Your first DSLR

I have this conversation at least once a week. The question comes from all sorts of people but is always the same: “I am ready to graduate from my point and shoot to a DSLR—what should I get?” This discussion usually centers around Canon and Nikon, since both make a basic DSLR: the Canon Digital Rebel XTi and the Nikon D40x. Both of these cameras are under $750 with the kit lens, have 3 frames per second (fps) burst rates and are in the 10-megapixel class.  Check our reviews of the Canon Digital Rebel XTi and the Nikon D40x.

Other things to consider:

1) Do you already have some lenses you’d like to continue to use? Keep in mind though that the lenses you used for your old 35mm SLR may or may not fit the newer camera bodies, and the older autofocus (AF) lenses don’t always work as well with the faster DSLRs. 

2) What do you want to shoot? If you want to capture the changing seasons in your backyard, you won’t need a camera with high fps burst rate.  For your kid’s sports events though, you might want at least 3 fps, but you can still capture great action shots without it.

3) Size matters: Some cameras are lighter and smaller than others. Both the Canon XTi and the Nikon D40x feel very similar and are very light to hold. Go to your favorite camera store and hold each of the cameras you are considering, since each has its own feel.  Don’t be afraid to play with the controls, take some shots, and, of course, ask a lot of questions.

Other brands offer good entry-level DSLRs too:  the Sony Alpha 100 ($700, street with kit lens), Olympus E-410 ($720, street, with kit lens), and Pentax K10D ($820, street, with kit lens), to name a few.
To know which one is right for you, do your homework (our camera reviews and tests is a great place to start).
—Melissa Macatee
Contributing Blogger

Comments

[Andrew Ferguson]

dpreview.com also has some incredibly in-depth reviews of DSLR's.

[john syl]

Essentially no information provided. Article needed refs. to reviews of entry digital SLRs. Pentax K100 much better choice than the K10 for an entry level.

[Raimo]

The Sony Alpha 100 as well as Konica Minolta 7D and 5D works real fine with any Minolta AF lens manufactured 1988 and so on. Stink about that!

[Charles Pilkington]

My first DSLR was a Pentax *ISTDL. Having two Ricoh slr bodies and several Pentax lenses at the time made the Pentax an exclent choice. I have no complaints on the Pentax,and will probaly go to another Pentax DSLR in the future. If I were to go with a diffrent camera it would be a Canon.

[Norman J Pelletier]

I started with a Rebel film camera. Then bought a Canon Elan NE, which is a film camera that I still love.
The next one was the Rebel XT digital and I love that one too.
Finally, I'm buying a Canon 30D for some extra professional touches that go along with my new Pixma 9000 printer. If I were to start again with a first camera, it would be the Canon XTi for the extra pixel count and low price. The XT is fine too. Bith are great digitals to learn on and to keep for years to come.