Which is best?

[dinger]

Peeps..i appologise if this has already been covered.

I am looking to buy a decent camera( on a not so decent budget ) i have been advised to go for either a
Nikon D40,
Canon EOS 400D or
Olympus E-400.

I am a complete photography beginner but apparently i have the "knack" for seeing a good pic...whatever that means

I would like it for wildlife photography aswell as the obligatory childrens party and Landy meet.
Any advise? please

[GuyF]

Hi,
I'm basically the same as you (except I recently bought a set-up). I went with the Canon 400D because it was cheaper than the Nikon D70s (although I'm not sure about the Nikon D40, and also I was impressed with the 10 megapixels which the camera has. The 400D cost me under £500, I think about £470 which I thought was pretty good. As for lenses I can't really advise you because I'm a beginner and don't know much at all about lenses. Basically, what I do understand is that Macro lens are for real close ups of insects and other small things, and should also be alright for family photos, while if you are interested in birds and other creatures that might be a bit further away then tele-photo zoom lenses are very useful.
There are so many photography experts on this site so you will get some great advice, I started one of these threads when I was about to get my camera and it was really useful.
Guy

[HowlinWolf]

The Nikon (but I'm biased...like everyone else will be).
The thing is, go to a store where you can handle various models an choose what suits you. Base this decision on what you want to shoot, and you will be in the ball-park.

HW

[nightshade]

Read the previous posts in the photo forum I would go for the older now cheaper models
Nikon D50,D70s, Canon 350d all have good facilities buy body only
Save your money for the lenses (the Nikon 18-70 is superb as fitted to the D70s)
Sigma 150 or 105 macro,Tamron 90 macro
Sigma 70-300 APO Dg £139 and so on and so forth

[steveo]

Originally Posted by dinger

i have been advised to go for either a
Nikon D40,
Canon EOS 400D or
Olympus E-400.

out of those in your list i would go for the canon. however you may want to consider saving up a bit more and going for a Nikon D50/70/80.

[HowlinWolf]

Originally Posted by dinger

I am a complete photography beginner but apparently i have the "knack" for seeing a good pic...whatever that means

dinger, it's what you say in paragraph 3 thats worth more than any camera brand you may invest in. Without the ability to 'see' a good image, no amount of exotic equipment will get you better images, so bear this in mind. Yes, the more expensive the camera, the easier it becomes to get worthwhile images, what with auto focus and modern metering systems being what they are. But ultimately, it's the person behind the camera, and what they point it at that counts. After all, the camera is only a tool for producing images. If you have the 'knack', then in my opinion, you're 75% of the way there.

HW

[Fourwings]

All are good cameras and will produce decent images, but my advice would be to go for the EOS 400D. This is based purely on my own experience of owning and using a Canon DSLR (EOS 20D) and is not meant to start yet another pointless debate on Canon vs Nikon.

Its a camera that you will not feel you have out-grown in a hurry, plus you will have access to the best range of lenses available.

My best advice is to go into a shop and handle all three cameras plus some others, at the end of the day you will choose the camera that feels right for you and thats the most important thing.

Good luck & let us know what you decide on.

[MartynA]

You're bound to receive 100 different replies to that question!

These days, they're basically all good cameras. Perhaps a few things to think about are:

1.Size - if you're going to be lugging it about everywhere the canon is smallest.

2.Sensor dust removal - if you're outside changing lenses this could be more of an issue - of the three cameras mentioned I believe the olympus has the best dust system.

3.Image stabilisation - if you're not using a tripod image stabilised lenses are a benefit - but at a price! Some cameras now have built-in 'shake reduction' that will work with any (i.e.cheaper) lenses.

I've just upgraded from Panasonic FZ30 to a Pentax K10D for these reasons:
1. 'Weather proof' body. (useful if you're messing around in Landrovers!)
2. Built in dust removal system.
3. Built in 'shake reduction' system.

If you're looking for a new kit you might have a look at the Samsung GX-10 (I think it's cheap in Argos) - as this is basically the pentax K10D re-badged and the two lens kit is a good price as a starter dslr.

Hope that helps

Martyn

[Hobjob]

I'm a canon man but Nikon vs canon is a pointless
argument - they are both great.
But
I can't get on with canon 350 / 400 as the body
is too small for comfort of my hands. (I have a 30D).

My smallish daughter also finds the same and went
for 20D at the time 30D came out, being swayed
by cost.


You may not think it now, but you WILL end up
buying extra lenses !!! Most of us have been there !

Whatever you buy now is likely to lock you into
that brand - can you get the lenses for the newer
image stabilized bodies ?? I don't know - I don't
know or care as I am locked into canon!!!

Search extensively for independent reviews on the
newer brands - we all know the canon / nikons
are good; they are the gold standard, make sure
you read comparative articles.

[paulthomas]

Originally Posted by dinger

Peeps..i appologise if this has already been covered.

I am looking to buy a decent camera( on a not so decent budget ) i have been advised to go for either a
Nikon D40,
Canon EOS 400D or
Olympus E-400.

I am a complete photography beginner but apparently i have the "knack" for seeing a good pic...whatever that means

I would like it for wildlife photography aswell as the obligatory childrens party and Landy meet.
Any advise? please

With respect I think you're going about this the wrong way. DSLRs are not simply cameras, they're camera systems. Each system has its own strengths and weaknesses. My advice would be to thoroughly research each system and see which most closely fits your needs.