Need help looking for new camera, something like Canon 1100D

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emilyrose8

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Emily
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Hi,

I'm looking to upgrade from my Panasonic Lumix G1 to a proper DSLR but I'm not sure what to get. I've been looking at the Canon 1100D but I keep getting put off by people saying it's good for beginners or as an 'entry level' camera. I would say I was a bit better than beginner (but we can always learn more) and was wondering if anyone could suggest a similar Canon DSLR to the 1100D but that might last me a bit longer than a year before I have to change onto a more 'advanced' model!

My budget is about £300 second hand.

I'm also not hearing amazing things about the 18-55mm kit lens that comes with the 1100D. Any comments?

Emily
 
If it has to be Canon and can be used then go for as new as you can find combined with as few numbers in the model number but the highest for the number, i.e if looking at nnD then find 40D rather than 30D etc,.

The fact they are not entry level cameras may not actually make any difference though and people are too quick to put down cameras as entry level. The entry level cameras today are as good as high level cameras from a few years back (although not in build quality).
 
My boyfriend has a 30D at the moment but I wanted something a little smaller in size as I only have little hands and find the reach on his too far between buttons etc. That's why the 1100D was appealing as it is a smaller body.

My G1 is great but I am limited by it being Panasonic. There isn't the choice of lenses that I want and I want something a little bit more grown up I suppose. I will miss some of the features of my G1 though, flip out screen, small size, light weight etc but I've had it for over 6 months and I'm still not happy with it. It just doesn't feel right. I can't explain it really.
 
Oh and I really want to keep live view, which my boyfriend doesn't have and I've been spoiled by!
 
If 30D is too big and 1100D is too entry then a n00D would be in the inbetween choices. Similar size to 1100D but better quality generally. Not sure you will get one with live view for £300 though?

Oh and watch out for a raft of replies concerning your lack of lenses comment :)
 
Depends a bit on what you're using it for, but "entry level" cameras are capable of pictures just as good as more advanced cameras. The main differences are in build quality and ergonomics. I've just upgraded from an 1000d to a 40d, and the main differences are that the 40d is bigger and feels more solid, has better focussing and a faster burst mode (only important for sports really), and has 2 control wheels (which makes using manual mode easier, as there's one wheel for aperture and one for shutter speed).

I had the 1000d for about 3 years before I upgraded and there's nothing really wrong with it, just that the 40d has a few useful improvements. The 18-55 kit lens is also fine (the IS version is meant to be better than the older non-IS version), although you might want some different lenses for low light or greater reach.
 
Here's an alternate thought - drop the Canon idea, and sell the Panasonic.
Put the money to the budget mentioned above, and grab a Pentax K-30 with 18-55 kit lens.
Get £50 back, and buy from a Pro dealer like (but not limited to) SRS Microsystems, so that you get the 2 year warranty instead of standard 12 month from Jessop's/Currys/Amazon/etc/etc.

If it must be a Canon, then look at the Jessop's deal on the 550D (2 yo design/model now) with twin lens kit for 18-200 reach, and an option to buy the 50mm prime f1.8 (plastic fantastic) lens.
Total weighs in at £499.

I consider the 1100D to be the Tesco Value version of (their) DSLRs.
 
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emilyrose8 said:
My boyfriend has a 30D at the moment but I wanted something a little smaller in size as I only have little hands and find the reach on his too far between buttons etc. That's why the 1100D was appealing as it is a smaller body.

My G1 is great but I am limited by it being Panasonic. There isn't the choice of lenses that I want and I want something a little bit more grown up I suppose. I will miss some of the features of my G1 though, flip out screen, small size, light weight etc but I've had it for over 6 months and I'm still not happy with it. It just doesn't feel right. I can't explain it really.
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I asked as the 1100D would be more of a sideways step than an upgrade - but if you are not happy with the G1 fair enough, 6 months is plenty of time to decide that it's not for you and if your boyfriend has a Canon then I guess using lenses you can both use makes sense. I think micro four thirds does have a reasonable lens selection now, but if you are on a budget m43 lenses do tend to be expensive than the dslr equivalents.

For just over £300 (or possibly less via a private sale) you could get a used 600D body which has the 18mp sensor, a swivel screen and a few other advantages over the 1100D but is a similar size:
http://www.ffordes.com/product/12120414231681

If your G1 came with the 14-45 kit lens those are thought to be better than the newer 14-42 version so you should easily get enough from selling that to buy either a 50mm 1.8 prime or an 18-55 kit lens for the Canon.
 
The Pentax K-30 looks good and it is recommended on so many threads but hands up who has actually bought one!
 
It's nice to hear that people like the 1100D, I think I've over researched it.

