Spec me a beginner DSLR please!

[ElRazur]

Originally Posted by Kitten

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!

The Canon 1000d looks good, however I do remember this do not come with Image stabilisation built into the actual camera but in the lenses instead, thereby making the lenses more expensive. Right?

Don't quote me on this, the Olympus appears to have this feature built in, and perhaps mean cheaper lenses? Still reading around and plenty of information to take in. But I do appreciate all inputs including hands-on experience and views. Thanks.

[Jonny69]

You don't really need image stabilisation. Remember the camera is a LOT faster than any compact. I don't have it at all on mine and I can't say I've ever needed it. Maybe on longer range lenses, but they have it built in anyway.

[Mark]

If you want in-body IS, then that brings in the Sony Alpha range, which also offer live view.

That said, I'd personally discourage use of live view. The viewfinder will be better than anything you've used on a compact, and using it helps with composure and encourages you to hold the camera correctly. I also considered it a must-have when I got my DSLR, but I only use it when I have to (i.e. when I can't see clearly through the viewfinder, or can't use the viewfinder at all).

As for IS, yes, it's useful, and yes, in-body IS tends to be cheaper, and obviously works on most lenses (won't say all just in case there's an exception). That said, in-lens IS can be optimised for the lens and can also give better results.

Cleaning systems won't help you keep lenses clean. They're for the sensor and are of limited use. Taking care when changing lenses is the best thing you can do to keep the sensor clean.

[Stan_Lite]

Originally Posted by Jonny69

You don't really need image stabilisation. Remember the camera is a LOT faster than any compact.

Technically, this is correct. However, I find that IS becomes extremely useful in low light situations when slightly longer shutter speeds are required. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to use a slower shutter speed and don't have a tripod easily to hand, IS can be a Godsend.

Originally Posted by Mark

I'd personally discourage use of live view. The viewfinder will be better than anything you've used on a compact, and using it helps with composure and encourages you to hold the camera correctly. I also considered it a must-have when I got my DSLR, but I only use it when I have to (i.e. when I can't see clearly through the viewfinder, or can't use the viewfinder at all).

I wouldn't actively discourage using live view but I would actively encourage using the viewfinder as much as possible. Like Mark, I only use live view when it's absolutely necessary - i.e. difficult or impossible to access the viewfinder. I found that when I moved up to DSLR, I quickly adjusted to using the viewfinder to the point that now, I find myself putting my compact camera to my eye and cursing the lack of a viewfinder. I really need to find a compact that has one. I think you may be surprised how easily you adjust to using the viewfinder

[Lopez]

I have a Canon 1000D. I didn't buy it so I don't need to defend it
It has Live View but I don't use it (even as a speccy four eyes), I've started to get used to the viewfinder again after 8 years of not using them.
IS is on the lenses not the body, you are correct. It has sensor cleaning. Massive range of lenses being a Canon.

Excuse the utterly crap post structure, just about to go out!

[ElRazur]

Hey people, here is one of the final short-list I am looking at



http://www.jessops.com/online.store/...7947/show.html

Includes Sony Alpha a300 with 18-55mm lens, plus a Tamron 70-300mm lens (5138082)

In this exclusive model for Jessops, Sony combines superb 10.2 megapixel resolution, a high quality DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens, and Live Preview in a large tilting 2.7" LCD monitor for point-and-shoot simplicity.

It has super-quick AF response, 3 fps continuous shooting while the subject is still visible in the viewfinder, and high sensitivity (ISO 3200) for great low-light shots. What's more, you get simple controls, Creative Style settings and in-camera Super SteadyShot image stabilization that work with every Sony, Carl Zeiss and legacy Minolta a-mount lens. Also includes Stamina power for up to 730 shots, Auto Pop-up Flash and many more features.

10.2 megapixel Super HAD CCD
Superb image quality gives you great shots right from the start, with a large APS-size CCD imager developed by Sony to expand dynamic range, and minimize noise more effectively for clear, sharp photos even at high sensitivity setting (up to ISO 3200).

Live Preview of Your Subject
The A300’s Live Preview mode links you and your subject on a large 2.7” LCD screen, for a familiar point-and-shoot style - with super-quick AF response and accurate exposure control to help you catch the perfect moment. In Live Preview mode, the camera bypasses the optical pentaprism mirror to create a live “eye-to-eye” view.

Tiltable 2.7” Clear Photo LCD Plus Screen
A large built-in screen with 2-way angle tilt provides a sharp, clear view of your subject and tilts up or down for low-angle or high-angle monitoring in situations where you want a child-level or overhead shot.

Continuous Shooting While Viewing
The A300 lets you shoot continuously at up to 3 frames per second while you see your subject in the viewfinder, so you never lose track of the action. In JPEG mode, you can shoot up to the limit of your flash memory card; in RAW Burst Mode you can capture up to 6 shots, with intelligent buffer management to allow more shots to be captured without waiting for the buffer to clear.

Smart Teleconverter 2x Zoom
At the touch of a button you can zoom in electronically on your subject, reproducing pixels on a 1:1 basis with no degradation in picture quality. One touch zooms in at 1.4x, the second touch advances to 2x zoom - creating the 35mm equivalent of a 200mm telephoto effect with the A300’s standard 18-70mm zoom lens.

Expanded ISO Sensitivity
A broad sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200 enables the DSLR-A300 to capture beautiful colour images even in very dim light - with High ISO Noise Reduction technology that reduces picture noise artifacts at high-sensitivity ISO 1600 and ISO 3200 settings by eliminating noise from RAW data after analogue-to-digital conversion.

