Entry level DSLR or High-end P&S? HELP!

[soccernut]

Budget? Well as little as possible... at most $700 to start, and saying that I know that I will have to save up for accessories as time goes by.

Size? I don't like small cameras so much as they are hard for me to hold for long periods of time - I have large hands.

MP? I currently have a Kodak 7MP P&S so an upgrade is preferable, but not absolutely necessary

Image Quality VERY IMPORTANT 8 to 10 of 10. I like to use manual controls on occasion, I usually shoot in the "program" mode, but occasionally play around with aperature and shutter speed, as well as exposure settings.

I have two children who play soccer and I take (or try to) a great deal of pictures of them doing that, but looking through my pictures folder I also seem to do a great deal of indoor and low light photography, and there are times I try my hand at landscapes and scenery, sunsets, sunrises, beach, and family photos both posed and during relaxed get togethers. I do like to make poster sized prints especially of the soccer action, but most of what I print is usually 4x6 or 8x11. I also like to shoot video, and don't like the idea of carrying a camcorder as well as a camera to vacations or other things that I might want to do both still and movie.

In spite of my current camera, I have always been a fan of Canon (owned a PowerShot S3 before the Kodak and LOVED IT). The PowerShot SX10 has caught my eye, but I am itching to make the leap to DSLR for the better handling of low light and action capabilities. Have two friends who have recently bought the Nikon D60 and they love it, but they are already looking at getting additional lenses due to the limitations of the 18-55mm kit lens.

I need IS, other extras are extras (although I miss that silly rotating LCD on the PowerShot!). Having a hotshoe is another thing I would like to have to expand my photography. I guess I just need someone to give me a shove one way or the other off this fence! Stick with P&S or go for DSLR?

[GoneTomorrow]

I think a Canon XS or better yet an XSi would suit you, with the 18-55mm IS kit lens. However, those bodies are considered small for a DSLR, so you should definitely go to a store and get your hands on one. I used an XTi for a while (same size as the XS and XSi), and I found that it was very comfortable to use, and I have large hands myself (I can palm a basketball, to give you an idea).

If you want a camera that really fits perfect in the hands and has great IQ, then consider a 40D, though that would just barely breach your budget.

Don't spend $3-400 on a point and shoot, that's silly. Get a DSLR, you won't regret it.

[VanDawg38]

After much thought, I've got an XSi on the way along with the 55-250mm lens.

I was looking for a longer reach, better low light performance, and improved sport shooting. As much as I liked the 40D, the added weight and cost pushed it out of consideration. (I'm still second guessing myself a bit.) The Rebel's still a big step up from our A80.

I can still see picking up a new P&S (SD880) for the wife as they're pretty convenient.

[GoneTomorrow]

After much thought, I've got an XSi on the way along with the 55-250mm lens.

I was looking for a longer reach, better low light performance, and improved sport shooting. As much as I liked the 40D, the added weight and cost pushed it out of consideration. (I'm still second guessing myself a bit.) The Rebel's still a big step up from our A80.

I can still see picking up a new P&S (SD880) for the wife as they're pretty convenient.

Did you get the 18-55mm kit lens, or just the 55-250mm? That lens is decent enough for the price, but it's max aperture is rather narrow so it's best used in full outdoor light. Not that it can't do low light, but you may have to shoot high ISOs to get clear shots. If you want a great low light lens, pick up a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 mkII, a great lens and only about $80 or so (the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is great too, but quite a bit more price wise).

And no worries about no opting for the 40D. You will love the XSi, it's a very capable camera.

[speaklightly]

soccernut-

When you consider your sports and low light level shooting requirements, clearly a DSLR is the way to go.

Because how your camera feels in hand is so important, I really think that it is worth personally handling all of the DSLR's that you are going to consider. That is most probably the next step, as that might eliminate some DSLR's from the git-go.

Sarah Joyce

[mattdm]

I think it's nice to have the same brand as your friends, so you can share expertise and perhaps even accessories. That's kind of a push in favor of Nikon.

[Jonathan Gingerich]

You should certainly take a look at the Panasonic Lumix G1.

It will just be barely in your budget if you look around. You can grow with the system, which, should, be less expensive than DSLR lens...(I hope...)
It is bigger than a P&S, but smaller than an SLR, so you will have to see if you have big hands, or big hands for a compact camera....
It does not have any video, although the next model is supposed to. I'm not sure how many of the entry DSLR's have video at present...

It has an excellent Intelligent mode, but also a boatload of settings.
It has a hot shoe, and a rotating LCD that nobody else thinks is silly...
It has (at the moment 2) interchangable lens, the single lens kit having a (35mm equiv) 28-90 which slightly outreaches the D60 lens you mentioned. It might be a bit short for soccer...
The image quality, low light capacity, and speed will be a big step up from a P&S, and should be very satisfying for what you're shooting.

Plus it's a hot camera...

JG

[speaklightly]

soccernut-

In an effort to keep you front end investment within your budget, why not take a look at the Olympus E-420 or E-520 two lens kits. For an investment within your budget you would have a DSLR camera that with those two lenses could cover 28mm to 300mm, in 35mm terms. That could cover your photo needs rather nicely. I have attached an E-410 sample photo to give you an idea of the quality we are discussing. This photo was taken handheld using bounce flash.

Sarah Joyce

[tizeye]

Nikon has been running a sale on the D60, and if you look in the fine print "add a 55-200VR for" which when you add them to getherm it hits your $700 target. The will have a similar special on the D40 for a little less, but they didn't put the VR version of the lens with that kit. I think Costco also has the wto leans kit (plus training DVD) for $699.

[VanDawg38]

Did you get the 18-55mm kit lens, or just the 55-250mm? That lens is decent enough for the price, but it's max aperture is rather narrow so it's best used in full outdoor light. Not that it can't do low light, but you may have to shoot high ISOs to get clear shots. If you want a great low light lens, pick up a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 mkII, a great lens and only about $80 or so (the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is great too, but quite a bit more price wise).

And no worries about no opting for the 40D. You will love the XSi, it's a very capable camera.

Got both lens, the 50mm f/1.8 and a flash (430?) will be the next purchases.

[VanDawg38]

I think it's nice to have the same brand as your friends, so you can share expertise and perhaps even accessories. That's kind of a push in favor of Nikon.
That's the truth, except mine all have Canons.