Best Camera for about £350-450

Vegetarian · 3 May 2011 at 12:42

Im looking for a good quality camera such as a DSLR or hybrid compact. I have a Canon IXUS 100is for point and shoot. Just need something better. Is the Sony NEX-5 too low quality?

Reemul · 3 May 2011 at 14:55

I have a Nex-5 with all 3 lens, 16mm 18-55 and 18-200. The camera is small (quite large with the 18-200 but not too big). The noise quality is superb up to 1600 iso and even 3200 iso at times. The image quality is excellent.

Feel free to browse my stuff on Flickr for an idea. I have only been using it since February and it is my first camera outside of a P+S.

I pretty much always shoot manual and maybe next year will upgrade to something more but it really was a great introduction to photography and the size means I always have it with me. Really recommended it, even my wife is happy using it when i'm not as it's auto feature is pretty good as well.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/reemul

Alpherah · 3 May 2011 at 15:02

Worth noting that the NEX (Sony E Mount) is limited to those 3 lenses at the moment, with the 18-200 being bloody expensive! Leaving no real zoom options.. yet.
More lenses supposedly coming later this year however, with a 55-200 and a macro rumoured.

Reemul · 3 May 2011 at 15:08

The 18-200mm is about £650. In the main that isn't overly expensive as it's an excellent lens and has good coverage from 18-200mm which is actually 27mm-300mm due to the 1.5 crop.

I picked up my Nex-5 with both lens for £449. The Nex-3 is about for £300 ish and if shooting in 1080i isn't a must is a great buy as there are no other differences.

I think the Pentax K-x is pretty good and come with a couple of lenses 18-55 and 50-200 for about £450.

It also depends what sort of lens etc you want and what sort of photography you are going to shoot.

Alpherah · 3 May 2011 at 15:26

Reemul said:
The 18-200mm is about £650. In the main that isn't overly expensive as it's an excellent lens and has good coverage from 18-200mm which is actually 27mm-300mm due to the 1.5 crop.

Maybe, but i always assumed the NEX series to be a bit more mainstream consumer, and as such £650 on a single lens isnt likely to be selling like hot cakes.

Vegetarian · 3 May 2011 at 15:55

Reemul said:
The 18-200mm is about £650. In the main that isn't overly expensive as it's an excellent lens and has good coverage from 18-200mm which is actually 27mm-300mm due to the 1.5 crop.

I picked up my Nex-5 with both lens for £449. The Nex-3 is about for £300 ish and if shooting in 1080i isn't a must is a great buy as there are no other differences.

I think the Pentax K-x is pretty good and come with a couple of lenses 18-55 and 50-200 for about £450.

It also depends what sort of lens etc you want and what sort of photography you are going to shoot.

Ive only seen one lens NEX-5s in shops... Saw a NEX-3 two lens kit for £399.

What about the Panasonic G2?

Reemul · 3 May 2011 at 16:04

Alpherah said:
Maybe, but i always assumed the NEX series to be a bit more mainstream consumer, and as such £650 on a single lens isnt likely to be selling like hot cakes.

I see where you are coming from but the reality is there is a desperate shortage of them and they sell out as fats as stockists get them in. It is a very popular camera and lens, it is also usesd in their new Camcorder VG-10 I think so is great for movie making which the Nex is alos excellent at hence very popular.

Kamakazie! · 3 May 2011 at 23:16

It depends what you are looking for really. If you don't mind the bulk of a DSLR, something like the Pentax k-r would be just above the upper end of your price range but is receiving fantastic reviews. Has a very good kit lens as well iirc.

When looking at the NEX series there is also the m4/3s cameras to consider which offer very good images and relatively cheap / light / compact lenses.