Hey guys i've always used a nothing special point and shoot compact camera. I'd like to get a nicer camera and start taking better looking pics of my wife and kids. Most shots would be outdoors of my kids playing around. The rest would be mostly from birthdays, holidays or just family get togethers. My wife has 5 brothers and 5 sisters so we always have something going on. These are a few cameras with the prices listed from local shops, haven't really started looking online yet. I also would not mind buying used if i can get at a nice price that would save me money I could put to use towards a nice lens.

Nikon 40D for $400
Nikon D3000 for $500
Nikon D5000 for $700
Canon Rebel XS for $500
Canon T1i for $700
Canon T2i for $900

Just looking for a nice entry level camera that I can learn from. If you guys have any other cameras that you recommend let me know. My price range would be from $500-$1k. Thanks for you time.

Buy a nicer body used, nicer than any that you listed. And buy a prime lens. Either a 50 1.8 or 35 1.8. Then you can get a kit lens to get you by.

I think you meant Nikon D40.

For what you listed.. you don't really need a prosumer body.. but i assume you're going to want better AF tracking for your kids running around and semi-decent high ISO performance?

Look into getting a used 40D or 50D, both have 9 cross-type autofocus sensors with reasonable ISO performance. You can find a nice used 40D for $500~ or a 50D for $700~.

Of all the bodies you listed.. the t2i is going to have the best high ISO performance, but it doesn't have the build quality, AF tracking ability, and the burst speed and buffer.


Edit: Also, go to a camera store and play with the bodies.. some people prefer the feel of Nikons and some prefer Canons.

This post was edited by Eek on Oct 2 2010 06:33pm

I think you guys are getting too technical and using terms and stuff that could be hard for a beginner to understand

@mokujon
I believe you will be quite disappointed with the old Nikon D40 and the newer D3000 because they have too many limitations.
and the D5000 isn't really that great either so you may want to take a look at D90 which has become cheaper now newer
cameras have been released. Depends on where you live you can probably get a new one for around 800.

Then there are the Canons. If you don't mind paying 900 for the new T2i then I think you should go for it especially if you
want to use your camera for video recording. Also remember that later on once you have learned more about photography
you will probably want to get some good lenses too that is when you will have to spend a lot money

Just don't get bit by the L bug.. there is no turning back once you're bitten.

It's extremely hard not to be infected lol
I mean just look at those sharp and colorful pictures taken with those lenses.
After have been using my crappy Sigma together with the L's I firmly believe
they are well worth the amount of money I have spent

are entry level sony cameras any good? i don't hear too much talk about them.

No. Haha... They can be, but I hated mine after I while, I switched and got the T2i.

Crappy sigma... what sigma are you talking about.. unless it's the cheapo ones... most sigmas are pretty darn nice especially for the price.

D3000 has far many more limitations than the D40.

D90 photography wise is a better camera than the T2i. T2i is far superior with its video capabilities though. And I think the Nikon kit lens gets slightly better reviews than Canon's.