Choices for an entry-level model

Hey guys, I've been looking or a few days now for information on which camera to buy, and I've come up with a few viable options but now I need some advice from you, the people who've actually used these cameras before.

So let me set out by saying I've only operated point and shoot cameras in the past and don't have any real experience with DSLRs. I want to spend up around $1000 (well, euros anyway) more or less, for a respectable kit (includes at least a lens, preferably a lens and a flash).

So the choices I'm considering are:

• Pentax k20d
• Pentax k200d
• Canon EOS 500D
• Canon EOS 450D

I'm thinking of buying just the body and then fit it with maybe a Sigma lens (I've heard that most kit lenses have a rather small aperture, and that it's usually better to buy one with an aperture of 2.8 or larger).

Since the Sigma lenses seem a lot cheaper than, lets say, Pentax' own lenses, does this mean that they are inferior?

From those four choices, I'm partial to Pentax, since it's a little cheaper and allows me to invest more in lenses, but what I'd like to hear from you guys especially is what the big differences are between the k20d and the k200d, the 500D and the 450D.

For instance, I know that the 500D allows you to shoot HD movies (which I'm not that interested in) and supports higher ISO speeds (I'm interested in knowing if you guys really use speeds to up to 3600) and whether these improvements warrant the extra $300.

Another point I'm interested in is ergonomics. I have very slender fingers and arms. So I'm a little worried about the weight of the Pentax, but then again, it seems that the body is more ergonomic than that of the Canon. I know that, to be sure, I'll have to walk into a store and hold it for myself, but I'd like to know what others think of it aswell.

And finally, I'd like to know a little more about flashes. At this point, I know little or nothing about them. A friend of mine has a flash with a wireless sync and I'd love to play around with something similar.

I'm very open to any kind of suggestions you have for me and thanks in advance for any replies.

Doccie said:

Hey guys, I've been looking or a few days now for information on
which camera to buy, and I've come up with a few viable options but
now I need some advice from you, the people who've actually used
these cameras before.

So let me set out by saying I've only operated point and shoot
cameras in the past and don't have any real experience with DSLRs. I
want to spend up around $1000 (well, euros anyway) more or less, for
a respectable kit (includes at least a lens, preferably a lens and a
flash).

So the choices I'm considering are:

• Pentax k20d
• Pentax k200d
• Canon EOS 500D
• Canon EOS 450D

Click to expand...

Any of those will do. The Pentax bodies are better bang for the buck; the Canon bodies get you into a more complete "system". Your choice.

Doccie said:

I'm thinking of buying just the body and then fit it with maybe a
Sigma lens (I've heard that most kit lenses have a rather small
aperture, and that it's usually better to buy one with an aperture of
2.8 or larger).
Since the Sigma lenses seem a lot cheaper than, lets say, Pentax' own
lenses, does this mean that they are inferior?

Click to expand...

To speak in generalizations - in lenses you get what you pay for. Cheap lenses are not as good as the more expensive versions, no matter who makes them. Some Sigma lenses are very good. The good Pentax lenses are extremely good. Again, your choice.

Doccie said:

From those four choices, I'm partial to Pentax, since it's a little
cheaper and allows me to invest more in lenses, but what I'd like to
hear from you guys especially is what the big differences are between
the k20d and the k200d, the 500D and the 450D.

For instance, I know that the 500D allows you to shoot HD movies
(which I'm not that interested in) and supports higher ISO speeds
(I'm interested in knowing if you guys really use speeds to up to
3600) and whether these improvements warrant the extra $300.

Click to expand...

High ISO is a really cool feature, and allows photography that in the days of film was impossible. It allows slower lenses to be more useful. I think noise free high ISO is very important.

Doccie said:

Another point I'm interested in is ergonomics. I have very slender
fingers and arms. So I'm a little worried about the weight of the
Pentax, but then again, it seems that the body is more ergonomic than
that of the Canon. I know that, to be sure, I'll have to walk into a
store and hold it for myself, but I'd like to know what others think
of it aswell.

Click to expand...

Can't help you here, because ergonomics is completely personal. Any camera can be very functional if you learn to use it. There is no "real" advantage to either system's approach to function. I find the Pentax actually more intuitive, but I actually shoot Canon.

Doccie said:

And finally, I'd like to know a little more about flashes. At this
point, I know little or nothing about them. A friend of mine has a
flash with a wireless sync and I'd love to play around with something
similar.

Click to expand...

Flash is essential, eventually. Get one that is way better than you think you will need, and you will eventually understand it was money well spent. You need an external flash that tilts and pans, and has decent power. Both Canon and Pentax can be made to do anything anyone will ever need from flash. It is irrelevant to your brand choice; it is important to get one whichever brand you pick.

Doccie said:

I'm very open to any kind of suggestions you have for me and thanks
in advance for any replies.

Click to expand...

Why have you ruled out Nikon?

--
Nothing is enough for the man to whom nothing is enough.

Thank you for answering my questions, but now I have some in return.

What exactly do you mean by a 'more complete system'? Does the canon body in general offer more functions? Or are there better lenses available for the canon?

I did know a bit about what ISO does, but will 3200 (on the 500D) make a big difference against the maximum of 1600 that I get with the slightly older models? Or does an ISO speed of 1600 generally get the job done.

Also, if you say I'd be better off with a Nikon, please let me know and I'll definitely look into it

Doccie said:

Thank you for answering my questions, but now I have some in return.

What exactly do you mean by a 'more complete system'? Does the canon
body in general offer more functions? Or are there better lenses
available for the canon?

Click to expand...

Yes. But they are very expensive. Unless you are willing to pay the prices, they will not matter to you.

Doccie said:

I did know a bit about what ISO does, but will 3200 (on the 500D)
make a big difference against the maximum of 1600 that I get with the
slightly older models? Or does an ISO speed of 1600 generally get the
job done.

Click to expand...

Start here: http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials.htm

When you get done with that, you will know much more about what you need and want.

Doccie said:

Also, if you say I'd be better off with a Nikon, please let me know
and I'll definitely look into it
--

Click to expand...

Not better off, but just as well off. Why not? was the question.

--
Nothing is enough for the man to whom nothing is enough.

Also in addition to Nikon cameras, look at Sony and Olympus too.

I chose Olympus for my first DSLR system for these reasons:

1) High quality, consistently "highly recommended" reviews from Dpreview.
2) Affordable
3) Quality kit and standard lenses, with corner to corner sharpness
4) Sensor dust protection
5) Sensor-shift image stabilization.
6) 2.0x crop factor (good for those that like to shoot long)
7) Relatively lightweight

Generally speaking the Olympus DSLR cameras do very well up to ISO800. Some of the other brands maybe do better than that with the larger sensors. I hope that helps.

Hi, thanks for your reply, a few people have told me to stay the hell away from Sony (their words, not mine ^^) But I'll have a look at Olympus.

Well, I agree that the standard lenses will do just fine for now. Thanks again for the help, I've immediately bookmarked that website after browsing through the first tutorial, looks incredibly interesting!

Also, I've been looking at the Nikon D90 and now I'm even less sure of what I want. So I've decided to take your advice and start reading some more and then go to the store to see which one feels right for me.