Damn i just bought the S3 IS and now i want a DSLR

[Imported]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: blurredvision
Wait a second guys.....we're talking about DSLR's and low noise at high ISO's, and nobody has mentioned the Nikon D50? To the OP, try to get a bit of this Canon nonsense out of your head for a second, and check out the D50. Widely considered THE best DSLR when it comes to low noise at high ISO.

Want proof? I'll send you a couple of pics later tonight to prove myself (after I get home from work). Plus, the D50 kit is as cheap as all the other prices listed here, and you'll have plenty of money left for a very decent telephoto to compliment the kit lens.

Just keep in mind that in the DSLR world, you won't always get better looking pictures just by spending more money.

You make an incredibly good point. It does seem that Nikon's sensors are becoming incredibly good at high ISO, with the D50 being the champ. But you've got to live with the D50's shortcomings relative to other cameras on the market.

From DPReview on the review of the D80: "High sensitivity (ISO) noise levels higher than Canon EOS 400D"

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond80/page29.asp

Even so, from looking at the pictures it's not too far off.

You say that you have to live with the shortcoming of the D50, however I was basing my suggestion on the fact that the OP decided to go with the S3IS for low-light shooting, therefore I'm sure a D50 would be well within his operating range. For 90% of the amateurs out there, the D50's feature set is way more than enough.

Also, I'm not sure why you brought the D80 review into your post, as we know the D80 is like a little brother to the D200, which also isn't known for any glowing high-ISO, low-noise pics. The D50 is a bit different internally.

Huh? Many reviews and people with the D80 say high-ISO performance is nearly on par with Canon equivalents.

 

[yhelothar]

For the price of your S3 IS, you could've gotten a Pentax *istDL DSLR with kit lens.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: blurredvision
You say that you have to live with the shortcoming of the D50, however I was basing my suggestion on the fact that the OP decided to go with the S3IS for low-light shooting, therefore I'm sure a D50 would be well within his operating range. For 90% of the amateurs out there, the D50's feature set is way more than enough.

Also, I'm not sure why you brought the D80 review into your post, as we know the D80 is like a little brother to the D200, which also isn't known for any glowing high-ISO, low-noise pics. The D50 is a bit different internally.

Just because someone currently has a P&S and originally wanted to buy one for low light doesn't mean that he or she should be limited to looking at the lowest end DSLRs available.

And by shortcomings I guess I really meant shortcomings that I feel are important, such as having 6MP (for my uses I feel 8MP to be the minimum), no mirror lock up (a HUGE poopy), and no battery grip available (after using one I don't think I'll ever buy a camera without one).

The D50 is about $530-$550, the Rebel XT is about $600-$630. For about $70 more you get 2 extra megapixels, mirror lock-up (although badly implemented like all Canons), and a $60 battery grip available to give it more heft and allow for easy vertical shooting, as well as longer battery life. The D50 has better ergonomics, a better feel to the camera, a better viewfinder, and better high-ISO performance, although the D50 and XT aren't far off. If Nikon keeps up with their excellent high-ISO performance sensors Canon's not going to have their high-ISO crown anymore.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/page24.asp

As for the D80, I wasn't aware that the D80 was more akin to the D200 than the D50. I was hoping that it had the same kind of low-noise sensor as the D50, because that would be cool. Regardless, I was just offering another comparison to two newer cameras further up the pricing structure as options.