Used Nikon Cameras

Where have all the cheap dSLRs gone?

Maybe it's just my imagination, but when I first put together my roundup of cheap dSLRs more than a year ago, there were a lot more options than there seem to be now. At one point, if memory serves, I even dropped the top price criterion of body with a kit lens from $700 to $600.

Today, as I updated the story to include the review of the $599 Canon EOS Rebel T3 , I found myself raising the bar to $650 and wondering why it was necessary. Granted, I'm still missing a review for one of the cheapest new cameras on the market, the $499.99 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390. But there still seems to be a dearth of options.

As far as I can tell, the blame rests on the mirrorless interchangeable-lens models (ILCs). Two of the manufacturers who used to specialize in the cheap dSLRs--Sony and Olympus--have moved the bulk of their efforts into the more expensive, and probably higher-margin, ILCs. Pentax, which used to be the champ in this league, has let its K-x languish without an update and no replacement in sight. And given its new owner Ricoh's statements about pursuing the ILC market , its doubtful we'll see Pentax resources thrown into cheap dSLRs.

This leaves Nikon and Canon, which was never his heart in the bottom of the biz, but - for now at least - are mirrorless ILCs to distract them. They must inevitably succumb, however, as it seems that's where the economy is driving the category.

If I thought ILC were a perfect substitute for digital SLR, I would not mind the change. But they are not. No matter how fast they shoot, or how their autofocus systems track, it is still difficult to take action without just close your eyes and hope for the best. I find panning with them impossible.And with models that are much more expensive than entry-level SLR. The cheaper models do not even electronic viewfinders, and they are not so cheap.

I do not want to harm these communities. There are many interesting innovations in progress and they offer some advantages over DSLRs that make them fun and inspiring to shoot with. Especially since the cheapest digital SLR become so commonplace and thus boring. But it also means that it becomes more difficult to find a quick, amateur camera with interchangeable lens to a sweet-spot price of about $ 500. Since many of the older models have reached the stage in their life cycle when the prices for unused models have stopped dropping and begun rising, more people are considering refurbished and used models.

DSLR dilemma…?

I would suggest the Nikon. Nikon specializes in cameras. Sony specializes in electronics. Since Nikon’s main focus in photography equipment I’d say they would be the most reliable and well manufactured. Sony can produce good products of course, but cameras are not their specialty. Not many professionals would chose a sony over a nikon or a canon. I personally use a Nikon and I love it. User friendly, manual and auto functions, tons of accessories available. Another plus to getting a nikon is the extras you can buy for it including lenses. There are SO many lenses for Nikons… not so many sony lenses and i wouldn’t rely on them.

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One Sony feature I think is very important is the Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization. This is a system that makes physical moves of the sensor to compensate for movements of the camera by the photographer.

Most DSLR’s do not have this in the camera body, and you have to buy expensive lens versions to get image stabilization in each lens.

This is the tie breaker for me, especially for telephoto shots.

Good Luck

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while i have not personally used the sony, i can say that when i tried the nikon d80, i found some of the controls in awkward, counterintuitive places, but that may be because i am a lifelong canon user. i think you would also have better luck at picking up inexpensive used lenses for the sony instead of the nikon, since the sony cameras use minolta lenses.

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The D80 is a Poor Man’s Pro Digital Camera; it mimics the more expensive pro-level Nikon D200 in features and technology.

The real test will be when you hold it in your hands and feel the ergonomics and how comfortable it feels in your hands, the no-nonsense feel and build.

When you buy into a camera with interchangeable lenses, you’re actually buying into a system of lenses for future use, as you learn and grow in photography. You get what you pay for.

I would also suggest the very versatile 18-135mm AF DX Nikkor lens; Nikkor lenses are known for their superior glass formula for great image detail quality above and beyond many of the other popular brands now on the market. Also, there is an immense variety of lenses available that will fit that lens mount, too; your future digital Nikon cameras will also be able to use the same lenses you buy today (Nikon has not changed its lens mount since 1959)!

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