What would you suggest for my first DSLR?

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PhotographyBuff

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It would be an upgrade from a Canon PowerShot A720 IS. I would like something that will not be too bulky. I would like the highest performance-capabilities/price ratio available. I would also expect a minimum of user-friendliness, bearing in mind that it will be my first DSLR.

Also, if you have suggestions that would make a good upgrade from my camera but not a DSLR, I would still be interested.
 
Well, you could think about a Compact System Camera from the likes of Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, Fuji or Samsung.

Depending upon the make and model they can produce image quality that is almost as good as a good DSLR to image quality that rivals the very best DSLR.

You can change lenses, just as you would with a DSLR and they have the advantage of being more compact and lighter plus you can use just about any lens ever made via a suitable adapter.

Depending upon what you want to do and how you want to do it a CSC may be a viable alternative to a DSLR and may be more like your current camera to use.
 
I started with my first digital SLR in January 2012 (after 35 odd years with film SLRs). In hindsight, I would have been better avoiding Canon. The lower end Canon sensors are a bit long in the tooth and suffer for image quality even versus a modern Sony NEX or the best MFT. In hindsight, if I could have started again, I would have chosen a Pentax K5 or a Nikon 3200. A DSLR is a better idea because of what it teaches you about digital photography.
 
Best advice is to try handling a few different cameras in the shop and see what feels right. I'd agree a DSLR is the better learning tool - there's nothing like an optical viewfinder to get you up close and personal with the act of actually taking a picture, I think - rather than holding a CSC at arms length and looking at a screen as you would with any compact.

Whatever you buy, take the time to learn the basics so you can actually take advantage of the extra flexibility you're paying for; remember that a DSLR left in full auto mode, or "sports" or whatever, isn't really going to do anything different to your existing compact in the same mode. To get your money's worth you really need to step out of your comfort zone and take control.

Oh and I bought a Canon around the same time as the previous poster and have no regrets at all! It a well built, very reliable and well designed camera that I've gotten some great pictures with, and I don't believe a Nikon or Pentax would have done any better. Remember what they say about bad workmen!
 
The Pentax K-5 or K-30 from SRS (for the 2 year warranty). Get either one of them with either the twin lens (18-55mm and 50-200mm) kit or, even better if you can afford it, the 18-135mm lens and you will be set. Far more bang for the buck (DSLR wise) than from any other manufacturer, an excellent user interface and weather sealing so that you can be happy using the camera in the rain or where it might get splashed!
 
Petri said:
Best advice is to try handling a few different cameras in the shop and see what feels right. I'd agree a DSLR is the better learning tool - there's nothing like an optical viewfinder to get you up close and personal with the act of actually taking a picture, I think - rather than holding a CSC at arms length and looking at a screen as you would with any compact.
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Gotta remember that lots of CSC have an EVF so you don't need to use them at arms length.

EVF's do have their issues but as a tool I think that in good light they're better than OVF's, in view histogram and WYSIWYG and all that :D but that's another argument.
 
Petri said:
Best advice is to try handling a few different cameras in the shop and see what feels right. I'd agree a DSLR is the better learning tool - there's nothing like an optical viewfinder to get you up close and personal with the act of actually taking a picture, I think - rather than holding a CSC at arms length and looking at a screen as you would with any compact.


Oh and I bought a Canon around the same time as the previous poster and have no regrets at all! It a well built, very reliable and well designed camera that I've gotten some great pictures with, and I don't believe a Nikon or Pentax would have done any better. Remember what they say about bad workmen!
Click to expand...


Totally agree, try everything you like the look of before buying, its the best way.

Also again agree, my mrs uses the 1100D and I use it for walking around with as its far lighter than my bodies and to say the basic canons have rubbish sensors is well... plain rubbish.

Try all and see what you like best, search the forum for example images and go from there :thumbs:
 
Go somewhere where they have a wide choice of cameras and lenses and go for the one you like the feel of most. Don't fall for the Canon vs Nikon arguments, good though they are they might not necessarily tick the right boxes for you. A CSC system might be ideal, for size and weight, ease of use and overall quality - if the Panny G3 had an optical viewfinder I'd have one, but I hated EVF the moment I looked through it.

There is no bad camera, but there will be one that suits you, only you can decide which one's best - we can only help.
 
As said, go to somewhere where you can feel the camera. Currys, John Lewis etc.

If you don't want to do that and just want to buy on recommendation then this would be my choice.... http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/products/canon/eos-550d-digital-slr-twin-lens-kit-85580/show.html?clickid=1GZVMaWea2zCxmeRDCyCMwBxUkW3aZV1nT1BT40&irmpname=CK+Net+Ltd.&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=cknet-cpa&utm_source=google-cknet (2 lenses plus a free Manfrotto 393 Photo Tripod)

[YOUTUBE]xpxqF5YuNQc[/YOUTUBE]
 
What do you want it to do that your current one doesn't?
Research which company's "System" you want to buy into long term.
Buy second hand and spend most of your budget on the lens. Early digitals; Canon 300d/10D or Lumix G1 can be had for less than £50, technically well out of date but within their limits can still take FAR better pictures than YOU. Experiment with the settings and take notes, its FREE.
After 12 months you'll know MUCH more about photography and which areas you want the next "Proper" camera to improve in and which areas don't matter so much for your shooting style. The decent lens you can keep and still use. If you give up you can sell it for most of what you spent. The old cheep camera is "Disposable".


Or just buy a Rollie TLR.
 
i do quite like sony slt's with the live view effect always on, its helps with getting exposure right, and focus peaking :D

but go try em and see what fits
 
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