What is the best professional digital camera?

Question

In your opinion and from your experienc? I'm looking to come into the digital age and replace the ol' film camera and don't want to go into a purchase blind sighted. Can anyone reccommend a great professional grade camera?

Answer 1

The Rebel XT is a pretty decent consumer-grade digital SLR. It is NOT a professional grade camera. By today's standards (and this just shows you how fast things are changing, since it came out only a couple of days ago) it's a pretty low level camera.

Now, here's a few questions for you to consider. Have you been using an SLR (single lens reflex) film camera? That is, one that uses many different lenses? How old is it if you have? If you have such a camera, made by a major brand such as Nikon or Canon, you could purchase a DSLR (digital single lens reflex camera) and still use your old lenses.

If you have never used an SLR camera of any sort, you probably want to do some comparison shopping, go to local camera stores and talk to people who know the different brands and can discuss features and help you decide.

A lot depends on what you want to do with the camera, whether you consider yourself a professional and want to expand your capabilities, which will probably require further investment in things like Photoshop, a good computer, extra hard drive storage and so on.

How much do you want to spend? Canon, Nikon, Sony and a few others make very good "prosumer" cameras in the $1200 to $2500 range, and cameras (and the lenses) are very much the sort of thing that you can spend as much as you want.

Another consideration is comfort (I am talking from personal experience). In the past I had difficulty handling a DSLR. A couple of years ago my husband and I bought a Canon 10D (for him) and the first of the Canon Digital Rebel cameras for me. I had great difficulty because it always felt awkward and bulky; I have small hands. So a little over a year ago, I bought a Canon S3 IS (there's now a newer version, the S5 IS. The "IS" part stands for Image Stabilization). It is a compromise between a DSLR and a digital point and shoot: you can't swap lenses, but it does come with a 12X optical zoom, and most of the manual controls that a true DSLR has (aperture priority, shutter priority, ISO settings, exposure and flash controls [but only a built in flash, no hot shoe for an external], and full manual as well.) So it was the camera I really learned on, and used it in a digital photography class last year.

But I have outgrown that camera, and Canon recently came out with the Digital Rebel XSi, which is the upgrade from the XT and XTi. It is redesigned, is more compact, is a 12 megapixel camera, and is getting very good reviews. For me, Canon finally came out with a respectable DSLR that is compact enough to feel comfortable. The lens you get with the kit is also a great improvement over the previous kit lenses, which were considered mediocre at best. And my husband bought its "big brother" the 40D; I can use his lenses on my camera.

Anyway, I really do suggest you do some shopping around and trying out of cameras. If you already use an SLR, like I said, you are in good shape. And I know that a lot of camera stores will offer free classes when you buy a camera from them, so you can get some help using your new camera.

You can also look at the ads in the newspaper, and then check for on-line reviews for the cameras that interest you and that may help you decide too.

Good luck! I hope that helps (and yes, because my husband has used Canon cameras for more than 40 years, we tend to recommend them, but we've met Nikon users who feel the same way about Nikon).

Answer 2

The answer to the question you ask will depend on who is responding, of course.   It really depends on your budget.  When you mention "Professional"  you are targeting a specific model... an expensive one at that.   The most popular professional digital SLR cameras on the market today are the Canon EOS 1DS Mark III, priced somewhere over $5000.00 and the Nikon D3 in the 4 to $5000.00 range.

These are bodies only.  Lenses add significantly to your investment as well.   It is reasonable to think that a professional set-up might run up to $8000.00+.   Both of the brands are excellent performers.  Both have users worldwide.    These cameras are hard workers and are built to take the use for which professions require.   If I might suggest the prosumer level for you.  The Nikon D300 or the Canon 40D.   These run in the neighborhood of $1700.00 - bodies only.  They are sturdy and heavy duty.   Everything you will want and need in a camera and will not break the bank.

Answer 3

I agree with the first suggestion...very good camera...Nikons are very good too...

Answer 4

Canon Rebel XT.  I love this camera... I live buy it.  Great battery life, superb photo quality.  Many lenses, etc.

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Within a year I have made extra cash doing a few weddings & portiats with my Canon XTi. I like this much better than my Bronica SQ-a & SQ-ai, I covered other events with my Canon F1(new), T90 & A1.

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