Overwhelmed by camera choices! Help!

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Lindsey

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Lindsey
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I want to get in to photography and would like to focus on natural light photography of young children and babies. I would like to go professional after a year of so of practice. I'm trying to decide between the following cameras:

1. Canon EOS 450D / Digital Rebel XSi
2. Canon EOS 400D / Digital Rebel XTi
3. Canon EOS 50D

Which one would suit my purpose? Or, are there other models/manufacturers that I should consider? My budget is $1,500.

Thanks!

Lindsey
 
My best suggestion would be to go to your local retailer and pick them up and see which is most comfortable to you. The xxD series is larger than the xxxD range, so you may prefer one on size alone.

There is of course other makes to consider, so have a play with them too.
 
I haven't used any of the Canon bodies personally, but...

I've read the 400D/XTi is notoriously bad under low light (although I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong), so I'd forget that one.

Many of the ISO1600+ shots from the 50D I've seen so far haven't impressed me.

The 450D apparently has some colour issues in the red channel in low light.

I don't know what Canon bodies would be best to suggest for low light performance, but from the Nikon camp, the D300s is a top performer. I would have no problems shooting that thing at ISO3200 all day long in low light.

If the D300s is a little more than your budget, perhaps consider a used/ex-demo/refurb D300 body. You won't have the video abilities, but if you don't need them it's not a big deal.
 
Hi Lindsey and welcome:)

The simple answer is that buying a camera is a personal thing. if we all wanted the same there would only be one camera to buy.

Peoples opinions on the best camera are personal so don't apply to you.

All the cameras you mention plus all the ones you don't (Nikon, sony, Pentax etc) take good pictures. You make them great.

So go to the shops, try as many as possible and

Buy the Camera that fits YOUR budget
That feels most comfortable in YOUR hands
That has the most intuitive control and menu layout for YOU.
 
They may all take good images, but some will take better images than others under certain conditions; low ambient light, for example.

Look at the technical requirements you have first, then narrow that down to a range of several bodies from all manufacturers. Then, like Mark says, hit up the local stores and play with them in your hands to see which feels right.

"Best camera" overall, yes, is subjective. Best camera for a specific purpose can often be backed up by facts. :)
 
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