I have been thinking about buying a camera since a couple month already. What I'd like is something that will take very good quality pictures and videos (HD) at the lowest possible price ($600 - $700 or more if needed)

I haven't really searched for anything yet but I heard Canon where good.

Not sure if it would be a good idea, but if there is any good 3D camera, I would probably go for it.

On a side note, I know a professional photographer that will probably be glad to guide me in my choice.

I didn't really give much details so I guess anything will do (I hope I made some sense... [It seems like I'm starting to have troubles describing with I think since a couple weeks...]).

A list of some pretty interesting caparisons between Canon and Nikon

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Dec 25 2010, 12:44 am by Apos.

DSLR or compact camera?

If you want a DSLR (which I'd say you do if you're paying 700 bucks for it) then I'd suggest a mirrorless SLR, such as is listed here http://www.mirrorless-dslr-guide.com/
Basically they're a lot cheaper, can take bigger photos, but don't take photos as quickly as a true mirror SLR. Also, there aren't as many lens options available currently, although by the time you want new lenses a) It will have broken or b) there'll be a lot more available.

Get canon. Don't even think about nikon. Canon's end product is of much better quality than nikons. Or if you wanna get fancy get a film leica. Get a 500D for dslr which is an entry level slr that should not cost more than 600 or get a powershot for a point and shoot. Period.

I'd either go with canon or else Sony. I have a Sony Alpha or something and I love it.

I'd ignore Corbo, because if nikons were fully inferior, they wouldn't be sold. Period.

My brother's actually getting a $600 or so camera tomorrow, I'll let you know what he gets.

lol...

Unless it is a point and shoot don't go Sony. The lens are very much inferior and you'll end up with a lot of noise. Sony's point and shoots are pretty awesome, though, but most of the models don't let you have control over exposure/aperture. Points and shoots are okay cause the glass on their lenses are usually either leica or Nikon.

I'd ignore centreri because he doesn't add anything to the topic neither he has used any camera of said models neither he is a professional photographer.

If you do get a non-mirrorless SLR, then what corbo says is a good entry level SLR, probably the best quality-for-price deal at the moment. It might be called the rebel T1i in your country instead of the 500D.

T1i are second tier, not entry level. They're the same except a few bucks more expensive >.>

I guess I'll get a Nikon D7000 or a CANON T2i (A professional photographers told me it was pretty good).

They are a bit higher than the prices that I had ranged, but on the boxing day, everything should be all right .

I am not going to buy any extras (Lens, flash) for now.

I'm buying a good quality because I'm not planning on buying an other camera for an other 5+ years. I've read a couple reviews and it seems like Canon and Nikon are currently the bests (Disagree? Post in the thread!).

(On boxing day, some people are able to buy a camera worth $800 for only $400!)

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Dec 25 2010, 6:30 am by Apos. Reason: English mistakes...

Canon T2i would be a great choice, I don't have an opinion about the nikon.

Like I said, I've used both, they're the same Nikons have a "better user interface" and likes to make their interfaces aimed for the most stupid people to get them But that's honestly the only plus about nikons. Canons have a much greater end product, meaning images with better quality, more colourfull, blah blah blah. Any of them would be okay, a bit too much for an starter but you'll get the most out of it in a few years. SLRs should last more than 5 years considering that a future "upgrade" should be focused not on a new camera but on a different lense, filters and such.

BTW the T2i is a 550D, it¿'s the same as the 500D I was recommending except it has more megapixels, though, in SLRs MPs don't really matter. If you can get your T2i as a "kiss" model name it'll be much better cause they have a more awesome/stranger name

Make sure to get an UV filter, this will prevent sunflares and protect your lense. ALWAYS use it, protecting the lense from scratches is the most important thing you'll ever have to do.

I've had a Nikon D40 for a couple years now, and have actually been really satisfied with the quality of images it produces. Considering the D40 is a very low-end DSLR (and I bought it because it was cheap and good at the time), I'm sure the higher ones are fantastic as well.

My pal who does photography for a living uses a Canon and swears by it (though he also loves Nikon). The important thing to consider as well (as Corbo mentioned) is the quality lenses that can be attached to the camera you buy. That can make a night and day difference for your pictures, despite what camera body you're using.

I thought it was funny the first I heard someone say that the lens the he bought was worth more than the camera.

Looks like UV Filters are pretty cheap.

I'll most-likely move to Paris (France) by the end of the year (Amazing I know), and I'm pretty sure that I will have to buy new wires / cables. Will that cause any problem? (I currently live in Ontario (Canada).

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Dec 25 2010, 7:04 am by Apos.

No, you can buy a power converter (I have a few, and they're relatively cheap). You could get new charger wires if that becomes a pain to manage, but I don't think it would be an issue.

The best camera would probably be highest possible camera you can afford, not to say one camera is better because it cost more but in a cost range wise... most HD camera are popular now a days... personally when buying a camera a review site helps

http://www.dpreview.com/

Some Suggestions

Nikon and Cannon is one of the preferred brand of cameras
However some people also like Sony and Fuji
But Nikon and cannon will probably give the best bang for your buck.

A good one if you have enough money is "Rebel T2i" which is a derivation of the Nikon d series and as is classed the same so most of the d series are good, but remember some are better then other , such as the D90 which far outclasses the D3100.

Edit : forgot to mention different lens help to improve the camera a fair bit as corba and devlin have stated...

After a really quick search, I found a lens that transforms your 2D camera into a 3D camera ("LOREO 3D Lens"). Looks pretty clever!

3D lens for most camera brands
Main Lens page

Edit: I thought I should probably ask: How do I know which lens will be compatible with the camera I buy?

Well I like my Sony. I will admit, I'm not pro at all. Its a nice starter DSLR, I could figure out most of it without the owner's manual (then again I'm familiar with a lot of the lingo :\). As far as I know, you can only buy Sony and one other third party lens that will work for Sony cameras, making their lens' expensive. Other companies offer them, but they don't auto adjusted correctly, reportedly. If you plan on adjusting everything manually (I like the option to do both), then it probably isn't as big of a deal.

I work part time at Rogers so I do everything manually. (Not sure if it will be the case if I own the camera...)

For the 3D lens, after reading a few review, it seems like the resulting image looks as crappy as a camera you buy and trow out once done.

(I guess it would cost less if I made my own.)

[Buy mirror for Dollar Store] - Figure out how to make a frame...

Why do you want a 3D still camera?

I'm able to watch 3D without using any glasses (Cross-eye and parallel) but the more I think about it, the more it seems like I shouldn't invest money in 3D for now.

I ended up buying a Nikon D90. It's not as good as the Nikon D7000 but it's good for a starter like me. It cost a lot less also

The lens I got is a AF-S DX 18-55 mm VR.

I bought a tripod:

• Model number: "BTP-2"
  
• Max height: 170cm
  
• Folded length: 71cm
  
• Weight: 3.93lb
  

I also got a compact digital SLR Accessories bag (The tripod came with it's own bag.) and an 8 GB SDHC card (120 min full HD Video)

Of course, the batteries and the connection cables (computer / tv) were included... I'm pretty sure I didn't forget anything.

Now I all I need to do is wait until the batteries are recharged.

Edit: I ended up paying $1084,75.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Dec 26 2010, 11:25 pm by Apos.