All newbie/starter entry level DSLR information

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I think D3100 should be a excellent choice.The Sony A390 and A290 are entry level cameras which compares well to the D3000 and EOS1000d all have sensors dating back to a few years ago.Where as the D3100 has a much better sensor.
In 4/3 there aren't much lenses available.
 
Sudarshan:The 1000D with IS lens should be 23k max with bill & warranty in Mumbai...

@ Logistopath: At that range you should be able to get a Canon 550D. The D3100 is a very good camera too, unfortunately the cheaper prime lens wont AF on them (I feel if you are new, there is nothing better then a cheap 50mm f1.8 lens)
 
BF1983 said:
@TechHead - Where did you try out the A55 ??? I am planning to buy that cam soon.

Also what do you mean that ISO is hidden away in so many menus ? It has a 4 way controller where you can change the ISO, WB, Drive and display options. So it does have a dedicated button for both ISO and WB.

In any case I never use anything other than auto WB in my shots. It can be corrected at any time thanks to RAW. :)
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My bad, was referring to the NEX5 :)
Tried it out at the Sound Out store, Heera Panna.
 
@adder and Aces: Thanks.

The Canon 550D looks to be at least 5k beyond my budget, and that too with only the kit lens. I would prefer to spend not more than 40K for the entire package that also includes a 50mm prime. Sorry if I haven't been clearer with my post. I'm looking to buy a DSLR body with kit lens and a prime lens, memory card and bag within the 40k budget.
 
^^ I think the Canon 500D should be within reach in that case. The D3100 is outta question, as the prime lens itself will cost 20-25k :)
 
@Sahil and Ragz: Thanks for the suggestion. I'll check out the 500D. I'll most probably be making an online purchase only. Any links for the prime lens?
 
That's always good news, getting more competition. Hope the new lens market for Sony grows from here on...

Sony has been marketing the NEX series like crazy, and a lot of people are attracted to the form. They have not given numbers but I am willing to bet, the SLT is not the reason for the market share increase, but its the NEX series.
 
Posted a few days back in Gadget section but got no love from pros... so posting here:

Need my first DSLR... budget around 30K. Mighty confused between these two:

Nikon D3100 And Sony A33

Doing lot of reading on both and the consensus is that even though SLT-33 is unknown commodity, for now it's pretty good.

On Nikon side D3100 is as good an entry-level DSLR as they come.

As I see it D3100 has advantage in:

* Brand and hence availability of lenses

* A fantastic sensor and superb still image quality

* Many more Nikon users out there/probably better support in India

* Price (I HOPE it will be cheaper by around 2 to 3K than Sony A33 for me)

* Vastly superior battery life

While A33 has advantage in:

* Excellent viewfinder, albeit electronic. 100% coverage

* Very fast live view performance/good LCD

* In-body auto-focus and sensor based image stabilization (no need to worry about picking IS or AF lenses)

* Very good video mode

* Features like Auto HD, Sweep Panorama

* Exposure bracketing

very confused... my heart says A33. But mind says D3100 is better VFM and less risky venture for first time DSLR user.

Of course, A lot will also depend on how the cams feel in hand... will try Nikon in a day or two. A33 will have to wait at least a week.

Also, as far as lenses are concerned I am not too worried about availability. I will hardly use more than 3-4 good lenses and however limited Sony collection is, I am sure I will find a few decent ones.
 
Where are you able to find A33 ^.

I haven't seen the A33 or any of the SLT yet but i believe for a first time DSLR user the A33 is better,since it has a bigger 100% viewfinder,what you see is what you get and a swivel LCD.The D3100 has one of the smallest viewfinders i have seen.
.If you want to use the LCD the A33 will focus and track better then the D3100.In videos the A33 is again better it also has a port for external mike or you can also connect a ear phone or headphone which will act as a mike so that you don't get the focus motor noise.

As far as the lenses you do have the Sony A mount lenses and minolta lenses.I think BF1983 knows better.

You may also want to try out the EOS 500D.
 
Sorry but a bit offtopic.WHere have the sister site of Te on photography went?

I mean something lensworth cant seem to find it
 
Hatter: Sony has a very a broad range of lenses abroad. The SLT is a brilliant piece of technology, IMO much better then the widely advertised NEX series. The viewfinder is a love/hate thing for Sony, some people abhor electronic viewfinders. But if you have never used an DSLR shouldn't be a concern for you. There are quite a few old Minolta lens which are able to AF on the Sony mounts..

I am not a big fan of the entry range Nikons, quite a lot of old and cheap primes do not AF on them. If you can increase the budget a little, the Nikon D90 is a killer camera. In addition do have a look at Pentax K-r it has got very good reviews.
 
Sensors used in nikon cameras
Nikon D3/D700 sensor NC81338L: made by Nikon https://www.chipworks.com/Products/IPR-1005-803.jpg

Nikon D3s sensor NC81361A: made by Nikon Chipworks | Nikon NIK-NC81361A

Nikon D3100 sensor NC81362A: made by Nikon Chipworks | Nikon NIK-NC81362A Camera Module

Nikon D90/D5000 sensor IMX038:made by Sony

Nikon D7000 sensor IMX071 : made by Sony http://www.chipworks.com/media/wpmu/uploads/blogs.dir/4/files/2011/01/IMX071_diemrk.jpg

The Sony IMX071 is also used in Sony A580 DSLR,A55 SLT and Pentax K-5
 
^^ Nice find there. Although the huge difference between the D90 and D5000 is the viewfinder, and the AF system.

Any idea on the sensors used in Canon cameras?
 
^Canon uses their own sensors in their DSLR and as of now they don't sell them or other companies haven't bought them.

Earlier Nikon used to use the Sony CCD sensors in thier DSLR and at that time Sony never made large CMOS sensors(except for the Sony R1).Since Canon had a head start in CMOS sensors (all of their DSLR uses CMOS).Sony had to play catch up in CMOS and in july 2007 canon announced its investing 55 billion Yen into its CMOS its plans was also to use CMOS in their compact cameras too.(But till this date only the canon S1XS used a canon Cmos censor)
Tit for tat 2007 news from dpreview
Sony has revealed it is to invest 60 billion Yen (5 billion Yen more than Canon) over the next three years in its Kumamoto Technology Center (image sensor production). From the announcement: "Over the next three years, Sony will continue to strengthen its CMOS sensor manufacturing operations to provide growth markets such as mobile phones and digital still cameras with CMOS sensors that combine high image quality with advanced processing speeds."UPDATE: Although this story only showed up on Sony's semiconductor page today it was on their press release page some time ago, so it looks like Canon were chasing Sony's tail on this one.
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So after many years Sony sensors are now on par with canon.They also continue to make smaller CCD and cmose sensors which many compact camera manufactures use including canon,nikon,ricoh,fuji etc.

Samsung is still playing catch up.
 
Samsung sensors are pathetic, atleast judging from a few P&S I have come across.
 
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