New DSLR

[Jocelyn Walker]

I am hoping to purchase a new camera pretty soon & not sure which one to buy! I think I've narrowed my choice to Cannon EOS 550D with 18-55mm OR
Olympus E30 with 14-42 mm + 40-150mm lens kit! The Cannon being 18 megapixel and Olympus only 12 Megapixels! They are the same price approximately! Which one is the better camera for someone who has never owned a dslr before? Is it safe to purchase from Online stores as they are cheaper than the actual camera shops?

[Stephen]

Re: New DSLR

I am hoping to purchase a new camera pretty soon & not sure which one to buy! I think I've narrowed my choice to Cannon EOS 550D with 18-55mm OR
Olympus E30 with 14-42 mm + 40-150mm lens kit! The Cannon being 18 megapixel and Olympus only 12 Megapixels! They are the same price approximately! Which one is the better camera for someone who has never owned a dslr before? Is it safe to purchase from Online stores as they are cheaper than the actual camera shops?

Have you considered a micro four thirds model Jocelyn?

[Pol]

Re: New DSLR

I wouldn't like to comment on which is the better camera as I've never used either of them.

However, I can tell you that we've bought a lot of cameras and equipment from online stores and never had any problems ... also saved a lot of money by doing searches and comparing prices. We usually find the deliveries are very fast too - within 24-48 hours most of the time.

Use a well known, reputable source, check the small print and their customer services and returns policy, make sure they have an address and phone number showing on their website and you should be fine.


Pol

[Ian]

Re: New DSLR

I am hoping to purchase a new camera pretty soon & not sure which one to buy! I think I've narrowed my choice to Cannon EOS 550D with 18-55mm OR
Olympus E30 with 14-42 mm + 40-150mm lens kit! The Cannon being 18 megapixel and Olympus only 12 Megapixels! They are the same price approximately! Which one is the better camera for someone who has never owned a dslr before? Is it safe to purchase from Online stores as they are cheaper than the actual camera shops?

Hi Jocelyn, have you had a chance to handle both these cameras? The Canon EOS-550D is quite new from Canon and it has the added bonus of HD video recording. It also has a larger and higher resolution LCD screen than the Olympus E-30. I'm not personally convinced that 18 megapixels compared to 12 megapixels is a deal-breaker unless you want to produce huge prints.

The Canon is a very good camera and I'm sure you would be happy with it. So where does that leave the Olympus? As you may know I run two Olympus-focussed websites (see the links in my sig. at the bottom of my post) so I know quite a bit about them. I see a couple of key advantages that Olympus can tempt you with; a fully articulating LCD screen, and more lenses for the price. In fact I would urge you to consider the E-620, which is smaller and lighter, yet retains the swing-out LCD, and it's cheaper than the E-30 as well. Olympus optics are excellent, even in the the more affordable lenses, and most of their models now have image stabilisation in the body, so it works with any lens. With Canon you need to buy a stabilised lens, though I expect the 18-55 bundled wiht most 550Ds is a stabilised example.

So there you have it - if you have any more questions - just let me know!

Ian

[Bear]

Re: New DSLR

Jocelyn - I was an Olympus shooter for three years and you won't find better at the price. Don't pay too much attention to the 18 v 12 MP thing, as Ian says unless you are likely to produce huge prints (I mean huge - I often printed 50cm x 70 cm from my 10MP E3) the difference isn't really worth worrying about. i can't comment on the Canon, I've never owned one, I do know that unless the HD video thing is a deal breaker, you won't go wrong with the Olympus. Oh and BTW, Olympus glass is second to none on the market right now and generally pretty competitive price wise.

[ash]

Re: New DSLR

I use online purchasing alot and have very rarely had problems, only on apar with what you would expect from a shop. Stick to some rules that Pol mentioned and you will not go wrong.

I took an olympus e420 on holiday to Lanzarote last year, mainly because I did not fancy lugging a d700 around and second it was very compact.

