Fudgecakes
Senior Member
donut88 said:
Trying to start a flame war bro? :bsmile:
Recommendation for entry level DSLR
- Thread starter shaze
- Start date
Trying to start a flame war bro? :bsmile:
If you spend a bit more time here reading the threads about cameras, others than the limited range you have in focus .. you would be well able to proof yourself wrong.
The light is all the same for all cameras. The main ingredients like shutter, aperture, focal length, ISO are also the same. Some minor differences in the sensors and in the operations of the cameras. Some very interesting and useful features are not available in the usual C&N suspects. More to find out for yourself if you are brave enough to overcome this 'play safe' attitude. We are talking about consumer electronics, after all.
Fudgecakes
Senior Member
Octarine said:
+1 I second this
Perhaps you can think of it as these newer companies having to squeeze in more functions and better performance for a lower price than the canikon variants and thus are more value for money :3
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nitewalk
Senior Member
I always feel that every brand makes good camera. I always think this way, I have two good images from two people using different brands of camera. I'd have no idea who uses which. Sure enough, there are times I tried guessing the brand and model which some of the folks here are using, I'm more often than not proven wrong.
There are so much to learn than to spend asking which is better. If u need faster fps then compare fps between brands and models. Just make sure u read up on what places are better to get your camera and what is the market price.
There are so much to learn than to spend asking which is better. If u need faster fps then compare fps between brands and models. Just make sure u read up on what places are better to get your camera and what is the market price.
An example how little the influence of camera brand and type can be, depending on the subject:
Kidding (The article is from Oct 2008, cameras have advanced further since...)
The trained eye can see details pointing to the camera model, nobody claims that both pictures are similar. But everyone has to decide whether the difference is worth spending the money.
Kidding (The article is from Oct 2008, cameras have advanced further since...)
The trained eye can see details pointing to the camera model, nobody claims that both pictures are similar. But everyone has to decide whether the difference is worth spending the money.
Okay, so I shortlisted to :
1) Nikon D320
2) Sony A57
3) Canon 600D
Pentax is out of my budget.... =(
Ever wondered why the D4 have like 11fps but the d3200 have only 4fps? This mostly have to do with the mirror being able to move fast enough to achieve that rate of frames per second. Lower end cameras = lower end mirror actuators = lower cost = happier customer.
Shops bros here would recommend include SLR Revolution, Cathay photo, TK photo, John 3:16 and some say Alan photo. You can call or email them for an equity first before going down. Blacklisted chopshops are joys electronics, Bally photo, etc etc.
Do a search and you will find all these. Check the price guides section and you will find a list of recommended shops. Those not on The list are usually chop tourist carrot shops, shops that sell grey sets as local sets, shops that sell refurb sets as new sets and all sorts of other scam jobs. u can try them but don't expect too much.
Then there is an online shop called techno gadgets where they deal with grey sets and have very good reviews on customer service. In fact they have a mass sales thread here in CS.
Always ask what is included in the package before considering their price. Some may have a last minute change in their package, "forgetting to put something in" "no stock" or even "company policy is that you must buy a bag, tripod and memory card" kind of sales tactics. If
you ever meet such a salesman, walk straight out of the shop
EDIT: it all depends on the shop, really. But even if it is not, you should just invest in a better tripod. The free tripod that they give is usually extremely weak and flimsy. Better to not take and ask for more discount or trade in with top up to get a better tripod. Cathay has a large selection of vanguard tripods and bags and TK have a large selection of sirui tripods and think tank bags. Might as well buy from all these shops and wrestle for more discounts as you are buying so many items
I see...thanks for the in depth explanation. Not worth it to risk with grey sets. I will email SLR and john 3:16. I fb message cathay for quotations before. Read that emailing takes a long time before they reply, so I went with fb message.
Maybe if got salesman do weird tatics, change salesman first before walking out...try my luck? Maybe different salesman offer different price?
I think I won't bother with a tripod then, maybe borrow from my friends. Thank you for your help!
Fudgecakes
Senior Member
shaze said:
Now all you need to do is to go down to a megastore; courts, Harvey norman etc where they have such cameras on display and ask the salesman to let u try them out. Play around with them and see which suits you better.
Perhaps if Te button layout seems logical to you, whether the camera has more buttons to press or do you have to dive into the menus very often, whether you prefer to turn the zoom ring clockwise or anti clockwise when shooting, whether the grip on the camera feels good to you etc
These small details will make you whole shooting experience that much more enjoyable because performance wise, I'm sure they all are more or less the same.
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Now all you need to do is to go down to a megastore; courts, Harvey norman etc where they have such cameras on display and ask the salesman to let u try them out. Play around with them and see which suits you better.
Perhaps if Te button layout seems logical to you, whether the camera has more buttons to press or do you have to dive into the menus very often, whether you prefer to turn the zoom ring clockwise or anti clockwise when shooting, whether the grip on the camera feels good to you etc
These small details will make you whole shooting experience that much more enjoyable because performance wise, I'm sure they all are more or less the same.
Good idea, try out the camera at courts. When you say direction of zoom, do you mean that zoom can be done clockwise or anticlockwise or do you mean different lens? IIRC, nikon is anticlockwise to zoom, right?
Thank you for your views. I guess I will research more into these areas next time I upgrade my camera. All cameras have their own strengths and weaknesses, so there is no clear winner. So as long as the specs are reasonable for the price range, I will consider it.
Fudgecakes
Senior Member
shaze said:
Well try the cameras out and you will understand
Relative to a DSLR perhaps so. But it is rare that anyone needs more than 400 shots in a single day except for professional use. 1000+ shots is all well and good but for most of us it is overkill. I run my Samsung NX10 for more than a month without charging, and I shoot almost daily.
