First DSLR + Bang for your Buck + Future Planning or the Canon A720IS

After reading many threads, I had to make one for myself because it seemed like noone would answer this question I had in my mind.

For a first-timer into DSLR I've learned from friends and forums that lens > body and I am willing to go with a "not so uber pro" body. But at the same time I wanted to know for the current pricings of the bodies which ones will I get the most bang for my buck AND thinking ahead, allows me to buy lenses that I will be compatible with higher-end model cameras sometime in the future.

And one more thing, I'm still on the fence about whether to go with a DSLR or the Canon A720IS. Reason being the portability. I want amazing image quality that a DSLR can produce; however my question to you DLSR owners is does it become a hassle to store and put away? (I am a 2nd year college student, wanting to buy a camera for a LONG time, but I want to make sure I want what I want because I'm not so rich so I'd like to make a smart investment) I would just be doing street photography and day-to-day photography, nothing too professional (just wanting to learn the ways of DSLR or master an advanced P&S Camera)

Right now it looks like its between a Canon Rebel XSI / XS or a Canon A720IS (which is like a huge decision)

Thanks a lot I'm looking forward to see what you all have to say!

I have found the size and weight of my K20D a problem. I'm considering selling it and buying the Sigma DP2 when it comes out. I only seem to use the standard lens on my DSLR anyway, so wouldn't be losing much with a fixed lens.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/denis_volk

I would agree. I'm not sure a good point and shoot wouldn't serve you the best until you want to take the next step. They, size and weight won't matter so much. There are many P&S cameras which do a surprisingly good job. I love the look and feel of the Canon G10, but not knowing point and shoots, I'm sure there are better choices.

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Cheers, Craig

If size is a concern, look at the Panasonic G1 (or the upcoming GHD1), the Olympus E420 or the upcoming Olympus E620. These 4 models are among the smallest interchangable-lens cameras that are available now or will be soon. There's an added bonus that lenses will be smaller and lighter as well than with other systems.

Those are all too ugly. I want a good looking compact camera that I can be proud of owning, not a plastic abomination made without regard for aesthetics that I'd avoid taking out of the bag out of fear of being ridiculed.

Some might find this a petty concern, but I've come to see that aesthetics have a large impact on state of mind and hence performance.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/denis_volk

jlkirbee said:

I would just be doing
street photography and day-to-day photography, nothing too
professional (just wanting to learn the ways of DSLR or master an
advanced P&S Camera)

Click to expand...

I'd avoid the A720IS simply because the lens only goes as wide as 35mm (equivalent). You will be likely to find this too limiting. A better bet would be one of the more recent compacts that go as wide as 28mm. Also take a looksie at the G10 and SX10 IS. My gut feeling would be the SX10 IS if you don't mind the bulk, or a compact with a lense that goes at least as wide as 28mm.

The XS or XSi is likely to be a poor investment if you can't budget for lenses yet. By the time you can afford decent glass the cost of replacing the body for something superior will be pretty small. Buying less expensive lenses will be a huge extra expense over the SX10 IS, with it's F2.8 - F5.7 28-lots lens, for only a little improvement.

So, XS and XSi are great cameras but perhaps not the best investment.

The SX10 IS gets you a good, flexible tool.

The G10 is worth a look.

A smaller, cheaper compact will provide excellent value too, though the lens and sensor will not perform as well in low light as the two models mentioned above. Just avoid lenses that start at 35mm.

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the sx10is looks tempting. My question then is if I'm going to get something as bulky as the sx10is wouldn't I rather get the dslr? When I say bang foe the buck I don't mean I have nomoney. I am willing to spend however much ( body + lens ) I just want to get the best value for what I'm paying. And my second question is is a dslr too much to just carry around everyday ( but then again the sx10is is almost as bulky as a dslr)

jlkirbee said:

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the sx10is looks tempting. My question then is if I'm going to get
something as bulky as the sx10is wouldn't I rather get the dslr? When
I say bang foe the buck I don't mean I have nomoney. I am willing to
spend however much ( body + lens ) I just want to get the best value
for what I'm paying. And my second question is is a dslr too much to
just carry around everyday ( but then again the sx10is is almost as
bulky as a dslr)

Click to expand...

It's not as bulky, but you also have to figure another lens to get the reach of the SX10. That means spending another $280 on a 55-250IS lens for the cheap end. The body itself is fairly inexpensive compared to the cost of lens. It's a very expensive hobby.

Wot Jlkirbee said. The SX10 IS isn't nearly as bulky as an XS with 18-55 and 55-200 lens.

Also:
SX10 IS:
f/2.8-5.7 28-560mm lens (35mm equivalent)
Price: $340

Canon EOS 1000D/XS:
$500 body and f/3.5-5.6 29-80mm lens (35mm equivalent)
$255 f/4-5.6 88-400mm lens (35mm equivalent)

$755 for something that does the job of the $340 SX10 IS. You'll also be carrying both lenses around with you, whereas the SX10 is just one lump you can put in your bag and forget about.

I recently had a similar choice to make. My take on the problem was to see if the SX10 IS could everything I wanted it to do. The SX10 couldn't take no-flash, very low light shots of people* so, as I was prepared to pay the hundreds extra that the Rebel XS + a 50mm prime cost, the choice was relatively easy. But bloody expensive.

well, if they'd stay very still it wouldn't be a problem..

A DSLR and a P&S camera are different sorts of tools.
Both have a purpose and each one can do something the other one can't do.

Owning a DSLR is not an inexpensive proposition. If you are on a very tight budget, then a fixed lens superzoom camera makes more sense.

But most DSLR users have crossed that threshold, and routinely buy additional lenses. Which is the entire point of having an interchagable lensed camera. And some of those lenses actually can cost more than the DSLR did.

For the price of one decent lens, any DSLR user can own a high quality compact camera that will fit nicely into his camera bag. So many of us own both.

I currently use an Olympus E510 and a Panasonic LX2 as my combo. If I were to upgrade it would be an easy choice for me to go to an Olympus E30 and a Panasonic LX3.

Of course, everyone has different means and different needs. But I am at the point where I need both a DSLR and a compact camera.

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Marty
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marty4650/sets/72157606210120132/show/
http://marty4650.zenfolio.com/p82379129/slideshow#h275db7e6

Panasonic FZ30, LX2, TZ5
Olympus E-510, Zuiko 12-42mm, 40-150mm

Marty4650 said:

Of course, everyone has different means and different needs. But I am
at the point where I need both a DSLR and a compact camera.

Click to expand...

I love and never will give up the advantages of a DSLR, but you'll have to take my point and shoot from my cold dead hands before I let go of a point and shoot camera.

Agreed: A small camera that you can carry with you all the time is nice starting point.

I think the F100fd is the best bang for the buck right now. $173.95 at B&H photo after a $100 mail in rebate & free shipping.

If you do decide on the F100fd get it right away as B&H photo has been in and out of stock a number of times. The camera sells out fast.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=0&shs=f100fd&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=jsp%2FRootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&Go.x=9&Go.y=14

Below is the conclusion page of the Compact Premium Camera Group Test. Below is a quote from the group test

"But where it matters - taking pictures - the F100fd shines, especially at higher ISO settings."

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408premiumgroup/page12.asp

The new Fuji F200EXR has good specs but twice the price.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0902/09020402fujifilmfinepixf200exr.asp

Check all five of the Compact Camera group tests. They are easy to find on this page. They are the only ones that some of the text is blue.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/

You can always get the DSLR later.

A large camera that is home most of the time = a lot of missed picture taking.

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Norm