Help Picking Out A D-SLR, Suggestions?
I'm turning 15 in October and I'm a photographer. I want a new camera but I don't know what kind I should get. My budget is $500 to $700 and I prefer top camera brands only (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Lecia ETC.). My current camera is a Kodak z990 and it will be my long range shooting camera since telephoto lenses are not cheap. So if you have a good camera for me than give your suggestions and I will be happy to read them.
The two most popular dSLR cameras are the Nikon D3200 and Canon T3i/600D
The main reason is because both systems offer the most accessories including over 70 different lenses that are currently available new. Both systems also have hundreds of so called legacy lenses you can find used it your budget is a little low at present.
* spend some time reading about the cameras on the makers websites.
* visit a proper camera shop and hold the cameras in your hands to see which feels best to you.
Sorry, but photographers know how to pick their own cameras.
The Canon T3 or Nikon D3100 would be good. Both are around $500. For around $700, you could get the Canon T3i (or a T2i, if you can find one that's cheaper. The only difference is that the T3i has an articulating screen.) or the Nikon D5100. Pentax is also a good camera brand that doesn't get as much attention and therefore has excellent prices on their dslrs to be competitive. For example the Pentax K-r was great image quality and is better in low light than the Nikon D5100.
Those are the cameras that I recommend: the T3, T2i, T3i, D3100, D5100, or the K-r. But what's more important than all the technical stuff is which one you're more comfortable using.So, go to a store that sells dslrs such as bestbuy, sears, wal mart, or even better, a camera store and see which one feels better to use for you.
Hi. Going for top brands is very sensible. In my decades of experience, I have always worked w/Canon. Never had a SINGLE problem ever. I've got an EOS Rebel XT now. I'm sure other photogs will sneer that it's an ancient 'box'. Let them. She's been a trusty workhorse for 7 years and still takes beautiful photos. I don't need the latest 'bells & whistles'--nor do you.
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Sigma makes (or did) an excellent 18 - 125 zoom lens. The workhorse loves it. Sigmas are good, affordable lenses.
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The people that want the every latest are always turning their old cameras and lenses. Check Craigslist. You're smart to stay w/the best. Now look for that deal. You'll find it.
Best of luck and happy lens-ing.
Pentax make DSLRs, Leica don't and you won't get a Leica for $700.
Find a dealer and handle a couple of candidates.
You won't be a serious photographer unless you have a dSLR in your hands. The most "serious" of them all is Hasselblad. That is unless you have a Leica rangefinder around your neck.
Canon and Nikon are basically the only top brands, Sony is coming up there shortly, Olympus is out of the game and Leica is 10x more than you want.
Canon EOS T2i and Nikon D3100 are your best options, packed with a 18-55 or 18-135mm/18-105mm you are set for most things.
Here's a DSLR Buying Guide - http://www.smashingcamera.com/which-dslr-camera-to-buy/
Someone here said that Canon and Nikon are the only top brands. Well, that's because they pay lots of money for heavy advertising and marketing and placement in major retail chains. I bought a Pentax instant point and shoot film camera over 2 decades ago and fell in love with Pentax.So, when I bought my first DSLR, it was a Pentax KX, in 2010. And just a few months ago, I bought a Pentax K5, which is smaller and more compact that Nikon or Canon, and is weather sealed. The nice thing is, I can use old film lenses on my new DSLR cameras, but you can't do that with the other brands unless you buy a special adapter.
The one drawback with buying a Canon or Nikon for a $500 to $700 range is that they feel 'plastic-like'. I've handled the cheaper entry level Canons and Nikons at my local retail store and compared it with my $569 Pentax KX, and the KX feels much more solid, because it is. Pentax has always had the reputation of building hearty, solid cameras that can tough through a lot of situations.
There's also a newer version of the KX, which is the KR that uses a rechargeable Pentax battery.