I want to step into the world of DSLR photography and learn photography. I am a complete novice and have only had a Sony point and shoot camera. While I want to learn every aspect of DSLR photography but since I’m a beginner I don’t want to spend too much. I have shortlisted Nikon D5100, Nikon D90 and Canon 600D. Although I prefer the image quality of Nikon entry level DSLR I’m still ready to go for Canon but in the future if my progress is good I would like to purchase Nikon full frame camera. Actually I’m leaning towards D5100 but I’m not sure if this camera has everything. I do not want to choose a camera that could hinder my learning graph. I wanted to go for Nikon D7000, but after hearing a lot of focus related problem I don’t want to invest double the amount of the camera I’ve shortlisted on a camera with so many problems. Is D5100 capable of auto bracketing for HDR photography? Please help.

I want my first DSLR to be easy to use. And it’s video mode should be really nice too, it should be easy to capture videos. ( like you do on an iPhone) you press one button and it records videos, and everything is in focus, I don’t want to manually focus which is hard. and I’m not serious about photography, just want to take good pictures when with friends and family. just want best image quality possible on an entry level DSLR

Pentax K-R ( 18-55mm )
Nikon d3100 (18-55mm)
Sony a33. (18-55mm)
Sony nex 5 (18-55)

I’m upgrading from my point and shoot, which has been great, but I just need something better. I’m looking for something that will provide quality that’s semi-professional but with simple functions and relatively portable. Basically, an entry-level camera for someone who needs more than what a point and shoot has to offer. I’ve searched relentlessly for high-quality cameras within my price range and I’ve narrowed it down to the Olympus PEN EP1 with a 17mm lens and optical viewfinder for 0 or the Pentax K-x with a 18-55mm lens for 0. Both are 12 mp. From what I’ve researched, the Pentax seems to give slightly better image quality, however the Olympus has a sleek, compact design that is definitely more appealing. The Pentax is a true DSLR while the Olympus is a micro four thirds. Everyone always says that when going for professionalism, the DSLR is better, but it’s bulky size just makes it a bit inconvenient and the Olympus seems to give pretty high quality images as well. I don’t want to sacrifice image quality for camera size, though, so I’m a bit torn.

Which would be better for someone looking for an upgrade from point & shoots who expects high quality images but without the complicated controls of higher end DSLR’s? I still enjoy shooting with manual focus and settings, but I just want something where the settings will be simple and user-friendly, as they were on my point & shoot.

hi,
i want to purchase a entry level dslr camera that has the best image quality (not resolution) and is good for begginers to practice with (i.e has a fully manual mode). i dont mind if it has video function but i am not particurlaly bothered if it doesnt. im wondering wether anyone has used the above 2 and can advise me on wich one would be better suited to me. Any other suggestions are welcome

cheers

After researching for a month about entry-level DSLRs, I finally concluded Pentax K-x is inexpensive and has a lot of features, unlike Canon 1000D and Nikon D3100, which cost about the same. It was also awarded the best entry-level DSLR by TIPA.

However, my only concern is that, in specifications it seems good enough when I read them but does it stay up to its mark in reality? Esp. the image quality? I saw sample pictures with same settings from 1000D and K-x but the 1000D pictures looked better in terms of noise reduction!

The ISO is upto 6400, but is the noise reduction efficient?

Lastly, how are the Macro photos taken by it with a normal 18-55 mm lens?

If you own a Pentax K-x or used one sometime, I would really appeciate your answer! Thank you!

I currently have a Canon EOS 500D. Im having trouble deciding which one to do whether to buy a new pair of lens for my canon (for now im planning to buy a 50mm f/1.8) or just save up my money until im able to buy a new nikon DSLR. (D3100 to be exact or maybe a better model if they will release a new one in the the future). sometimes i find nikon’s image quality (like the D5000 and D3100) quite nice compare to my 500D’s capture..regarding on exposure and color saturation. In my opinion sometimes i feel that the capture from my canon 500D doesnt look like it came from a DSLR ,sometimes it looks like it was taken from a regular compact camera..=(..and as i look into the different reviews in the internet about the 500D,they always say that the 500D is inferior compare to other entry level DSLR cameras..the question is: Is my canon 500D already a good camera to invest good lens or should i just shift to nikon?..need your opinion about this guys.. by the way if you are gonna ask i just have a 18-55mm lens kit now.

Canon EOS 1000 XS (480$ with kit lens)
Nikon D3000 (450$ with kit lens)
Sony A230 or 330 (around 400$ with kit lens)

All three camera are entry level Dlsr cameras, thats why low in price and in my range too, i’m not pro so it’s good way to enter dslr world. only big difference in the camera above is "live view" in canon. which doesn’t really matter for me. I’m mainly looking for best image quality.

Your suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

I’m looking to get a dSLR this Christmas with gift money and such, and I had narrowed it down to three. Then the sales came, and a bunch of much higher end ones dropped way down in price. Please don’t just blatantly go with where your loyalties lie, do some research and give an expert opinion. Here’s my final (not so short) list:

Pentax K-x w/ 18-55 @ 0 from Amazon
Sony Nex-3 w/ 18-55 @ 0 from Best Buy or Ritz Camera
Nikon D3000 w/ 18-55 @ 0 from Best Buy or Ritz
Canon EOS Rebel XSi w/ 18-55 @ 0 from Amazon
Sony A290 w/ 18-55 @ 0 from Ritz
Sony A390 w/ 18-55 AND 55-200 @ 0 (best deal) from Sony

I put the prices and store in case anyone else is shopping for a dSLR too, as these are the best entry level deals I could find.
@? I know the specs for all the cameras I listed. What I want to know is which one performs the best in the real world. Spec sheets only go so far.
After reading reviews, I’m counting out the D3000 because of high noise in the high ISO ranges even at the lowest resolution of any of the cameras. I’m counting out the Canon because of the incredibly expensive lenses to get a good one. The Pentax has no lens selection, so that’s out too. The A290 is out for low image quality. It’s a dead heat between the Nex-3, because of the minuscule size and amazing low light quality even up into ISO 6400, and the A390, because of the optical viewfinder and extra lens. So assume that those are the only two listed.

I would like to move away from just point and shoot cameras and I need help deciding what dslr to get. It doesn’t have to be too advanced and preferably as cheap* as possible. Id like it to have pretty good image quality (video recording isn’t important.) Also, I have no idea what lens to use for it, because aren’t they interchangeable?

*not this http://www.adorama.com/HSH3D2K.html?sid=12892690641011803&utm_source=gbase&utm_medium=Shopping%20Site&utm_campaign=Other&utm_term=Other

I’ve been thinking about getting a DSLR for a while now and I’ve seen definite improvement on my pictures by borrowing my friends old Canon Rebel but the cost of entry level DSLRs is a pretty big deterrent for me. I found a Pentax x90 on amazon warehouse deals for 0 and I really like the 26x zoom lense, but I’m not sure if it would be at all comparable in terms of ease of manual settings and image quality to it’s more expensive, interchangeable lense alternatives. Right now I’m shooting on a canon powershot 520is so I know that pretty much anything would count as a step up.