Largest sensor size for a digital SLR under $1,000?

Question

I'm looking for a starter DSLR so I'd like it to be under $1,000. But I'd also like for it to have a larger sensor size than 2/3. Is there one out there with a 4/3" sensor size for under that price?

Answer 1

I think you have aspect ratio and dimensions mixed up. Most DSLRs remain faithful to the 3:2 aspect ratio of film. The Four-Thirds system is the only one that uses a 4:3 aspect ratio. However, Four-Thirds sensors are phyiscally smaller than APS-C cameras.

Learn more about aspect ratio here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspect_rati...

Learn more about sensor formats here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_senso...

For under $1,000, APS-C will be the largest. Cameras that use this type of sensor include the Nikon D80, D40, D40X, D60; Canon 40D, 30D, 400D, 450D, 1000D; Sony Alpha A200, A300, A350, A700; Pentax K20D, K200D, K10D, K100D; Samsung GX-20.

Follow-up:

The benefit of a larger sensor is the lower pixel density which relates to the amount of noise at the higher, and sometimes lower, ISOs. There's also a 1:1 crop factor which means a 50mm lens will give a FOV of a 50mm lens.

What you need for large prints is resolution which is dependent on two factors: the camera and, more importantly, the lens. You may get cleaner images if you're shooting in dark areas but a larger sensor size has little to do with anything else.

A 10 MP camera with quality glass should give you good to excellent 16x20 prints with a bit of room to crop.

Follow-up (2):

I would recommend getting an entry-level DSLR for now while you start saving for and/or building your collection of lenses. Camera technology develops over time but your optics will stay with you for a while. This way, you'll be ready when you decide to upgrade to something better in the future.

I'd stick with Canon or Nikon for their large range of bodies and lenses.

Answer 2

There are only type types of sensor sizes . The ff large type  is over 3k. Best dslr for under 1000 is the 40d from canon. In few months the best will be the d90 from nikon.

The cheapest rumored ff(full frame) sensor camera will the the a900 from sony in a few months rumored to be around 2k

Why do you want a large sensor anyway? They're nice for low light but other than that it doesn't help anything really.

The 5d isn't worth the money in my view. the d300 for cheaper does about the same job in high iso.

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If you're just learning you're not going to need all the features that a high end camera has to offer.

the size of the sensor doesn't really change the size of the image. You need a large image to make a "large print"

WIth your budget i would look at the

450D (Rebel XSi) 12.2mp (image size)

Sony DSLR-A350 14.4mp(image size)

Many people will tell you not to buy the sony but they are great cameras for everything but high iso shots.  All the old minolta lenses work on the sony. You can cheap really nice cheap prime(aka non-zoom) lens for low cost. The colors on sony camera's are really use high iso on a beach.  sony is basically "Konica Minolta". Everything but the high iso. Anyone that tells you there no good most likely doesn't even know about them.

I own Konica Minolta 5d(a100 sony) and i'm going to buy the up coming nikon d90.Rmemeber the sony and nikon in most cases have the same sensor. I'm picking the d90 because it will be around 1000 with same "mid range" sensor as the 1500 dollar sony a700 and the 1500 dollar d300. In a small light wait case.  But it's going to be 3 months wait.

I would look hard at the sony because of the size of prints you want to make. If it wasn't for the printing size i would look more into the canon. As the iso is better but in my view i really dont' like the looks of the images that canons make. But you can make them look like anything you want in photoshop :)

Go here for the recommend image size to print sizes.

http://www.westcoastimaging.com/wci/page...

http://www.dpreview.com/ Is a good site for information on cameras.

If you're new to cameras WATCH OUT people have strong brand loyalty. They want to believe the brand and camera they picked is the "best" for everyone. They will tell you the others are no good.

Plan on learning photoshop as it's the only way you're going to make your beach shots stand out.

Answer 3

The Canon 5D is now the cheapest at $2,000 body only--it's a full size.