Thinking about getting a DSLR, Beginner!

Soldato
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As title im looking into getting a dslr! We have our first child on the way so want a camera thats not just my phone to take nice pictures etc but also perhaps use photography as a new hobby?

Whats the best entry level dslr i can get, budget i suppose would be 200-300 max, get 12.5% off at john lewis if that helps lol

Any advice would be great!

Matt
 
If i was buying again, I would chose a DSLM mirror less camera, he main reason being, lenses are smaller, lighter and easier to carry around with young children.

My favorite camera at the moment is the DMC-GX7 http://www.johnlewis.com/panasonic-...ens-hd-1080p-16mp-evf-wi-fi-nfc-3-lcd/p649581

the 20mm lens is fantastic and now it's coming to the end of it's life its at a great price, i would if allowed sell my Nikon D3200 to buy one.

Edit.
Just seen your budget, If you can't stretch to the GX7, maybe a DMC-G6 as again it's EOL so can be had for good money.
 
Ouch thats like double my budget in the op :D will look at that type too though, i literally havent a clue what im looking for

*just seen the edit, will have a look at that one thanks!
 
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If you can stretch a bit over you £300 then with your discount and canon cash back offer the canon 700d with kit lens comes in at £70-£80 over budget, if you can't stretch then you have the 1200d with kit lens.

700d

http://www.johnlewis.com/canon-eos-...lens-hd-1080p-18mp-3-lcd-touch-screen/p430232

1200d

http://www.johnlewis.com/canon-eos-...m-is-lens-hd-1080p-18mp-3-lcd-screen/p1213111

There is also a 1200d with kit lens which is like £40 cheaper but the lens doesn't have image stabilisation.
 
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A small mirorrless setup can make sense for kids, but only a M43 or Nikon 1 with the smaller lenses otherwise you might as well just get a small DSLR.


For your budget you are best looking second hand.
 
Canon EOS 100D Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm IS STM Lens available at John Lewis (although they're not the cheapest they do come with a 2 year guarantee as standard).

Factor in your 12.5% discount and the fact you can also claim £30 cashback from Canon and it puts a superb little (and it is a little) DSLR in your grasp.

The 18-55 IS STM lens is image stabilised and a reasonable start.

The body takes EF and EF-s Canon lenses. There are some cracking cheap EF-s prime lenses like the Canon EF-S 24 mm f/2.8 STM and the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM which go very well with this small body.

Review at DPreview

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canon-eos-100d-rebel-sl1

Camera Price Buster shows the cheapest places to purchase.

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/Canon/Canon-Digital-SLRs/Canon-EOS-100D-With-18-55mm-IS-STM-Lens
 
Controversial idea incoming!

Maybe try and pickup a second hand Fuji x100s. I have a Canon DSLR and an x100s and the Fuji would be my go to camera if I had kids.
 
Another idea if you can live without lens swapping (and to get the most of the DSLR you will should really invest in good glass that will cost you more than the body) is a Sony RX100 - the MK1 can be had on the river site for less than £300.
 
Slightly different plan... Sell kids and then you an afford a better camera!

If you really want pictures of kids then there's loads of them out there in towns and cities etc. From what I hear, their parents love it when you take pictures of their kids!

Or what they said ^ :P

Decide whether you're worried about size/weight and consider whether you think you'll want to get into photography more later or not. The ability to change lenses would be handy if you wanted to try other stuff later but if its just for photographing midgets then something small with a fixed lens might be more suitable.
 
Slightly different plan... Sell kids and then you an afford a better camera!

If you really want pictures of kids then there's loads of them out there in towns and cities etc. From what I hear, their parents love it when you take pictures of their kids!

Or what they said ^ :P

Decide whether you're worried about size/weight and consider whether you think you'll want to get into photography more later or not. The ability to change lenses would be handy if you wanted to try other stuff later but if its just for photographing midgets then something small with a fixed lens might be more suitable.

How much do kids sell for these days? :p
 
Hi guys sort of forgot about this for a bit but am ready to go for something, am wondering if a mirrorless camera would suit me better? Seems like a nice in between onf a normals point and click and a full on dslr?

Would this be a good option if so any suggestions?
 
Hi guys sort of forgot about this for a bit but am ready to go for something, am wondering if a mirrorless camera would suit me better? Seems like a nice in between onf a normals point and click and a full on dslr?

Would this be a good option if so any suggestions?

Suit you better in what way?

Mirrorless is not cheaper, it's just marginally smaller, still won't fit in a pocket so there need to be the intention to take it out with you as oppose to something you can always leave in your bag.

If you want to learn, I prefer DSLR, for the optical viewfinder more than anything, beats EVF any day of the week.
 
Haha :) it fitted in my North Face soft-shell coat pocket, was a bit awkward but it fitted lol. But as I said with the kit 16-55 (I think that's the range) it will be fine
 
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