canon 450/500/550 or a Nikon D3000/D5000.
 
Thanks for the replies so far.
Was there any reason for looking at the 4/3rd cameras in particular ?
Click to expand...

Not really. Just so far, I've only really been looking at new cameras, and it's mainly the 4/3rd cameras that seem to fall into my price range.

Caravanwalks, yes, I had seen your topic, and it has allowed me to look at a few more ideas! I did have a look at a k-r today, and it is quite nice.

I will have to have a look at some second hand cameras too, but keep the replies coming, it's all useful!!

Chris
 
I've been having a look, and for my price range, I seem to keep coming back to the k-r and the Olympus E-PL1.

If I were to stretch my budget to £550, then I can get my hands on a Canon EOS 500D, with a twin lens kit. Or a 550D (only with one lens), which seems to be amazing for video capabilities.

I've also found that the Nikon D3000 fits into my original £400 price range, and seems to have a pretty good review.

Chris
 
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Chris_C said:
I've been having a look, and for my price range, I seem to keep coming back to the k-r and the Olympus E-PL1.

If I were to stretch my budget to £550, then I can get my hands on a Canon EOS 500D, with a twin lens kit. Or a 550D (only with one lens), which seems to be amazing for video capabilities.

I've also found that the Nikon D3000 fits into my original £400 price range, and seems to have a pretty good review.

Chris
Click to expand...

The newer D3100 should also just about fit under your budget. This site is useful for checking prices:

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod1585.html
 
Chris, these cameras you've been suggesting have a vastly different feel. I would get down to your local photoshop and try a few out before going much further. See what they feel like in your hands and you'll probably be able to eliminate a few of your choices.
 
How much of a problem is size? If you can carry around an SLR, get something like the EOS 500D. I think you would always wonder how much better an SLR would be if you went with the 4/3 cameras!
 
They are very very different cameras that you list there. I'd take the K-r if after a full DSLR. The good thing about the K-r coupled with one of the very nice pentax pancake primes is not going to be much bigger than a 4/3 or the C3 but it will have a great sensor and a nice viewfinder.

If you really are after a smaller body I would potentially wait for the rumoured GX1 which seems to be the actual successor from Panasonics GF-1 which apart from its aging sensor is still one of the best m4/3 cameras out there.
 
Well, I went to Jessops, spent a good hour and a bit in there, was talked to by two lovely ladies; and walked away with a Nikon D3100, Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 LD Macro 1:2, some uv filters, a bag, and a lens cleaning kit, and 3 year product protection, for £650. Considerably over budget, but I wasn't going to get anything as good for my original limit.

The battery is charging now, and I can't wait to have a play :)

Chris
 
Chris, how have you got on so far with the D3100?
I'm so tempted to upgrade from my bridge camera and have a similar price range to yourself. At the minute, Argos is doing the older D3000 for £329, which I can't help thinking is an incredible deal.
In saying that, the D5100 would not be out of range if you get the interest free credit option at jessops with the lens that you mention above.
 
It's great! Used it for the first time at rally GB and managed to get a fair few decent (and most importantly, in focus) shots with it. I'm very pleased so far!! Need to keep playing to get used to it though, it's a big step up from my point and click camera...

I'll put some pictures up soon.
 
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