Buying Advice

[Paul Boy]

I am going to buy my Wife a DSLR for Xmas, could you guys please advice what to buy?

At present I'm torn between a Cannon 400D Wilkinson Cameras / Cameras / Digital SLR Cameras / Canon / CANON EOS 400D SMART KIT 2 - £50 CASHBACK AVAILABLE
And a Sony Alpha 100.Wilkinson Cameras / Cameras / Digital SLR Cameras / Sony / SONY A100 & 18-200 SMART KIT

What do you guys think, the Sony is the one i prefer at the moment only because is has "steady shot" built into the camera & the Cannon does not (their image stabilisation is in the lens, but not in the lens's in this kit) the entry lens for the cannon with image stabilisation 55-250mm is about £209.00 but not available anywhere.


You should know that i know nothing about camera's, my wife is also a complete novice but wants a DSLR to start her new hobby in the new year.

Thanks in advance

[Bobster]

sure its nice to have image stab, but for the most when you really want to capture that moment, its better to have fast glass than IS..

[usxhe190]

Canon 400D all the way...also in the end, as Bobster said, GLASS is one of the most important thing...

might be biased here but Canon has a heritage with their DSLR and only Nikon comes close...

Sony cameras right now are a bunch of other camera manufacturer heritages...and is a young kid in DSLR...

[BUFF]

its better to have fast glass than IS..

& better to have both, show me the Canon f1.4/f1.8 etc. IS lens?
I can show you the Minolta/Sony ones which become stabilised on that body.

Sony cameras right now are a bunch of other camera manufacturer heritages...and is a young kid in DSLR...

Nothing wrong with their Minolta heritage & Sony are a P&S & professional video powerhouse.
You do know that Canon buys sensors from Sony?

Anyway, back to the OP.
They are both good cameras with different pros & cons & tbh the photographer will be more the limiting factor.
The Sony will outperform the Canon at lower ISO & the Canon is better at high ISO.
Handling is very different & that's important so get to a shop & try them.

If you do want to go Sony:
1) A100 is due for replacement in the New Year, supposedly production stopped in October & they are selling out existing stock.
2) the 18-200mm isn't great but the 18-250mm replacement for it is far, far better.
It's a focal range where Canon have a big hole in their range.
3) Sony have just introduced a 55-200mm too

[Bobster]

sure IS is good for those static objects, but its no good having a shutter of 1/15 if your subject is moving and gonig to turn out blured

re: focal lengths: but then there are those who say a good lens shouldn't be more than 3x zoom to keep it sharp and the amount of glass needed down..

i also don't like the feel or the way the functions are layed out on the Sony.. with Nikon you need to hold the button down to change something.. so Canon is Win!

[BUFF]

i also don't like the feel or the way the functions are layed out on the Sony.. with Nikon you need to hold the button down to change something.. so Canon is Win!

Personal preference (no doubt from being used to Canon's ways) & that's why I suggested that he get to a shop & try them.
In my case I've handled both the Sony A100 v 400D & the A700 v the 40D & guess which I prefer in both cases?
Most people generally put Nikon & Minolta/Sony ergonomics ahead of Canon though.

[Bobster]

i can't see how, when most opertations on a Canon can be done with 1 finger and thumb, and you don't have to hold any button down and twiddle something to change a setting, its press, release, turn dial and bingo ur good to go..

[this_is_gav]

Is this the Paul Boy I think it is?

I've got a D40x and I've only really missed 1 feature that the more expensive Nikons have - the ability to have it control multiple flashguns. Made a cock-up there, but I just bought an SB800 instead of an SB600 and that problem has gone away, albeit for a little more money.

[Paul Boy]

Is this the Paul Boy I think it is?

Yep, Hi Gav. you would of known, if i could uplaod my avatar, apparantly i need 500 posts to do that (which i must say is...........................Rubbish

[Hans Voralberg]

Best advice: go out to the shop, try them, buy what you like to hold. Dont give too much concern about spec, as a beginner you'll have a long way to go before maxing out either potential.

IS / Fast glass is not that important for them either, get the kit lens, shoot away, would they shoot something absolutely demanding for either option immediately, I doubt that, people need time to know what they like to shoot, so only invest when you serious about shooting.

And I think this is going to turn into a brand war once again.

[Funkstar]

Best advice: go out to the shop, try them, buy what you like to hold. Dont give too much concern about spec, as a beginner you'll have a long way to go before maxing out either potential.

This is what i tell everyone that asks m about getting a dSLR. The other consideration is whether you have any friends or family that have one as well. Sharing lenses makes things more affordable and they will be in a better position to give you advice on how to your your new toy.... assuming they know what they are doing in the first place

[Saracen]

Best advice: go out to the shop, try them, buy what you like to hold. Dont give too much concern about spec, as a beginner you'll have a long way to go before maxing out either potential ......

Excellent advice, IMHO.

Paul Boy, one thing you might like to consider, if you're contemplating the 400D is the 30D. Since the 40D came out a couple of months back, there are some pretty good prices on 30D bodies, though they'll be getting harder to find. It'll up the budget a bit, but I've seen them about at under £500.

Personally, I find the 400D a bit small and fiddly and the 30D (etc) much more comfortable. Of course, if Mrs Boy has small hands, she may well prefer something the size and weight of the 400D over the 30D. But her trying them both is a good way to find out.

Of course, as it's a present, if it needs to be a surprise, getting her to try them out might be a bit of a giveaway (pun intended).

[Paul Boy]

Well it's done, i ordered the Cannon 400D Kit 2. at £599.00 (good job I'm VAT registered) the Kit comprises of:

CANON EOS 400D
18-55 LENS
TAMRON D 55-200MM LENS
2GB HIGH SPEED COMPACT FLASH CARD
SECURITY TAG
LOWEPRO REZO 170 CASE
3YEAR GUARANTEE
£50 CASHBACK

Thanks for your patients guys, but after posting here, your advice, viewing you-tube reviews & the advice from Wilkinson's i got there in the end. it wasn't easy to buy something i know nothing about.

I'm sure I'll start a new thread in the new year, asking for all your tips & tricks on how we can get the best out of our new hobby. err............i mean her new hobby lol

[Hans Voralberg]

Now for new year, drive her some where nice so she can take pics That's a present

[Bobster]

somewhere like the lakes

[Butcher]

Personally, I find the 400D a bit small and fiddly and the 30D (etc) much more comfortable. Of course, if Mrs Boy has small hands, she may well prefer something the size and weight of the 400D over the 30D. But her trying them both is a good way to find out.

It's weird, I've heard a lot of people say that but I have a 350D and not particularly small hands and find it very comfortable to use.