Shop RadioShack for Great Gifts
Digital cameras: Entry-Level DSLR Choices - Need Advice
Entry-Level DSLR Choices - Need Advice
by tbognanno - 7/5/09 6:30 PMWe are trying to move up to an entry-level DSLR camera but the more I read, the more I am confused. The ratings say the Nikon D5000 first and the Canon EOS Rebel T1i and we have looked at both. Basically, if I understand everything I have read - the Nikon is better on the photo side and the Canon better on the video. The question we have is this: should I be buying a camera with video capabilities at all or just stick with DSLR without video and focus on picture quality (and buy a new video camera separately)? If so, I would probably go with a Nikon but not sure which one. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Re: Entry-Level DSLR Choices - Need Advice
by MarkatNite - 7/5/09 8:51 PM In reply to: Entry-Level DSLR Choices - Need Advice by tbognanno>"should I be buying a camera with video capabilities at all or just stick with DSLR without video and focus on picture quality (and buy a new video camera separately)?"
If your budget allows *and* you don't mind carrying around two cameras (i.e. one still, one video), you should probably go with the latter.
However, if you do have, say, around $700 to spend on a still camera (which would seem to be the case) and another $700 to spend on a video camera (as your question suggests), you may want to take a look at Pany's new GH1 which will give you a pretty good still camera and a pretty good video camera in one piece of equipment. Or you could look into one of the higher end models from Nikon or Canon. (Specifically, the D90 on which the D5000 is based, or the 5D Mark II on which the T1i is based.)
HTH - Mark
Panasonic GH1
by hjfok - 7/10/09 6:44 PM In reply to: Re: Entry-Level DSLR Choices - Need Advice by MarkatNiteThis is an interesting camera, first one to do away the mirror, to be free from the old SLR film design. It has the new micro 4/3 design. The main advantage is smaller size. And the image quality is also very good from the reviews. However their major weakness are the lack of quality lenses (very limited choice) and the price tag. The major flop is their pricing. The GH1 has an interesting package but it is just slightly smaller than its competitors Canon Rebel T1i and Nikon D5000. Its image quality is good but not better than its competitors. If Panasonic really wants to compete with Canon and Nikon, then GH1 needs to be priced more competitively. Currently GH1 is about $1500 with its 10x zoom lens. The quality of this lens is not great, and there are not much choice of lenses for the GH1 (need to use adaptors for the standard 4/3 lenses). One can easily get something similar or better at the same price range with Canon and Nikon. Panasonic needs to learn from Nikon and Canon. Canon and in recent years Nikon took over the D-SLR market by selling solid quality entry models at bare bottom prices. If GH1 is priced below $800, then a lot of compact users may switch to it rather than to the usual big name brands and this micro 4/3 underdog may have a chance to win. But instead Panasonic follow what Sony had done for the R1. R1 was Sony's attempt to produce a D-SLR quality camera without the mirror and interchangeable lens. R1 has good image quality but its price tag is its biggest flop. Sony cut it out after a one time production failure. So we will see what will happen to this interesting GH1.
make the choice yourself
by kalel33 - 7/6/09 1:59 AM In reply to: Entry-Level DSLR Choices - Need Advice by tbognannoThe difference between the Nikon and Canon are so minute that it can only be seen in certain situations and zooming in really close. Same goes with the video. Go with the one you are most comfortable with...menus and handling.
As for video, if you plan on using the camera like a camcorder then you can forget it with both models. They can take great/artistic shots, but the horrible mic, rolling shutter, and lack of constant autofocus(Canon you have to hit the focus button each time you want it to focus and the Nikon is not autofocus at all) make a camcorder a better choice for usual video.
Camera and video
by hjfok - 7/6/09 2:08 PM In reply to: Entry-Level DSLR Choices - Need Advice by tbognannoYou buy the D-SLR for its photo capabilities. Canon and Nikon are very close in quality and both are very good. You should focus on the choice of lenses and get an external flash, which will make a much bigger difference in photo quality than choosing between Canon and Nikon. In reality nobody can tell whether the photo is taken by Canon or Nikon cameras. But one can easily tell whether a photo is taken by a high quality 85mm f/1.2 lens vs the kit lens.
As for video capabilities, it is fun and convenient to have this ability at hand especially if you do not routinely carry both D-SLR and camcorder wherever you go. Obviously the video capability will not give you Spielberg or Lucas quality movies. But it is fun to do some short clips of family and spontaneous moments, and lighten the burden on your shoulders.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