It really does have to be Canon I think, just because of sharing lenses and he's got a pro cousin that might be getting Canon gear so could give access to even more kit etc!

I was surprised at the price of the m43 lenses actually, considering the initial purchase was comparatively cheap but I assume this is the case with all makes.

Thanks for your feedback though, I'll be keeping an eye on ebay for now for the best deal. I won't ask about which additional lens to get, that's a whole other kettle of very smelly fish!
 
ernesto said:
The Pentax K-30 looks good and it is recommended on so many threads but hands up who has actually bought one!
Click to expand...

Gave it some thought, just a little mind you, before deciding the K-5 floated my boat and tickled my fancy more, even if someone else has been using it before me.
So that's what I'll be going for.
If I had to have brand new and/or was on a tight budget, I'd be in like Flynn.

It's a bit like how many people want a BMW or MB, except the few who see beyond the badge, and opt for, say, a Lexus instead.
Cameras, Hi-Fi, TVs, etc are no different - part of it is pack/herd mentality, although if you've a wide circle of friends/family who also happen to be into photography, then I can see the sharing aspect making up part of the reasoning to follow suit.
 
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Fully agree Phil. And some of those same pack followers are recommending cameras outside of their pack that they haven't bought themselves because they are too busy staying in the pack :)

Although there can be a downside with going leftfield, and that is when you come to resell as the market of buyers is much smaller than for Canon and Nikon.
 
One slight downside is the lack of sellers of a particular lens you might fancy but can only afford pre-owned.
With Canikon, you're inundated with an array of the same lenses being sold, but you'll be fighting off hordes of other interested buyers by the same token.
So it's all swings and roundabouts at the end of the day - everything finds its place eventually.
 
ernesto said:
Fully agree Phil. And some of those same pack followers are recommending cameras outside of their pack that they haven't bought themselves because they are too busy staying in the pack :)

Although there can be a downside with going leftfield, and that is when you come to resell as the market of buyers is much smaller than for Canon and Nikon.
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To be fair I'm one of the pack who has been recommending the k30. I'm not about to sell all my Nikon gear for a k30 but if I was starting out now I wouldn't hesitate. I'm not a lens collector so there is more than enough on offer for me.
 
On the plus side it shows you have an open mind and are not just suggesting a camera/brand that you own.

And a K30 would be on my list if I was looking for a good value DSLR.
 
ernesto said:
The Pentax K-30 looks good and it is recommended on so many threads but hands up who has actually bought one!
Click to expand...

It's certainly ideal for small hands, I had the pleasure of handling one a while back and found it too small to be comfortable, even compared to my old Panasonic GH1.

Of course you could get an adapter and use Canon lenses on your Panny...
 
ernesto said:
The Pentax K-30 looks good and it is recommended on so many threads but hands up who has actually bought one!
Click to expand...

I think people are recommending it because at the current prices it offers amazing value for money and features you don't normally get in an entry level camera but at an entry level price (weather /dust proofing, 100% viewfinder, micro AF adjust, timelapse, low light performance, dual control dials etc).

However most on here already have a commitment (lenses, accessories) to another system and so would be unlikely to switch to a completely new system just because a bargain comes along. But that still makes it a valid recommendation for people who are starting from scratch and have no such prior investment/commitment.

As someone who currently owns a Sony SLT and a Panasonic G3 I am hardly a follower of the Canon/Nikon 'pack'. :)
 
My partner gave me a 550D a couple of years ago and I can recommend it. I love the fact that it is compact compared to many DSLRs. It was my 2nd DSLR - my first being a Sony A200. There is plenty of functionality, though doubtless the later models (600D and 650D) have more.

I have become quite passionate about photography recently and would like to upgrade now to get more frames per second, but I plan to keep my 550D. I'd be happy to carry a bigger heavier camera if I know I'm going out to take photos, but as a 'just in case' walkaround, I'm more likely to take a 550D with me because of it's size.

I've been borrowing my partner's 50D to get action shots ( and to allow me to have two lenses in use at the same time). It does have a bit more functionality, but it is bigger and heavier and I wouldn't want to carry it round all day.
 
Bebop said:
My partner gave me a 550D a couple of years ago and I can recommend it. I love the fact that it is compact compared to many DSLRs.
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Yes I also prefer the smaller form size, but then I came to digital slrs from using compact digitals and then a Nex, followed by micro four thirds. (Although I did use a Canon AF film slr way back in the 90's.)

Looking at sizes on this website, the entry level models are all very similar in size (the K30 is heavier than most but also one of the smallest - but in size terms there is not a lot in it between the 1100D, 550D etc, D3100, D3200 etc, A37, K30) http://camerasize.com/compare/#98,327
 
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