Super SteadyShot In-Camera Image Stabilization
Because image stabilization is built into the A300, every lens benefits by an advantage of from 2.5 to 3.5 exposure steps. This allows you to shoot effectively with minimum blur even in low light without flash - or adjust exposure control for smaller lens aperture, to increase depth of field and bring both foreground and background into sharp focus.

Bionz Image Processor
The “brain” of the A300 is the advanced Sony Bionz Image Processor, using hardware-based Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry to enhance images with rich tonal reproduction, improved white balance and exposure control, and expanded D-Range Optimizer capabilities. With 2-channel data transfer from CCD to processor, your camera can also respond faster.

1200-zone Evaluative Metering
Exposure information from the image sensor dedicated to Live View is divided into 1200 zones of luminance and RGB colour information. In addition D-Range Optimizer technology contributes to judge the scene and then determine the optimum exposure to reproduce images with a more natural look.

Dynamic Range Optimizer
To improve results with backlit subjects and recover details hidden in shadows or lost in glare, the A300 provides Dynamic Range Optimizer at two levels: Normal DRO, to improve detail using standard gamma curves for fast shot-to-shot response time, or Advanced DRO, to adjust dynamic range area-by-area for the greatest precision.

Anti-Dust Technology
Changing lenses in a DSLR can allow dust to enter the camera, so to keep the CCD imager cleaner for better pictures, the A300 utilizes both static-free anti-dust coating on the CCD filter and anti-dust vibration that automatically shakes the CCD to dislodge dust each time the camera is shut off.

Auto Pop-Up Flash
The camera flash automatically pops up and fires when needed. Auto Pop-up works in Auto mode and some scene selection modes; Flash is cancelled in Landscape, Sport or Sunset modes and in “Flash Off” position on the Exposure Mode dial.

Eye-Start Autofocus System
It begins precision autofocus adjustments the moment you raise the camera to your eye, so unlike some DSLR cameras that don’t start focusing until the shutter button is half-pressed, the Sony A300 never slows down your ability to catch fast action.

9-Point Center Cross AF Sensor
A fast focus motor and improved focus control help bring images into sharp definition more quickly, with predictive focus control that automatically calculates the position of a fast-moving subject.

Scene Selection Modes
Along with auto exposure, the A300 gives you scene selection modes to optimize camera performance for Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset and Night Portrait/Night View situations.

Creative Style Settings
To express your creativity and personal taste, you can adjust contrast, saturation and sharpness settings for any of 8 finishing styles, including Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night View, Sunset, B & W and Adobe RGB modes.

Index and Slide Show Display
To quickly review your photos, the A300 can display 4, 9 or 25-frame index views or present automatic slide shows with fade-in/fade-out effect.

High-Resolution Thumbnails for PhotoTV HD Viewing
The A300 automatically creates high-resolution thumbnail images for viewing on Sony’s BRAVIA HDTV in optimized PhotoTV HD mode, with image format adjustable for standard 3:2 or widescreen 16:9 display.

Function Guide Display
On-screen menus are intuitive, easy-to-use and a simple Camera Function Display can be activated and operated with one hand using the “Fn” (Function) button and controller button to adjust Flash mode, Autofocus mode, White Balance, Metering mode, AF area and D-Range Optimizer.

Stamina Battery Power
In optical viewfinder mode, you can take up to 750 shots on a fully charged NP-FM500H InfoLITHIUM battery, and you’ll be able to see about how much power remains in percentage increments, so you can keep shooting in confidence.

High-Capacity Media Options
For conveniently storing and sharing your images, the A300 accepts CompactFlash Type I/II media and optional Memory Stick PRO Duo media.

Advanced Lenses and System Accessories
Sony’s Alpha system gives you everything you need to expand your creativity in DSLR photography: precision Sony DT zoom lenses and specialty lenses, Sony “G” Series lenses with advanced motorized autofocusing, amazingly bright Carl Zeiss lens designs, professional-quality flash units, and over 16 million Minolta a-mount lenses sold worldwide.

Anything brand or make out there than can match this in terms of feature and price?

Planning on purchase end of August.

[Matblack]

It's a good camera, what you will find is that there isn't the wealth of accessories and additional lenses that you would get with Canon and Nikon but the Sony cameras are good

MB

[Mark]

The α300 was a serious contender when I was weighing up options. In fact, it was a close second to the 450D I got (I preferred the viewfinder on the 450D, otherwise I could very well be a Sony owner now).

What Matt said is true - many, many more accessory options for the 'big two', but Sony has a good range and "G" series lenses are often considerably cheaper than their Canon L counterparts.

Big problem though - the α300 was discontinued some time ago, so unless Jessops have some secret stock squirreled away or you happen upon a store with stock, you're probably out of luck.

[ElRazur]

Thanks guys.

The A300 is still in stock in most Jessops stores for pick up only.

Gosh, buying a camera is a nightmare. Too many stuff to pick from, and it just get confusing.

In terms of accessories, is there any way to find a list of how the major manufacturers performs? So we have Canon and Nikon on top, how does Pentax compare? As it stand, I am looking at Pentax K-x and in comparison with one of the Sony A390 (similar to the A300) it was rated as better.

It also appears to perform better than the offerings from Canon and Nikon too.

http://snapsort.com/compare/Pentax_K...lpha_DSLR-A390


Anyone had any experience with the Pentax Dslr range?

[Mark]

Might have had a play with one - there were five on my shortlist - Panasonic, Sony, Canon, Nikon, and one other, which I think was Pentax. If so, it got dropped off my list pretty quickly as I didn't think much of the look and feel.

That said, any DSLR should be a big leap forward over a P&S if properly used. So it's down to features, handling, accessories etc.

In terms of accessories, Pentax have a fairly long history. Sony don't (but they 'bought' some so it's not as bad as that statement might seem).

In the end, it's personal choice. Get what's right for you.