Digital SLR or not

[lazer46]

I have an old Canon 4mp Pocket Digital at the moment and with my daughter growing up faster than a been shoot i am thinking of getting a Digital SLR. Thing is, budget wise i don't have a lot to spend so i guess it would have to be 2nd hand.

I really haven't got a clue as to where to start! My budget would be max £250.

Be great if i could get some pointers as to what make / model to look for. As stated above, it will be used for all family photography / holidays. Cheers

 

[FreeStream]

You could pickup a second hand 350D/400D + kit lens for that price, certainly beat anything else out there for that price IQ wise.

But if a SLR is too bulky a camera from the Panasonic TZ range is apparently pretty good, although people who know more about compacts will be along shortly!

 

[mrthingyx]

Don't do it - you'll get into it and suddenly realise you've spent all your money on lenses...

For that kind of money, I'd pick up:

1) Canon 20D body
2) Canon EF-S 18-55 IS lens
3) The fastest/biggest memory card you can.

That should give you an awesome start to proceedings, and shouldn't lose you any money if you somehow decide photography isn't for you.

 

[robertgilbert86]

Are you actually into photography and/or do you really really want to learn the art of it? If not then don't get a DSLR, they're big, expensive, and no better than a good compact unless you actually know what every control and setting does.

If I were you I'd spend £250 on a high-end compact and then see how things go.

 

[Mr Jones]

Are you actually into photography and/or do you really really want to learn the art of it? If not then don't get a DSLR, they're big, expensive, and no better than a good compact unless you actually know what every control and setting does.

If I were you I'd spend £250 on a high-end compact and then see how things go.

What Robert said.
Especially on a limited budget and having kids, when funds aren't easy to come by for the next lens / satisfaction once you're addicted to the need for speed!

A nice decent compact like the Canon S90 or Panasonic LX3 should do most pocket shooter well, even in low light. (I didn't own them, my mates do and 70% of the low light shots are decent, if not very good!)

 

[Johnny|lucidcomposure]

is £250 your entire budget for the system now and later or just at this moment. Because you'd be looking at spending about £250 per piece of entry level lens, flash etc.

£250 isn't going to get you a lot.

It sounds to me like a compact may be your best route depending where you are with budget.

 

[Dolph]

Sounds like a better compact or a bridge camera is what would suit you best, rather than a DSLR, as others have said, the budget is a bit small and DSLR photography can get very expensive very quickly...