Another Digital Camera Question

[cloude27]

I wanted to know if anyone knows a good digital camera that has a swappable lens. Thanks for any help. Looking for something in the 3 to 5 MP range.

 

[b0mbrman]

Price range?

 

[Scarpozzi]

If you're wanting a Digital SLR, I'd probably just get the Digital Canon Rebel. They probably are the most competive for pricing by the time you factor in the lense costs.

 

[BullsOnParade]

what do you make of the nikon d70 ?

 

[ultimatebob]

I thought that YACT was the offical acronym for Digital Camera threads now

Anyway, I'll also recommend the obvious choices... The Nikon D70, Canon Digital Rebel, and the Pentax ist DS. They're all 6.3 MegaPixel digital SLR's that cost around $850 to $1200 with a decent lens.

 

[yllus]

There are a number of consumer digital cameras in the 3- to 5-megapixel range that support aftermarket lenses. Since I'm pretty much the Canon guy on these forums, I'll fill you in on my end of things...

The Canon A- series of digital cameras like the A95, A85, A80, A75 and A70 all have a full set of manual features that you'd likely want to use in conjunction with add-on lenses. For users of those digital cameras, I keep a list of telephoto, macro and wide-angle lenses for Canon cameras in the CanonTalk.net Forums.

 

[AndrewR]

Since I can't let a Canon person go unanswered , I'll mention that the Sony F707/717 and F828 all have wide angle, macro, and tele add-on lenses plus full manual control over the very good quality CZ lens that's on there. The F717 runs around $400 these days, and it's a good purchase. It also accepts 58mm filters, which are quite easy to find.

 

[Eli]

Most consumer digicams have add-on lenses, but it is just that.. an add-on to the lens that is already there.

For a truely swappable lens, you'll have to get a digital SLR.

 

[cloude27]

Thanks for the input guys, I'm not positive about the price range yet. My dad is looking to buy one for a gift, and I have no idea what he i looking to spend.

 

[chocoruacal]

Originally posted by: cloude27
Thanks for the input guys, I'm not positive about the price range yet. My dad is looking to buy one for a gift, and I have no idea what he i looking to spend.

Without a budget, there's too many possibilities to list. I suppose in general, you're looking at:

Canon d30 - 3MP - $400ish used
Canon d60 - 6MP - $600ish used
Digital Rebel - 6MP - $600+ new and used
Canon 10d/Nikon d70 - $700+ used
The rest - 6-8MP - $1000+

The d30 (I have one!) is a nice camera to start off with. Don't be fooled by the 3MP though, that's better than 6MP from the small sensor point and shoots you might have used. You could get a d30 + 50mm f/1.8 + 512MB compact flash for under $500, and you'd be off to a good start.

Whatever you do, don't just jump on the Rebel bus like all the other newbies. Give a long hard look at the 10d before you do..

SLR systems are EXPENSIVE. Yes, that's a system, not a camera. You need to consider the body and the lenses. One can easily spend 1x to 2x the same amount on a single quality lens as the body. And you'll be tempted to do it, too, after you find out that putting a $100 zoom lens on a quality dSLR is like putting a 1.8L honda engine in a Porsche The body is only as good as the lens.

 

[mobobuff]

Canon Rebel DSLR. Very nice camera.

I have some pretty amazing photos I took with it last fall at the zoo with two different lenses. Every picture is over 1.5MBs so I can't upload them anywhere I can't bear to compress them.