I know this is a big buck item but DH and I would like to get my DD a digital SLR for Christmas (she's been building up an account to save up for this - we'll help her get there now). What cameras do you say are good cameras? What would be your dream camera and what would be one that would be relatively reasonable (2 choices - LOL). Thanks for your help and suggestions.

I like my Canon Rebel XTi. I think it is a great value.

I think the Canon 300D or Rebel is good, that's what I have. I've seen great photos come from the Nikon D40 also, those are both pretty reasonable in price since there have been upgrades in recent times. I got my body and kit lens plus some extras for $500 on ebay.

I have the consumer reports on digital cameras, I will try to come back and let you know their recommendations later.

I have the consumer reports on digital cameras, I will try to come back and let you know their recommendations later.

Ooh! Cool! Thanks! I think we're going to do this. Of course, if she gets into the college of her choice this Saturday based on her portfolio, it's a given. LOL!

Here are the CR picks and ratings in order

SLR cameras

1. Canon EOS-30D digital $1000
2. Nikon D80 $1000
3. Sony Alpha DSLR-A100K $800
4. Nikon D200 $1700
5. Nikon D40X $800
6. Olympus Evolt E-410 $800
7. Canon Digital Rebel Xti $800
8. Pentax K10D $800
9. Nikon D40 $600
10. Pentax K100D $600
11. Sigma SD14 $1200

My mil has the EOS-30D and it is an awesome camera, if I ever go to digital for my SLR that is the way I want to go. CR best buy pick is the Nikon D40 ($600).

The Canon only has 8 megapixels, while cameras 2-8 have 10 megapixels, 9 and 10 have 6 megapixels.

Hope this helps.

i'm curious what standards CR used to rate the cameras. that would be telling (not that you'll sit and type the article in for us or anything :lol: ) since amongst nikon users it is understood the d200 dances rings around the d80.

interesting.

the d300 is too new to be rated yet.


if she's serious, i'd probably start her on a d80 if it were my daughter. the d200 is discontinued and the d300 is too much camera for a newer user.

Ok, I haven't read the entire article but here are what they rated them on Image quality, battery life, ease of use, weight and flash range are all listed.

It says that the overall score is based on image quality, versatility, weight, ease of use, zooming capability, battery life and other useful features. Scores are rounded and the models are listedin order of precise overall score.

To be specific here are the scores

1. Canon EOS-30D 74
2. Nikon D80 74
3. Sony Alpha DSLR-A100K 43
4. Nikon D200 71
5. Nikon D40X 71
6. Olympus Evolt E-410 70
7. Canon Digital Rebel Xti 70
8. Pentax K10D 70
9. Nikon D40 70
10. Pentax K100D 68
11. Sigma SD14 62

Plus for reference both the #1 canon and the #4 Nikon were the only ones to get an excellent rating in the image quality score.

So Tracey I think you are right about the Nikon D200 being a better camera as far as image quality goes (and that would be really important to me) but I don't know that I would think it was $700 imporant KWIM? Especially when the top 9 cameras all have ratings within 4 points of each other.

Personally if I was going to spend $1000 on a camera I would get the Canon, like I said my mil has one and it is excellent but it also gets the highest ratings across the board. The only negative for me would be that it is 8 instead of 10 megapixels. So with that in mind if I wanted the 10 megapixel I would consider one of the Nikon cameras.

I'm assuming the Sony should be 73, not 43.

I just got the Sony, and I am liking it a lot. I'm definitely still learning, though.

I love my Canon Rebel XT.

Normally the CR scores aren't statistically different if they are within a certain number of points--sometimes 2, sometimes up to 7 or so. So it seems to me like all but the last 2 are considered as very similar. It just depends on what you want.

How much knowledge does she have of photography? I seem to remember she's taken some great pictures--has she taken classes and had training? Has she used a non-digital SLR? Which one?

I'm assuming the Sony should be 73, not 43.

I just got the Sony, and I am liking it a lot. I'm definitely still learning, though.

Yep that would be my typo. Sorry it is a 73 not 43.

I love my Canon Rebel XT.

Normally the CR scores aren't statistically different if they are within a certain number of points--sometimes 2, sometimes up to 7 or so. So it seems to me like all but the last 2 are considered as very similar. It just depends on what you want.

How much knowledge does she have of photography? I seem to remember she's taken some great pictures--has she taken classes and had training? Has she used a non-digital SLR? Which one?

She's been taking photography in school (high school but with an amazing art department - 14 art teachers in the high school alone). She's used non-digital SLRs (Promaster and a Nikon - she doesn't know the models) and regular digitals in school and is dying for the DSLR. We just got back from her portfolio review for the college she wants to go to and they were SUPER impressed with her composition in her photos and we'll find out next week what kind of scholarships they'll offer us. She's going to major in fine arts - looking to do her masters in education at this school (it's a 5 year program - 4 years of fine arts then the final year in education), so she'll be doing lots of photos and other stuff. My DH said that since she's good (I DID list her photos here in a thread about pics), he really wants to get her this so she can get it sooner rather than later (she's saving up but not working so it's babysitting money and such - very slowly adding up).

I really appreciate all your advice! It's really helpful!