Camera Selection help

[KyleV]

I'm going to bite the bullet and get a nice new camera. Does anyone have experience/opinions on the cameras below or something in a similar price range?

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT 8.0MP Digital SLR Camera Digital Rebel XT 18-55 Kit $549


Olympus - EVOLT 10.0MP Digital SLR Camera $539


Nikon - 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera $699

[erikharrison]

My gf has the Nikon D80 and loves it. Alot of people prefer the Canons though. Maybe you should go rummage around on Texas Photo Forum and see if you can get some good advice. Other than that try Mark or Mako... One of the two should be able to point you in the right direction.... I assume this camera will be for the tank mainly? I have seen some great shots out of a regular digital, but I guess it would really depend on how much you really want the SLR features.

[apedroza]

Is the nikon the D40x? IF so it is similar to my D50. The only real differnces is tht it is a higher MP and it is not backwards compatible with the older lenses. I love my D50.

[KyleV]

It is the d40x but I also found a great deal on a Sony.

Sony Alpha DSLR-100K 10.2-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Kit only $569 ($200 off). It has image stabilization and a self cleaning feature which the others don't.

The camera is for the tank but also kids sporting events so I do want one that will perform at max in all situations.

Any one use a Sony?

[brewercm]

The D80 is backward compatible with all of the existing lenses out there for the mount. I believe the difference is the lenses for the D40 series has the motor built into the lens instead of the camera having the motor to adjust the lens focus. That is if I remember correctly.
I bought the Pentax K10D and love it, I just wish for lens availability I had spent the $150 to $200 more and got the D80.

[erikharrison]

The other cool thing about DSLR is the filters that you can buy. My gf bought some that I call "the poor man's macro" which are basically magnifying glasses for the lens.
The shots that I got with those little filters look like this!

[apedroza]

It is the d40x but I also found a great deal on a Sony.

Sony Alpha DSLR-100K 10.2-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Kit only $569 ($200 off). It has image stabilization and a self cleaning feature which the others don't.

The camera is for the tank but also kids sporting events so I do want one that will perform at max in all situations.

Any one use a Sony?

Thats a great price!!! I think Ace ahs the Sony.

Erik I bought a couple of the 10X macro filters and I love them. Saved alot of $$$. I need to get the 1X2X4X set.

[brewercm]

That was another thing I liked about the Pentax K10D. It has the self cleaning mirror and the anti shake that is built into the processor on the camera rather than the lens. I've been very happy with the camera, just the limit to lenses which I'm sure Sony has the same problems.
The other nice thing about the K10D is the body build and how everything is sealed and dust/moisture resistant.

[KyleV]

Cliff so both the Pentax and Sony only have a few lense options? I was going to get one that went up to 300mm and don't want to be limited to a shorter distance. Plus a nice macro lense of course.

Erik and Anthony do other brands have the "the poor man's macro" or are those just for the Nikon?

[erikharrison]

I am pretty sure they do. Those filters only cost about 15 dollars, so I could only assume that they would.