Time to take the plunge...350D

[emily21]

Ok here we go!
I think it's come to the moment where I must pull out the cash and take the plunge...after years of pining over expensive camera investments and stalling until the timing was right and after months of reading posts and reviews I'm about to buy my first digital SRL. it all comes down tooooo...
CANON D350!
It's a big relief to have finally decided and while I'm slightly envious of my boyfriend who's still holding out for the canon D30 (or D20)...different budget reasons, I think it's the right camera: versatile for all kinds of photos, light, good quality and warranty (I'm buying it in Italy but am moving to Canada), and only slightly out of my own budget.
Although I was set on Nikon (D50) I was swayed by the extra MP and shutter speed and a very convincing shop assistant.
If anyone who knows more about them than I do wants to speak now or forever hold their peace...I really don't want to know I made a bad choice after I buy it!!!
Sincerely,
Emily

[aparmley]

I think you'll be pleased, the 350D is a very nice camera!

[emily21]

I forgot to mention:
Canon EOS 350D deal comes with zoom EF-S 18-55/3,5-5,6 II USM and 256 MB for 849 euro
Nikon D50 deal comes with zoom AF-S 18-55/3,5-5,6 G DX AND zoom AF-S 55-200/4-5,6 G ED DX and 256 MB for 799 euro
And feedback on whether or not it's a good deal (extra lens with the Nikon)??

[24Peter]

Emily - you probably can't go wrong with either camera so don't worry about making a "bad" choice from that perspective. I think more important is understanding that DSLR's offer a bit more (actually a lot more) than most digital point & shoot cameras out there. But to get your photos to look better than a point & shoot with a DSLR may take some work and practice.

[coldrain]

While the 18-55 kit from the D50 is a little bit better than the one of the 350D, the 55-200 lenses are not very desirable to have. At 55mm that Nikon lens is very good, but at 200mm it loses in resolution and contrast. The 55-200 from canon, while still not a great lens (but cheap) is actually the best of this breed.

You would be better off getting a Sigma 70-300 APO DG, it is around 200 euros I think, and offers a 1:2 macro mode, offers an extra 200-300mm range, and has better performance around 200mm.

That you think the shutter speed of the 350D is a plus compared to the D50 i do not really understand. The 8mp vs 6.1mp resolution is of course a pre, but a small one. Another pre is the free RAW conversion software, and the mirror lock up that you can use in longer exposure shots where the mirror mechanism might make the camera vibrate.

Both are very good cameras, some prefer the D50, some the 350D. You can get the 350D at pixmania for instance for about 650 euros, and with kitlens for about 750 euros. That may be a much better deal... I got 256mb free from Canon, and 256mb is super cheap anyway, you are better off getting (a) bigger card(s).