DSLR vs Intermediate - Advice Please

Subject: DSLR vs Intermediate - Advice Please 2009-05-25, 14:45

Hi

I'm currently planning on investing in a camera and have read a few articles by Which? covering what they call intermediate cameras. These have more manual control than a point and shoot but without the full felxibility of a DSLR. I've noticed a few spotters up at Newcastle with similar. Which? really rate the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS at just over £300 with a 28-560mm lens.

I'm looking for advice on whether, as a novice, an intermediate camera would be worth buying to learn the trade then step up to a DSLR later if I out grow it.

I've always been impressed with my Canon compact and have noted that most members recommend the EOS450 which would be best part of a grand with a decent 100-300mm lens. At this point in my photography career do you think the extra money would be justified?

Thanks

Subject: Re: DSLR vs Intermediate - Advice Please 2009-05-25, 14:58

I had a bridge camera for a while (Panasonic Lumix FZ-18) and then switched to a DSLR (Canon 400D with 100-400L). These are two photos I took and then cropped for comparison between these two cameras (were posted over on UKAR for the same reason - to show the difference). The zoom on both cameras is about equal, but the quality on the DSLR is much higher, as you can see.

Panasonic:
DSLR vs Intermediate - Advice Please A

Canon:

Obviously neither photo is fantastically high quality because they are very heavily cropped, to give a good idea of the resolution.

However, taking into account the quality difference, the Panasonic is about £250 and the Canon with lens is over £1000. So you do get what you pay for.

Hopefully this is of some help!

Ben

Subject: Re: DSLR vs Intermediate - Advice Please 2009-05-25, 15:08

Thanks Ben, the difference is astounding. I agree, you do indeed get what you pay for.

Thanks again.

Location : Oxfordshire

A compact camera with a 'superzoom' vs a DSLR with a top grade lens will always be a compromise on quality no matter what the megapixel rating or zoom lens reach is.

Ben's example is a perfect one, a sub £300 camera gives you more than acceptable results for something you can pretty much drop in a a top pocket compared with a sub £400 camera BODY with £1000+ upper end Canon lens which will really need its own camera bag.

Going down the D-SLR route will give you more freedom and better quality as an end result provided you can be bothered to carry around (and afford!) a heavier body and as many lenses as you see fit to do the job for you.

If you do want to make the extra investment in the DSLR kit, you'll open yourself up to the choice of bodies and lenses depending on your budget. The 450D is a good camera and a good starting lens with a reasonable reach for aircraft and airshows would be the Canon 75-300mm USM III or Sigma 70-300mm APO. There is an IS version of the former if you want to spend another £150 on the same lens. You can normally get a new 450D body with 18-55mm 'kit' lens so that is a decent combination as you've got most focal lengths covered between 18-300mm.

If after a while you then find you need more 'reach' with your zoom you are faced with the bigger lenses from Canon or Sigma (unless you go the Nikon or Sony DSLR route!!) which will require a further investment of anything between £600 and £1000+ for lenses fitting that bill.

My first DSLR was a Canon 20D which happened to fit the 75-300 USM III I had for my EOS-5 film camera. I used this for 2 airshow seasons until the bank savings allowed me to get a 100-400 lens. That in itself was a steep learning curve - it's amazing how fitting an expensive lens doesn't automatically lead to you taking better photos!

Happy learning!

Dave.

Location : Bristol Spotter Watch Member : No

I'd go for the SLR...you can pick one up for £150-200 and a cheap zoom (like the Canon 75-300 USM, which is perfectly good for a beginner (I used it for a year and got some great shots)) for £100 and get much better results. It will also help you learn the art of photography much more thoroughly. Don't despair if your first shots aren't great 'cos there's huge room for improvement and learning.

.mic (now on a 400D with the 100-400)

Location : Colchester

St. John wrote:: I'm looking for advice on whether, as a novice, an intermediate camera would be worth buying to learn the trade then step up to a DSLR later if I out grow it.

This may well turn out to be an expensive route to go down.

Why pay out the money for that, then find 6 months down the line that what you have learned has you itching to trade up? If you are able to afford the DSLR, then get that, and grow into it, and as funds allow, buy the lenses that you feel will suit your needs.

Subject: Re: DSLR vs Intermediate - Advice Please 2009-05-26, 01:38

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Now where's that credit card!!!

Moderator Location : In a layby

Ive added a list of shops which stock secondhand gear, if you shop around you can get some bargains Wink

List is here: http://fightercontrol.forumotion.com/photography-questions-f4/where-to-buy-used-equipment-t9413.htm#48836

Moderator Location : Between Coventry and Leicester

I see Jessops are selling the new Sony Alpha300 and kit lens for £299 .