Best DSLR Camera For Beginners – Nikon D5000 Entry Level DSLR Review
The factors that should be the deciding ones for you are:
- Image quality
- Ease of use for a beginner
- Are all the features you want included
- Ratings of current users
The first three factors can be easily found by checking a couple of the more reliable camera review sites. Two excellent sources are dpreview.com and imaging-resource.com.
The final factor can be checked by going to the places where cameras are sold, such as amazon, B & H Photo, or Adorama, where there are reviews by those who have purchased the cameras. Camera buyers are extremely honest in their opinions. After all, what do they have to gain by fabricating a false review?
How does the Nikon D5000 entry level DSLR stack up?
First, the image quality is excellent. DPReview has given its highest rating to the Nikon D5000 – “Highly Recommended” – with this one recommendation. You should shoot your pictures in RAW mode rather than in JPEG mode. This is because the in-camera software processes the images without as much sharpening as Canon’s Rebel T1i. To the average viewer, this would not be obvious without it being pointed out. Suffice it to say that the Nikon D5000 produces excellent image quality.
Second, the ease of use of the D5000 is also excellent. The camera controls are well placed and easy to navigate. They are quite intuitive even for a beginning DSLR user.
The third factor could be the deciding one. Nikon has included two very desirable features that are not on the less expensive Nikon D3000 or the Canon Rebel XSi. The first is HD video similar to the more professional Nikon models. This being said, if you are buying a camera expecting the same video capabilities as a dedicated camcorder, you will need to look elsewhere. But the quality of the D5000 video is excellent when compared to other DSLRs.
Finally, checking the users’ ratings of the Nikon D5000 on Amazon shows that consumers are very impressed with their purchase. They have given the D5000 an average rating of 4.13 out of 5. And at B & H Photo, the users are just as happy with their purchase. They have rated the D5000 at 4.25 out of 5. (These ratings would actually be higher, except there was a recall of the initial release due to a faulty chip, but that has been resolved.)
Finding the best DSLR camera for beginners is not an easy task, but if you have good information, it will make your choice much easier. See a side-by-side comparison of the Nikon D5000 with its younger sibling, the Nikon D3000 at http://www.digital-photographic-resources.com. Once you make your decision, you will be on your way to a rewarding hobby or career.
Happy Shooting!
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I love photography and all things related to it. Cameras, camera gear, and image editing software fascinate me, so I am either buying the newest piece of equipment (or software) or researching my next purchase. Be sure to visit the Cameras-N-Stuff Blog.
id say, we all have the same beautiful hobby, it`s just fantastic..let`s keep on shooting lads. Yes, this Sony A900 is just awesome.
I personally prefer Nikon (strictly for DSLRs).
The Nikon D40 is a great camera, and I would recommend that if you get a Nikon, put the money you save by getting the D40 towards getting extra lenses or maybe a Nikon Speedlight like the SB-400.
The Nikon D40 is a great camera, try it out at a store, and see if you like it. It is also the least expensive of the Nikons, but about the same in terms of what it offers.
Last of all, try http://cnet.com – they have great reviews on every camera imaginable. http://dpreview.com is another great site for that. Check them both out!
You can get the D40 with an excellent kit lens from Amazon for about $450.00
Any other questions, feel free to send me a message.
zlh.
i recommend Canon Rebel T1i with under water case
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i got the DSLR a330 for 500 at best buy
The Samsung NV20 is a fine P&S camera and you should enjoy it as you play with your friends and family, however by definition, a photographer uses adjustable cameras for complete control of the resulting images.
Buying a fully automatic P&S camera, decidedly places you into a camera "user" category, rather than as a photographer.
That said, much creativity can come from a P&S camera, but eventually the frustration of missed shots due to design restrictions, shutter lag, being stuck with one lens, the tiny sensor and red-eye issues will eventually cause you to move toward an entry level DSLR and a passion for learning how to control such a camera.
Link to your cameras specifications:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=samsung_nv20&show=all
This is a very personal choice and requires some investigation on your part. Many DSLR users will say that the brand they use is the only one anyone should buy but there are many excellent cameras at a WIDE range of prices features. I would suggest you take a little time to determine what you would like to make pictures of and what you want to do with them, then go to a site like Digital SLR Guide ~
http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/index.html
This site is designed to help you select a DSLR camera using free guidelines plus access to product reviews and explanatory articles on terminology and features. It provides tools to identify what your specific requirements are and how to evaluate various camera model's features and limitations. I think they hope you like them so much that you will come back to their web site and purchase some of the tutorial products they sell.
