Spec me a camera

spudbynight · 12 Apr 2012 at 15:49

I am thinking of getting a camera in the next few weeks as a gift for my wife.

She has always expressed an interest in photography and wants to dip her toe in things.

What sort of price do I need to look at for something entry level? What should I look at camera wise?

theheyes · 12 Apr 2012 at 16:58

I'd go for a micro four thirds camera personally, something like a panasonic gf3 which you can pick up for £300 or so. You get a lot of image quality and performance in a small package. The last thing you want to do is put her off with a massive camera she never takes out.

That's just my opinion.

spudbynight · 12 Apr 2012 at 17:11

Yes, I think a step up from a compact will be the ticket. Something with a good few options but not enough to frighten a beginner.

Mr_Moose · 12 Apr 2012 at 19:41

Speaking as a beginner and someone who wanted a step up from a point and shoot I find my Olympus epl1 great.
I think they're upto elp3 now but there's not that great a difference.

I was given the dual lens bundle as a christmas present and it let me get a taste for different lenses as well.

Not sure how much it was thb, maybe look at around £300..

spudbynight · 23 May 2012 at 11:56

Mrs Spud and I have been looking at an ideal budget in the region of £400

I have narrowed down to the following options.

Sony A55 - I can get one with an 18-55 lens for £500 online
Nikon D3100 - Around £380

I have also been looking at two compacts.

Samsung NX-200 - £500 or so with 18.55 lens
Sony NEX-5N - £500 or so with 18-55 lens

Is there anything else I should be looking at in that price range?

The cameras we have been looking at are over the top end of our ideal budget.

KraniX · 25 May 2012 at 16:30

I've been looking at the Canon 1100D or the Nikon D3100 for the wife myself, she is a novice but keen to get into it, the Canon is meant to be a bit plasticy feeling so am tempted to skip it so I don't look like a cheapskate.

Anyone used the Nikon or have any thoughts or better models?

Turbo-G · 25 May 2012 at 23:09

I bought the 3100 a couple of months back with the 18-55mm kit lens. Have since purchased a 35mm 1.8 and awaiting delivery of a used 55-200mm 4-5.6 too.

I love it so far, build quality and spec is much better than the 1100D IMO.

I'm only just getting into photography (always just had compacts before, e.g. Canon Ixus), but fancied getting a 'proper' camera. Although not full frame, I think it's a great camera - especially for beginners intermediates that don't want to spend too much, and don't want to go the route of older, used, but higher end bodies.

fozzybear · 28 May 2012 at 15:56

How about a Sony NEX 5N + 18-55 lens for £469. There's also a £50 cashback offer that takes it down £419. I think that's amazing value for money.

spudbynight · 28 May 2012 at 16:05

fozzybear said:
How about a Sony NEX 5N + 18-55 lens for £469. There's also a £50 cashback offer that takes it down £419. I think that's amazing value for money.

Where is that available at that price? We were looking at that camera.

fozzybear · 28 May 2012 at 16:19

spudbynight said:
Where is that available at that price? We were looking at that camera.

Seems to be out of stock at Jacobs and Park Cameras for £469. Wilkinson at £478 is in store only. It's in stock at Amazon for £489.99 though.

KraniX · 29 May 2012 at 16:56

Hmm the Sony is a bit pricey for me, plus it's bloody ugly

I think I'll go for the Nikon D3100, slrhut.co.uk have it for £329 which is by far the cheapest I've found but not sure about the company/site, any of you guys used them?

Thanks.

spudbynight · 29 May 2012 at 17:01

SLR Hut are dodgy. They sell grey imports and they also add 20% onto their listed prices for "duty"

Give them a wide berth.

KraniX · 29 May 2012 at 17:06

spudbynight said:
SLR Hut are dodgy. They sell grey imports and they also add 20% onto their listed prices for "duty"

Give them a wide berth.

Thanks for the heads up spud, soon as I saw the price I was thinking of the old adage "if it looks to good to be true..."

spudbynight · 29 May 2012 at 21:10

Unfortunately if you use the shopping tab with Google most of the top results are scam sites or EBAY.

Digital camera sales seems to be a minefield of crooks.

http://blog.photo3.co.uk/2011/12/is-slrhut-scam-slrhutcouk-reviews.html