I suggest you forget about the latter. The previous-generation Sony models sucked, really badly. With the kitlens. The quality is atrocious. At least the newer models are slightly better.

I suggest you look for a used 1000D, it's your best bet. A Nikon D40 kit if you're really, really lucky. Forget the D60 too. The D3000 has so many significant improvements over it.

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Added on January 31, 2010, 11:00 pmThe 450D is in-between the 1000D and the 50D. What do you think? (: It's a bridge between intermediate and entry-level. A notch higher than the D3000 and the 1000D.

This post has been edited by TheWandererX: Jan 31 2010, 11:00 PM

No idea. But it doesn't apply for all Canon lenses though. Some are more expensive than the Nikon latter. Anyway, most Nikon lenses (from the past era) don't have AF motors while every EF lens in the Canon's arsenal has an AF motor.

Non IS is a drawback, but for that price for a mint condition body it'd be a good deal. Your choice (: it's a really good deal.

The a380 is a notch down from the a550 if I'm not mistaken, which makes the a550 'on par' with intermediate cameras like the Nikon D90 and the Canon EOS 50D.

By the way, wingster, what is so special about this 'dynamic angle shooting on PnS'? Just wondering. Never heard of before.

Ditto. I suggest we do so. And just to add, I really dislike brand wars in here. Occasionally one or two dimwits step in here, and start mouthing off at our recommendation. Hello, we're offering our help here? Most of us have experience with other cameras and know which is best, and if it's Nikon and/or Canon, is there anything to fight about? All those talk about 'fanboying' in this thread... I think a global, dedicated post would be good.

Anyone up for it? I would do it.

Why not bump up your budget a tiny bit, and get the Canon Powershot S90/G11? These two are really good cameras, compared to the latter. The LX-3 is good, but it's a bit backward already. It's been in the market for some time. If you really need the zoom then go for the FZ35 unless you're able to push your budget up to get a Canon Powershot SX. P90 is really horrible. Contrary to what Nikon produces in their DSLRs the PnS cameras are not up to par at all.

I'm not so sure about Bukit Bintang, or where to get, I don't go out much. As for lens choice, I'd suggest you stick with the Canon's own 50 1.4. It's much better. Unless you're looking for a budget 70-200 2.8 or 17-50 2.8, I personally wouldn't really consider any 3rd party lens, put the special lenses aside (fisheye, macro etc).

I'd like to know your budget and your needs. A casual snapshot camera or a superzoom?

I get mine from DigitalsMania/YL. Two of the reputable sellers in KL. I don't know of many though.

I'd say the LX3 due to its bigger sensor. The FZ35 is targeted towards the superzoom category, whilst the LX3 is targeted at the pixel-peeping crowds. I find it weird that the price wouldn't drop although it's been out in the market for a while now.

Pudu Plaza.

Haha, agreed. Oh well, even with the measly zoom it still is a hit. Expect to see the Powershot S90 overtake though. It is quite much better.

Canon EOS 1000D, Nikon D3000 and practically, almost all of the Sony a2xx/3xx models. The price is mediocre... and I can tell you the image quality is mediocre too. It's safe to say even Sony's entry-level outdoes the E-520.

YL:
FB-3, 1st Floor Pudu Plaza , Jalan Landak, off Jalan Pudu, 55100,Kuala Lumpur.

DigitalsMania:
L-D6, Lower Ground Floor, Pudu Plaza Shopping Centre, Jln Landak, 55100, Kuala Lumpur.

There's one or two other shops there if I'm not mistaken. Don't go for those.

Canon? The Ixus 100 IS would make a good choice. There's the 95 IS but I haven't heard, seen or used it yet.

Uh, this isn't an advertisement topic. I'd suggest the mods to just delete your selling topic or suspend you.. hmm. I don't know what they'll do, but reported.

I'm not sure whether you can get the Pentax K-x with instalment. Not sure of any dealers which offer such services. Canon is quite easy though. Most shops have them.

This post has been edited by TheWandererX: Feb 9 2010, 04:42 PM

I suggest you wait and see. When the 550D is released the 500D's price will drop definitely. It's a matter of time. If you can wait then wait, if can't then go for it.

Not much heard about Pentax K-x yet but as far as I know there is surely a catch to it being awesome.

LOL. What's the use of luck challenging facts?

1000D has been in the market for a while now. Proves how well an entry-level camera it is that Canon doesn't need to update the lineup.

D3000 is the successor of D60. The D60 was a horrible fail (though some won't admit so, 3 AF points?!) and thus the D3000 has improved leaps and bounds over. Theoretically the D3000 is a tad better than the 1000D (11 AF being the biggest difference).

a230 is the most entry-level DSLR by Sony and thus a little backwards from these two. 2.5fps continuous shooting being the largest disadvantage. The other two shoot at 3fps.

In conclusion the D3000 would be your best bet.

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Adding on, I'd really like to start a globalized recommendation topic as the recommendations are just going to be almost the same for entry-level and imtermediate ranges. Should I?

This post has been edited by TheWandererX: Feb 13 2010, 05:21 PM

HAHA. Well that's good to hear. At least you'd get yourself some head start on photography.

Enjoy your camera mate.

Nikon D300 if you're a fan of the red triangle, or the 7D if you're on the white side.