Mirrorless cameras are the natural evolution of DSLRs. They combine the best reasons for upgrading to a DSLR (the larger sensor and interchangeable lenses) with the smaller bulk and weight of compact cameras. There is minimum or no loss in functionality but much value gained in portability. Many former DSLR owners have reported satisfaction in having switched.
Sticking to DSLRs is alright if you are within a strict budget, but from a photographers perspective I think the buy-DSLR reasons are increasingly hard to come by.
Sticking to a brand is a good technique in the absence of knowledge and reviews. But we live in an internet world of which you are a part of. Make use of google, this forum, and other forums like dpreview.com to gather information about products. My advice is look at features. Look at build quality. Read reviews. Buy objectively.
In this made-in-China world following brands is not a guarantee of quality. Not just for cameras but for any electronic product. I have personal experience in this since no electronic item I own is conventional.
In the last eight years I have deliberately opted for features over brands, following reviews and ratings over what the salesperson may recommend. My first camera was a Fuji S6500FD (bought 2005 and still used by my brother). I now use a Samsung NX (b. May 2010). My phone is a ZTE Blade a.k.a Orange San Francisco (b. March 2011). My mp3 player is a Sandisk Sansa Clip (b. Dec 2009). I don't take care of my things very well but all work no problems. Brands mean very little to me anymore.
silvermoon1407
Senior Member
I feel that, if TS looking for entry dslr, all major brands are almost equally good. By major brands, I dun just mean Canon and Nikon. I feel that ppl always think of these two brands as 'the brand' for cameras as they are often seen in major professional events like sporting events, where u see all the 1Ds/D3s and pro glasses. In the pro category, they are definitely the better ones?
Entry lvl? All are equally gd with their own USP. Pentax are known for weather-sealing, Sony for higher fps. Canon is still a gd all-rounder, I feel, thou some ppl have an issue with its slightly smaller apsc (1.6x) sensor. Nikon has some issues with some lens compatibilty (not too sure about the details; I may wrong about this, dun shoot me).
With Pentax, Sony, and Nikon, you also have the option to use older cheaper MF glasses for creativity.
I personally would recommend Sony's SLT based on your shooting requirements. But the best way is to go to the shops n feel the ergonomics before committing. Online reviews can tell u everything except ergonomics.
Entry lvl? All are equally gd with their own USP. Pentax are known for weather-sealing, Sony for higher fps. Canon is still a gd all-rounder, I feel, thou some ppl have an issue with its slightly smaller apsc (1.6x) sensor. Nikon has some issues with some lens compatibilty (not too sure about the details; I may wrong about this, dun shoot me).
With Pentax, Sony, and Nikon, you also have the option to use older cheaper MF glasses for creativity.
I personally would recommend Sony's SLT based on your shooting requirements. But the best way is to go to the shops n feel the ergonomics before committing. Online reviews can tell u everything except ergonomics.
coolthought
Senior Member
all brand of camera with interchangeable lens uses their own propriety lens mount. It is a no brainer that nikon body can't directly mount a canon lens or Sony lens.silvermoon1407 said:
Hi TS, like you I was looking at DSLR as well. I was deciding between the Pentax K30 and Sony A57. I have read around and did quite a bit of research before narrowing it down to these 2. Features wise, for entry level these 2 are the most value for money. Don't know why you said that the pentax is out of budget. K30 with kit is under 1000. K30 with 18-135 is 13xx. Sony A57 for a period of time they were giving away a free 50mm/1.8. Can try calling MS Color. Not sure if they still have the promo.
In the end I bought the OM-D, simply because I was able to get staff price, and it's just o so sexy.
In the end I bought the OM-D, simply because I was able to get staff price, and it's just o so sexy.
SLT is not mirrorless. Read more before posting.
Right now the Pentax has the best noise performance of the lot. You need to read more. Also, "major" does not mean more reliable. For an example, Luminous Landscape took Canons, Nikons and Sonys to antarctica. Guess which one did not fail?
Better IQ in what sense? The Sony A65 (same sensor as the D3200) has better image quality from the reviews I could see. Also, at High ISO, the Pentax and A57 will be better.
Yes, we have them listed in the buyer's guides.
Unagidon
Member
shaze said:
If you like crop sensor buy any brands, but if one day you were going to venture full frame, try to choose a nikon or canon. Got an Olympus E520(olympus don't produce full frame digital) and got some manual lens, was happy with my photos, but eventually when I go into canon eos film camera(similar to full frame) , end up need to buy everything again (flash, lens adapter etc).
You can consider sony also heard they are coming out with mirrorless full frame, but their lens its not coming cheap (I think they are using zeiss lens)
I think beside the quality you should also look into the accessories available (eg most third party flash and grip are easily and cheaply available for nikon and canon) (tamron lens i think is only available for canon and nikon also)
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how come pentax is out of your budget?
if you have budget for A57 and 600D.. you definitely can buy the new Pentax K30.. and you still have a little more change..
of coz unless you are looking at Pentax 645D :sweat:
silvermoon1407
Senior Member
coolthought said:
I was refering to something like this, notably the lack of AF on entry nikons with AF/AF-D lenses, not the physical incompatibility of the mount per se.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm
Cheers
As fellow newbie, my suggestion would be to get a second hand pentax k-x with 2 lenses 18 - 55 & 55 - 200 or 300, which would cost you less than $ 500, after you have done with it you can still sell it for about $ 300 - 400 ?
Save up the rest of the money for your next camera and it's accessories.
Why pentax k-x?
1. It's cheap
2. It's good enough for a newbie
3. It uses AA batteries instead of specialized model
4. just read the review to know more
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