What is the best dSLR camera for someone who is considering photography as a profession?

I suggest you buy Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera at amazon. Com for just $749.00. According to consumersearch.Com, "Canon digital SLR hits the sweet spot for both performance and value.

" -quote- "Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Price: $749.00 Technical Details * New 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with DIGIC 4 Image Processor * Includes Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens * Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution; HDMI output * 3.0-inch Clear View LCD; Live View Function for stills (Quick, Live and Face Detection AF modes) and video * Capture images and video to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included) Most Helpful Customer Reviews By Rimesh Patel (Washington D.C. ) - See all my reviews I've had the T1i for about almost week now and after some extensive use, here are my thoughts: 1.15.1 megapixel sensor. Yes, the high megapixel count is impressive, but keep in mind that, as you approach higher resolutions, you need to ensure the lens on the SLR can resolve that much detail. Sadly, the included 18-55mm IS lens is functional, but the high resolution really shows the so-so quality of the lens.

Even if taken at the proper focus, pictures can appear soft with this kit lens. Shots I have taken with Canon EF-S 17-85mm and EF 70-200mm L lenses are crisp. I don't have any gripes on image quality.

There are some issues with noise on the higher ISOs that don't seem to show up on the Nikon digitals, but overall, the quality is amazing for the price. Skin tones, textures, colors are reproduced very accurately...." -end of quote.

The answer depends on how proficient you are with a camera at this stage, how certain you are that you'll stick with this profession, and how much money you're willing to put at risk. If you are very sure you will stick with it, and plan to use the camera professionally right away, you will probably need to go to the top of the line of one of the two top dSLR brands. If you want to reduce your risk, at the cost of having fewer features and somewhat less capability in your first camera, start with a mid-range or "prosumer" dSLR.

One difference between most pro dSLRs and lower level cameras is the sensor size, which is full sized on a professional model, and often is smaller on prosumer cameras. Having a smaller sensor gives you an advantage if taking telephoto shots (the light is concentrated on a smaller area so you get in essence a built-in zoom multiplier on top of the lens zoom factor). At the other end, a smaller sensor size makes it more difficult to take wide-angle shots such as those needed for landscape shots or in confined spaces where ranges at short (think weddings).

The following photo shows the difference between full-frame and small sensors.

(Photo is from Wikimedia Commons, taken by user Autopilot, see ) Generally, the two top makes of prosumer and professional dSLR cameras at this point are Canon and Nikon. Both have excellent entries in both the sub-$1000 arena and the more expensive pro level.An excellent article comparing the two can be found at http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/canon-vs-nikon.html which also identifies the best dSLRs from the two companies at various price points.

At the top professional point (prices above $1300) the author states that the cameras from the two brands are comparable but that for flash photography in particular, Nikon has a definite advantage: - quote - Once you get up to this level of camera, the question of which one to get - Canon vs. Nikon - is less about comparing features and more about name recognition. I've talked to enough people interested in digital SLR cameras to realize that they often have a built-in bias about one company.... I will state one personal difference that I have found working with these cameras: if you are interested (now or in the future) of taking a lot of photos using flash instead of natural light, then go with Nikon. Nikon has done a great deal of work to ensure that their cameras communicate well with their flashes - something Nikon calls the "Creative Lighting System" or CLS for short.

With relatively little fussing, you can quickly set up three independent wireless light sources, and you're able to control the amount of light output from each flash directly from the camera. While you can certainly achieve the same effects with a Canon digital SLR it takes more gear, costs more and doesn't have quite the same plug-and-play simplicity of the Nikon system. - end quote - Once you choose which brand you prefer, you can choose the camera based on your budget.

Keep in mind however that the really big bucks will go toward good lenses, and which of those you should get depends very strongly on the type of photography you plan to concentrate on. For example, a wedding photographer would not need the long zooms needed by a sports or nature photographer, while the latter two would not need the wide angle lenses needed by the former type of photographer. While you can see the Canon and Nikon cameras at the top of each price bracket at the above-mentioned article here are some links to the companies' websites where they show their line-ups along with some review links: - Canon consumer level cameras are described at http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=113 .

- EOS prosumer and professional level ones are described at http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=111 . - Reviews of Canon digital cameras are available at http://www.imaging-resource.com/MFR1.HTM?view=Canon_reviews . - More reviews: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/ - Nikon's lineup is at http://nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Digital-SLR/index.page .

- Reviews of Nikon digital cameras are available at

0 . - More reviews: 0 . As an example, if you want to stick your toe into the dSLR market, you could start out with the 15 megapixel Canon EOS Rebel T1i which would set you back about $700.

The EOS Rebel series has been very successful and is rated highly. You'll later be able to use lenses that fit this model on more advanced professional models. Keep this in mind when buying lenses (see more on buying lenses below).

- Review of the Rebel T1i: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EOS-Rebel-T1i-500D-Digital-SLR-Camera-Review. Aspx - Pricing of the camera: http://cameras.pricegrabber.com/digital/canon+rebel+t1i/p/48/form_keyword=canon+rebel+t1i/st=sort/sortby=priceA . As for lenses, there is an excellent review of Canon lenses at http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/10d300dlenses.html .

