Best Digital SLR camera?

[Rufio]

I want to get the best digital SLR camera out there. Of course, budget is under $2300.

Help me out ATOT!

 

[kalster]

i normally dont say this

but search
there are atleast a million threads on digital cameras (point and shoot, DSLR , all types)

no offense

 

[Descartes]

Yes, there are many threads on this topic, including this one from yesterday.

My vote is for the Canon 300D.

 

[DBL]

what features are you looking for? Do you own any lenses already?

 

[Rufio]

Originally posted by: DBL
what features are you looking for? Do you own any lenses already?

no lenses. nothing.

use -- for as professional quality i can get.

 

[geckojohn]

Nice, that must be nice to have extra money to spend like that .

 

[pyonir]

I'd choose either a Nikon D70 or a Canon 10D

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Descartes
Yes, there are many threads on this topic, including this one from yesterday.

My vote is for the Canon 300D.

No offense, but while the Digital Rebel is a great camera for the money, it is hard to seriously argue it is the best D-SLR when it is basically a stripped-down 10D. IMO the new Nikon D70 is clearly a better entry-level D-SLR, and there are a lot of more advanced options in the price range the OP is asking about.

 

[Rufio]

Originally posted by: kalster
i normally dont say this

but search
there are atleast a million threads on digital cameras (point and shoot, DSLR , all types)

no offense

i am asking for the BEST in my budget, not about those other cameras.

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: pyonir
I'd choose either a Nikon D70 or a Canon 10D

agreed, although the D70 is still vaporware at this point. I would expect Canon to announce a successor to the 10D not long after the D70 hits the market b/c they can.

I have a 10D and if you deceide to go Canon, I would probably go with the 17-40L f/4 for about $650 and the 28-135IS for about $420. Of course, you should also throw in the 50 f/1.8 for $65 for available light work. There are cheaper options too and you could consider the 300D to really come in under your budget.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: Don_Vito

Originally posted by: Descartes
Yes, there are many threads on this topic, including this one from yesterday.

My vote is for the Canon 300D.

No offense, but while the Digital Rebel is a great camera for the money, it is hard to seriously argue it is the best D-SLR when it is basically a stripped-down 10D. IMO the new Nikon D70 is clearly a better entry-level D-SLR, and there are a lot of more advanced options in the price range the OP is asking about.

I guess I completely ignored his comment about the best, because I was thinking "best for the money." I do mostly astrophography, and the 300D serves me quite well with the exception being that it doesn't have the mirror lock like the 10D.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Descartes

I guess I completely ignored his comment about the best, because I was thinking "best for the money." I do mostly astrophography, and the 300D serves me quite well with the exception being that it doesn't have the mirror lock like the 10D.

The Rebel is definitely a groundbreaker, and offers a lot of value for the money. I'm sure it would more than satisfy my needs, but then I don't have $2300 to spend on a digital camera! Enjoy it.

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: Don_Vito

Originally posted by: Descartes
Yes, there are many threads on this topic, including this one from yesterday.

My vote is for the Canon 300D.

No offense, but while the Digital Rebel is a great camera for the money, it is hard to seriously argue it is the best D-SLR when it is basically a stripped-down 10D. IMO the new Nikon D70 is clearly a better entry-level D-SLR, and there are a lot of more advanced options in the price range the OP is asking about.

It's true that the D70 appears to be a much better camera than the 300D. In fact, on paper, it appears to be better than Nikon's own D100. However, it is still not available and Nikon has commonly postponed release dates before, while Canon has generally been right on with it release dates. I would also question Nikon's long-term viability in such a competitive market, where Nikon has still failed to bring it's own sensor processing plant into the mainstream DSLR market. Clearly, it must be tougher for Nikon to meet the price points Canon is able to meet. I understand the advantage to consumers competition between Nikon and Canon (and others) creates and I hope Nikon can continue to be competitive, it's just that I have my doubts. The biggest investment over time will be in lenses, which don't depreciate much in value provided they are still in widespread use. That's why I would choose Canon if I was starting from scratch.

 

[BigSmooth]

It's not like there's a million options out there in that price range. Aside from what's been mentioned, you could look into the Fuji S2 (or upcoming S3) Pro which has gotten good reviews, including DPReview's highest recommendation. There's also the Olympus E-1 and Pentax *ist D.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: DBL

It's true that the D70 appears to be a much better camera than the 300D. In fact, on paper, it appears to be better than Nikon's own D100. However, it is still not available and Nikon has commonly postponed release dates before, while Canon has generally been right on with it release dates. I would also question Nikon's long-term viability in such a competitive market, where Nikon has still failed to bring it's own sensor processing plant into the mainstream DSLR market. Clearly, it must be tougher for Nikon to meet the price points Canon is able to meet. I understand the advantage to consumers competition between Nikon and Canon (and others) creates and I hope Nikon can continue to be competitive, it's just that I have my doubts. The biggest investment over time will be in lenses, which don't depreciate much in value provided they are still in widespread use. That's why I would choose Canon if I was starting from scratch.

All good points, though I don't agree there is any serious cause to question Nikon's viability, given their longevity and positive reputation to this point. Interestingly, here is a glimpse inside the D70 factory - they appear to be well underway in production, so I tend to think the camera really will be released fairly soon. We shall see . . . For the time being, I am happy with my C-5060WZ.

 

[Kyteland]

Originally posted by: BigSmooth
It's not like there's a million options out there in that price range. Aside from what's been mentioned, you could look into the Fuji S2 (or upcoming S3) Pro which has gotten good reviews, including DPReview's highest recommendation. There's also the Olympus E-1 and Pentax *ist D.

The E-1 is outside his budget if he has to buy the whole system. With the recent release of the 1D Mark II I would expect Canon to announce a 10D replacement sometime in the next 6 months. That could be your camera right there.

Also with more companies throwing their support behind the 4/3 standard used in the E-1 you may start seeing a wider range (and cheaper too) of cameras and hardware that could make it very attractive.

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: Don_Vito

All good points, though I don't agree there is any serious cause to question Nikon's viability, given their longevity and positive reputation to this point. Interestingly, here is a glimpse inside the D70 factory - they appear to be well underway in production, so I tend to think the camera really will be released fairly soon. We shall see . . . For the time being, I am happy with my C-5060WZ.

You make a good point. However, the business model which existed in the camera industry for years is going through some pretty significant changes very quickly. I still believe that Nikon's ultimate success depends on them quickly bringing a low-cost sensor fabrication plant on-line relatively shortly. As it stands now, Nikon is akin to AMD competing with Intel with the exception that Nikon doesn't even produce or design their own chips. Clearly, purchasing chips from Sony will not enable Nikon to keep up with Canon in the long term. You have to assume that Nikon profits margins for the D70 are slim to none while the 300D probably has a very comfortable profit margin, especially considering the thousands which are sold every month.

 

[ucdbiendog]

EOS10D... need lenses though. that body alone will cost you ~1500 bucks. lenses are not cheap either