Reply to: Entry Level DSLR

[kaiser78]

Actually the "pro grade" Olympus lenses are about as good as anything out there and because they are purpose designed for the 4/3rds sensor instead of full frame they are brighter for the equivalent focal lengths. Their pro bodies aren't quite in the same league as Nikons & Canons IMO, the smaller sensor will always hold them back, but they are still excellent cameras.

Canon & Nikon have by far the best selection of lenses, they are the only systems that offer some of the more specialised stuff like very long telephotos or tilt shift lenses, plus when sigma et al make a new lens Canon & Nikon owners tend to get first dibs because they are the largest market, and hire firms like Calumet generally only carry Nikon & Canon lenses. I would say the handicap of both systems is that a lot of the prime lenses are designed around full frame and showing their age a bit. That's something they need to address IMO.

We went for a Pentax kx earlier this year and love it. Easy to use, superb quality photos and good video shoot. Recently added Tamron zoom lens - not the most expensive but for what we use it for, fine.

[doodab]

Olympus are also in the market, but tend to be budget end and limited upgrade path, if you ever want a better lense or body.

Actually the "pro grade" Olympus lenses are about as good as anything out there and because they are purpose designed for the 4/3rds sensor instead of full frame they are brighter for the equivalent focal lengths. Their pro bodies aren't quite in the same league as Nikons & Canons IMO, the smaller sensor will always hold them back, but they are still excellent cameras.

Canon & Nikon have by far the best selection of lenses, they are the only systems that offer some of the more specialised stuff like very long telephotos or tilt shift lenses, plus when sigma et al make a new lens Canon & Nikon owners tend to get first dibs because they are the largest market, and hire firms like Calumet generally only carry Nikon & Canon lenses. I would say the handicap of both systems is that a lot of the prime lenses are designed around full frame and showing their age a bit. That's something they need to address IMO.

[FarmerPalmer]

Sony were first with a true live view. I have an A500, which is a great camera.

Sony bought Minolta, and took on the alpha mount, used by Minolta's later AF SLR cameras.

So due to the heritage, you can use old Minolta AF lenses, as well as Sony, you can also, if you find yourself feeling flush get some nice Sony Carl Zeiss lenses, But also Tamron, Sigma etc make alpha mount lenses.

Most magazines normally recommend Canon or Nikon, which have a wealth of upgrade options, with their own and Sigma, Tamron etc making lenses.

Neither Sony, Canon or Nikon lenses are interchangable - you need to choose your brand / path at the start.

Olympus are also in the market, but tend to be budget end and limited upgrade path, if you ever want a better lense or body.

[Spacecadet]

Also, haven't Sony recently released the nex7?

It looks like the nex7 will be the top product in a group starting with the nex3, not a replacement for the nex5.
The nex7 is bigger, has a lot more features but will be double the price of the nex5

[Bunk]

It's not out till later this year (and TBH I didn't even know it was coming out!)

I also rather foolishly bought the nex5 without even having held it just seeing it behind in a shop cabinet and then buying online. Having had a proper play indoors last night its shown itself to be very capable in low light and indoor situations. Infact in low light i can take a picture without a flash which shows a lot more detail than I can see with the naked eye. Image stabalisation and post processing is superb.

Hopefully will get it outdoors this weekend!

Yeah, the pancake lens especially should be good in low light. The 20mm one I've got goes to f1.7 so you can practically take pictures in the dark.

[Spacecadet]

Also, haven't Sony recently released the nex7?

Did you compare it against the nex5? Many differences?

It's not out till later this year (and TBH I didn't even know it was coming out!)

I also rather foolishly bought the nex5 without even having held it just seeing it behind in a shop cabinet and then buying online. Having had a proper play indoors last night its shown itself to be very capable in low light and indoor situations. Infact in low light i can take a picture without a flash which shows a lot more detail than I can see with the naked eye. Image stabalisation and post processing is superb.

Hopefully will get it outdoors this weekend!

[Clippy]

Its the difference between being able to slip it into a large pocket or wifes handbag or not
If you are looking at the nex5 pictures then you're probably finding the pics with the larger lens fitted
This is the camera with the smaller lens:
http://www.photoxels.com/images/Sony...5-16mm-800.jpg

I got the kit with both big and small so that I had the choice. Small lens for days when I just want some snaps, bigger lens for bigger pictures

I think I need some hands-on time with one to get an idea of size as I'll, hopefully, get round to 'jumping in' before the end of the year.

Also, haven't Sony recently released the nex7?

Did you compare it against the nex5? Many differences?

[Spacecadet]

I appreciate what you are saying, but is there really that much of a difference in size between the Sony Nex5 and say a Nikon D3100?