An example from the article: - quote - "The 17-85/4-5.6 IS USM gives the same coverage on a Digital Rebel XT or 20D as the EF 28-135/3.5-5.6 IS USM does on a full frame 35mm camera (note, it's an EF-S lens and won't fit the EOS 10D). This is a very useful range for everything from landscapes to portraits and covers the focal lengths that most photographers will use most often. The Image Stabilization (IS) means it can be handheld at 3 stops slower shutter speeds then a non-IS lens and still provide equally sharp images.

It's not an inexpensive lens (about $510), but it can replace several others and it might be the only lens some photographers will need. - end quote - The full review of that lens is available at http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/ef-s_17-85_review.html . For further interesting reading see the following relevant Mahalo question and answer thread: - http://www.mahalo.com/answers/digital-slr-cameras/best-entry-level-digital-slr-camera

(The above photo is from Wikimedia Commons, posted by user Hosiken - see ) (The above photo is from Wikimedia Commons, posted by user Charles.

Lanteigne - see

0 ).

You have received some good advice so far, but if you are planning on shooting professionally, you need to decide what you genre you will be shooting. It will make a difference in your camera choice. (I do shoot professionally, and have since 1981).

What market will you target? Sports photographers needs vary widely from those that will shoot for stock, weddings, studio photography, etc. If you plan on shooting sports (you can read my how to photograph action sports -the Mahalo How To section), you will need a camera with extremely fast shutter speeds (the pro models support up to 1/8000th of a second) and that manufacture good, fast, long focal-length lenses.(Canon is well known for this) If you will plan on shooting stock, or commercial photographs, you will need a camera that has a lot of megapixels, or (commercial photography) perhaps a medium format camera. Determine your genre so that you can determine what your equipment needs will be.

Also, if you plan on going pro and you buy a camera that you will quickly outgrow or that doesn't really perform to your professional needs, you have wasted your money. One more thing... find the cameras you are interested in and pick them up and hold them. Look through the view-finder in both landscape and portrait format.

Is it comfortable for you to hold? Too heavy? Too large or small for your hands?

This is a consideration as well. For years (before digital) I shot with an Olympus. Though lots of pros were shooting Nikon, it was too large and bulky for my hands.

Olympus was an elegant, comfortable camera for me, and my work was every bit as good as my professional peers.(That was for 35mm work, but I also shot a Mamiya RB67 and a Mamiya 645 1000s) Hope this helps you with your decision.

According to this cnet.com article by Lori Grunin Senior Editor if you want to become a Professional Photographer you would need to invest in a high end dSLR camera and also the necessary equipment needed for the job. ----quote---- Professional photographers require a level of customization, performance, and ruggedness that's at least a notch above what consumer dSLRs provide. Compatibility with a broad range of accessories and studio equipment is also a must.

If you have professional aspirations or are a seasoned pro going digital, these are the models you should consider. They require a serious investment, but in exchange they'll give you state-of-the-art imaging technology and the breadth of creative control you need to produce professional results. ----quote---- Information quoted from reviews.cnet.com/best-professional-dslr-... The Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 21.1MP Digital SLR Camera is the best DSLR camera according to this article by cnet.com.

You can purchase this camera from www.amazon.com for Price: $6,114.95 Here are the links to the cnet.com article reviews.cnet.com/best-professional-dslr-... http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-eos-1ds-mark/4505-6501_7-32572245.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody#cnetReview Here is the link to the camera on Amaxon. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? Url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Canon+EOS-1Ds+Mark+III&x=12&y=20 ----quote---- Canon's 1Ds series of cameras exists in a class of its own.

With pixel counts well above anything else offered in a 35mm-format digital SLR, an attention to detail that addresses the needs of high-end professionals, and a price tag that's thousands of dollars more than the nearest competition, it continues to push the limits of digital photography. The 1Ds Mark III, the latest in the series, brings the megapixel count to a whopping 21.1 and is every bit a precision instrument. It offers a high level of control over all aspects of your images, a body design that gives you fast access to these controls, and can be customized to tailor certain buttons and functions to your shooting style.It's been over three years since its predecessor was announced, so there are a fair number of new features in the Mark III, which bring it up to date with the latest trends in dSLRs.

With this latest model, Canon has stepped up to a pixel count that, up till now, was solely the realm of medium format digital backs, while maintaining an edge in terms of physical size and sharpness of available lenses. ----quote---- Information obtain from http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-eos-1ds-mark/4505-6501_7-32572245.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody#cnetReview www.cnet. Com0 www.cnet.

Com1 Other dslr cameras recommended by the article would be 1. Nikon D3 2. Canon EOS 1D Mark III 3.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II (body only) 4. Canon EOS 7D (body only) 5. Nikon D700 (body only) 6.

Nikon D300s (body) 7. Olympus E-3 (body only) 8. Canon EOS 5D (body only) 9.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 (body only).

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.