I know we have quite a few camera fanatics around here so I would like some opinions on what I am looking at

I have first narrowed down the field to only Nikon or Canon. I have already spent endless hours reading reviews on dpreview.com and kenrockwell.com and other similar sites. My decision is being narrowed to basically 5 different DSLR's because I they are all available through Staples and I'm getting $600 in Staples gift cards in the mail pretty soon

Just for some background info, this will be my first DSLR following a series of Canon p&s digicams (currently using a Canon SD800 IS). I have been to Best Buy to tinker with each of these camera's in person and have recently had the chance to spend half a day with my friends Nikon D90 with a 18-200 VR lens (although this is not one of my choices).

Here's what I'm looking for:

• bang for the buck
• something I won't want to upgrade from in a year
• fast continuous shooting speeds
• of course, great image quality (I don't think I can go wrong there)

It's the things that I don't know that much about where I am looking for some help. Does anyone use Live View with your DSLR? My wife thinks it's an important feature but she probably won't take too many shots. I really don't care about resolution above 10MP.

What "little" features am I going to wish I had from one camera to the next?

Here are my choices, let's just assume that I can afford any of these camera's but the more I save the sooner I will be able to by a telephoto lens!

Canon
Rebel XS - 10MP, 3.0 fps (1.5 fps RAW)
Rebel XSi - 12MP, 3.5 fps
Rebel T1i - 15MP, 3.4 fps

Nikon
D40 - 6MP, 2.5 fps (no live view)
D5000 - 12MP, 4 fps

The more I think about it, I have really narrowed it down to three canceling the Rebel XS and the D40.

Here is a side-by-side of all these with the D90 thrown in:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/comp...d5000&show=all

Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions!

 

Since I'm a Canon fan, for bang for the buck go with the less expensive XSi. You probably won't upgrade the body for quite some time, but you will want to invest in better glass.

Personally I've never used Live View, and I really don't have a use for it. I think it appeals to people who are used to point & shoots.

 

Ever think about a Pentax K20D? FPS isnt the best but hard to beat in for the money in pretty much every other category.

 

I'm really limited to what is offered by Staples since I have $600 in gift cards to use towards the purchase. The only Pentax they offer is the K2000 and I haven't done any research on this model.

 

I'd also check w/ photographer friends you may have to see what they shoot with. That will give you the opportunity to perhaps borrow or try out lenses, which can fit your body before taking the plunge with expensive glass.

 

Which Canon do you own? And do you think in-camera auto focus is a big deal or are there plenty of options that have the AF motor built into the glass?

As for the Live View, I picture myself using it on occasion when trying to frame shots from overhead or weird angles where you may not be able to look through the viewfinder. This could be an advantage of the Nikon D5000 with the articulating screen. Even if only to use the Live View to frame the shot and then disable it to snap the shot it could be helpful? Probably something you don't really think of if you don't use the feature.

 

Yeah I did spend a half day recently with my friends Nikon D90 with 18-200 lens. The combination seems quite bulky (D90 weighs 24oz by itself as compared to most others are <20oz). However the camera itself is really nice with that lens but I'm not looking to drop $1200+ on a kit right now.

I wouldn't mind spending a little time with the D5000 or any of the Rebel line. My friend with the D90 even offered to let me borrow it for a few weeks, I'm just afraid I would fall in love with it and then the wife would kill me for wanting to spend that much more!

 

i enjoy using my Canon Xs. Really good for the money. Im thinking of selling it. Interested? It's bit more than I need. PM me.

 

Not unless you accept Staples gift cards!

 

I have a Canon 40D.

Not sure what you mean by in camera auto focus....they should all control the focusing motor in the lens. Some focusing systems are better than others, but the differences I couldn't really explain.

 

I gota Canon 30D. I like it a lot, but this is the only DSLR I have ever owned, so cant say much about others.

Maybe, it wont be a bad idea to buy a used Canon 30D or 40D or a Nikon body and spend your $600 on some badass lens(es).

 

@will
I think this is more of a Nikon thing where the focus motor was built into the camera. The lenses would then be cheaper since they didn't require the in-lens focus motor. From what I've read the in-lens focusing is faster anyways...

@yash
It doesn't look like Staples really has any badass lenses. The main one I would probably get is the 55-250mm. Until I really learn to use a DSLR and all of the features and have the time to really exploit it, I think I will be good with one of these entry-level DSLR's. Any of them will be worlds faster than my point and shoot from shot-to-shot.

 

if you are interested, i wouldn't mind letting you mess around with my XSi a little. i love it and it has been everything that i need. as Will said, you will more than likely want to upgrade the glass eventually, but the camera overall is solid in my opinion. let me know if you want to take it for a test drive.

as for the live view - i never use it. ever. kinda cool to have i guess, but i have yet to actually find it necessary. i can see people wanting it if they are used to shooting with a P&S, but i think you will find that it's just not something you will use.

 

Out of the 2 that you have selected. I would definitely say the Rebel T1i if you don't plan on upgrading any time soon.. The T1i has the newer DIGIC 4 processor (better color reproduction, newer technology, and writes faster to the card). Also allows you to record HD video. AND, (since you said speed is a factor) allows you to record up to 170 jpeg /9 RAW shots in burst mode (as opposed to 53/6 w/ the xsi)..

If you're gonna go Canon (which I've been a canon man since I've been shooting) I'd recommend the T1i..

Also, like others have said, I'd recommend some good glass when you can get it. By good glass it's the aperture (f number) that you're looking for. The lower number (closer to 1) the better.

If you're looking for a telephoto, you'll probably want to go midrange like 28-75 focal length (mine stays on my camera 90% of the time) and a low aperture like 2.8. This will give you the ability to access faster shutter speeds in low light situations (such as indoor sporting events) You'll definitely want that if you're shooting moving subjects. The Canon version of this lens is VERY expensive, but the third party company Tamron makes an equivalent (I have this lens and it's my favorite lens)

http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/2875mm.asp

When I first started shooting I found it very frustrating to not be able to get the shot I wanted because I was limited by my lenses. This will take that frustration COMPLETELY away.

 

@VicVis
Thanks man, I may take you up on that!

@twalls
I'm still up in the air about the true advantage of the T1i over the XSi ... the extra MP are irrelevant to me, I don't plan to use the camera as a camcorder so the HD video isn't a big deal and the continuous drive speed is a tenth slower even though you can take more photos (I'm assuming it just has a larger buffer and faster processing)

As for the glass, I've been thinking I would want a longer telephoto range than 75mm. At first I'm just looking at the 55-250mm which I know isn't a great low light lens with a f/4.0 but I guess I just won't know until I start taking "shots in the dark". I know even the kit lens is going to perform far better in low light than any point & shoot.

Is the tamron lens you recommended image stabilized? Isn't that going to be a bigger factor when dealing with low light situations or is the fact that it has a lower f number going to allow the shutter speed to be higher and prevent blur and noise? I would still think that IS would be preferred no?