Looking to buy a DSLR for ~£300

Daze

Daze

Daze

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What would be the best DSLR to buy for around £300? I could spend a tad more but I would struggle to justify much more as I will only be using it for family outings etc. I'm just looking for the best camera that takes the best photographs at that price point. Video isn't necessary but it would be handy if it could take video. I wouldn't mind buying second hand or refurbished off ebay etc if it meant getting the most for my money.

Thanks :)
 
if you went for a Nikon, either the D3000 or the D5000, both can be sourced with a basic kit 18-55mm lens for a smidge under £300 notes, depending on shutter count, usages etc

not really sure Canon wise

Oh and the D5000 features HD Video recording too :)
 
got my Nikon D3100 with kit lens for £300, second hand but only 808 shutter count. (i've done over 500 by now, 3 weeks after getting it, so im thinking 800 is very low)
 
I got my Canon 450D with a battery grip, kits lens and Tamron 28-200 for under £300 so you should be able to get a 500 or 550 for that now, maybe?
 
I picked up a new 'white box' 550D for £320.

It was brand new with all accessories but just not the original box (was damaged in transit from Canon)
 
Got a 40D too and they're a great bit of kit.... Metal body so can take a bit more wear and tear than the X00D line.

The 50mm f2.8 prime is a great lens and can be had for less than £100 ;)
 
Thanks for the help lads!

I've been looking at some second hand D3100s on ebay for around £330 that come with lenses, then I spotted a brand new 550D body only for £310. How much would it cost to pick up a decent 18-55mm lense and would it be worth doing that and getting the 550D over the D3100?
 
I was planning on a 7D, but after thinking hard about whether I really needed 18mp and the AF I decided I was better off saving a boat load of money.
 
DaZe said:
and would it be worth doing that and getting the 550D over the D3100?
Click to expand...

Not unless you particularly like the 550D.

What I would say is go an try some cameras, you might find that an older but higher end camera is more agreeable (something like a Nikon D80 or a Canon 40D) on the other hand there are some very nice compact system cameras you should be looking at the Olympus Pen, Pansonic G series and Sony Nex cameras.
 
As Leblanc said, it's definitely worth heading down yo a local camera shop and picking a few of them up.... the position of the controls can be a bit fiddly at times (having to half press the shutter with one finger whilst flicking switches with another etc).

Some people prefer Nikon over Canon and vice versa on those grounds alone )
 
DaZe said:
Thanks for the help lads!

I've been looking at some second hand D3100s on ebay for around £330 that come with lenses, then I spotted a brand new 550D body only for £310. How much would it cost to pick up a decent 18-55mm lense and would it be worth doing that and getting the 550D over the D3100?
Click to expand...

550D with Tamron 17-50 2.8 is a good combo.
Sure it's over budget but I highly doubt you will stick with the 18-55 kit lens...

You could just get a 50mm 1.8 lens and save for a Tamron 17-50
 
It's definitely worth saving for decent lenses as if you do get the bug then its easy enough to upgrade the body and keep hold of the lenses ;)
 
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