Beginner first DSLR or bridge camera (inexpensive)

[Jane425]

Suggestions for a beginner camera, as simple as possible, without spending a great deal of money? would a bridge camera be the best for now?

[Ricco]

As someone who is just coming on board, I'd have to suggest that you go at the pace and level that you are comfortable with.

I was using cheap point and shoots for several years before I made the leap, and believe me, it requires a certain amount of commitment to jump into.

Having seen a few of these bridge cameras, I think they're fine for what they are designed for as your passion for your hobby (or whatever your ambitions) grow.

I'm not going to say you HAVE to get a $800-1500 camera, but I think it is the person that makes the camera, and as you gain experience and ambition, you and your equipment will grow.

My only suggestion is that you go for a good quality camera, whether its a P&S, Bridge, or full DSLR.

[Tom]

I would buy a point and shoot like the Canon G11 that has RAW files and can be shot fully manually. If you spend the time to learn how to shoot it manually and not in aperture priority, shutter priority or automatic, then upgrade to a DSLR. Otherwise you probably aren't harnessing the power of a DSLR. If you never invest the time, you still have a kick ass point and shoot.

[crazeazn]

used older DSLR

[auddii]

Personally, I bought a new canon xsi, which I'm pretty sure falls into the bridge category since it's a consumer camera (also lovingly referred to as a pretend pro camera). I probably could have gotten a used pro level for about the same price or perhaps a little cheaper. If I had to do it over again (and if I had been active on this forum before purchasing a camera), I would have gone the used route.

However, with that said I have not had any limitations from my camera. I would like to experiment with different types of photography, but that is mostly limited by my lenses (like macro work). I don't do a lot of indoor photography, so high ISO capabilities hasn't been a problem for me. I don't see foresee upgrading my body for a while. When I run into things that I can't do purely because of how the body is designed, then I'll get a new camera.

[Snarfy]

Originally Posted by auddii

When I run into things that I can't do purely because of how the body is designed, then I'll get a new camera.

That's the best reasoning I've ever heard, and a perfect reason to get something affordable.

[dmcantrell]

Originally Posted by auddii

Personally, I bought a new canon xsi, which I'm pretty sure falls into the bridge category

I believe that the term "bridge camera" refers to a camera that does not have an optical viewfinder system (which the Canon XSi does).

Anyway, I second Tom's advice. That's how I got started.

[groovyone]

Bridge camera: Sony DSC-F828 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

[shnitz]

A Canon XSi is not a bridge camera; it is an SLR. A bridge camera is something like the Canon G12, S95, etc. It's an advanced point-and-shoot that has many of the capabilities of an SLR, such as control over aperture and shutter speed, RAW capability, sometimes a flash hotshoe, etc.

I would recommend getting an intro-level SLR, if you're planning on getting serious into photography. Even a basic SLR beats out the image quality and noise-handling of even the better advanved P&S cameras, they track motion, can readily accept upgrades, etc. I recently had the pleasure of helping a friend create a macro setup for his work, and we settled on the D3100, based on my experience with the D40. Since you say that you are a Nikon shooter already, I can wholeheartedly recommend the D3100 as a beginner camera. Use the 18-55 that comes with it until you are completely comfortable with the camera body. After that, any equipment you buy can carry over to your next camera body, when you're ready in however long. I'm seeing it reliably from $600 for the camera with 18-55 (at a shop like B&H photo), or for $700 with 55-200 VR as well. There are currently instant rebates if you buy lenses at the same time. Buydig's (a.k.a. Beach Camera, an authorized Nikon dealer) was the easiest to find using a quick Google search:
BuyDig.com

So, get the camera first. Get yourself a pair of 8GB SD cards, and you're good to go. A good general upgrade path for new users, unless you know what you want and have special shooting needs is:
1. Camera body + basic lens mid-range zoom (D3100 only comes with 18-55, so learn to use it before you decide to upgrade, the popular choices are 18-200, 16-85, Tamron 17-50, etc)
2. Telephoto lens for that "reach out and touch someone" capability. The 55-200 VR is a good inexpensive lens, but it's slow to focus and not true AF-S (it will autofocus with your camera, but it doesn't have the quick silent focusing with manual override). If you can swing buying the 70-300 VR, you won't be disappointed.
3. A decent tripod and head.
4. A good flash, like the Sb-600 or SB-700.


Feel free to modify the list for your personal preferences. If you do a ton of still-life or landscape, you'll want to get the tripod first. If you do macro, then add a macro lens like the 85mm micro, or the Tamron/Tokina/Sigma to the list. Heck, if you run across another brand camera at like your Costco, go ahead and invest in that. Canon, Pentax, Panasonic/Olympus, etc. all have pretty solid setups. You won't go wrong with any of them. The friend that I helped build the macro setup for uses a Pentax K-5 as his main camera.

If you do go Nikon, then I recommend picking up the 35mm f/1.8 lens as well, since it's such a low price right now, refurbished directly from Nikon:
xhttp://shop.nikonusa.com/store/nikonusa/en_US/pd/productID.213466700?resid=Tk2D3goBAlcAAFGGdgkAAAAD &rests=1313702878140
It will really give you insight into what you can expect, as far as image quality, depth of field, and low-light capability from the more professional lenses.