Irishwhistle

Your best bet is to go to a camera store and try and see what you like. For instance, I believe the Pentax K200D is nearly perfect for me, but it could be horridly wrong for you. You've really got to decide which features mean the most to you, for instance:

Do you really need live view?

How 'bout in-body image stabilization?

Is a pentaprism worth the extra money?

Is a LCD screen on top that displays settings something that you want?

Do you want a compact "gadgety" DSLR or a heavy duty workhorse? Or: Do you want a camera that takes the toylike approach or the tool approach?


The last question is very important... the Canon XS would be a toy while the 50D is a tool, or the Nikon D60 is a toy, while the D90 is a tool. Pentax K2000 = toy, K20D = tool. By now you get the idea. Don't get me wrong though, a toy can be used very effectively, you just have to decide what you want.

As far as entry level cameras go, Canon seems to have the latest and greatest stuff inside, while feeling like a toy in your hands.

Nikon is similar although I'd say they don't feel as much like a toy, but also aren't quite as up to date.

Olympus seems to get away with the bear minimum, the good thing is that they have good prices (I'd classify most Olympus cameras as taking the "tool approach", but in a somewhat boring way, they can get the job done though and should certainly be considered as an option.)

Pentax! Well, they take the tool approach, but are a little behind on the times, people like me don't mind this, but others would much prefer the latest and greatest of the Canons and Nikons.

And then there's Sony... I can't quite figure them out, from what I can gather it's kinda like a mix of Canon and Olympus, which is weird, but whatever. They do what they're supposed to, and are decently priced.

Well, that would seem to cover the major five brands, so... have fun! Hope that helped a bit.

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Ramomar

Thanks man!

I have handled a Nikon D40, D90 (not a choice), Sony Alpha A200, Olympus E-420 and some other Canons.

The one I've liked the most is the XSi. I guess I just got used to it.

The Sony A200 has awful control placements IMO.

the D40 feels a bit too much like a "toy" in Irishwhistle terms and the LCD interface is weird. And the D90 is out of my price range.

Pentax seems almost perfect but I unfortunately I haven't had the chance to handle them and see how they work.

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Irishwhistle

Well, the D40x and D60 wouldn't be any different than the D40 in that regard. And I'd have to agree about the Sony.

Now if the Pentax seems almost perfect I'd highly recommend trying one if you can find a store that caries them and then decide between that and the XSi. The XSi and K200D are very different cameras, so if you like both you'll have to prioritize features.

If you didn't already look at that website I linked to (cameralabs.com) you might want to do so, there's videos on there that explain the interface of most of the current budget DSLRs and the K200D is on there.

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Calibretto

You could get the new Rebel T1i

http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/25/c...-now-official/

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Ramomar

That T1i looks sexy, what caught my attention even more is the Video feature, that could come in handy. Seems like I found what I'm after.

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Irishwhistle

Yeah, that should be an awesome camera when it comes out. You should also take a look at the new Nikon D5000, it has HD video too.

Just making sure you know what all your options are!

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Calibretto

I say if you're used to Canon (which you probably are Omar) then go with Canon, since Nikon has a completely different UI that could take awhile to get used to.

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Ramomar

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Pretty much I used an XSi for about two weeks so I'm pretty much used to it. And I have used Canon P&S cameras before and the interface/menu doesn't change much.

I'm still interested in Pentax though mostly because of how the buttons and interface are like those of Canons (at least on the K2000), not to mention the body itself looks similar so I'm still taking the K2000 into consideration.

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vroom_skies

Sorry I haven't chimed in, I've been quite busy.
Still quite busy, so hopefully I can post thoughts down tomorrow.

I know holding bodies is one of the best things that can be done when deciding to purchase a DLSR, and I know finding Pentax's in stores is super hard. However, take my word on it, that Pentax's bodies are one of their strongest points. That goes double for the K10D & K20D, I don't know so much on the K*** series.

Pentax's "faults" lie in focusing speed and continuous frames, however neither of these have hindered me in anyway. Then again, I'm not shooting events where those features would matter, such as sports.

When it comes down to it I wouldn't buy anything lower then the D80/ D90 on Nikon's side nor 30D/ 40D on Canon's side. I feel that Pentax/ Oly/ Samgsung/ Sony etc, have better offerings in that price range and also even into the higher priced teirs as well.

There is a quick view on my thoughts,
Bob

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Bob, I'm trying to remember, what is it you told me that you didn't like about your Pentax that my Canon had?

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