Best DSLR for travel photography?

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BlueEyedGirl

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Hi everyone,

I’m a complete beginner, looking to buy an SLR camera for travel photography - one that takes great quality photos but isn't too big/heavy to carry :) I would be very grateful if you could give me advice on what would be the best buy - I'm really confused with all the choice lol!

My budget is £300-350 and I've managed to narrow my choices to 3 models:

*Nikon D3000
*Sony A330
*Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 (not an SLR but I was told it takes above average photos for a compact camera)

My number one atm is Nikon, however it would be great to see your suggestions- my priorities are picture quality (esp. low light performance) and size/weight (Nikon D300 is probably the biggest and heaviest I could carry around when travelling).

If you can think of other DSLRs I should consider buying, please let me know!

Thank you very much!!!!! :) x
 
BlueEyedGirl said:
Hi everyone,

I’m a complete beginner, looking to buy an SLR camera for travel photography - one that takes great quality photos but isn't too big/heavy to carry :) I would be very grateful if you could give me advice on what would be the best buy - I'm really confused with all the choice lol!

My budget is £300-350 and I've managed to narrow my choices to 3 models:

*Nikon D3000
*Sony A330
*Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 (not an SLR but I was told it takes above average photos for a compact camera)

My number one atm is Nikon, however it would be great to see your suggestions- my priorities are picture quality (esp. low light performance) and size/weight (Nikon D300 is probably the biggest and heaviest I could carry around when travelling).

If you can think of other DSLRs I should consider buying, please let me know!

Thank you very much!!!!! :) x
Click to expand...

Like thte lumix my camera isnt a DSLR, but im getting one soon. The reason i got the Fujifilm that i use at the moment was to do with budget, i didnt have the money for an SLR. I plan very soon to upgrade to one.

While i cant say between the Nikon and the Sony, i reccomend you dont get the Lumix, that way, when you decide to upgrade, you can buy new lenses ect, instead of having to shell out for a DSLR body.

Thats just my reccomendation, some others may disagree.
 
Within your budget the best choice is not on your list:

Canon 20D + 17-85 F4-5.6 IS USM.

You should be able to get this combo used for around £350 or maybe a little less.

Nice and compact, good range, and high image quality. In fact there are still a few images on my site taken with this combo.
 
Thanks very much for the advice everyone!:D I will definitely look more into Canon 20D - is the photo quality drastically better than that of Nikon D3000? :thinking:

May I ask about your views on Canon EOS 1000D ? I didn't consider it before but a friend of mine has just recommended it and it seems to be getting really good reviews: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond3000/page18.asp

It seems to me like the quality's pretty much the same as Nikon but I'm no specialist lol.
 
The Olympus PEN EPL-1 can be picked up for about £350 new, it's not a dslr but it is very compact and can produce brilliant results. Or maybe a second hand Panasonic GF1?

EDIT: They're £450 new, with VAT but without about £350.
 
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BlueEyedGirl said:
Thanks very much for the advice everyone!:D I will definitely look more into Canon 20D - is the photo quality drastically better than that of Nikon D3000? :thinking:

May I ask about your views on Canon EOS 1000D ? I didn't consider it before but a friend of mine has just recommended it and it seems to be getting really good reviews: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond3000/page18.asp

It seems to me like the quality's pretty much the same as Nikon but I'm no specialist lol.
Click to expand...

There isn't such a thing as a bad Nikon or Canon DSLR. Go to a shop, take a few snaps while holding both and pick which you prefer.

And think about second-hand.
 
Years ago I used to cart my Practica around with me to take pics, the alternative being a compact or 110. Now I purposely leave my Dslr at home sometimes rather than carry it. I know the quality isn't the same with a bridge or a compact. However the pics on either are a lot better than with my camera's at home. I'd handle some differing types & perhaps see which you are prepared to lump about. Also from the 'I am not a terrorist' thread depending on where you travel, a Dslr may attract more unwanted attention than something that seems more 'touristy?'
 
Out of the 3 cameras that you listed, I would go with the Nikon, simply because there are so many lenses and accessories available.

The LX3 is nice but it's no DSLR.

When I'm travelling I often find that my compact takes the most and best photos because it's always with me.
 
I ended up getting Nikon, I'm really happy with the photo quality - it's also much easier to use than I originally thought, seems perfect for a beginner :D
 
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