DSLR recommendation

Huzaifa · Dec 6, 2010

Hello Experts ,
I am looking to for DSLR camera as gift and my knowledge in this domain is negative.

I want some help from you guys in suggesting a DLSR cammera in the range of 400 $. Mostly the camera will be used for landscape and macro photography.

Please suggest me a good DSLR camera ??

Josh66 · Dec 6, 2010

Pretty much the only thing you're going to find for around $400 is Sony.

You'll be looking at either the a230 ($350) or the a290 ($450 - on sale for $400 right now).

That's all you'll find for less than $500. New anyway. If you can buy a used camera, that will open up some more options.

Huzaifa · Dec 6, 2010

I can go with used one too ..

Big Mike · Dec 6, 2010

Pretty much anything from Canon or Nikon will be OK. Sony or Pentax would be OK as well.

If you are looking at used cameras, check when the model came out and maybe avoid anything that is 5 years old or older. Technology moves pretty fast and the older ones, while they can still work well, are (in some ways) obsolete.

In that price range, you will probably only find cameras that come with the 'kit' lens, usually something like an 18-55mm. That will be OK for shooting general type stuff, including landscapes...but it won't really do Macro. To shoot Macro on a DSLR, you need either a special 'Macro' lens, extension tubes or 'close-up' (diopter) filters. That's the one area where, out of the box, point & shoot cameras are 'better' than DSLR cameras...they can focus fairly closely with their Macro mode.

Huzaifa · Dec 6, 2010

Can you please suggest some name or model if i go with used one ?

Josh66 · Dec 6, 2010

KEH is a good place to look for used gear.

They have a Kiss X (that's the Japanese Rebel XTi) for $400 - that's all they had for Canon, under $500, and with a lens. If you get a body only, you could probably find something cheaper, but then you'll still have to find a lens.

There are a few more options for Nikon.

I don't really know enough about Nikon to say which to get. I saw that they have a 'like new' D3000 on there for $400 though. That might be something to look into...