What is the best currently available SLR for amateur photographers?

I am currently thinking about buying a digital SLR. The two top brands, Nikon and Canon, is unquestionably good. Nikon D40 is a cheaper introductory DSLR compared to Canon Rebel XTi 8MP.

The review from dpreview.com listed some limitations on both. Is there any preference for people here for each brand? What about all the other brands e.g. Olympus, Pentax?

Asked by Johns 57 months ago Similar questions: SLR amateur photographers Arts > Photography.

My experience with the Canon Digital Rebel XT has been excellent. I bought my Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT about a year ago, and have only good things to say. I bought a 1 GB flash card and can take close to 300 pix on a single battery charge using the integral flash about 1/2 the time.

I think it's auto settings and focus are superb, but I can adjust it for any special illumination situations I need. I also liked the fact that all of my EOS lenses from my Canon EOS film camera work, but I mostly use the digitally coded zoom lens that I bought with it.

I went with Canon I purchased a Digital Rebel a few years back and when I did, my purchase was based more on the overall system (cameras, lenses, flashes, etc) than on the individual camera. My thoughts were: Canon has been leading in the DSLR market. Each camera release they have is usually a market leader (more features, newer features, more pixels, lower price, etc).

I expect this to continue, so at any point the next Canon DSLR should be at our near the top. Canon has been the leader in image stabilized lenses. I firmly believe that stabilized lenses, not sensors, is the way to go.

The lenses last decades (cameras are generally replaced every few years) and they motors can be optimized for the size and weight of the lens, so it should always be a perfect fit. Reviews have shown that Canon and Nikon stabilized lenses outperform Minolta/Sony stabilized sensors. Canon offers a great lens lineup (the same is true of Nikon).

They have a lens for just about every need. Personally, I don't think you'll go wrong with either Canon or Nikon. I expect they'll keep leapfrogging each other for the next several years, with each new release.

Given the improvements that all the manufacturers have made, all the current cameras are very good and I think you'll enjoy whatever you buy. My one piece of advice would be to consider the entire photography setup you expect to get (camera, lenses, flash, etc) and not just the initial camera and kit lens. In the long run you will spend a lot more money on these items than you will on the camera.My recommendation, which is completely biased, is to get the Digital Rebel XTi (10 MP), which I've seen for around $700.

Also look at getting the Canon EF 70-300 Stabilized lens (about $500-600) and the EF-s 10-22 ultra wide angle lens (about $600). This set up should cover you for everything from scenics, to candids, to wildlife photography. Have fun!

Good resources: www.dpreview.com (which you're already reading! Check out the forums!) http://www.steves-digicams.com/ (amazing reviews and sample photos) ThoughtMonkey's Recommendations Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Black Body Only) Amazon List Price: $799.99 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 137 reviews) You can definitely find better prices on the web.

Stick with Canon or Nikon They are the system leaders. Think of it buying into a total system of lenses, flashes, etc. And Canon and Nikon have the most diverse and excellent systems. You could be very happy with either of the cameras you mentioned but let me suggest one other possibility.

Nikon D50 bodies are available very inexpensively now and don’t have the key limitation on the D40, they’ll autofocus with any Nikon lens, including primes. The D40 will only do so with newer zoom lenses with motors in them. The difference between 6 and 8 megapixels is not significant at all.

Just pick your system and have fun! I have to admit I am a Nikon guy, but Canon makes good stuff too. Sources: opinion edfoug's Recommendations check around the internet for better price... Nikon D50 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor Lens Used from: $675.00 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 145 reviews) .

Both cameras are good, but there are differences.... I'm a Canon user, so I'd recommend Canon Both cameras (D40 and Rebel XTi) are very good, and you can take great pictures with both of them. But Canon has feature which D40 doesn't: exposure bracketing. With Exposure bracketing camera takes 3 shots in a row.

First according to exposure measurment, other two are over- and under- exposed. The exposure interval could have different value: from 1/3 to 2 stops. I think this feature is very important, it allows to have more options to select image which you like best.

I use this feature very often, and at least in 50% of cases I select over- or under-exposed image. Of course, it takes 3 times more memory, but (in my opinion), with 2gb cards memory is not a real issue. Olympus DSLRs have considerably smaller sensor size: 18 x 13.5mm Canon has 22.2 x 14.8mm Nikon has 23.7 x 15.5mm BTW #1: Nikon is just announced Nikon 40x.It's supposed to replace Nikon D40.

Having 10 megapixels, it could better compit with Canon Digital Rebel XTi. BTW #2: besides www.dpreview.com I'd recommend very detailed reviews provided by www.dcresource.com Nikon D40: http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/nikon/d40-review/ Canon Rebel XTi: http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/digital_rebel_xti-review/index. Shtml .

Stick with Nikon or Canon for the best lens and accessory support. Any of the entry-level dSLRs from Nikon (D40, older D50) or Canon (Digital Rebel XTi--which is really 10 Mpix-- or the order XT) are fine for entry level amateur photography. I'd stay away from Sony, Olympus, or Pentax, as they don't have as much lens support as Nikon or Canon do.

However, if you're not planning on buying any extra lenses, or just plan on buying the cheap ("zoom"). This will save you several hundred dollars, and you'll probably be just as happy. Also, dSLRs are really designed to require (yes, require) post-processing in Photoshop or equivalent.

If you're the type to take the memory card to Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Target, or wherever when it's full and just print, you're missing half of the equation that you need with a dSLR. Of course, if you have your mind made up that you want (or need) a dSLR, I'd go with a Canon XT or XTi. The extra 2 Mpix of the XTi isn't really all that necessary, and the older XT will save you some cash.

John (AKA the "Grumpy Photographer" as someone named me once) Sources: Experience as a photographer.

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I would like suggestions on camera brands for a used manual SLR for black and white photography. Thanks.

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