DSLR Help needed please

koolpc

koolpc

koolpc

Soldato
Joined
2 Dec 2004
Posts
14,602
Location
Under The Desk, Wales
Right, i am after a DSLR and i have 4 choices as these are within my budget:

1. Pentax K-x £399

2. Canon 1000D (With IS lens) £399

3. Nikon D3000 £340

4. Sony A450 £299 Brand new!!

Can’t for the life of me decide which to get. I have handled all 4 and like them all. The Sony is bulkier than the rest.

Can you please give me some input as to what you would choose and why? My max budget is £400 and after a fair bit of research habe narrowed it down to the above 4.



Thanks
 
What are you planning to shoot? What's your experience level?

Other factors excluded for a moment, I'd probably take the D3000 myself, I say that as a Nikon user, I just think the D3000 has a decent balance of technical spec and future potential. The 1000D is a good camera (though I hate the handling of the 1000D, 550D etc myself), the Pentax k-x is a very good camera for the money but if you're planning to buy into a system (rather than just use it with one or two lenses as most consumers do) then I'd be wary of it.

The Sony I just don't know well enough to comment, despite what others are going to argue I just don't buy that the Sony system is strong enough to buy into yet (the lenses are they new now, just not really second hand, there aren't enough serious dealers and I'm not sure the accessories are up to Canon and Nikon standards). But if you aren't planning on buying multiple high end lenses and fancy flashes then it might not matter to you.

All are good - are you sure there isn't one you prefer the handling of? - the Sony is technically the best value for money I'd say but the Nikon would be my choice...
 
i'd personally go with canon or nikon if you plan to expand further down the line, but none of those is a bad option.

i personally prefer the canon d1000 over the nikon 3000d, but its really up to how it feels in your hand.
 
think about what you will be shooting, and how much you will have to spend on the lenses to do that. I dont think there will be much difference in the output from either of the options. the pentax and sony have built in stabilisation so any lens will benefit from this. The canon and nikon have the stabilisation in the lenses which makes them slightly more expensive.
Your budget and commitment to spending more money will be big factors in your decision. Sit don and calculate the lenses you think you might need and use that as your guide. Kit lens is a good starting point but then you will probably want something longer etc etc
I bought a pentax about three years ago and am more than happy with it, i was never going to have a huge budget for lenses so as much as i would have liked a canon/nikon it would have left me somewhat poorer.

Keep an eye out for some twin lens deals also ie the Pentax can be had with 18-55 and 50-200 lenses for £450.
Likewise the Nikon with two VR lenses £479
 
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You say your max budget is £400, have you factored in anything for accessories. Even if you're happy to start with the kit lens you will probably want a bag, some memory cards, maybe a spare battery, tripod (if you buy a cheap tripod for £20 you will very quickly want a decent one).

The other thing to consider is the KX uses AA batteries, so you'll also need to invest in a few sets and a decent charger. Although in the long run this will make it cheaper if you want to buy more batteries.

I'd be very tempted by the Sony at that price, is it body only or does it come with a kit lens.
 
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