The wife wants a DSLR camera for her birthday (30th) we got a kid due in December so i reckon its a good investment , I reckon a Canon is the job ? but any advice welcome , budget up to £700 but would prefer around 3-500 ?? I never bought a proper camera before ??

I haven’t looked at DSLRs in quite a few years, so can’t offer advice on any particular models/deals, but some general advice… most modern DSLRs are more than capable of doing anything a novice/amateur photographer wants to do. I have a Nikon D80 which must be 8 years old, and is pretty average by today’s standards, but still I rarely get limited by what it can or can’t do.

If all your wife has ever used is a compact or phone camera, then pretty much any DSLR will be more than capable of doing great things, and give your wife tons of scope to improve her skills before she reaches the limit of the camera.

As for Canon vs the rest, it’s a very partisan world out there, but don’t get too hung up on which brand you get – any of the big names will get you a good bit of kit.

One thing that was useful to me when buying the D80 – get out there and test some cameras out. While they’re all the same basic size and shape, there are differences. One of the reasons I got the D80 was that while it had the same features as a couple of others I was looking at, it just felt right in my hands. A similar specced Canon felt way too small, and on one other (Sony?) the shutter release just felt like it was in a bit of an awkward position for my index finger.

Although I’m by no means experienced, I’d suggest a Canon 500D.

It’s more camera than most people need, by which I mean it has a large sensor for high quality photos. Good low-light capabilities and enough manual settings to keep most people fiddling / experimenting / improving for a long time.

I bought mine in a kit with 18-55mm and 75-300mm lenses. Honestly, I’ve barely used the 75-300mm. I added a fixed 50mm lens to my collection and can’t see myself needing or wanting more.

IMO, Sony cameras are over priced and too proprietary with their attachments.

The choice should be between Canon and Nikon. Similarly priced Nikons do feel less plasticy but, after 4 years, my well used Canon is still in excellent condition. The user-interface is the main difference and I prefer Canon’s. Ergonomics are important too. If variuos buttons arent in a natural place for your wife to press them, she won’t use them and will waste features of the camera. This is a present she should chose, not one you surprise her with.

Don’t forget to factor into the cost, UV filters (they make minimal difference to the image quality but protect the lens), an SD card (fast and largish capacity) and a bag/rucksack.

I got my camera for Christmas when MCPH Jr was on the way; it was a great investment.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/ is a great forum very helpful and friendly advice.

What feels good to one person feels awkward to another. I know it’s not as as nice as giving a surprise gift which can be immediately unboxed, but I would repeat the advice to have her go and get a feel for what’s on offer. Things like body shape, control dials and menu style really quite personal and the intuitiveness of their function go a long way to determining how straightforward her learning curve is.

The best camera is the one you have with you. Just make sure she/you will be bothered to take it out with you. Friends have done exactly what you’re planning (although it was for her 40th) and the only camera they ever use is their mobile phone while their dSLR sits at home as they can’t be bothered to take it out with them. A good small compact would have suited them much better and would be a big step up from their phone cameras.

Nikon d3200 with 18-55mm VR lens is bang on the money (current sale price). Surely all a beginner would need. Whatever you choose maybe factor in a nice sllng-bag to go with it 🙂

Personally, I find DSLR cameras and their lenses too big and bulky and I never take them anywhere.

You can look at things like the Fuji X series, Sony RX100s, Ricoh GR and Lumix LX1 – they are compact cameras but take great pictures.

Another thing to look at are mirrorless/compact system cameras. Micro 4/3rds are best to go for as they have the most lenses. Panasonic and Olympus make them.
There are a variety of styles and price ranges.

You don’t need to spend your whole budget. Maybe get a second lens (a nice prime lens) or get some photography/post processing lessons.

WillH – Member

One thing that was useful to me when buying the D80 – get out there and test some cameras out. While they’re all the same basic size and shape, there are differences. One of the reasons I got the D80 was that while it had the same features as a couple of others I was looking at, it just felt right in my hands. A similar specced Canon felt way too small, and on one other (Sony?) the shutter release just felt like it was in a bit of an awkward position for my index finger.

This is an important point. I’ve also got a D80 and was struggling to choose between that and it’s Canon equivalent at the time. I ended up going into a shop and having a fiddle with them and within a couple of minutes, it was clear that the Nikon was the better camera for me.

Depending on what you want to use the camera for, I would seriously consider something a bit more compact – one of the many compact system cameras that are available now.
It will be easier to take with you, so you are more likely to have it on you, the image quality will be to all intents and purposes as good as an SLR and people tend to be happier to have their photo taken when there is a ‘compact’ camera being pointed at them rather than an imposing SLR.

I keep debating whether to get one of the Panasonic compact system cameras. Something like the GF6, but as I’ve already got my SLR, a normal compact and a waterproof compact, I am struggling to justify it.
The Panasonic and Olympus cameras share the same lens mount system, so you have a massive choice of lenses between them.

Canon 1200D
Nikon D3300 or D3200
Canon 100D (Apperatly the worlds smallest DSLR)

Personally I’d buy one of the Above as they are all around the £300 – £500 Mark and use the rest of the budget for stuff like a Tripod, SD Cards, a bag to keep the Camera safe or additional lenses.

I have a Canon 1100D and its perfectly acceptable for my skilly levels (very basic) my mate has the Nikon D3200 and I can’t find any differences in them.

