Type of camera/lens/accesories : Digital SLR
Budget: RM3,000-RM4,000
Your Location: Kota Kinabalu
Preferable brand : Canon
Type of photography u want to do : All sorts
Any specific models in mind? : Canon EOS 50D, Canon EOS 550D, Canon EOS 60D (upcoming)
Any specific features u want? : User-friendly, getting serious in photography

By the way, want to ask all DSLR owners with HD/FHD video recording feature, how often do you use your video recording feature when you got your gadget? Thanks in advance.

I don't know whether I should get the Canon EOS 60D with video recording or Canon 50D with magnesium alloy body.

This post has been edited by AronC: Sep 11 2010, 03:57 PM

For your budget, I suggest Canon 1000D with 18-55mm kit lens. Spend more time in taking photograph and you shall gain some experience. Get lenses based on your needs. Good luck dude.

As far as I know, the price varies from shops to shops. Shop in any Canon Authorized Dealers and get their brochures.

This post has been edited by AronC: Sep 13 2010, 01:10 AM

Actually most of the DSLR offers auto focus lens. Canon EOS 1000D with kit 18-55mm is a great package for entry-level. User-friendly, budgeted DSLR too. Unless you have more budget then go for Canon EOS 550D.

You should get a Canon EOS 1000D as well. Used it before, ISO up to 1600. Canon Gila-Gila Sales are on now. You can get the package around the price. Remember to bargain for freebies.

I don't know about Nikon, his suggestion is great, but I would rather getting a Canon 550D with kit lens 18-55mm. Depends on your need, can try to get extra lenses - Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II and Canon EF-S 55-250mm.

Sorry for the late reply LazyChildren, yeah they're right. Stick to kit lens. 18-135mm has more zoom than 18-55mm. EF 50mm is a prime lens. Don't worry, you will know more when you get your DSLR.

If you demand for a whole new kit lens, then of course buying the bundle kit will be worthier. Else, you just buy the body only and search for the kit lens in LYN. There's a lot of people who sells a new / superb condition kit lens with RM300++. Good luck.

Canon EOS 1000D + Kit Lens 18-55mm or Nikon D3000 with Kit lens 18-55mm,
No offence to Nikon user, but I prefer Canon

Can you clearly state what model and series?

Since you said you do not mind about video, I will recommend you to buy Canon EOS 50D. The magnesium body is
Don't go for 550D, it's entry level body, 50D is semi-pro already.

Nikon doesn't provide sharper image, maybe the seller referring to AF accuracy. Hence he concluded AF accurate = sharper. However, it still depend on your lens, and skills. If your handshake easily, fails you too. Go for what you like.

50D and 60D not really the same anymore. Yes 60D is a replacement for 50D, but 60D do not have the Micro AF Adjustment and magnesium alloy body. If you do not need a video recording feature, I will recommend 50D. No comment for Nikon D90.

Canon 550D / Nikon D90 with kit lens 18-55mm. Have no idea, kindly refer http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Canon-...Nikon-D90.shtml

Canon EOS 550D with 18-55mm kit lens. With Canon Gila-gila sale you should get the price around RM2700-2800, can get a battery grip or any accessories. Depends on your need also.

Since you mentioned you are not planning to get an entry level DSLR, go for Canon EOS 50D, or probably a 60D after it has officially released. It's a semi-pro body. Canon EOS 550D considered as the best entry level body, so you wouldn't want it.

With budget RM4000, go for Canon 60D or 50D. Canon 550D is entry level DSLR but I do not recommend. Make your wise choice, if you can afford higher-priced then get the best APS-C body - Canon EOS 7D. RM4300 body only is the cheapest bargain I know.

3 different level DSLR, hardly to be compared together.

Depends, if you're really into photography, I prefer nice body with kit lenses. Save up for nice lenses later on. If body itself couldn't perform good, even you have a very good lens also useless. So you would just need to upgrade your lens but not body anymore. IMO.

