Help! What Camera from USA? DSLR or Compact?

[geokilla]

Tax free weekend here in Boston and I'm looking to buy a new camera. There are so many options I don't even know what to choose from. First a background of me and camera usage. We use the camera to take general photos (using Panasonic FX 50) and well it's showing its age. I don't know much about cameras at all but I do know well enough that a good lens and stuff is important. I have a budget of say $700 but obviously less is better, especially considering I'm new to taking photos with DSLR. We don't use our camera much btw... Maybe a dozen times a year excluding vacation trips.

Right now Best Buy has the Canon T3i with 18-55 lens for $700 and the Nikon D3100 for $500. Reading the conclusion of both cameras on DPReview, they both seen to be excellent.... Both showing it's age as well though. It does seem that the D3100 is good for beginners though.

Then I also read that compact system cameras are very good as well and saw that the Canon SX260 is available for roughly $300 too. At this point I don't know what to do... Any help is greatly appreciated.

Oh also see that the Olympus E-PL1 is $300. Good buy?

 

[Heidfirst]

The best camera is the one that you have with you & people often find that they are less prepared to lug DSLRs around ...
The current compact darling seems to be the Sony RX100 but you'll be paying top $ as it's new & very much in demand.

 

[geokilla]

Ended up buying the Olympus E-PL1 for $275. The employee said it was a good deal and excellent camera and according to my quick research, I believe so too. What does AnandTech forum say?

 

[SickBeast]

Ended up buying the Olympus E-PL1 for $275. The employee said it was a good deal and excellent camera and according to my quick research, I believe so too. What does AnandTech forum say?

It's a great camera. I paid a little more for my Panasonic GF3. Both are very comparable. The GF3 shoots better video which is why I was willing to pay more for it. I paid $365.

 

[CuriousMike]

That Olly PL1 for $275 is a great deal.

It'll get more expensive shortly when you start researching new lenses....

 

[TechFinder21]

The Olympus E-PL1 is a very responsive and reliable camera, especially for the great price of $275. If you haven't seen this review, it is a fairly comprehensive overview: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympusepl1

 

[geokilla]

The Olympus E-PL1 is a very responsive and reliable camera, especially for the great price of $275. If you haven't seen this review, it is a fairly comprehensive overview: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympusepl1

I skimmed the review at the mall before buying it, and was one of the things that pushed me to get it. Even the employee said I can't do much better at $275 USD. Thanks for the reminder though! Going to check the full review now!

 

[lsman]

E-PL1 is at good value as it's older generations.
a refurbished body goes for $149. and a refurbished 14-42 kit goes for $199 at cameta.com
Of course you paid for the warranty and brand new feeling.

 

[lsman]

The best camera is the one that you have with you & people often find that they are less prepared to lug DSLRs around ...
The current compact darling seems to be the Sony RX100 but you'll be paying top $ as it's new & very much in demand.

I read users that handle RX100 in show room (Sony users), it seems NEX5N, 7 focus faster than it. and it didn't has the focus control cp to a DSLR or NEX etc (and therefore result with more out of focus shots)

of course the size and focus range are better than a NEX5N with kit lens.