Digital SLR Recommendations

[Malcolm M]

Please don’t throw things at me, but I’m asking this question on behalf on a non-member. Does anyone have any recommendations for a digital(!?) SLR(!!!???)? After we’ve explained that the photos don’t come out of the bottom, the main criteria seem to be simplicity of use and a price not exceeding £400. There is already a Canon in the family.

 

[Ste_S]

Ask them what they want to use if for ?
If a generic answer like 'better photos' or 'holiday, family, landscape etc', 9 times out of 10 they're usually better off sticking with their phones (or to get a better phone) in all honesty.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Any Canon DSLR as new as possible.
Use it in P mode. And never use, buy non AF lenses. They are for old fortes.

 

[Huss]

Any Canon DSLR as new as possible.
Use it in P mode. And never use, buy non AF lenses. They are for old fortes.

exactly what he said. they are all excellent just get what is new and on sale.

$400 new w lens:
https://www.adorama.com/icat7ka.html

 

[easyrider]

I still use a Nikon D300, released in 2007, that I replaced my D70s with. I recently bought a Nikon D3400 for my 14-year-old granddaughter with its kit lets. Gets great results.
Ask your friend what he wants to do with it. For example, does he want to shoot video? The D300 doesn't but a later model does.
Canon's are equally good. I still love my Canon EF film camera.

 

[peterm1]

I wonder if someone who appears to be not a camera aficionado really wants a DSLR and all this implies - separate lenses etc. Would he/she consider something like a Canon Powershot G16. It has its own lens, its a competent camera and if your friend ever decides to get more interested he/she can play with settings. But if he/she is not interested in technicalities the camera can be successfully shot in P mode forever. They can be had for under the buyers price point and if your friend likes the idea of a DSLR they may like the fact that the G16 has its own eye level finder and hence in this respect at least mimics a DSLR.

The only suggestion I would make is that when the camera is first acquired, someone knowledgeable (you?) should adjust the in-camera settings. I have found with this range of Canon cameras the default factory settings (e.g. for noise reduction etc) do not guarantee best image quality. In fact they guarantee the opposite. At least this was my experience. Why a camera company should do this is beyond me but many have commented on it. When I got mine I was seriously disappointed. After researching the topic and adjusting the in camera settings to improve images I went 180 degrees and became serious impressed.

https://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/compacts/canon_g16

 

[Keith]

You'd get a second hand D700 for that sort of money and like all DSLRs they are only as complicated as you want them to be. In auto mode they are idiot proof and I still rate that camera as the best prosumer DSLR ever made.

 

[retinax]

If it comes from a non-photographer, DSLR means "good camera". The word about mirrorless hasn't reached everyone. So also consider mirrorless, unless they are ruled our for some reason. As non-photographers probably don't know something like the X100 series exists, also talk about that. I personally think mirrorless should be the default these days, at least if we're talking APS-C and smaller where DSLRs don't have great finders, and DSLRs only considered for special purposes.

 

[kuuan]

^ agreed!

I suppose they want a camera because they look for better IQ and more flexibility than what their hand phones give. A dSLR gives that, a mirrorless system camera too, even a compact fixed zoom camera might do well enough, either could be preferred for less bulk. - I'd first try to find out main purpose, particularly if compactness is a criteria they'd appreciate and if so if they'd prefer interchangeable lens camera ( notably allowing for more tele reach ) or a ( usually ) more compact again camera with a fixed zoom.

 

[Ronald M]

Buy good enuf for intended purpose. 4x6 prints of a birthday party can be done with a phone. 8x10 of annual vacation photo, uncle holding prize fish, summer cottage, child in cap and gown, may need something a little better. The best is required for wedding, studio, advertising, large prints, but then you will not be getting this question.

Start by asking what is wrong with the photos they have now. Go from there.

 

[raid]

You'd get a second hand D700 for that sort of money and like all DSLRs they are only as complicated as you want them to be. In auto mode they are idiot proof and I still rate that camera as the best prosumer DSLR ever made.

I second this suggestion. I got a used D700, and it worked very easily for me.