I was very impressed with the build quality, and even with the lens on was so small and light, almost compact camera size. For a lady's hand's I would expect this to be just right.

Could not really tell how sharp the pics were untill my return home, I new they were not going to touch the d700, but I was very amazed at the quality you get for your buck, I could only presume the 520 & 620's are as good if not better optical quality and as Ian say's the top models have built in vr.

I suppose I should be recommending Nikon but seen as Olympus was mentioned this is my view on them.
I can not comment on Canon as Ive never owned a Canon dslr.
cheers
Ash.

[Patrick]

Re: New DSLR

Jocelyn - I was an Olympus shooter for three years and you won't find better at the price. Don't pay too much attention to the 18 v 12 MP thing, as Ian says unless you are likely to produce huge prints (I mean huge - I often printed 50cm x 70 cm from my 10MP E3) the difference isn't really worth worrying about. i can't comment on the Canon, I've never owned one, I do know that unless the HD video thing is a deal breaker, you won't go wrong with the Olympus. Oh and BTW, Olympus glass is second to none on the market right now and generally pretty competitive price wise.

I agree with much of the advice so fare given particularly the pixel count 12 Million is more than enough, all the 18 million pixel count will do is give big unnecessary image files. They only clog up the computer slowing your workflow down, particularly using layers in photoshop.
On the other hand being a Canon user myself a 40D DSLR & a compact G10 I know how good Canon cameras can be.
At the end of the day there are not any what you could call poor DSLR's about the competition is too hot. Any DSLR within your budget will give you terrific results.

Patrick

[Tom]

Re: New DSLR

Patrick's advice is good. All the big brand names produce cameras that are all good.
When I bought my first one I went to the shop and handled all the main models. The Pentax felt the best for me and fitted into my hands like a glove and had the nicest viewfinder so I knew immediately which one to buy, online.

[Bear]

Re: New DSLR

It is vital, wherever you decide to purchase, to go somewhere that you can handle the various models you are considering.

[ash]

Re: New DSLR

That would be Jessop's then
Comet and curry's have them out to handle but only seem to have the lower end of the range on any make.
Your best bet is a photography show or exhibition where there is every camera to touch and hold and feel.

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: New DSLR

Thank you all for your well appreciated advice! After reading Stephen's comment about 4/3 I did some research on the Olympus 4/3 (too expensive) as well as dslr range E 520 & E620, which both seem more affordable! I had however been looking at the new LUMIX Panasonic G2. which is due out Mid June here in Australia and had my heart set on that until I worked out how much it would cost with all the adaptors etc, etc, I would need to purchase as well! There is however an entry level G10 also due in store June, which may or may nor be feasible! Comes with single lens 14-42mm O.I.S for approx $900! With no other accessories! It features a number of attributes that the G2 has! They do say however that some functions only work when particular lenses are used! Have also looked at prices for Nikon D90 and D5000! It all depends on how much my little 'windfall' pays after Taxman chews it! I'll find out tomorrow perhaps

[Ian]

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: New DSLR

Thank you Everyone & in particular, Ian, for your much appreciated advice! There didn't seem to be any G1's available anywhere! Seems everyone cleared their stocks as the G2 released this month!
I could not justify spending almost $2000 what with all the extra adapters, lenses, UV filters etc, etc the Olympus needs! I didn't really want to go the PEN route either!! So opted for Nikon instead! Even so, that came in at $1400 when I had set a preliminary limit of $1200! I'm sure I will be very happy with what I bought!

[magicaxeman]

[kristinaharis]

Re: New DSLR

If you are looking for new DSLR camera. you have lots of options. But my recommendation is Sony Alpha SLTA55VL DSLR Camera. This camera is Light weight, small and easy to handle. photo quality of this camera is great,Even better video quality than most. And this camera is perform Very fast, continuous Auto Focus even during video. Level indicator on screen. And on of the main feature is Fully articulated 2.9" LCD,very nice Electronic View Finder.