Here is a list of reliable brands (in alphabetical order) sold in the United States: Canon, Fujifilm, Leica (BIG $$$, limited selection), Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sony (Sony has acquired the former Konica-Minolta camera product lines). Canon and Nikon are the most popular brands while Sony and Olympus have been battling for third and fourth place.
Each of these companies has several good products. The choice will often come down to what features you find desirable, how various models feel when you try to use them and how they fit your budget. Go to a store that sells the models you are interested in and try each model out to see how it feels to you or order on-line from someone that has a suitable return/exchange privelage.
HTH. Good luck!
email me if you have specific questions or concerns.
ava maria…lol. its in hitman
@kaibar25
If I’m not mistaken, the a900 is the first Sony DSLR that is completely made by Sony.
They used to use Minolta designs, but this one is completely the product of Sony’s own R&D.
The viewfinder on this this is amazing. That hump there on top is pure optical clarity.
@MrShaolinStyle good luck finding a camera cheap enough then, sorry if my advice wasn’t good enough
A sony a200 is the cheapest possible, but bear in mind that like the a200 most <$500 cameras dont contain live view (so you can only see what you are taking through the viewfinder)
also bear in mind that for the BEST results with slr’s, you are going to need different lenses (IE macro, telephoto) which start at around $175
sorry for the bad advice in the first place
Why not a D70 or D80?
Just asking.
D40's are a good first DSLR.
Come November you should see some deals coming out in the paper for the D40 up to the D80. I would predict that there will be a big push on the 5000.
If you are a beginner, don't make the mistake of spending a bunch of money on the camera body for controls/features you don't need. $600 is plenty to get a very good camera. Spend the rest on your lenses that have a more significant impact on the quality of your images and your ability to capture them. $2000 can easily cover all the kit you'll need for several years.
"Best of it's kind" is subjective. All DSLRs offer the same basic photo graphic controls. Some basic models, in an effort to be "user friend" to beginners are actually "user hostile" once you've mastered controlling exposure and want to be able to adjust more than one setting without taking your eye out of the viewfinder or trying to hold down a button with a thumb while spinning a command dial with another finger. These sort of minor annoyances, when they are found to slow our ability to get our work done in a timely manner, are usually what bumps shooters into the "semi-pro" or "advanced" SLR market.
On the entry-level end of the spectrum Canon offers the Rebel XS (1000D) with an 18-55mm kit lens for just under $600 while Nikon offers the D40 with it's own 18-55mm lens for just under $500. Either is capable of taking images that can readily be enlarged to 13×19 inches without a problem. The "best" and most current models at this level from Canon is the Rebel T1i (500D). Nikon's best is probably the D5000 but to many, the D90 is also an entry level camera that offers more advanced controls than the D5000 or T1i.
The next step up would be an advanced to semi-pro DSLR. From Canon, that's going to be the 50D. On the Nikon side, some will say it's the D90 while others say it's the D300. Both a great cameras but the D90 is smaller, lighter, cheaper and offers HD video that was not available on any DSLR when the D300 was introduced in 2007. The D300 is also at the upper limit of your budget and we haven't discussed any lenses yet.
Again, it's recommended that your spend as little as necessary on your camera body and invest the rest in lenses. Think of it this way, what would be the point of buying a big expensive camera if you can only afford dinky, plastic lenses that obscures the camera sensor's ability to "see" the images you want to capture.
@MrShaolinStyle slr cameras start at around $550 and if you’re just wanting to get some family/event shots, then most people wouldn’t recommend getting an slr, they can be complicated to use, so you’re probably better off getting a superzoom camera, as you won’t have to fork out on expensive lenses, and you will get a VERY big zoom range for a smaller price.
I recommend that you research into what you want to buy before splashing out 500 bucks
I want to get a camera like this, i`ve never had one before, and i just want one to take pictures of family, events, and maybe some times different stuff when i can. What is the best one under 500$.
For perfect photos, fast and simple, there's nothing better than Canon's EOS Rebel XS. With powerful features including a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, Canon's DIGIC III processor, fast shooting and more, it's a digital powerhouse. With simple, easy-to-use controls, a compact design, a 2.5-inch LCD monitor, and Live View Function, it's a beginner's dream come true.
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Anyone of these is good:
Olympus E-520
Olympus E-420
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS / EOS 1000D
Pentax K20D
Nikon D300
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Canon EOS 40D
Nikon D60
FujiFilm S5 Pro
Pentax K200D
Olympus EVOLT E-3
its not the camera, its how you use the camera
Nothings complicated to use if you take the time to familiarize yourself with it, and most people do have these cameras nowadays, and they use it for family mostly, like i said i want to take family, events, and OTHER things when i can. anyone else got some better advice…