[rainydayphotographer2010]

Hi Everyone!
I had a few questions for you about which camera to buy!
I'm really stuck! I'm going to buy a DSLR in the fall and I'm super excited, but I don't want to make the wrong decision. I've gotten the chance to play with an Olympus Evolt E-500 for the summer, its super fun and I love playing with it. But I'm wondering, is Canon Rebel XS better? That's what I was originally going to buy, but I don't want to be disappointed.. is there a better camera out there?
Any help or advice would be super appreciated!!!

[stepheno]

Hi and welcome to Pixalo. At that price range all cameras are good, it's really about which system you want to buy into and which manufacturer has the best range of lenses and accessories. Olympus make great cameras but so do Canon and Canon have the better range of available lenses.

Also it is down to which camera feels better for you. If you have chance try out the Canon in the shop - ergonomics is very important. HTH.

[Dabhand16]

Welcome to Pixalo rainydayphotographer2010 ;welcome:

Best advice is to draw up a list of the cameras with the features you are looking for, then get your hands on them to see how they handle. This is very much a personal thing, but compare how the different settings and functions are changed. You will find that one camera will suit you better than the others. Personally, although I have small hands, I don't like small cameras as I find them too fiddely and I prefer to be able to change functions and settings without having to use menus. You will have to rely on reviews to see how they stack up in terms of metering and focus performance, but for me, the handling is the most important.

Depending on the sort of photography you will be doing, the range of available lenses and third party lenses and accessories might be a consideration as they are cheaper than the maker's own products, and are not always available for all cameras.

You are restricting yourself to only two brands. If you are starting with a clean sheet I would also consider Sony, Nikon and Pentax.

[Larne]

For my two pennorth I would also stress thinking longer term. Investment in the body itself is a relatively minor thing, over time the value of all the lenses and other accessories will come to significantly more. At some point you are going to look at upgrading your body and that is the point, when you realise how much it will cost to also replace all the lenses and accessories, where you realise that your choice is pretty much limited to one brand - the one you already have.

So have a look at each camera range not just in terms of what you can afford now but think about where your photography might go and what options would be available for you in the future.

As Dabhand says the feel of a camera is also very important. I seriously considered changing to Nikon a few years back but I just couldn't get my head around the layout of the controls and the way their autofocus works. So in the end it was better for me to stick with what I already have even though the Nikon might on paper have been a better choice for some of the work I do.

So think carefully and be aware that you are probably buying in at the bottom level of a 'system' that might be with you for a while.

[Boofers]

Hi rainy day, I started out in digital with an OLY Z-5050 zoom, it had a f1/8 aperture which made this camera a bit better then any other point and shoot. I still have it and use it from time to time. For an slr camera I looked hard at the E-1 and took weeks before I bought a 20D and 100-400mm L Tele and an f1/4 50mm.
I could enjoy the soft blends of the background with the 50mm that the OLY gave with the f1/8. I haven't been sorry I went that way and now have a rebel XTi to go along with my 20D. The only way OLY has me still looking is their "sensor stabilizer". It works very well and makes macro work more fun then draging a tripod or loading your camera down with a ring flash like I do with my canon. If your a 60% or more macro shooter, then I say buy OLY, if not, then buy Canon.

[Lew]

I shoot with an Olympus E-510 and I enjoy it a great deal. The Oly glass is extremely good at every price point and the in-body image stabilization eliminates buying stabilized lenses. The only caveat with Oly is low light high ISO shooting. If you are going to do a lot of low light high ISO stuff I'd probably recommend another brand at this time. However with the new EP-1 that seems to be changing. From what I'm reading the new Olympus cameras starting with the EP-1 may even excell at this also. But even with the E-620 you would have an excellent tool. The 2 lens kit is an outstanding bargain. If you can afford it the E-3 replacement will be out by this fall and might be a game changer. To finish, from what I can see every manufacturor today produces fine DSLRs that will delight and astonish you. Find some place to handle the ones you're interested in. It doesn't matter how good it is if it's an ergonomic disaster for you.

[damot]

Sorry...I'm a Nikonian or is it Nikonion?

Anyway, I'd be tempted to go Canon - but as I've never used one how would I know? .

I'm off now to sit in a corner somewhere......................................... .............

[kevinandseri]

Originally Posted by damot

Sorry...I'm a Nikonian or is it Nikonion?

Anyway, I'd be tempted to go Canon - but as I've never used one how would I know? .

I'm off now to sit in a corner somewhere......................................... .............

I used to be a Nikonion too, but it made me cry.

Seriously there are many more options than Olympus or Canon, most Dslr manufacturers produce seriously sexy kit these days.

As others have suggested think about what you want it to do, then think a bit more, and then a little more, and then possibly you will want to ask a few more questions :-)

Can be a real minefield....... the glory of the SLR is, of course, its flexibility, buy another piece of glass and it's a new camera...... now off to sit in a corner with the other onion guy........

[sejanus]

Look around for second hand kit. Digital cameras don't seem to hold their value as much as film cameras, so you can often find a very usable DSLR for £100-£150. If you don't like it, you can probably sell it for little or no loss.

If you can't bear the thought of buying second hand, watch out for discontinued lines. Three years ago, I got a brand new Sony R1 for less than half price, because Sony discontinued it (idiots ).

I've bought and sold literally hundreds of cameras over the years and, on average, I've broken even. Provided you don't feel the need to play the consumer game, you can save yourself a fortune.

[Larne]

I'll back up the second-hand suggestion as well. I bought a 10D from eBay and I continue to be very happy with it. When I am shooting indoor events I fit it with a 50mm f/1.8 lens and shoot with natural light as a backup to my 40D that will most likely have a 70-200mm f/2.8 and flash. Many of my best pictures come from the 10D.

And until recently my main 'carry on' lens was an early Canon 28-135mm IS lens that also came via eBay as a refurbished item. In fact that lens still seems to outperform my new Sigma 18-200mm IS lens in terms of image sharpness.

So don't limit yourself to new or current range equipment. If you are starting out older kit will be plenty good enough for you to find your feet and your money will go at lot further.

[Des Gardner]

What ever system you decide to buy make sure you can afford the extras that you may need at a later date for your new outfit.

[Steve_Turner]

Originally Posted by Des Gardner

What ever system you decide to buy make sure you can afford the extras that you may need at a later date for your new outfit.

Quite right, a good flash gun, tripod, mabe a filter or 2 and a bag to put it all in. That lot can sometimes cost as much as the camera

[Larne]

And when you buy a bag always get one that is a bit larger than you think you will need. I reckon I now have six or seven bags because each time I buy a new piece of kit I can't fit it in the bag with the other gear!

[Lew]

Larne's last advice is one thing that may be every bit as important as the camera. Whatever bag you buy will shortly be too small.