Go to Jessops and fondle some of the above and see which feels best and have a look online to get the best price.

I got my Canon 1100D for £279 on amazon with the Kit Lens.

I bought a 350D when they first came out about 12 years ago and just changed the body for a 450D which I got off eBay for £110.
Sould the old body for £50 and kept my L lenses as they’re the important part – it’s not really about the body

Can only echo the advice above re: trying them out. I was all set on getting a Canon, but the Nikon just felt better when I had a go with both.

Also get her to take a look at fancy compacts and CSCs – it can be a real chore carrying around a DSLR and all the lenses.

Canon have been churning out the same ancient sensor designs for years now. If I was in the market for a DSLR I’d be looking at Nikon.

But, as has been mentioned above you might want to consider the practicalities of size.

The Only reason why i got a DSLR is for Aviation photography. My Bridge Camera (Fujifilm) had manual controls and was perfectly good for everything bar the above.

Have you not thought about a bridge Camera like the Canon Powershot SX60? not sure of the Nikon Equivalent.

£359 the first price i saw when typed into google.

Not sure if its still the case but a couple years back when I was looking for a camera and reading reviews there was very little to separate cameras from different manufacturers.

Their product cycles were always a few months out of sync, so the new very good Nikon would get very slightly beaten in a few months by the newer Cannon which would get very slightly beaten in a few more months by the even newer Sony etc …

Its the accessories that will be the deal breaker. Check what lenses and flashes etc, you many want and the price and availability of them for each camera.

Eg I decided on a Pentax K30 as I wanted to use it while cycling and the camera and many lenses are weather sealed so I don’t have to worry about water and dirt getting into the camera. But turns out unless I want to spend mega bucks there are not very many non fisheye super wide lenses for me to choose from.

+1 for trying them.

I went down the Canon vs Nikon road, and knew inside of a couple of minutes which way to go after I’d played with a few. The Canon felt ‘right’ to me, intuitive to use, and the Nikon just felt weird. One man’s meat is another man’s pornography, or something.

Another point worth considering is, do you have any friends with dSLRs? Buying into the same system means you will be able to borrow kit from them (assuming they’re amenable) and get tips and help.

Get one of the lower end Canons, and see how you go. It may end up in a wardrobe or she may love it, who knows.

Jairaj you know one of the [many] awesome things about a pentax dslr is that you can fit loads of lenses [on k mount] with no adapter and they will all be stabilized because it’s in body. Therefore you have loads of glass to choose from.

You might be able to find yourself a nice legacy uwa on ebay or a forum.

Also take a look at the samyang 10/14/16mm lenses.

Perhaps should also consider the pentax da 15mm.

Pentax really is one of the most underated products/brands out there.

Thanks Conqueror. I had a quick look at Samyang lenses, they look good and sell for a reasonable price.

I did think about ebay but I’m quite new cameras so don’t have much confidence in my self to not buy a lemon.

We have been through this and ended up down the CSC route – mainly because it is smaller we are more likely to take it with us. We ended up with a Lumix G6 – so far we are happy – and have now got a ‘bigger’ lens which rather defeats the point of having it smaller to carry round!

I’d look into CSCs personally. I’m a fan of the Lumix M4/3 cameras. See my Torridon thread for examples of what you can do with them. 🙂

Would this suit?
d600

£710 posted.

you might be able to up the spec by buying a refurbed camera

Been very happy with my nikon from http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/

I’m a fan of the Lumix M4/3 cameras.

Grum shows just how good your pics can be with M4/3, but I don’t get on with the cameras – they fell awkward to use. I much prefer having both a decent compact and a SLR.

I’d also say what a lot are saying – any slr body these days, even the cheap stuff, is very very good, with large sensors and more than ample for the vast majority of SLR users. Most people still just leave them in full auto.

Grum shows just how good your pics can be with M4/3, but I don’t get on with the cameras – they fell awkward to use. I much prefer having both a decent compact and a SLR.

Horses for courses innit. I just know quite a few people who have an SLR gathering dust because it’s too bulky/faffy to take out and I think sometimes people feel a bit self conscious using a big camera on social occasions. For some people that might be true of a CSC too I suppose.

Think carefully about this. £700 camera does not take significantly better pictures than a £200 one UNLESS you know what you are doing. And in order to know what you are doing, you need to be prepared to learn and understand. A £700 camera or even a £500 one is pointless for snaps. It’ll be too much faff and you’ll end up leaving them at home and using your phone. I reckon this is what most DSLR owners do. For it to be worth the faff of carting a big camera about, the desire to put the effort in must be there.

If you want something better than a point-and-shoot job then as above, a Compact System is ideal like Panasonic/Olympus or whatever Sony’s one is. They are more or less equivalent in all practical terms but smaller and often more user-friendly. I prefer the Olympus ones, aside from anything else I think they are attractive objects rather than unattractive black plastic blobs.

If I were you I’d get the Olympus OM-D EM10 – although it looks like an SLR it is very small indeed, and crucially it has a regular zoom lens that folds up small, like compacts do. So it is no longer the awkward shape that makes other small cameras still annoying to carry.

However nice it is though it’s only going to be an expensive cupboard-filler if you don’t take it out and use it.

TBH its absolutely true, the best camera is indeed the one you have with you.
The less cumbersome, the better.

Also – they are quite personal things, so perhaps taking your wife shopping for one would be better than the element of surprise.