On the right track for a new SLR?

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lostboy

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Richard
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Hi firstly I am new to the forum and would like to get your valued opinion on a SLR for an amateur, I have been looking for sometime and I am leaning towards 3 models. I will mainly be using it for travel and family shots.

The 3 models I have been looking at closer recently are

Nikon D5100

Canon EOS550D

Sony SLT A55

All seem to be fairly well reviewed but I am unsure if they are suited for a learner or if there is any clear leader in this pack. I am also open to other options if you feel I'm on the wrong track.

Thanks in advance

Richard
 
Hi Richard and welcome to the world of the permanently skint!

As far as your question goes, you will get a variety of opinions. The opinions will be biased dependant upon the responders choice of camera, so your best bet is to visit a camera shop and handle the 3 cameras in your shortlist. You will be surprised at how different the cameras will feel from each other and 1 will stand out for you.

Irrespective of which camera you choose may I suggest that you buy the best lens you can afford. Newcomers nearly always overlook the lens which, in most cases, is more important than the camera body.

Let us know what you decide to go with and remember to enjoy yourself!

Andy
 
Hi and welcome to TP!

Being a Sony user I will, of course, suggest the a55 :D But, like Andy says, it is important for you to handle each one yourself to find which one you find most comfortable.
Either way, you should be happy with whichever you choose.
 
Im in the same position as you atm, and what i've most commonly seen posted when it comes to choice of first dSLR is that it's the lenses which are important not so much the camera so go with whichever body feels best in your hands.

I've had my eyes on the Pentax K-r, seems to give so much bang for your buck.
 
Rustico said:
Hi and welcome to TP!

Being a Sony user I will, of course, suggest the a55 :D But, like Andy says, it is important for you to handle each one yourself to find which one you find most comfortable.
Either way, you should be happy with whichever you choose.
Click to expand...

... and as a nikon user I'd go for the Nikon ;)

I know it doesn't sound very helpful but they are all good camera's - once you have decided your budget and know which models are in that bracket then it really is personal preference. I agree that going and picking up each of them will tell you a lot. Make sure to have a root through the menu's as well - some menu systems are intuitive to one person but a total mystery to another.

At the end of the day I think it is pretty difficult to buy a bad DSLR now so don't beat yourself up too much about which is the right one. Make a decision and start enjoying your new toy :thumbs:
 
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Thanks for the tips it’s off to the shop to get some try before you buy hands on touchy feely followed by emptying of the wallet.
 
lostboy said:
Thanks for the tips it’s off to the shop to get some try before you buy hands on touchy feely followed by emptying of the wallet.
Click to expand...

Bare in mind the Alpha 55 isn't actually a dSLR, and has an LCD reviewfinder.

As people had said, give them all a try. Out of the three you've suggested I'd take the Nikon.
 
Looking forward to having a canon 550d dslr in my posession tomorrow along with a few accessories ;)
 
Had some try before you buy and ruled out the Sony and the Canon, so now to see which Nikon I prefer or maybe Pentax is the one for me
 
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