Best dslr for around 550?

[bobhays]

Hi a friend wants to get a dslr for around 550 max with normal + zoom lense. It has to be Nikon, Canon, or Sony 18MP if possible (don't ask). Any recommendations?

[TheAmazingCookieFromSquare]

Cannon Rebel T5

 

why does it have to be Nikon,Canon,or Sony?

[Dzzope]

dpreview.com

 

Look used, you can get a great deal.. Also check out some of the other options.. Sony and fuji do some great cameras along with some others.

You can find all the info you ever wanted on dpreview though

[bobhays]

Cannon Rebel T5

 

why does it have to be Nikon,Canon,or Sony?

Because he has some sort of brand loyalty I can't understand.

[Phage]

Canon 1200D

[FoxyOrange]

I've heard great things about Canon's EF-S STM zoom lenses. When you say "Normal + zoom lens" do you mean something like an 18-55 (standard zoom) and 50-250 (telephoto zoom) or just a fixed focal length lens and then a standard  zoom? (Nikon has the DX 35mm F/1.8, Canon's has an EF-S  28mm F/2.8 pancake lens) Either way there are good lens options for Canon and Nikon. (I don't know about Sony) If the guy hasn't had a lot of experience with DSLRs before, you could look about for new/used entry level APS-C cameras from either Canon or Nikon. (Think 1x00D or a slightly higher up x00D/xx0D for Canon, and for  Nikon, D3x00 or slightly higher up D5x00) Something like a 550D or 600D for example (T2i/T3i) would be fine if you got one used without too many shutter actuations. I've got a 600D my self and have been using it for a year and a half and has done me very well. May not have stellar image quality by today's standards but I don't take my pictures in test labs of focus charts so I'm fine.

If he has used DSLRs a fair bit before, maybe search for a used 60D or D7000. They're definitely more capable and more functional, again just make sure that if you're buying used, it hasn't got too many shutter actuations, you should be able to find the estimated limit of actuations on the manufacture's website when looking at a page specific to the camera body.

[bobhays]

I've heard great things about Canon's EF-S STM zoom lenses. When you say "Normal + zoom lens" do you mean something like an 18-55 (standard zoom) and 50-250 (telephoto zoom) or just a fixed focal length lens and then a standard  zoom? (Nikon has the DX 35mm F/1.8, Canon's has an EF-S  28mm F/2.8 pancake lens) Either way there are good lens options for Canon and Nikon. (I don't know about Sony) If the guy hasn't had a lot of experience with DSLRs before, you could look about for new/used entry level APS-C cameras from either Canon or Nikon. (Think 1x00D or a slightly higher up x00D/xx0D for Canon, and for  Nikon, D3x00 or slightly higher up D5x00) Something like a 550D or 600D for example (T2i/T3i) would be fine if you got one used without too many shutter actuations. I've got a 600D my self and have been using it for a year and a half and has done me very well. May not have stellar image quality by today's standards but I don't take my pictures in test labs of focus charts so I'm fine.

If he has used DSLRs a fair bit before, maybe search for a used 60D or D7000. They're definitely more capable and more functional, again just make sure that if you're buying used, it hasn't got too many shutter actuations, you should be able to find the estimated limit of actuations on the manufacture's website when looking at a page specific to the camera body.

I meant the 18-50 and 50-200 lenses. I did some quick research and I found the sony A3000 (comes with standard lens) + a telephoto lens for a total of 550. Is that a solid option?

[FoxyOrange]

I meant the 18-50 and 50-200 lenses. I did some quick research and I found the sony A3000 (comes with standard lens) + a telephoto lens for a total of 550. Is that a solid option?

