Replacing my Canon A40 - is a DSLR overkill?

[MrChad]

I'm looking to replace my ancient Canon A40 this Christmas. I am debating on whether to go with an entry level DSLR (Canon XS, perhaps) or a higher-end point and shoot. I don't want to go too crazy budget-wise; let's say around $500 or so if I can.

I have two small kids (a 2 year old and a 5 month old) and trying to capture the right shot is far too difficult with the slow A40. I have a few friends with DSLRs and they get great results, but I'm wondering if that is overkill for my needs. I am a novice photographer in every sense of the word, but I'm willing to learn and explore the features of the camera.

Any recommendations?

 

[corkyg]

You are in a normal progression. A DSLR would be great, but until you are ready to invest in a family of lenses, take a good look at this.

SX20

I use mine almost as much as my 5D.

 

[twistedlogic]

Originally posted by: MrChad
I don't want to go too crazy budget-wise; let's say around $500 or so if I can.

D40 + 35mm 1.8 can be had for ~500, but I'm not sure if you would be happy with just one focal length.

Have you used any of your friends DSLRs? Maybe you could borrow one? Would they let you borrow there lenses or flashes for use?

Originally posted by: MrChad
I have a few friends with DSLRs and they get great results, but I'm wondering if that is overkill for my needs.

What exactly are your needs? Indoor low-light shooting or outdoor shooting in the sun?

I simply turned to a DSLR because of your very situation, my P&S was just too slow to AF, too long of a shutter lag, and a very slow shot-to-shot time. I also had a budget of $500 and thought a basic kit would be all I would need, boy was I wrong. The body is one of the CHEAPEST parts of your kit.

Originally posted by: MrChad
I'm willing to learn and explore the features of the camera.

This last statement makes me believe that you would really enjoy a DSLR, as there is lots and lots of stuff you would learn. The problem is time and money, and with two kids I'm guessing both are sparse.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[cthulhu]

I went from a cannon a40 to a nikon d40 and absolutely love it. The body came with the 18-55 lens. I was lucky and got the 55-200 lens for half price. I use the 18-55 lens the majority of the time. I need to make time to learn more of it's features.

I took the d40 on our vacation to Disney earlier this year. For my wife's bday, I made her a picture book of our vacation on mypublisher.com. It was a big hit.

 

[Eug]

It's a great upgrade, but it's not a direct replacement obviously. I have a 7D, but probably will still get a Canon S-series tiny point and shoot for the quick b'day party shots, now that my A-series point and shoot has died.

 

[Munky]

IMO, the only reason to get a compact is to have something cheap and small to slip into a pocket and take everywhere. If you actually care about the picture quality, and want to get more serious about photography, by all means get a DSLR. You don't even need a collection of lenses all at once, the 18-55mm kit lens is good for most occasions. If you want to zoom closer, then walk closer... images taken from far distances don't look as good as those taken closer.

There are several good kits available for under $500. I upgraded from an old compact to a Nikon D40 - it's well under $500, and takes great photos, not to mention I love the fast x-sync speed.

 

[MrChad]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

The SX20IS seems like a good middle-ground option. I'm curious how fast the camera is, particularly the auto-focus. My A40 takes an eternity to focus and I end up missing those fleeting moments when both of my kids are actually smiling

At $362 on Amazon, the SX20IS is definitely cheaper than the entry-level Canon DSLRs I was looking at, although a Nikon D40 is less than $100 more. Perhaps it would be worth it to go with the D40 instead?

 

[magomago]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

The SX20IS seems like a good middle-ground option. I'm curious how fast the camera is, particularly the auto-focus. My A40 takes an eternity to focus and I end up missing those fleeting moments when both of my kids are actually smiling

At $362 on Amazon, the SX20IS is definitely cheaper than the entry-level Canon DSLRs I was looking at, although a Nikon D40 is less than $100 more. Perhaps it would be worth it to go with the D40 instead?

Honestly, unless there is a specific reason that you need a small size, I wouldn't buy a 350 dollar p&s. If you can spend 350 now, budget another 300 over the next 3-4 months and get a DSLR. If you get a p&s, I'd look to keep it under 150.

A Nikon D40 would be fine, and at 100 more I would do that any day. Hell I would still do a Canon XT over the latest G camera or whatever fast lens p&s that panny has up its sleeve.

I went from a Canon A70 p&s to a Pentax K100D three years back (and now a Pentax K-20), and I can't imagine going back unless I really need something small - and if its that the case, then anything under 150 dollars is most likely fine because the real differences between the p&s IQ wise are generally minimal.

 

[dennilfloss]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

The SX20IS seems like a good middle-ground option. I'm curious how fast the camera is, particularly the auto-focus. My A40 takes an eternity to focus and I end up missing those fleeting moments when both of my kids are actually smiling

At $362 on Amazon, the SX20IS is definitely cheaper than the entry-level Canon DSLRs I was looking at, although a Nikon D40 is less than $100 more. Perhaps it would be worth it to go with the D40 instead?

I considered the SX20IS but decided on the Panasonic FZ35 instead. Loving it so far.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=333720
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2021598

 

[Greg04]

I'm looking to replace my ancient Canon A40 this Christmas. I am debating on whether to go with an entry level DSLR (Canon XS, perhaps) or a higher-end point and shoot. I don't want to go too crazy budget-wise; let's say around $500 or so if I can.

I have two small kids (a 2 year old and a 5 month old) and trying to capture the right shot is far too difficult with the slow A40. I have a few friends with DSLRs and they get great results, but I'm wondering if that is overkill for my needs. I am a novice photographer in every sense of the word, but I'm willing to learn and explore the features of the camera.

Any recommendations?

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/s90.htm

Read this and see if it meets your needs. Having a fast lens in a tiny body is a great combo.
Reviews have been great. But, for truly great photos and faster (slightly) lenses there is no substitute for a DSLR. I have used this camera and, for its purpose, nothing else comes close...that said, nothing else really tries...and the price is steep.

I just had to add - if you have not used one of these, be prepared to have a "holy crap, this camera does that" experience...quite often.

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-s90/4505-6501_7-33765880.html

 

[edro]

SX20 - 350
G11 - 450

Canon XS - 450
Canon T1i - 699

These are my recommendations!
I would only get the G11 over the XS if size and ease of use are concerns.
As you can tell, I am a Canon boi.

 

[shocksyde]

If you're OK with buying used, you can pretty much "rent" an entry level Canon/Nikon DSLR with kit lens and see if it's for you or not. Camera equipment holds it's used value very well, and if you decide DSLR is not for you, you can resell it for what you paid (unless you hold onto it for a year, then you'll probably lose some money).

If you're interested in used, check out Photography-on-the.net and fredmiranda.com's forums.

 

[StageLeft]

Cheapest DSLR now is at walmart for $399 it's the olympus e420. Also it's the smallest, so it would fit the bill very well. It won't get much zoom with the standard lens and it has no image stabilization, but all that said the picture quality will still be very good.

 

[angry hampster]

You can get a 20D and Sigma 17-70 for that around $500.



It's what I'd do.

 

[mshan]

Don't know seller, so I can't vouch for him, but price seems very good: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=332816