Looking to buy my first dlsr camera!

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Toon49

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Jade
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I'm sure you've seen threads like this a million times before but I'm going to ask for help anyway!
I'm looking to buy my first DSLR camera after using a bridge and a film pentax, I don't mind buying second hand and to be honest think this is the best bet for my budget of around £200.
So far I have done alot of reading and I'm now totally confused about which I'm interested in as every camera has it's pros and cons. I've looked at canon 400d, nikon 3100, sony A37, pentax K-x, panasonic g3 and loads of others!

One question I have is, would it be better to buy an older camera which was higher end at the time or a more modern camera which is more entry level?

Does anyone have any advice on what you would reccomend, or even any good deals they know which are out there at the moment?

Thanks in advance!

PS I mainly take photos of landscapes but also do a bit of macro if that helps at all.
 
You will never get past the pros and cons and any relatively new DSLR will do what is required. I think people get a bit rabbit in headlights due to amount of choice out there. If buying used just use a pin to pick out any one of the selected cameras. If it doesn't work out you will know exactly why it didn't work, what was missing so will make a better choice for you next time.
You won't lose much if anything and will be more experienced to make the second choice. I really do think you need to use a camera for while before knowing if it is right or not.
 
Having just upgraded, from D40x to D90, i've gone through my budget, so now (despite it being a great lighteight DSLR) i'm thinking to sell the D40x to raise some cash toward a new 8mm lens. I can't post in the classifieds because i'm still a n00b, so it'll go up on the notice board at work and on Ebay.

Looking back, if i'd known i'd be selling/upgrading I would have given more consideration to buying used.

I would say buy new if you intend to stick with one camera for several years, but if you think you'll out grow it quickly, then buy used.

A used DSLR will already have taken the VAT hit and it will sell a year later for more or less what you paid.

As for the pros and cons, basically I can only speak on my own opinion about Nikon and Canon entry(ish) level DSLR (550d v D40x. I never got my hands on a 330d or 400d, so I can't comment.

Nikon I think have the build quality, they feel like small prosumer DSLRs, but image quality often requires later tweaking with Nikons free software ViewNX.

Canon have a slight edge on image quality, but the bodies feel plastic and cheap (especially the silver/grey ones).
 
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Get down to a camera shop, have a look around. Pick up as many cameras as possible and find out which one is the most comfortable. Any of the modern camera's will adequately do everything you want.
 
Thanks for the responses I know I should probably just go for one! To be honest I'm swaying towards the pentax as already have one so I can use the older lenses on it and they seem quite reasonably priced but I can't find a camera shop near me with one in stock to look at!
I do like the canon and nikons too so might keep a look out to see if I can get one reasonably. If anyone does have a recommendation on a camera I'd still like to hear it!
 
My original idea when purchasing my first camera, was a Canon, but went to the shop, handled it and compared to a Nikon, I went for the Nikon, purely on feel.

Personally, I would skip the prosumer and jump for a D300/s or Canon of equal standing ( not 100% ) but something like a 40D, if I've not got my models mixed up.

Your currently using a bridge,so like to take photos, don't mind buying S/H, so I'd save a little more and jump into that area. I'm no expert, but having done 2 upgrades to date, personally I'd go a step above prosumer.

Rob.
 
Be careful of wasted time and effort.
If you spend £200 on a camera and lens, you will soon want a better one for sure, then you'll lose whatever on selling that to upgrade again.
I would make every effort toraise as much money as you can and buy the best you can afford, in the mean time carry on using your Bridge

I made similar mistakes you see.
Bought a Nikon P500 bridge, after 3 weeks was hooked so bought a D5100 with kit lens.
3 months later a D7000 and some lenses.
I am now completely satisfied with the standard of camera i have. It really is something special when you compare it to the previous buys.
In all ive probably lost £150 on selling to upgrade twice. Imagine what you could buy with that £150...... A lovely 50mm f1.8 G af-s lens
 
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Gr8Shot said:
Be careful of wasted time and effort.
If you spend £200 on a camera and lens, you will soon want a better one for sure, then you'll lose whatever on selling that to upgrade again.
I would make every effort toraise as much money as you can and buy the best you can afford, in the mean time carry on using your Bridge
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Sort of agree with what you are saying but you are assuming everyone is the same. I still happily use a Sony A200 with a prime lens that cost me £200 all in and have no desire to upgrade any part of it. It produces images that are of high enough quality for my needs as a casual amateur.
 
ernesto said:
Sort of agree with what you are saying but you are assuming everyone is the same. I still happily use a Sony A200 with a prime lens that cost me £200 all in and have no desire to upgrade any part of it. It produces images that are of high enough quality for my needs as a casual amateur.
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wasn't assuming everyone is the same, just giving food for thought. If the OP recognizes this personality in themselves (as implied by my previous post) , then they'll know what to do. If however they are like my wife and use everyting until it dies then kick it to get some more life out of it, then something liek the D5000 mentioned earlier will prob suffice.
 
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Thanks for the tips it is something to think about but as I'm relatively new to the hobby and a student I certainly couldn't justify spending more so whatever I buy I'll be keeping for a good few years which is why I want the best I can get for my money really.
 
You mention that you like Landscape and Macro something that you'll find useful for both of those disciplines from time to time is "Live View" where you view what your looking at on screen rather then through the view finders you'll find that some older cameras will not have this feature :(
 
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