I'm not familiar with Sony cameras. I haven't heard anything overly bad about them, in fact have heard some good things. If I'm not mistaken the A3000 is actually a mirrorless camera, as in there wont be a mirror inside the camera, so there isn't an optical viewfinder either. If this guy doesn't mind that then it should still be a pretty good option, Sony image sensors are generally pretty good so you can expect great image quality but I'd say it'd be worth comparing it to a Canon and Nikon equivalent (Canon 1100D/Rebel T3 or a Nikon D3200) that's still within your budget, just to be extra confident in your decision. The Canon and Nikon offerings would both be actual DSLRs but that may or may not matter to whoever is getting this camera. (a3000 does look to be quite similar to a small DSLR in terms of its handling and appearance if that's an important factor, and it's not as if by being mirrorless it's better or worse than a DSLR in terms of image quality.)

Forgot to ask but will he be doing any video recording on this camera, or will he just be using it as a stills camera?

[bobhays]

I'm not familiar with Sony cameras. I haven't heard anything overly bad about them, in fact have heard some good things. If I'm not mistaken the A3000 is actually a mirrorless camera, as in there wont be a mirror inside the camera, so there isn't an optical viewfinder either. If this guy doesn't mind that then it should still be a pretty good option, Sony image sensors are generally pretty good so you can expect great image quality but I'd say it'd be worth comparing it to a Canon and Nikon equivalent (Canon 1100D/Rebel T3 or a Nikon D3200) that's still within your budget, just to be extra confident in your decision. The Canon and Nikon offerings would both be actual DSLRs but that may or may not matter to whoever is getting this camera. (a3000 does look to be quite similar to a small DSLR in terms of its handling and appearance if that's an important factor, and it's not as if by being mirrorless it's better or worse than a DSLR in terms of image quality.)

Forgot to ask but will he be doing any video recording on this camera, or will he just be using it as a stills camera?

Thanks for the advice. I didn't really know what mirrorless meant until now. It's gonna be mostly for stills, maybe some occasional video but that's not his focus.

[FoxyOrange]

Thanks for the advice. I didn't really know what mirrorless meant until now. It's gonna be mostly for stills, maybe some occasional video but that's not his focus.

Each of those three would be equally capable for shooting stills. The DSLRs might have better autofocus but that should only really matter if the guy is shooting in darker environments more, or anything sport related. (Their optical viewfinders may be nicer but I haven't used an a3000 my self so I can't say really.) Out of those three the A3000 would probably be the best for video, the 1100D doesn't film in 1080p and the D3200 wont let you change aperture in live view,  or while recording.

If you can find a good deal on a 1200D or even a 650D they'd be great choices and one other to consider is the 100D, even though it's super tiny in size, from what I've read it's quite capable. 

I do have a friend who owns a Sony a3000 and they like it. (although they're in Finland so I can't try it and compare it to my 600D) Just depends on what experience this guy has had with cameras before really. If you have any retail stores near you that will let you (or the guy) try cameras out that's worth the effort.

[Electronics Wizardy]

Cannon Rebel T5

 

why does it have to be Nikon,Canon,or Sony?

Othen than panasonic there are no companies that make good video camera in that price range.

[ShadowCaptain]

Othen than panasonic there are no companies that make good video camera in that price range.

 

Thats 100% not true

[Electronics Wizardy]

Thats 100% not true

Well there pentax other than that there is no other dslr brandon under 550. I don't normally argue buying pentax, but there decent cameras. It's just that buying from big brands are normally a much better idea as they have a much better lens selection and support for accessories.

[ShadowCaptain]

Well there pentax other than that there is no other dslr brandon under 550. I don't normally argue buying pentax, but there decent cameras. It's just that buying from big brands are normally a much better idea as they have a much better lens selection and support for accessories.

 

Nikon D3200? 

Sony A5100 (ok mirrorless but still)

 

 

Both take decent video

[Electronics Wizardy]

Nikon D3200? 

Sony A5100 (ok mirrorless but still)

 

 

Both take decent video

Sorry, I was responding to someone comment saying that the only good brands are canon, nikon, sony.

[ShadowCaptain]

Sorry, I was responding to someone comment saying that the only good brands are canon, nikon, sony.

 

oh right sorry I thought you were saying only pentax and panasonic made good cameras and i was about to slap you

[Charlie Clarke]

Nikon D3300