Which SLR ?

[Grotbags]

Hi, currently looking to buy my first DSLR. Had pretty much decided a Canon 450D would do the job. However my boss overheard me discussing this and said he is looking to sell his Nikon D200 as he is upgrading. It's 2 years old and in good condition. Both will cost around the £400 mark.
Have read some reviews online etc but would really like some users input/advice on which one to go for. .
Thanks

Edited by Grotbags on Friday 28th May 06:46

Edited by Grotbags on Friday 28th May 06:49

[GlenMH]

The standard answer is: go have a play and see which one you like holding/operating the most.

[Dave^]

Is the price for your gaffer's camera for the body only?

I'm assuming the price for the Canon includes a lens?

If you're pally with your Boss, I'd buy his, then have a play with his lenses before buying... and I think the Nikon will be a better camera... (Going by the price at least!)

[Grotbags]

Thanks guys. Might be able to get the boss to throw in a lense aswell. Will get him to bring it in so I can have a play around with it

[d1d215]

+ you need to know what do you want from the camera. I think that the canon might be newer, but D200 is a pro camera.

[Dave^]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_D200

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EOS_450D



Have a read up on those two links... The Nikon is getting on a bit now, 5yrs old compared to the 2yr old 450d, (In design, not age of the actual camera) I'm not the person to ask really, but I'm sure things will have moved on a little since 2005...

[Grotbags]

Thanks again. The Nikon reads as a more professional bit of kit. Like I say, its my first SLR, i'm a novice, just looking to take better quality pics, mainly of the kids, but general all round use.
Is the 10.2 MP v 12.2 MP going to make much of a difference to a novice like me ? Doubt it. I was just thinking I could get a better bit of kit, albeit a bit older for the same money. But if I'm not going to use it to its full advantage, I guess the newer Canon makes more sense ?

Decisions, decisions... will head to the shops at lunch and have a play with a few..

[Dave^]

Don't get caught up in megapixels... It's more of a marketing gimmick now they're so high...

It mattered more a few years back when they were around the 3 to 5mp mark... Mines only a 6mp! htheshame:

You need to think to the future, there's no point shelling out £400 now on a camera, that in a year or twos time, when the bug has bitten, you need/want a better one...

You're also probably better off sticking to one manufacturer, so that if you do want to change bodies, you'll be able to keep your collection of lenses... and you won't need to relearn the interface/menus/etc...

[Simpo Two]

Grotbags said:

Is the 10.2 MP v 12.2 MP going to make much of a difference to a novice like me ? Doubt it.

No, but the D200 is a mid-level camera rather than entry-level like the 450D. That doesn't mean it will give 'better' results, but generally that more controls are on the outside for quick use rather than buried in menus. The results will be up to you

[d1d215]

about the buttons etc . I recieved my sony a200 some days ago. at first I was like - ok, where is that and that. but once you understand the layout I find it even better than my mid level nikon.

[dibbly dobbler]

I've just started out with a 450D and it certainly will do the job for a beginner. The lens is a big factor - why not find out what he is throwing in and post it up ? The boys on here will soon let you know if it's suitable. The 18-55 kit lens that the Canon comes with is also bang on for a starter

[BlueMR2]

£400 - 450 is 2nd hand 40d area as well.

[RobDickinson]

D200 is a cracking bit of kit its no starter SLR but you can start with it.

Its probably not as good as the 450D at high ISO but it'll smack the 450D all round the park on every other metric I expect.

Dont know if £400 is a good price tho, I expect you could easily get a canon 40D for that which is much more equivelant and newer.

[Furyous]

RobDickinson said:

D200 is a cracking bit of kit its no starter SLR but you can start with it.

Its probably not as good as the 450D at high ISO but it'll smack the 450D all round the park on every other metric I expect.

100% agree,stepped up to mine from a D70S and I love it, its way better, in every sense.

[mph999]

Grotbags said:

Thanks again. The Nikon reads as a more professional bit of kit. Like I say, its my first SLR, i'm a novice, just looking to take better quality pics, mainly of the kids, but general all round use.
Is the 10.2 MP v 12.2 MP going to make much of a difference to a novice like me ? Doubt it. I was just thinking I could get a better bit of kit, albeit a bit older for the same money. But if I'm not going to use it to its full advantage, I guess the newer Canon makes more sense ?

Decisions, decisions... will head to the shops at lunch and have a play with a few..

The D200 is a fantastic camera, and for that price, even without a lens, I'd snap it up quick ... (Apart from the minor fact I have a D300 ... )

M

Edited by mph999 on Friday 28th May 23:35

[Major Bloodnok]

Furyous said:

RobDickinson said:

D200 is a cracking bit of kit its no starter SLR but you can start with it.

Its probably not as good as the 450D at high ISO but it'll smack the 450D all round the park on every other metric I expect.

100% agree,stepped up to mine from a D70S and I love it, its way better, in every sense.

Wot 'e said.

[d1d215]

could offer a nikon d100 + 50mm f1.8 and/or a silver 28-80mm f3.3 - 5.6 !

[moribund]

Alternative is to step down to a 400D for £250 rather than a 450D? Not a big difference between the two in capabilities really. Loved mine, but it's now on eBay finishing tomorrow as I have a 550D on the way :-)

Edited by moribund on Saturday 29th May 19:25

[Kermit power]

How used is the D200? There is potentially quite a difference between a camera that has been used for thousands of shots a year for the last 5 years and one which has only come out on birthdays and weddings.

[Grotbags]

cheers for all the info - i'll take a look at the 400d aswell

re usage of the Nikon, the boss spends most of his time in the office so i'm sure its just been mainly holidays/birthday use etc