Sister wants a DSLR for xmas - Which one?

[Jlude]

She wants a DSLR for xmas. Her fiance said she's not THAT into photography, it's not like she's aspiring to be a pro. If she shows and interest and gets into it further, she'll get something better down the road.

As for now, what should I get. I was thinking 300-500 might get me a decent beginner camera. I don't mind spending around 1k for one, but no more.

Thoughts on these two?

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/canon-eos-digital-rebel-xs-10-1mp-digital-slr-camera-with-18-55mm-is-lens-kit/10109189.aspx?path=008423d67de61bea6fb99906bd2f6af0en02

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/nikon-nikon-d3000-10-2mp-digital-slr-camera-with-af-s-dx-nikkor-18-55mm-lens-non-vr-kit-d3000/10135597.aspx?path=07d16ccb2e7e71c392a8188205989422en02

[quazimoto]

For the beginner segment and for most people that just want a DSLR as opposed to the basic point and shoot I would say go with the Canon Rebel. The entry level canon bodies do offer a bit more over the Nikon's. You really can't go wrong with either but at the entry level Canon does offer a bit more in terms of value. You really only start seeing the value Nikon provides in their upper level bodies. At the moment their true entry level stuff just isn't as good.

[ercchry]

i have this, and i like it... from your description of the level that your sister is interested in photography she sounds similar to me.

this camera has some pretty cool features and is also really small and compact.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/sony-sony-alpha-14-2-interchangeable-lens-camera-with-18-55mm-lens-kit-nex-5ks-nex5ks/10148310.aspx?path=f5f3185085165ba10f611def645fa4c3en02&lid=fp-10148310-sonysonyalpha142interchangeabl-en

[EK 2.0]

Pictures of the sister??

You know just so I can better assess which camera she would look better with...;)

[Xaroxantu Zero]

The Nikon D3100 should be out before Christmas, so I would get her that.

[Mitsu3000gt]

There is nothing in the entry level category that tops the Nikon D3100 right now. It's already out in the states so we should get it well before Christmas.

[toyboy88]

Originally posted by Xaroxantu Zero
The Nikon D3100 should be out before Christmas, so I would get her that.



Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
There is nothing in the entry level category that tops the Nikon D3100 right now. It's already out in the states so we should get it well before Christmas.

Thanks for the headsup on the D3100 coming out.

I'm also much in the same boat, and was looking at the Rebel v. D3000...but now after looking up the D3100, I'll most likely be getting that. :)

[Jlude]

Thanks for the suggestions - looks like the D3100 will be around 700 when it arrives in Canada.

[Mitsu3000gt]

D3100 with the kit lens (18-55 VR) is $672. The competing Canon product feature-wise (T2i) with kit lens is $928.

The Canon XSI and T1i are the direct price competitors but neither is the better camera and they are very long in the tooth.

If $672 is really pushing the budget, the Nikon D3000 with kit lens can be had for under $500. The 3100 is a huge upgrade though.

If anyone is still selling D5000's, that would be a great compromise as well if you could get it for less than the D3100.

[toyboy88]

Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
D3100 with the kit lens (18-55 VR) is $672. The competing Canon product feature-wise (T2i) with kit lens is $928.

The Canon XSI and T1i are the direct price competitors but neither is the better camera and they are very long in the tooth.

If $672 is really pushing the budget, the Nikon D3000 with kit lens can be had for under $500. The 3100 is a huge upgrade though.

If anyone is still selling D5000's, that would be a great compromise as well if you could get it for less than the D3100.

Forgive me (I'm a SLR noob), but is Nikon going to keep the D3000 around (as their really entry 'base' model) once the D3100 comes out? Since I've seen it with the 18-55 lens going for $399.99 alot.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by toyboy88


Forgive me (I'm a SLR noob), but is Nikon going to keep the D3000 around (as their really entry 'base' model) once the D3100 comes out? Since I've seen it with the 18-55 lens going for $399.99 alot.

The D3000 will be around for a little while, as long as there remains a marked price gap between itself and the D3100. I haven't read anything definitive about its future one way or the other. I suspect when D3100 prices drop a bit it will be slowly phased out, at least thats what usually happens. I think the D3000 body only is being phased out though - B&H Photo no longer carries it in body only. It's the kit that they will keep on the market for now.

The D5000 is being phased out to the best of my knowledge (the D3100 kind of replaces both the D3000 and D5000).

The D90 is being kept around for the foreseeable future as it fills the gap perfectly between the D3100 and the D7000. Also at 2 years old the D90 is still extremely competitive, and is the clear choice in its general price range.

[R-Audi]

How does the D80 fit in there?
(Sorry for threadjack)

[Go4Long]

The D80 fits in to about 5 years ago...Still an ok camera mind you, but it has been revamped and replaced. The D90 was it's replacement, sort of the top of the consumer market DSLR, uses the same sensor as the D300 just without a lot of the good features of the more "prosumer" oriented D300, but it does have more auto modes, which despite it all I think must be good for some people since they keep selling cameras with them.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by R-Audi
How does the D80 fit in there?
(Sorry for threadjack)

Go4Long said most of it. Nothing wrong with it at all but the D90 is a significant upgrade and with how cheap it is right now that's probably overall one of the best bang for the buck cameras on the whole market right, that and the new D7000 (D90 replacement). The D5000, D300, D90, and D300s all use the same sensor.

The D80 was my first camera and one negative is its fairly poor ISO performance, above ISO 400 it started to get pretty grainy. The AF system was excellent though, I believe it's the same one they kept for the D90 except for the addition of 3D tracking in the D90. Also it could only shoot at 3fps, where the standard now for that level of camera is around 6fps.

[Jlude]

anyone know of any used DSLR cameras that are comparable to the D3100 or another beginner type camera I could pick up.

I just remembered, I bought my sister a $250 digital camera last year for xmas, not a DSLR, but if this is going to be a trend, I don't wanna spend so much this time around. :rofl:

[msommers]

Bam. Merry Christmas.

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-cameras-camcorders-NIKON-D40-COMPLETE-KIT-LIKE-NEW-CONDITION-W0QQAdIdZ232931868

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by Jlude
anyone know of any used DSLR cameras that are comparable to the D3100 or another beginner type camera I could pick up.

I just remembered, I bought my sister a $250 digital camera last year for xmas, not a DSLR, but if this is going to be a trend, I don't wanna spend so much this time around. :rofl:

A used D5000 would be the closest thing.

You can get a D3000 with kit lens for $400 now though, maybe just get her that if you think there is a chance it will follow the same trend as last year.