Without wanting to sound too repetative...we've been looking at getting a dSLR since we stopped using our film SLR (too expensive back then!).
We'd like to go with Canon as we liked our Canon SLR, but are not sure whether to spend the extra few hundred $ to get the 450D over the newer 1000D.
We are not excellent photographers (just looking at our blog will tell you that!!) but do like taking decent pics. I know its not the camera but the person holding it, but.... Not being a geek or expert or anything, the only difference between the two that I understand is that one is 10MP and the other 12MP. Obviously the 1000D is newer, but does it have any better features? Do we really need the extra 2MP?
Is there anyone who I havent offended by called a geek or expert willing to spare a few minutes to explain any differences and pros / cons?
Many thanks, Karen
Reply to this DP Review tend to have the best and fullest reviews on the net for cameras - but I agree they are full of geek and tech jargon.
With anything tech - I advise people to get the best they can afford that is currently available without straying into paying a premium for the top of the range. The 450D is the more fully feature camera, 12mp as opposed to 10mp - this is important as historically most stock agencies wouldn't accept submissions below 11mp (don't know if this has changed) - the 1000D looks as though Canon are marketing it as the new entry level DSLR - it's a great camera - both are great cameras - just 4 years ago you'd be paying twice as much for something half as good 😊 So there isn't a bad choice here!
Looking on Amazon.com - the body with the kit lens (18-55mm) is $450 for 1000D and $635 for 450D - ~$200 difference - good luck getting those prices outside of the US 😉
The major differences between the 450D and 1000D are the 450D has a 3inch vs 2.5inch display, slightly faster frame rate, and 12mp vs 10mp censor. Are those things worth $200 to you?
One thing that I'd recomend is get a better lens - Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS - in this case (priced at $500 on amazon) - buy just the body and this lens - for 90%!o(MISSING)f travel situations you'll be covered, you'll need 400mm+ for safari, a macro might be fun and maybe you would love to play with a fisheye every now and then - but in every other situation you'll be covered.
>We'd like to go with Canon as we liked our Canon SLR
You'd like a Nikon just as much 😊
Reply to this Thanks Ali! So you'd recommend a Nikon huh?!?! I'd pretty much figured I was going to be better off not getting the package lenses and going for something a bit better / more expensive. The Nikons here are at a similar price, but I can only find 10MP cameras in our local shops (backwater NZ), again with the lens package...
Reply to this I'm a Nikon owner - and having tested a few canons - I find the Nikon much better (better build, better user-interface) - but I'm sure you'll find an equal number of Canon users who'll say the opposite 😊
As you get more into SLR photography - the more you'll invest in lenses - and with telephoto lenses costing upwards of $1000 - you get locked into a brand. Photographers refer to lenses as glass - and say things like "I'd love to get the new Nikon D700 but all my glass is Canon". If you already have Canon lenses - you'll be able to use them on the DSLR body though things like autofocus may not work.
The Nikon D90 is a 12.3mp camera - a more expensive camera than the 450D - $800 body.
Do you have online shopping in NZ? - must be some way to get the product you want - also your local shop can probably take orders.
Reply to this Ali makes good points, but to steer it even further away from the techy geek side of things - forget about megapixels. More is NOT always better* and unless you know why you might need more, then you don't need more. (*and in many cases it is actually worse). I've had images published from an 8MP camera and as a freelance photographer I have no problems getting images accepted from my current 10MP camera
The only thing that counts is the pictures that you take and what you want to do with them. Your starting point in choosing a camera (or camera system) is "what do I need this tool to do?" There is no point discussing the difference between the real spot metering on the 450D versus the 10% "spot" metering on the 1000D if you only ever use evaluative metering and have no need for spot metering.
The fact that you are already using an SLR should make it easier for you to decide what you need your new camera to do. I'm pretty sure that both the cameras you are looking at would do just fine. However, one word of caution - don't expect your current canon EF mount lenses to behave the same way with a APS-C sized sensor camera. The lenses will appear to be functioning as longer focal lengths i.e. a 100mm lens will seem to be working as a 160mm lens. This isn't a bad thing depending on what you like taking pictures of.
Reply to this Thanks again Ali and Simon. I know what you mean about different brands owners saying different things, good and bad, about whatever they are using. I've never used a Nikon, only Canon and an old Olympus (great camera!), maybe I should have been adventurous in camera buying like we can get in travelling?!?! and tried something new...
Anyway, I took the plunge on the weekend and am now the owner of (or about to be when the lenses arrive from Auckland!) a Canon 450D with 18-55 and 55-250 IS lenses. Hopefully a good intro to digital SLR photography. I could have gone online, but thought it easier to buy locally, even if from a national chain, makes it easier if anything goes wrong. I must admit, it felt really good to be looking through a viewfinder on an SLR rather than staring at a screen with the camera held out in front of me! I just cant wait till it turns up and I can take real pics rather than the make believe ones in the shop.
Reply to this You have taken the right decision. I am using the same set 450D with 18-55 and 55-250. 55-250 is one is the best lens going around and could wonders if properly used.
One thing which nobody mentioned earlier about 450D is its 9-point AF and also live view. It really help in shifting your focus when on AF mode and Live view helps when we are taking pictures through the tripod
Reply to this save money on the body and buy better lenses.... always a better investment.
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