Help me choose a DSLR
DW and I are looking to get our first DSLR. Completely unhappy with P&S for several reasons, turn on time, auto focus and shutter lag, poor indoor performance etc. I have some experience having previ...
Forum Discussion
If you are really serious about photography then spend money on the body but if you just want to take nice pictures then spend the money on the fastest lens (smaller F number in the name) - any DSLR body will be more than adequate.
The glass is what makes the photo - the body simply gives you more options and control.
Also a zoom lens is convenient but a major compromise on quality. A good one is really expensive and a cheap one is terrible.
I have the Nikon D800 and a selection of prime lenses - the glass is good quality but to get closer to a subject I have to walk towards it. Because of the super high definition of the D800 sensor I can afford to crop the photos and retain the detail, but the cost of the lenses are significantly less than buying a zoom of the same quality. For example I have a 24mm F1.4 that cost me $180, a 50mm F1.8 for $120 and an 80m F2 for $140, all Nikon and bought used from eBay.
So if you are looking for an expandable system that you can grow with then the Nikon D5200 would be a great starting point and a couple of prime lenses.
If you want to stay with the convenience of the P&S but have more control over your pictures then I highly recommend the Sony NEX as others have mentioned.
However, the camera does not make the photographer - as you move away from P&S then you will need to start to learn about the science of photography (there are some great DVDs out there).
The glass is what makes the photo - the body simply gives you more options and control.
Also a zoom lens is convenient but a major compromise on quality. A good one is really expensive and a cheap one is terrible.
I have the Nikon D800 and a selection of prime lenses - the glass is good quality but to get closer to a subject I have to walk towards it. Because of the super high definition of the D800 sensor I can afford to crop the photos and retain the detail, but the cost of the lenses are significantly less than buying a zoom of the same quality. For example I have a 24mm F1.4 that cost me $180, a 50mm F1.8 for $120 and an 80m F2 for $140, all Nikon and bought used from eBay.
So if you are looking for an expandable system that you can grow with then the Nikon D5200 would be a great starting point and a couple of prime lenses.
If you want to stay with the convenience of the P&S but have more control over your pictures then I highly recommend the Sony NEX as others have mentioned.
However, the camera does not make the photographer - as you move away from P&S then you will need to start to learn about the science of photography (there are some great DVDs out there).
