Spec me a beginner DSLR please!

[ElRazur]

My needs are simple.

Live view (A must)

Anti-Dust feature (A must)

I suppose that is it. My budget is £400.00, and the moment I am looking at the Olympus E600 or Pentax Kx. Is there any other stuff to consider?

I do general stuff like landscape, wild life and shot at parties/event once in a while.

[Jonny69]

Originally Posted by ElRazur

Live view (A must)

Don't know what that means but...

Any of the entry level Canons are easy to pick up and learn. If you choose to go second hand I think it's the 400D onward that has automatic sensor cleaning. My 350D doesn't and it's a pain in the ass.

[Kitten]

My 400D has ASC but it doesn't do Live View - I think that started with the 450D. Any reason why you're going for those two El & not Canon/Nikon? I went from a 400 to a 40D (which has LV & ASC) and think that as I've improved (over 2 years or so) it's been a godsend being able to move up with the lenses I've already spent out on and know well. Because so many people have Canon/Nikon, you can get really good glass relatively cheaply too. With 400.00 you would easily be able to get a 2nd hand 450D and a lens or two, and probably even a brand new one. What's the trading up options on those that you're looking at?

[lostkat]

The 1000D has live view and is less than £400 with the std kit lens

[TinkerBell]

Originally Posted by lostkat

The 1000D has live view and is less than £400 with the std kit lens

But that is a Canon! Don't want that

[Mark]

For proper (full time) live view you'll have to go Micro Four-Thirds system, which means Olympus and Panasonic. These have the best live view on the market, by far.

If you're happy with occasional (and somewhat slow) live view then most recent models from most manufacturers will do that. As lostkat said, 1000D does, but I don't know enough about the entry level models from other brands to be sure.

[ElRazur]

Thanks people.

I have read around to get some more information and what not, while the some of the suggestion made so far are good, some of them are lacking the features I consider to be necessary for me.

This purchase will be my first digital slr ever, and as such it would be nice to have that anti-dust/self cleaning feature. I read it can be a bit of PITA cleaning the lenses every now and then.

Live view allows me to compose my shots -something I use a lot on my current bridge-type camera [fujifilm 9600]. To spend about £400 on a camera not having this feature is just something I am not ready to do at this point in time lol.


@Mark
Yeah I kinda suspect that, hence why I am considering the Olympus E600 or Pentax Kx.

Here is the E600 review.
http://www.pocket-lint.com/review/45...-camera-review

[Kitten]

Originally Posted by TinkerBell

But that is a Canon! Don't want that

If you want the best equipment for the price range you weigh up all the odds, you don't just rule something out because it's Canon or Nikon or whatever brand it is you've taken a dislike to. To rule something out on that basis is just a bit stupid to me, cutting off of noses and face spiting comes to mind

El, I don't know anything about those two so I can't comment other than to say that I think you'll find yourself limited quite quickly if you rule out the option of a Nikon/Canon, as you'll have to change all your equipment if you want to trade up.

I'm not sure why the Canon 450D/1000D with live view and sensor cleaning isn't an option when they have both the things you mention and is in your price range, so I must be missing something. As I said I don't know either of those cameras you mention, so very possible!

[TinkerBell]

Originally Posted by Kitten

If you want the best equipment for the price range you weigh up all the odds, you don't just rule something out because it's Canon or Nikon or whatever brand it is you've taken a dislike to. To rule something out on that basis is just a bit stupid to me, cutting off of noses and face spiting comes to mind

I was joking . I did the same when I was looking for a camera, but because I had only ever used nikon and didn't like the feel of the canon to hold, I went for a nikon I don't dislike canon, I just won't buy one as it doesn't suit
me

[Kitten]

Originally Posted by TinkerBell

I was joking .

I know, that's why I Some people are serious about it though and I just don't get it. It's like the Mac V PC debate. Just try them out and choose which one you like the best! I really didn't like the Nikon fit, Just felt weird.