NEED TO BUY DSLR > 50k AND DIGICAM > 7-8k

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Charun

Charun

Forerunner
hey guyz as the title says need to buy 2 cams

1] A DSLR - a friend needs to buy this during Jan 3rd week on his birthday, he's a total noob in photography and doesnt know anything

i suggested him fz35 as i know only that dslr, i m also a noob

please suggest me some dslr's easy to use for a first timer
2] DIGICAM

wanna buy this for my sister
what should i look for ?
- megapixels ?
- optical zoom?
-screen size ?

which one to go for ?
SONY W320 costs around 8.5k with 12mp and 4x optical zoom and 2.7" screen

whereas a kodak digicam costs 7.5k with 10 or 12mp and 5x optical zoom and 3" screem
 
The Lumix FZ35 != DSLR. It is a prosumer grade super-zoom cam.

Refer the other DSLR thread - has loads of similar queries.
 
As a complete noob, I'm not sure your friend will be able to appreciate the learning curve that a DSLR demands, although most DSLRs do come with an auto mode. Please discuss with him about his needs (what form factor he needs, what sort of pics he will take, how frequently will he use, will he shoot in low light frequently, etc.) and then post them here. As Gannu has mentioned, the FZ35 is not a DSLR. With the budget your friend has, he will be easily able to get one of those mid level DSLRs.

Regarding the PnS you are looking for, I'll go with the W320 any day. However, I think it is the grey market piece which comes with dealer warranty only. Please check and decide. You can safely ignore the megapixel count unless you will be printing huge posters. For routine 4 x 6 prints and even A4 prints, a 6 to 7 MP cam should be more than sufficient. Read the reviews online and settle for a cam that offers good image quality, has an optical image stabilizer, a good optical zoom, and comes at a good price.
 
And yeah do consider the newly launched Sony NEX-3 & NEX-5 cams. Although they are priced as expensive as a decent entry-level DSLR, the snaps speak for themselves. Buying one from abroad is def. worth it.
 
im a total photography noob and i just recently bought myself a Nikon D3100 DSLR and couldnt be happier. I'd recommend the same for your friend. its the perfect entry level dslr. i think it retails here for about 33k. go to jjmehta.com for more pricing etc.
 
As somebody has already said, DSLRs means a much steeper learning curve than a P&S, ultra zoom. The FZ35 is a not a DSLR, its a superzoom/ultra zoom point and shoot. You cannot change the lens.

On DSLR, you can change the lenses as per your preference.

Something like the Nikon d3100 or Canon eos500d would serve wellIt would cost 28-35k INR. The kit lens would provide 18-55mm range or 3X zoom only. If you want more zoom, look at spending around 10k atleast more on bigger lenses(i.e ones with more focal length/ zoom range). Will your friend be ok with that? Whereas a super zoom at 20k would give you some 28-400 plus zoom( 15X and more). These will have manual controls for you to use when you want to do some advanced photograph

But if he is really inclined towards photography, patient types, then go straight to a Dslr. Else I would recommend a super zoom first and then graduating to a DSLR.
 
1. Get a "advanced" superzoom like the latest version of the canon S3IS - these give all the controls in manual mode that a DSLR gives, so you can experiment. Once your friend understands the limitation, he can upgrade to a DSLR. There are many cases where a DSLR will be very overwhelming, and will actually decrease interest in photography - not to mention that a DSLR is bit bulkier than the superzooms

2. If you really want to go for a DSLR only, go for a "mid entry level" Canon/Nikon. In Canon, it is the T1i (500D). Go for a two-lens kit with 18-55 and 55-300mm focal lengths, so you can appreciate the camera more. (I do not know the corresponding Nikon). Do not go for the "cheapest" (Canon 1000D/Nikon D3100) unless you have really hard budget constraints.

