DP Tips # 1: My DSLR Buying Preamble

1. The Canon EOS 40D is the DSLR camera body that I would recommend for the “tech savvy prosumer”; I’ve now owned & used one for the last 10 months.
2. As you know, going into a digital camera purchase scenario, you are faced with either: (a) point & shoot digital or (b) DSLR (like the 40D)
3. If you go the DSLR path, you need to be committed to learning how to use the DSLR – it offers a lot more features and to the untrained user could instill frustration.
4. If you go the Point & Shoot path, after thinking you wanted a DSLR – do yourself a favor and buy the absolute best point-shoot that your budget can allow. The top of the line point and shoots are VERY, VERY good these days;

From a brand perspective, I would stick to either Canon or Nikon; you will not go wrong choosing either of these 2; both offer point & shoot options; both offer DSLRs to choose from.

Next, Budget:
If you go the DSLR path, expect to spend a minimum of $600 just to get started; also keep in mind that you will want to look for something that includes a lens with the camera. The DSLRs differ from point & shoots in that they have detachable lenses.  You could buy a DSLR without a lens and then be sticker shocked to find out how much even a “beginner” lens cost you. The best bet (in the DSLR world) is to look for a camera body that INCLUDES 1 lens in the box. More on lenses in just a few minutes.

If you go the point & shoot route, and you use the “buy the best available” theory from above – expect to spend at least $400; right now the 3 best out there would be as follows:

• The Canon PowerShot G10 – ~ $410
• The Canon PowerShot SX1 IS – ~$599
• The Nikon CoolPix P90 – ~$400

Back to the DSLRs for a moment:

Here’s what I did ….. I was told by a photographer friend of mine to figure out what the first, every-day lens I wanted to use on whatever body I would end up buying. For me the research led me to a 28-135 mm everyday lens. This lens by itself would have cost $400. Originally, I was looking at the Canon Rebel XSI without a lens. However, the price of that camera + the lens was more expensive than getting the better Canon EOS 40D with a a default kit lens. And BTW, the kit lens on the 40D just so happens to be the same lens that I described above.

Right now, you should be able to find the Canon 40D with the above lens for about $1100;
if you were willing to learn how to use it and were truly excited about photography, I think this is a great way to go.
The equivalent Nikon would probably be the Nikon D90 SLR Digital Camera Kit with Nikon 18-105mm VR Lens – ~$1150

But you can certainly look at some cheaper options that include a kit lens:

• EOS Rebel XSi with an EF-S 18-55 mm IS Kit Lens – ~$800
• EOS Digital Rebel XTi with an EF-S 18-55 mm Kit Lens – ~$700
• Nikon D60 10.2 Megapixel Digital Camera SLR Body and 18-55 mm Kit Lens – ~ $550
• Nikon D80 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 18-135mm Lens – ~$800

The major difference between the first 2 cameras I mentioned and the second group of 4 listed above is the “zoom factor” of the lens; on the Canon 40D and the Nikon D90 you get a 5x & 6x zoom respectively; this would cover about 85% of your everyday photographic subjects. In addition these 2 lenses offer IS or VR (Image Stabilization / Vibration Reduction) built-in; this helps deliver clearer pictures and minimizes camera shake when hand holding your camera.

For the cheaper group, the first three that I cited only include a 3x zoom factor. This will somewhat limit your ability to shoot photos of things that are farther away. The last of the four cheaper options does offer a 7x zoom factor but does bot include the vibration reduction lens that the earlier Nikon offers. The VR (Nikon) or IS (Canon) is a VERY, VERY nice feature that any lens you would look to buy should have.

Hopefully, I have not put you to sleep yet:

Keep in mind that if you buy a DSLR, you’re sorta locking yourself into the same manufacturer for future lens purchases. Canon Lenses are separate from Nikon lenses and they DO NOT work on the other camera bodies.  Right now Nikon may have a slight lead on Canon in the DSLR market, but this leadership has been regularly switching hands.

Also, plan on spending $40-60 for a nice bag and another $40 for a memory card for the camera. In most normal cases, the camera will come with neither of these essentials.

Where To Buy:
IMHO there are only 4 options:

• Amazon (make sure it is Amazon selling it and not one of their resellers)
• J&R Photography (http://www.jr.com)
• Adorama (http://www.adorama.com)
• B&H Photography & Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com)

(Best Buy and other chain stores will almost always be more expensive)

You will undoubtedly be able to find some web sites which offer deals which seem to good to be true (in comparison to the numbers I listed above); STAY AWAY – there is a known black market for DSLR sales; you’ll notice that the four sites I listed sell any given camera for practically the same amount as the other 3; if one site offers a given camera for $100 or more less than one of the “Big 4″ – be careful it’s probably a scam.

Sometimes, you’ll be able to find one of the above 4 sites selling not just the camera with the kit lens, but also with a bag or even a memory card. This can sometimes save you a few bucks.

If you need any other help / advice with this decision, let me know.
There’s a lot of other stuff I could have gone into, but this is more than enough for now.