More importantly, does any size difference really translate into practical issues when carrying/using the camera?.

Its the difference between being able to slip it into a large pocket or wifes handbag or not
If you are looking at the nex5 pictures then you're probably finding the pics with the larger lens fitted
This is the camera with the smaller lens:
http://www.photoxels.com/images/Sony...5-16mm-800.jpg

I got the kit with both big and small so that I had the choice. Small lens for days when I just want some snaps, bigger lens for bigger pictures

[doodab]

I appreciate what you are saying, but is there really that much of a difference in size between the Sony Nex5 and say a Nikon D3100?

More importantly, does any size difference really translate into practical issues when carrying/using the camera?

Even low end DSLRs are pretty big & heavy. The mirrorless ones are about half the weight and much less bulky, and the lenses are smaller and lighter as well. It makes a big difference when sticking it in your pocket i.e. you can. I used to carry a proper camera everywhere, now I rarely bother, so I'm inclined to want one for that reason.

[Clippy]

After over a year of dithering I ended up ordering a sony nex5
It's not a dSLR, the reason being is that what put me off is the size of the things. The nex5 appears to have some decent lenses and has the same size sensor as a dSLR

I got the pack which comes with both a smaller "pancake" lens and the larger lens:
Sony NEX5DB Alpha Compact System Camera - 16mm F2.8 and: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

with the small lens fitted the whole lot should fit into a reasonable size jacket pocket

I appreciate what you are saying, but is there really that much of a difference in size between the Sony Nex5 and say a Nikon D3100?

More importantly, does any size difference really translate into practical issues when carrying/using the camera?

I'm thinking not as most of the scenarios you are going to use such a camera lend themselves to you having to carry stuff anyway.

e.g. family events, outings, holidays etc

I'm still dithering - almost bought a Nikon D3100 in the spring but didn't and just haven't looked into it since then.

Think I will wait till Xmas to see what deals are available.

[Bunk]

After over a year of dithering I ended up ordering a sony nex5
It's not a dSLR, the reason being is that what put me off is the size of the things. The nex5 appears to have some decent lenses and has the same size sensor as a dSLR

I got the pack which comes with both a smaller "pancake" lens and the larger lens:
Sony NEX5DB Alpha Compact System Camera - 16mm F2.8 and: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

with the small lens fitted the whole lot should fit into a reasonable size jacket pocket

I got a Panasonic Lumix GF1 about a year and a half ago. Same type of thing, mirrorless DSLR. It's great, you can fit them into a small case or stick them in a bag along with a load of other stuff, plenty of choice of lenses.

[Spacecadet]

Camera was delivered yesterday whilst we were out

£500 worth of kit dropped behind the 6foot fence which seperates the front from the back and left in the open till after 10pm

Luckily it didn't rain and it wasn't nicked or damanged!

[doodab]

After over a year of dithering I ended up ordering a sony nex5
It's not a dSLR, the reason being is that what put me off is the size of the things. The nex5 appears to have some decent lenses and has the same size sensor as a dSLR

I got the pack which comes with both a smaller "pancake" lens and the larger lens:
Sony NEX5DB Alpha Compact System Camera - 16mm F2.8 and: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

with the small lens fitted the whole lot should fit into a reasonable size jacket pocket

I find transporting my DSLR quite arduous, once you have some decent lenses and a tripod you can easily find yourself lugging 5kg of kit around. I might invest in one of these little ones at some point.

[Spacecadet]

After over a year of dithering I ended up ordering a sony nex5
It's not a dSLR, the reason being is that what put me off is the size of the things. The nex5 appears to have some decent lenses and has the same size sensor as a dSLR

I got the pack which comes with both a smaller "pancake" lens and the larger lens:
Sony NEX5DB Alpha Compact System Camera - 16mm F2.8 and: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

with the small lens fitted the whole lot should fit into a reasonable size jacket pocket

[Cliphead]

I bought my son a Nikon D3000 last Christmas. About £300 (incl lens).

He loves it and has taken some simply stunning pics with it. Can use the full range of Nikon lenses. I can't wax lyrical enough about what a superb camera this is.

But... no live view. My son wears specs and says this is no problem. Anyway live view eats into battery life.
FWIW I've since bought myself a DSLR (because I loved what he was doing with his). Mine does have live view, but I haven't used it because in sunny weather you can't see the screen anyway. I also wear specs and using the viewfinder is not an issue. In fact I won't be using the live view - it's easier (IMO) to frame a picture using the viewfinder.

Lots of info here, more than I can report:
Nikon D3000 Digital SLR Camera: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Highly recommended indeed.

I bought the same camera a couple of months ago and totally agree with Platypus.