Experienced Photographers: Assistance in picking one of five DSLRs?
I’m planning on upgrading to a DSLR camera very soon, as I tend to travel a lot for business as well as leisure, and enjoy photographing buildings and building details (I’m an architect), urban sites and panoramas, as well as the more touristic sights like landscapes.
As a relative novice, however, I would appreciate the assistance of more experienced photographers in helping pick a camera that is relatively manageable, yet packs enough power for crisp, quality photographs indoors and out.
I have narrowed my picks down to the following. Any tips and suggestions in picking a final one will be appreciated. Thank you.
(1) Sony Alpha DSLRA300K 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization with DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DSLRA300K-Digital-SteadyShot-Stabilization/dp/B00138MVBY/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2ZBZVCXL9JJCM&colid=KBM7ZVI3HNBJ
(2) Nikon D3000 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D3000-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6G/dp/B002JCSV5I/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1TEFCCIIPTVN2&colid=KBM7ZVI3HNBJ
(3) Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6G-Zoom-Nikkor/dp/B000KJQ1DG/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1HH55YB62724G&colid=KBM7ZVI3HNBJ
(4) Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-XS-Digital-18-55mm-Black/dp/B001CBKJGG/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=ILV8XWSRX4XFN&colid=KBM7ZVI3HNBJ
(5) Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-Camera-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B0012YA85A/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2ECFFY0T3U3R4&colid=KBM7ZVI3HNBJ
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From your current picks I would go with the Sony a300 for the following reasons.
- features in body stabilization (any lens attached to it will become stabilized unlike Canon and Nikon where it is in the lens).
- legacy lenses from Minolta can be used.
- best live view from any DSLR manufacturer.
- 2.7inch tilting LCD screen
- infolithium battery gives accurate percentage of battery life remaining unlike the bars you see on Canon and Nikon.
- great image quality on low iso
If not the Sony I would recommend the Canon Xsi
- 3 inch LCD screen (fixed position).
- 12.2 megapixels as opposed to Sony’s 10.2 megapixels
- 3.5fps shooting as opposed to Sony’s 3fps but seeing as how you would be shooting landscapes and buildings it isn’t that important.
- slightly better optical viewfinder.
- mirror lockup and depth of field preview.
- better high iso performance compared to the Sony.
As for the rest Nikon D3000 and D40 do not feature live view and in my opinion I do not like the ergonomics of them and their handling but thats my personal opinion. The Canon XS is also a decent camera but its a bit small and has a 7 point autofocus compared to the other Canon and Sony where they have 9 point autofocus and for the Nikon which has 11 point autofocus. I suggest you get a feel of the Sony a300 and Canon XSi and see which one fits you comfortably.
May I also suggest you look at the Sony a500/a550. It may be a bit more expensive but offers a new sensor for better image quality than all of your choices and a three inch tilting screen and offers in camera HDR (combines two photos at different exposures to highlight shadows and details) and you can do this hand held. For your architecture and landscape photos I think this would be very useful for your needs. Another suggestion, buy a body only and buy a wide angle lens for your type of photography but thats up to you.
Hope that helped. Good luck with your choice.