What is the best beginner Digital SLR?

Question

I am looking to buy a Digital SLR I have never used one before. I seen a Panasonic DMC FZ18 which would be a good bridge camera.

I have also been told about a Nikon D60

I am looking a camera with a wide angle lens so I can take pictures through a wide angle lens like the up close ones of dogs etc. so something up to the spec of this.

Please let me know which would be the best phone to get.

Thanks

Answer 1

Right now, the best beginner D-SLR seems to be the Canon Xsi. You can find reviews on this camera, and others here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/

The camera's you mentioned are reviewed here, as well as the Rebel Xsi.

Also, look on these links for good reviews:

http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/digital-...

http://www.imaging-resource.com/DIGCAM01...

http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_...

Good luck!

Answer 2

Nikon D60 is a great camera and is certainly the one I'd recommend to someone just starting out in SLR photography.. Great image quality since it uses Nikons new Expeed processor as found in the D3 and D300 and in terms of image quality it far outperforms Canons 400D/450D.

The controls are really well thought out and the menu systems are easy to navigate. It also has a nice help menu explaining the functions of each option within the camera which is a nice touch on an entry level DSLR.

The kit lens the 18-55 is fairly good quality considering its a kit lens and its also optically stabilised. The lens itself covers wide angle to short telephoto so should suit most purposes to begin with. If you want a really good and even wider angle I'd suggest the Sigma 10-20. It's a very good lens and is really, really wide. For close up work I'd suggest the nikon 60mm macro - it's a really sharp lens and will give you 1:1 reproduction should you want it.

The FZ18 is an amazing bridge camera. The leica lens is sharp and flexable and the camera itself is well built and handles well but if you're planning on taking photography seriously then you cant beat investing in a proper SLR system. It may be expensive but you wont find yourself reaching the cameras limit and not being able to overcome it somehow. There's a lens for every occasion with an SLR but with bridge cameras you're stuck with what you've got.

Answer 3

You wouldn't go wrong with either camera!  Go somewhere that has them, pick them up, check them out.  Get the one that feels best in your hands, the one that you find the controls easy to reach and use.  Ask the sales person to show you how lenses are changed on both models, see which one is easier for you.

Photography is supposed to be fun and if something about a camera irritates you, you're not going to enjoy taking pictures with it.  

With all the packages available that include the camera, lens and accessories you should be able to find something that suits you and your budget!

Answer 4

my suggestion

go to yahoo shopping

digital cameras

digital camera GUIDE

be sure to check titles on the left side

the guide should answer your questions

nikon or canon would be my choice