First slr

We've had nikkon D90 and cannon EOS 450d
happy with results from both. Nikkon is my fav.
but look at the new gen bridging cameras. massive zoom range equiv 28-400mm in some. Good quality pics, no need for changing lenses.
That's what i'd be doing with $600-$800 and few accessories.

I think colinwill has a point. The problem you may have with an SLR at the beach is that you risk getting sand, dirt and water in the innards every time you swap lenses. The quality digital bridging cameras are good that way because you don't ever open them up. Plus you have the option of taking video plus you can easily get a good one for under a grand.

The more megapixels you can get for the same bucks, the better. Same for optical zoom. If it came down to it, I'd probably trade some pixels for wider zoom range but that's just me.

agree with the above

for someone running around on the beach in good daylight, the all-in-one superzooms are so close to offering what the base model slr's offer, it's not worth the slr headaches, unless you are doing more serious photographic stuff

if you go with a superzoom, just be prepared to accept that you will experience more sensor noise in low light conditions than most slr's, and therefore you will most likely experience the "water colour painting" effect as a result of the camera's built in noise reduction

in general;

superzooms (and most point-n-shoots) have smaller sensors than slr's

smaller sensors with high megapixels = more noise

therefore, more noise = greater amounts of noise reduction needed in order to please the public

more noise reduction needed = more "water colour painting" effect (less detail)

there is also the argument about depth of field, but most people who buy low end slr's mate them with low end lenses, and cheap lenses generally don't give much more control over depth of field than a superzoom, so it's pretty much pointless anyway

if you are considering an slr, canon and nikon appear the obvious choices, but sony have some market altering technology being developed and added to their new cameras, which will possibly (dramatically) change the way cameras are manufactured in the near future

damn i thought we were talking about toranas.

What Col said
nikkon D90

Ben seeing as you only have a grand to play with, go for the super zooms as suggested above, you'll be happy as

I've got a Panasonic which zooms to 420mm, takes great photos for what it is. As haircut says noise becomes a problem at higher ISO's so mine is set low and not auto. I made sure the camera I got had a flash hot shoe, I then got a nice powerful flash for low ISO low light photos.

I'm guessing you're new to this so my advise is go the superzoom, learn to take photos and when you have the money and still keen spend the bucks on a DSLR. In my opinion with a DSLR the real important bit is the lens and good ones cost poop loads.

Read this review of several superzoom camers, I'd go the Canon or Panasonic www.dpreview.com/reviews/q110superzoomgroup

The Panasonic I have has been great but has just died (smudge mark on sensor) and I have out grown it, I'm now looking at DSLR's myself, just don't know where to get the money

I've had some great results from a Canon 500D with a 17-85mm USM lens.
HD video is nice too.

Check out www.digital-slr-guide.com

I found this a great starter for the noob photographer. Nicely written and unbiased recommendations.

The biggest thing I've learnt is to choose a camera for the type of photography you are going to do...

I am currently looking into an DSLR myself, and for me the types of photography I plan on taking is Action related - plenty of the beach and plenty of my little daughter running around. My other personal requirement is to be able to take photos in low light quick and easy. Theres nothing I hate more than the 'orange' under exposed photos I get indoors or the washed out bright photos you get with the flash on - all with my high end point and shoot.

With this in mind the key features I'm looking for in a camera is Fast AutoFocus and a solid ISO range (the link above gives a good run down on what this means).

Now any purist will tell you its about learning how to use your gear to take good photos...Entirely true. But I'm no pro and If I can get a camera that gives the greatest control with the least amount of work and produce good photos to hang up on my wall - I'm sold...

FYI - I have my eye on the new Nikon D7000 or the Canon 60d. Superfast autofocus and awesome ISO range probably a bit out of your price range however.

If you can - I highly recommend the Nikon D90 . It has actually just been superseded by the D7000 so i would keep and eye out for a good clean up prices. You could probably get a Starter kit (twin lense) for about $1500 maybe less is the next month or so...

What the guys say is true about the lenses...in that you can have a low spec body with a really good lense and take fantastic shots - but Personally if it's your first SLR i would get too bogged down in that.

Awesome guys thanks for the feedback.
Been looking around at a few superzooms now and they seem right for what I want/ price range.

Thanks again

All good advice...

If I was going to get a

Brdige cam: Canon SX30, Panasonic FZ38 or Fuji FinePix HS10
Budget DSLR: Nikon D5000
Intermediate DSLR: Canon 60D

Micro 4/3: Panasonic GH2
Micro System: Sony NEX5


If you want a camera now for a good price that is probably mo'than u need it would be Panasonic FZ38... go to JB HiFi and say a mate got it from you for $430.

DSLR is gona cost you $1500 with any decent lense cos the CMOS is bigger and needs better optics.

So you know the guitarist from Slayer then Bob?

Damn you's!
I didn't even need a new camera and you's made me go looking, and now I've ordered a Canon 60D.

So which lense should I get for it????

Hiya.

The HS10 with a few intial shots mucking around at Yallingup (where the road comes down and the lookout carpark is).

1st shot at 28mm - you can just make out a spec of a kiter around +1.5 kms away?




2nd shot at full 700mm zoom.


Sure it's not the sharpest but was hand held with wind buffeting me and just a quick point n shoot. Impressive zoom for a $400 camera i reckon.



3rd shot mucking around with hyper filters inbuilt into camera (chrome mode).


BTW - no photoshop, cropping etc - just straight outta the camera. With some more knowledge and patience with the menu structure i reckon I will get everything i want out of this unit.