looking for a starter camera

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zooz

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i have just joined and looking forward for all the advice i can get. i have been a casual/social photographer but looking to get more serious. i have an old cannon ixus ( not sure the exact model) but its 5 meg and bought it back in 05. so am looking to get a new camera.

my question is whether to get a starter SLR or a top end digital to start with. am saving money so looking to buy in a few months.

from my research the following look good:

Panasonic LX3

or

nikon d60 or sony a300
 
I would definitely go for a starter dSLR as opposed to a top-end digital. I've no experience of bridge cameras but they may be worth looking in to as they offer the perks of both types of cameras. SLRs offer you the advantage of not becoming "obselete" insofar as you can extend the life of the camera by adding lenses to it which allow you to become more versatile with your photography.

I am on a Nikon D40 and, for a starter, I have found it is more than enough to get your head around and does not limit the photographic opportunities for a casual photographer such as myself. The issue I'd have with going for a top-end digitial point & shoot is that you'd soon find your options limited by the camera - not ideal for a developing snapper.
 
i have played around with the D40 and i like it. feels good. the only downside is on social occasion its a bit more of handful to carry around.
 
The smaller Nikon D40 is quite cheap now as well I think...I got my Canon 400D a few years back loved it....

Why no Canons in your choice??
 
zooz said:
i have played around with the D40 and i like it. feels good. the only downside is on social occasion its a bit more of handful to carry around.
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It is one of the smallest SLRs available so, if your concerns lie in it being impractical, a digital point & shoot may be more appropriate.
 
zooz said:
i have played around with the D40 and i like it. feels good. the only downside is on social occasion its a bit more of handful to carry around.
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If you think the D40 is going to be a bit of a handful, then your other choice's of Dslr are going to be the same. If you want a top end compact the Panasonic is a good choice so is the Canon G9/10.
 
Hi zooz

I am new here as well
I have 4 cameras i have bought over the years 2 fujis 1 leica d-lux 3 and a olympus e410 dslr.
The leica is a beautiful little camera a bit of a price thought but great as a point and shoot camera but the olympus is a nice tool as well you can so much more with it
I would go for a DSLR everytime now that the prices are a lot cheaper.

ccmmick
 
David Thompson said:
Why no Canons in your choice??
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i am very happy wiht my current cannon and i think its better quality than most of my frinds camera and its almost 4 years old.

but between the D40/60 or Cannon 450D i like the feel of the Nikon better.
 
zooz said:
i am very happy wiht my current cannon and i think its better quality than most of my frinds camera and its almost 4 years old.

but between the D40/60 or Cannon 450D i like the feel of the Nikon better.
Click to expand...

The advice I was given when selecting between Canons and Nikons in a similar price bracket was to play around with them in your hands and go with the one that felt better, such was the similarity between their image-producing results. You'll find as many happy Canon owners as Nikon owners on any photography forum and equally stunning results with either brand so, ultimately, it's up to you which you feel will serve you better in the long run.
 
At the moment the nikon bodies are superior to canon's offering IMHO. Both have very good lenses available however I believe canon to be superior in a couple of departments

100-400mm vs nikon's 80-400
large telephoto primes

If you need lots of reach then canon glass is better, but for most other things I'd go nikon (and I'm an invested canon user)

But the main thing, as Astaeus said, is find one that is comfortable in your hands and one whose menus/quick access buttons you can navigate comfortably. If you can't use it comfortably you'll probably not want to invest the time to use it to its maximum potential
 
I've owned my D40x for little over a week and I must admit, I'm glad I didn't go for a top-end compact or bridge camera.

The different controls and numerous functions might be a bit daunting at first but you soon get used to it all and it is great to learn something new.

As others have said, get yourself down to Jessops or other similar shop and handle a few, see what you like not only the look of, but more importantly, the feel of.
 
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