Yes I agree, but IMO just go for the best body you can afford.
1. Do you mean their mega-pixels are almost the same, hence they share similar image quality?
2. That's definitely an advantage. If you like a light-body then it's up to you. I never say that too.
3. Try compare the image quality of a L lens on 550D, and L lens on 7D. Canon EOS 7D has a BETTER AF system than 60D and 550D. Yes, 60D 9 cross-type AF can hardly be compared with 7D 19 cross-type AF. But have you ever try the cross-type AF before you prefer a 550D with an lens?

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Added on October 7, 2010, 1:45 pm

No point going for L lens for additional quality and speed focus if your body AF isn't fast enough.

This post has been edited by AronC: Oct 7 2010, 01:45 PM

Save up and get a better one. My friend using 1000D with EF-S 17-55mm Hidden L lens also started to piss about the 1000D, yes it's an entry level one, but get out of focus easily. The AF system itself not too good. IMO.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX3 - http://www.panasonic.com.my/web/pid/5859
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX5 - http://www.panasonic.com.my/web/pid/9743
Canon PowerShot S95 - http://www.canon.com.my/p/EN/114-Digital-C...-PowerShot-S95/
Canon PowerShot G12 - http://www.canon.com.my/p/EN/114-Digital-C...-PowerShot-G12/

I would personally recommend you these 4. First timer for compact camera?

Not really, the price you saw on the official website is actually RRP, which will be slightly higher than the market price. Kindly refer to the LYN Garage Sales for the price range - http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1226457

Tambah RM200-RM300 untuk Canon EOS 1000D.

Both the specific models in your mind would be fine. Canon and Nikon both have their pros and cons. I prefer Canon myself.

Huh? I thought most of the lenses on the market got AF? Even the kit lens 18-55mm?

If I am not mistaken, there is no bundle for 550D + 18-200mm, and I personally do not recommend you to buy the 18-200mm lens. It's overpriced, the price-performance sucks to core. The lens itself costs RM2500. With that price I can buy a decent lens / 18-55mm kit lens + 55-250mm lens with extra money for good camera accessories, I bet you know the Mathematics.

PS: Next time use the search button yo.

Don't mislead others. It will never be RM3k for 550D + 18-200mm.

I don't know about Nikon D90, but it says 60D is an upgrade from 50D. However some of the features that 50D owns were removed on 60D - like magnesium alloy body, micro AF adjustment. However 60D got video recording feature that 50D do not possess. I would say depends on your need, both will just do extremely fine.

These 3 are your choices I would recommend:
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX5 - http://www.panasonic.com.my/web/pid/9743
Canon PowerShot S95 - http://www.canon.com.my/p/EN/114-Digital-C...-PowerShot-S95/
Canon PowerShot G12 - http://www.canon.com.my/p/EN/114-Digital-C...-PowerShot-G12/

First timer for compact camera?

Sorry that I couldn't help on Sony Alpha A33, will do more research. However why not Canon EOS 550D?

If you're serious into photography, you can go for DSLR. What kind of photography you want to do?

In that case, Canon 550D with 18-55mm kit lens, and add-on 1 more EF-S 55-250mm lens. Never ever go for a 550D + 18-200mm lens. I know it's convenient, however the price performance is like bloody hell. The bundle kit 550D + 18-55mm kit + 55-250mm will costs you around RM3700, but 550D + 18-200mm will costs you around RM4400. With the difference of RM700 you can buy a lot of camera accessories already.

http://photography.bhinsights.com/content/...-canon-s95.html
http://asia.cnet.com/crave/2010/09/08/niko...x5-s95-and-ex1/
I do not own these compact cameras. However, S95, G12 and LX5 has a maximum of f/2.0 aperture, Nikon P7000 has only f/2.8. Can somehow differs a bit. More specifications and comparisons can be referred at the websites provided as it will be a long story for me to 'elaborate'. I would say buy the one which catches your sight.

IMHO, lack of AF cannot be aided by lenses. Say the AF system isn't good, even you have the best grade of lens, you will get out of focus easily.

Not really. You will hate to do manual focus.