3. I did (1) above for few years, and recently went for a Pentax k-x with 2 lenses. Came out to be very value for money at 33k. Only catch is that it needs to be bought from US or Singapore, as it does not have presence in India. But to start with, go with 1 or 2 - what I did requires lot more effort and thinking through :)

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

Regarding Digicam - I would suggest Canon/Nikon, just a personal preference due to various factors :

1. More VFM

2. Sony ties you in with proprietary batter, card etc

3. Sony prob looks "cuter", but I found Canon in comparable spec models to be generally cheaper.
 
abhinavmodi said:
1
[/COLOR]Regarding Digicam - I would suggest Canon/Nikon, just a personal preference due to various factors :
2. Sony ties you in with proprietary batter, card etc
3. Sony prob looks "cuter", but I found Canon in comparable spec models to be generally cheaper.
Click to expand...
Well thats misinformation all manufactures use proprietary batteries unless the camera uses AA size battery.Secondly from 2010 all Sony cameras support dual format which includes the SD/SDHC card and Memory stick Duo.
3 Canon uses sensors from Sony in many of their P&S and they are priced competitively.
 
DSLR options : Sony A55(Maybe a little more than 50k but very nice and fast[Only problem will be lenses as sony doesn't have many ]), Nik D3100, Nik D5000, Canon 550D. (The choices I gave are not in my pref order)

For P&S: IMO they are all more or less same with some + or - features but I suggest you go for canon(you can put custom firmaware in those I believe [correct me if i'm wrong]) or sony, sony have some models in your range and they fare good.
 
You can definately Consider SONY DSLR's in your range. Believe me they are very very good and also Most DSLR's come with Live view also. some Canon DSLR's have many complaints with Live view( which is one important thing ).
Sony ALpha 390 or 450 : they come with built in IS system so even a non IS lens can be used.As SLR's will cost some where between 30-35 if yo ustil have budget can go for and wide zoom lens.
 
At your price range check:

Nikon D5000

Nikon D3100

Nikon D90

Canon 500D

Canon 550D

I don't suggest Sony DSLRs or the new NEX series mirror less cams.

Myself owning a Nikon D5000, I strongly recommend you to go for Nikon DSLRs :)
 
^^

I do not know about micro 4/3rds, but most DSLRs have Live View these days. I am not sure how many use it though - I tried it once and it is much better to use the viewfinder itself - the image is very choppy on the LV, because of constant processing required.
 
Nikon d3100 with kitlense

With rest of the money he can grab a

AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

Ready to go
 
@OP: I would suggest trying your hand first at a Micro four third (say @ your nearest Croma).

The LV of Micro four third is Not choppy at all, and thats the primary way to view/compose a photo from a Micro Four third.

abhinavmodi said:
^^

I do not know about micro 4/3rds, but most DSLRs have Live View these days. I am not sure how many use it though - I tried it once and it is much better to use the viewfinder itself - the image is very choppy on the LV, because of constant processing required.
Click to expand...
 
The controls on the Sony NEX series are very awkward. The ergonomics goes for a toss if you attach a slightly bulky zoom lens. If photography is a hobby get a DSLR, but if you want a P&S replacement with better IQ and more manual controls get a micro 4/3 rd...
 
M4/3 lenses are hard to get in india and they aren't cheap.
The NEX is a rather better choice for people who are used to a P&S camera but want DSLR quality images, it will be a breeze to operate .But for those who are going to fiddle around with the settings quite often then NEX aren't the cameras for them.
But i don't see many Sony Alpha owners complain that much about the NEX.

Only the panasonic m4/3 camera have good ergonomics like their GH series.

A canon/nikon or any other DSLR owner is definitely going to recommend the brands they have,so its better for the OP to try all the cameras out.
 
But i don't see many Sony Alpha owners complain that much about the NEX.
Click to expand...

Actually a lot of them do, infact anyone who is used to a DSLR will complain :P Although the Sony users are gung-ho on the SLT cameras...
 
^^ The other day I went to a Sony showroom to try the NEX series, and I have to say they need some improvement in their lens system developed for this series, the lens won't rotate as freely as a 'cheapest' lens on SLR.. I can't say about the image quality but if you are buying it alone for the lens factor then stay away..Changing focal length on these continuously can be a painful affair. the lens rotates as if they have put some grease in between. :(

Of course this is my personal opinion.

@ thread starter: Dude I feel live view is more of a marketing gimmick.. If you are in for a DSLR then viewfinder is the way to go (Not saying that it's a waste, just proposing that you won't be using it as often as you think you will :)) but nonetheless if you decide to go for it then 4/3 and sony systems are the best.

Image quality/camera speed/after sales and service/lenses are some of the factors you should consider before making a decision which I feel zeroes in for a canon or nikon.
 
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