Top Inexpensive Digital SLR Camera?

Question

I am attempting to purchase a new SLR digital camera and being the broke college student that I am I was wondering what some good inexpensive ones are. I don't really have a set price in mind, just as cheap as possible but with as much quality as possible. I'd like to be able to go mountain biking with it and then take photos and blow them up rather large (bigger than 8x10, like small poster sizes) So yea help me out!

Answer 1

Canon's Digital Rebel XT is a great choice.  It's 8MP, not 6, as someone else reported. If you went that route I'd suggest you purchase the body alone, which you can get for around $400, and use the extra money you'll save to get the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens for a little under $200.

Answer 2

If you are trying to be as cheap as possible, I would look into some used dSLRs. I know my friend has the old Digital Rebel XT and it's only has 6 megapixels, but some of her 11x14s are absolutely gorgeous. Remember, it's not always about the number of megapixels.

If you want a new one, Canon is about to release the Rebel XS, which is cheaper than the new XSI. Check it out on their website. It will retail for 700 with an 18-55mm lens. I think that Nikon SLRs are generally cheaper than Canon's, but I don't have any experience working with them, so I can't say. I have worked with Sony SLRs and they are quite nice as well, and not too expensive either. Then thing with Sony's are that the image stablization comes with the camera, not the lenses. So the cost of lenses would be cheaper in the end.

If you have lenses already, I suggest you see which camera bodies those will fit on, as this will save you lots of money. Best of luck!

Answer 3

im not sure how cheap is cheap for you, but the nikon D40 is pretty sweet - it may only have 6 or so mega pixels, but it takes some pretty sweet shots.. incredible.... you can normally pick them up for around 600(aus) if you shop around and challenge them a bit...

the canon dslrs are cheaper, and they have really improved on their technology - i would almost put them in the same rank as the nikon, but you get more camera for less...

im a nikon girl myself (yay D60!!!!!) but obviously you need to go with what you can afford...

Answer 4

My recommendation would be the Nikon D40. Very nice camera, and possibly the cheapest DSLR on the market -- less than $500 with the 18-55mm kit lens. The 6MP resolution is adequate for reasonable sized according to the reviews on the web. I have printed pictures up to 8x10 with photos taken on my old Fuji S5000 which was 3MP. The prints were just fine for normal use. Have not printed any pictured taken with my D40 though.