Mid Range DSLR Choices

[albertdong]

Hi,

I'm looking for some views / opinions on my DSLR purchase.

I've just sold my Lumix GF1 plus associated lenses to fund the purchase of a DSLR. I loved the GF1 but ultimately found it a bit small and fiddly for my hands and for what I wanted to use it for - landscape primarily - a bit limited in certain areas.

My budget is approx £1,100.

I've narrowed my choice down to Canon 60d or Nikon D7000.

Canon feels much easier to use in terms of size and more natural from a handling perspective than the GF1 did.

I've not been able to find a d7000 yet to do a side by side comparison handling wise - although I'm hoping to lay hands on a Jessops ex-demo this week that they are hoping to sell to me ( with no discount, so that will not be happening!!! ).

I had some questions though :

There doesn't seem to be much talk about the 60d on the forums here - is there a reason for that?

There does seem to be a lot of positive views on the D7000 - can I expect the same level of results from both cameras or does the D7000 have some specific advantages over the 60d?

In the future, in terms of lenses, it seems to me that second hand Canon lenses tend to be lower cost than Nikon or have I just jumped to an incorrect conclusion?

For my budget is there an obvious choice that I'm missing?

Any thoughts and views much appreciated!!!

 

[arad85]

There doesn't seem to be much talk about the 60d on the forums here - is there a reason for that?

No real reason as far as I can tell.

There does seem to be a lot of positive views on the D7000 - can I expect the same level of results from both cameras or does the D7000 have some specific advantages over the 60d?

Nikon users seem to rave about their cameras. Not sure if it's because there is really an inherent advantage, or whether it's a comfort thing. Have a look at the review here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond7000/ and in particular the "compared to" pages. You can compare to the 60D there.

In the future, in terms of lenses, it seems to me that second hand Canon lenses tend to be lower cost than Nikon or have I just jumped to an incorrect conclusion?

You're correct. And is, in part, why I have a Canon camera.

For my budget is there an obvious choice that I'm missing?

IMHO only by stretching it to a 7D.

The 60D is £170 cheaper than the D7000. This will give you more room to buy a decent lens.

 

[Tringa]

If you are happy to look at other makes, also have a look at the Pentax K5.

I am biased as I have a K5 but now it is about £750 with the kit lens, so would leave a fair bit over for other lenses/equipment.

Seems well liked - http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk5/

Good DR and high ISO abilities

There is not as large a range of current lenses for Pentax as for Canon or Nikon, but any K mount lens from about 1975 onwards will fit (currently using a 50mm prime and a Sigma 17-210mm that I bought about 1980 with mine)

Image stabilisation is in the body so any lens, no matter how old, becomes image stabilised. This is probably not a big issue if your main interest is landscape, but handy to have.

Dave

 

[Phall82]

Hi,

I'm looking for some views / opinions on my DSLR purchase.

I've just sold my Lumix GF1 plus associated lenses to fund the purchase of a DSLR. I loved the GF1 but ultimately found it a bit small and fiddly for my hands and for what I wanted to use it for - landscape primarily - a bit limited in certain areas.

My budget is approx £1,100.

I've narrowed my choice down to Canon 60d or Nikon D7000.

Canon feels much easier to use in terms of size and more natural from a handling perspective than the GF1 did.

I've not been able to find a d7000 yet to do a side by side comparison handling wise - although I'm hoping to lay hands on a Jessops ex-demo this week that they are hoping to sell to me ( with no discount, so that will not be happening!!! ).

I had some questions though :

There doesn't seem to be much talk about the 60d on the forums here - is there a reason for that?

There does seem to be a lot of positive views on the D7000 - can I expect the same level of results from both cameras or does the D7000 have some specific advantages over the 60d?

In the future, in terms of lenses, it seems to me that second hand Canon lenses tend to be lower cost than Nikon or have I just jumped to an incorrect conclusion?

For my budget is there an obvious choice that I'm missing?

Any thoughts and views much appreciated!!!

I have a 60D and it's a great camera. I looked at the D7000 at the time of buying and was tempted by certain features such as the body construction and dual SD card slot.

The reason I plumped for the 60D was purely because it felt a better and more natural layout to me. But I was used to Canon anyway.

I don't think you'll be disappointed in either camera. The 600D is also an option as it is cheaper but uses the same sensor and a lot of features found in the 60D. It would free more space up for glass again.

If you don't need low light performance in a lens, I would recommend the Canon 15-85 with a 60D or 600D as it gives a great range, superb quality feel and very sharp.