There is a cheaper alternative - the D90 and the 50D which would save you a bit for an extra lens or two. I'd go for the cheaper body, cause lenses don't depreciate as much as camera bodies do. That's just me though.

D90 has better image processing skills than the D200. Image processor makes a difference in the ISO question. If you want the ruggedness and the FPS of the D200 though, well, safe to say, go for it.

There are no imitation cameras. LOL. Honestly mate. Your help is appreciated but please, help appropriately and most importantly, give the right advice.

To the person that this post was intended to, RSP/RRP is RECOMMENDED selling/retail price. There will be and there are dealers (you can even find in Garage Sales) that sell well below this RSP/RRP. And in your case, the D3000 is obtainable at RM2k with free gifts included, no worries.

The best for you would be the 450D, but I'm not sure if you can find it anymore though. The 550D is coming out soon, hopefully, and with the release of the 550D the 500D's price will be reduced to clear stock. You could either 1. wait, or 2. go for a 1000D/450D, provided you can find.

Your safest bet would be with a Lumix. The F3/F2 is coming out soon, not yet though. What is your budget by the way?

Canon Powershot A-series? That'd be your best bet. It's safe to say that Canon is a really reliable brand in both the compact and DSLR sector.

You could look around in the Garage Sales section for help on purchasing from overseas. Also, there might be other variants of this product in the Garage Sales section. Do take a look around there, you might be able to find what you need.

Sensor technology, processor technology, optics technology, is there a reason why Canon, Nikon, Sony, Zeiss etc dominates the market? Where're they from? They're almost all from Japan. Zeiss from Germany.

Just cause China can rip off plastic items, fake iPods etc doesn't mean that they can replicate/imitate camera technology. You're being too paranoid. Just cause PC stuffs can be conned on, doesn't mean camera equipment can too. And just cause they most likely got cheated on the price doesn't mean they got conned either.

There are so many ways you can check whether the DSLR/compact is a first hand/2nd hand model, and that includes shutter count. Just because your mentality and imagery of Malaysian businessmen is so bad, doesn't necessarily mean that is true.

Well, I'm not going to argue on about this matter. Have you seen anybody complaining about getting conned by sellers? Those who get conned just didn't do enough research, that's all.

D80? You could find a used D90 too which goes for around 2.5k+- depending on usage and condition.

D80 will be around RM2k<< but expect it to be really seasoned (wear and tear etc, grip marks, etc).

That should be able to fit in a decent 50 1.4 and a macro, depending on which one you want.

1. China phones don't have multi-touch. They do have resistive touchscreens though (those which needs pokes) which aren't really good either. Apple's capacitive technology so far hasn't been challenged much other than the HTC, Google and Motorola Droid etc phones. China phones can't compete in this sector due to the complexity.

2. Nope, the shutter count can't be reset unless you change the mechanism altogether. I've sent my Canon for servicing and they changed it. Previously it was at 10k+ but as they put in a new one my DSLR's SC is only up to 4300 now. For Canon it is unresettable and the shutter count is embedded inside the DiGiC chip.

Those sellers usually state that the lenses are second hand, grey set, etc. I don't think you'd believe a guy trying to sell you a new 'kit' without the box. That's just plain ridiculous and shouts scam all over.

You might want to drop by some M'sian photography forums. ShutterAsia and PhotoMalaysia will be your best bet. I don't think I'm allowed to do this, so please go ahead and have a look there - they have something that will fancy you.

PM me if you need any more help on that.

This post has been edited by TheWandererX: Feb 18 2010, 12:15 PM

3446 is really, really low for a 7 month old camera. It's safe to say that it's a good deal.

Go for it. You won't regret be sure to check for any flaws first though.

Most likely the D5000. Uses D90 sensor, a big plus point already. 500D is a bumped up 450D, IMHO not worth it. So far I've never grown to dislike any Canon model. The 500D being an exception.

For what brand? For Nikon it'd be a Nikon 17-55/Tamron 17-50 and a Nikon 70-300. For Canon it'd be a Tamron 17-50/Canon 17-55 and a Canon 55-250. Sony I think should be 17-55 and the 55-200. (If Sony has a 17-55 that is) The 18-70 kitlens is absolutely horrible. At least that's what I see from the a250/350/230. Tried these three with that lens... not much difference. All looked really bad. Needed a LOT of sharpening with Lightroom to achieve similar quality.

Canon? Well 55-250 is noting the zoom range. 55mm-250mm which means from normal to telephoto.

Taken from the-digital-picture.com:



This is at 55mm.



This is at 250mm.

Both cameras are intermediate-level cameras with similar functions. I'd guess you would want a recommendation for your equipment?

I'd like to know what is your total budget first, by the way.

Optically the 18-105 is inferior compared to the Canon's 17-85. Doesn't mean the Canon's is superb either. Both are mediocre lenses.

I'd suggest you to get the 50D body with a 50 1.8 or a D90 body with the 50mm 1:1.8D. These two should be good for 'portrait' shoots, as they amount to about 80mm on an APS-C sensor.

If you want the zoom though, yes the above mentioned 18-105/17-85 would be good.

Price-wise, the D90 is cheaper, with the body only going at 3.2k+- but with less features. I'd suggest you take the D90 since you don't need features like 6.3fps and such whihc are available in the 50D.