Camera Labs

[Koda]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to upgrade from my Canon SD870is point and shoot. I primarily take night shots of people or cityscape, which is the main reason I want a DSLR. I want to keep the cost of the kit at or below $600. So far I've narrowed it down to the Canon XSi, Canon XS, Sony a330, or the Nikon D3000. Although, live view will probably be an important feature to me. Video recording would be nice, but it not a deal-breaker. I would appreciate it if anyone can give me some recommendations. Thanks!

[Citruspers]

Welcome to the forums!
How do you think liveview will be an important feature for you? I know most people coming from compacts value this as it mimics a compacts behavior, but really, once you get used to a viewfinder you don't want to go back
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Check out my Deviantart!
Cameras: Nikon D90, Medion 5MP compact (2003), Nokia 6110 Navigator 2 MP (2007)
Lenses: Nikkor 18-105 F/3.5-5.6 VR ED, Sigma 70-200 F/2.8 APO EX
Accessories: SB-600 Speedlite, Velbon Sherpa Pro 7 Monopod, BG-D90 Battery Grip, Extra battery, Velbon D500 Tripod
Workstation: Q6600@3GHZ, 9800GT@700MHZ, 4GB
Software: Lightroom, Capture NX, Photoshop

[Koda]

Thanks Citruspers. I assume that the viewfinder is better or else liveview would be on all DSLRS. However, when I was in high school, we used non-digital SLR cameras and some pictures we needed required steep angles. For example, a picture of a tall building from the floor. This was really hard - if not impossible to know exactly what the camera is really looking at. A lot of these pictures I take with my compact camera are at awkward angles that would make it harder for me to compose the image properly.

[Citruspers]

Yes, that is indeed a good reason to use liveview. I find myself mostly using liveview for that too (shots taken over crowds etc.)
As far as I know, the D3000 doesn't have liveview, but the D5000 does, AND it has a flip screen, meaning it's even better for those odd angles.
It's more expensive though.
_________________
Check out my Deviantart!
Cameras: Nikon D90, Medion 5MP compact (2003), Nokia 6110 Navigator 2 MP (2007)
Lenses: Nikkor 18-105 F/3.5-5.6 VR ED, Sigma 70-200 F/2.8 APO EX
Accessories: SB-600 Speedlite, Velbon Sherpa Pro 7 Monopod, BG-D90 Battery Grip, Extra battery, Velbon D500 Tripod
Workstation: Q6600@3GHZ, 9800GT@700MHZ, 4GB
Software: Lightroom, Capture NX, Photoshop

[Koda]

Hmm, the D5000 is too far out of my budget. The Sony A330 has live view with a tilt screen within my budget but I still like the Canon XSi. I don't think I've ever used my compact and thought "I wish this screen would tilt." I have one more thing I wanted to ask. Is there any information about new Canon cameras to replace the XS and XSi? Say if I was to purchase the XSi... are there any rumors of a better camera coming out soon that should cause me to hold off on my purchase for now? I've read some rumors about the Rebel 1500D (XS replacement) potentially coming later this year. Thanks again!

[Soliwo]

Yes, the replacement of the Xsi (450D) is already on the market: the Canon 500D (X1i???). However the Xsi is not taken out of the market yet, but remains as a second entry camera besides the 1000D (Xs???).

The Canon 500D is ofcourse more expensive than the 450D. Its price is more simular to that of the Nikon D5000.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/soliwo/

[sha.chanel]

why don't you try the canon 40d, it has live view and has 10 megapixel. Its a lot better that 450d or 400d. Its closer to 50d which is HD already.


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www.marksphoto.ca - Vancouver wedding photographers

[Citruspers]

HD is really a marketing buzzword in photography....but I must admit the 40D IS a good camera
_________________
Check out my Deviantart!
Cameras: Nikon D90, Medion 5MP compact (2003), Nokia 6110 Navigator 2 MP (2007)
Lenses: Nikkor 18-105 F/3.5-5.6 VR ED, Sigma 70-200 F/2.8 APO EX
Accessories: SB-600 Speedlite, Velbon Sherpa Pro 7 Monopod, BG-D90 Battery Grip, Extra battery, Velbon D500 Tripod
Workstation: Q6600@3GHZ, 9800GT@700MHZ, 4GB
Software: Lightroom, Capture NX, Photoshop

[Koda]

Thanks for all your advice. I ended up purchasing the Canon 450d and it should be here later today

[jwnrw]

Enjoy your new camera.
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e-620 / 14-42mm / 40-150mm
My Flickr

[Citruspers]

Congrats Koda
_________________
Check out my Deviantart!
Cameras: Nikon D90, Medion 5MP compact (2003), Nokia 6110 Navigator 2 MP (2007)
Lenses: Nikkor 18-105 F/3.5-5.6 VR ED, Sigma 70-200 F/2.8 APO EX
Accessories: SB-600 Speedlite, Velbon Sherpa Pro 7 Monopod, BG-D90 Battery Grip, Extra battery, Velbon D500 Tripod
Workstation: Q6600@3GHZ, 9800GT@700MHZ, 4GB
Software: Lightroom, Capture NX, Photoshop