You'll have to shop around for this.

550D, 600D and 650D are variation of a theme.

550D is original model with this sensor
600D adds swivel screen and the flash can trigger remote speedlight
650D adds touchscreen, all crosstype AF points and autofocus in movie mode to 600D.

They're priced accordingly so up to you lo.

More importantly is the lens as you may need wider angle lens (though this is another story altogether and it gets pretty darn expensive).

NEX-5N or NEX-F3.

GF5 are essentially a rehash of a old sensor that wasn't very good to begin with especially in regards to dynamic range.

All of them will work fine for simple snaps if you don't nitpick though.

As above for the budget though if you wish to dwell more into photography, a dslr would be a condusive tool.

EOS M not selling yet la. Shipping in October konon.

---

Added on August 5, 2012, 1:57 amYou'll have to shop around for this.

550D, 600D and 650D are variation of a theme.

550D is original model with this sensor
600D adds swivel screen and the flash can trigger remote speedlight
650D adds touchscreen, all crosstype AF points and autofocus in movie mode to 600D.

They're priced accordingly so up to you lo.

More importantly is the lens as you may need wider angle lens (though this is another story altogether and it gets pretty darn expensive).

NEX-5N or NEX-F3.

GF5 are essentially a rehash of a old sensor that wasn't very good to begin with especially in regards to dynamic range.

All of them will work fine for simple snaps if you don't nitpick though.

As above for the budget though if you wish to dwell more into photography, a dslr would be a condusive tool.

EOS M not selling yet la. Shipping in October konon.
This post has been edited by sniper on the roof: Aug 5 2012, 01:57 AM

Choices are somewhat limited if you want a viewfinder.

NEX-5N and NEX-F3 will accept the plug-in external viewfinder. So would the micro four thirds like the GX1 and PEN series but they tend to be rather expensive.

There's a rumor that a NEX-6 will be released in a couple months with a build-in electronic viewfinder priced below the NEX-7. But rumor only la.

Yes.. it's replaced and for the better.

The F3 size is now bigger and more balanced with the 18-55 lens.

Now got built-in flash.. no more carrying that external unit around or breaking the cover flap.

Now the internal flash can tilt for limited bounce when needed.

Now got electronic first curtain shutter --> less shutter lag

Now supports the electronic viewfinder.

Now does lens correction at RAW level which is awesome.

Now with killer feature of 180 degree flip LCD so can camwh0re oneself or with a partner.

Edison should buy one.



This post has been edited by sniper on the roof: Aug 6 2012, 05:59 PM

Oh I forgot... it's bigger and better for the same price!!

Actually I'm located in Taiwan so dunno local price but it's the same price as the C3 here.

A week or so ago got some dealers even started 16mm+18-55 for same price as F3+18-55 kit.

Super good value... I didn't get one cos can't get over the NEX menu system and Mrs.Sniper rejected special budget application on grounds of worldwide austerity measures.

D5100 got swivel screen for tripod use and can do exposure bracketing.

Not exactly DSLR but Oly's E-M5 worth a look.


Then get S95 lo.

S100 get's wider focal length and more zoom range and GPS but loses some lens brightness of the S95.

Current King-of-the-hill is Sony's RX100 but at about 2K+ la.

For the money, LX5 is a good choice also.

I carry DSLR on biz trips also wat

Anyways.. as above.. king of the hill compact now is Sony RX100.


The standard answer in this part of the forum is the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8

Usually like that wan... the bigger the zoom range... the less wow is the image quality.

I got the 18-135mm and Sigma 17-50 f2.8 instead of the Tamron.

I mentioned Tamron 17-50 cos its popular here and is a great value for the price.

I dunno what you mean about plastic issue?

Anyway the only letdown for the Tamron is the focus motor is not the quickest nor the quietest. In terms of build-quality, you get what you paid for... in the Tamron's case, maybe you get a bit more than you paid for. The Canon's version is like double the price.

For a walkaround lens.. most of the folks here either go with a 17-50 of various brands or a 15-85mm (this is the best "travel zoom" for canon)

The 18-135mm is alright if used with good light and stopped down a little but wide open its so so.

Underwater as in water park, snorkeling or scuba?

Between S100 and G12 it's just the size difference only. S100 could be slightly better due to the faster lens.

I don't dive la.. but my friends who do, uses XZ-1.

Any of the "entry" dslrs like Nikon's D3200, D5100 or Canon's 550D, 600D would do.

Problem is finding an equivalent for that 19-35mm within your budget cos there's none. Even the cheapest ultra wide angle also additional ~1.4K

If you can live with an electronic viewfinder ( viewfinder looks like a tiny tv screen ), then Sony's DSLT range also can consider. It's got great specs and your wife could shoot it like a point and shoot using the LCD. On the downside, lens for Sony Alpha's are not as plentiful in the used market nor is there many shops that carries a whole range.

- From the list.. the difference between No.1 and No.3 for ISO sensitivity is only 1/3 stop

- Electronic viewfinder shows the exact things that the LCD shows but it facilitates shooting with camera to the eye = more stability and can still see properly in harsh mid-day sun while LCD will be washed out.

- Most inexpensive adaptors are basically just a piece of metal so there's no electronic connection (Sony's own adaptor for Alpha lens no problem la since its electronic and the new one got build in phase detect sensor also). For old school lens with aperture ring, there's no issue but for newer lens, you can't set the aperture and cannot autofocus.

Btw.. stabilization in NEX is also on the lens.

Really depends on your expectactions actually... prosumer compacts like the LX5, XZ-1 can do really close focus and with good lighting, the image is decent also but it won't be near proper macro setup on dslr la.

Put it this way... whether it's a Pentax, Sony, Canon, Nikon or whatever... any current model entry dslr won't substantially/visibly be better than its competition lo.

Generally speaking... in terms of CSC's... the least risk is one of the NEX.

Maybe check out the past couple of pages on the recommendations here.

If weather proofing is a priority then the best choice for budget is the Pentax K30 lo. Dunno the local price... might be a bit over budget also.

On the other hand, if that's not a consideration and since he have no legacy lens system to worry about then D3200 would be a good choice for landscape with the large megapixel and good dynamic range.

Image quality gooding... AF speed not gooding.

huh?

The pro's of the K-30 is as you might already know, advertised as weather-proof so that's something you can't find elsewhere at this price point.
It's also using a Sony sensor so by default, that should be good.

However, the cons is that unfortunately Pentax these days are some what a niche... so if its lens (be it their own or 3rd party) is not exactly common place especially 2nd hand.

And then it's that look and feel of the K-30. It's either love or hate.

Regarding A65.... everything is there spec wise but... and a very big but ... is if you're ok with using an EVF on a dslr body (smaller mirrorless no choice la).

The good thing about EVF is that you immediately see your exposure. There's even a live histogram in it so bye bye guesswork.

The cons is that even while its the best EVF around, its still essentially a small LCD screen in a tunnel = you can't really see the whole tonal range as you would with a mirror through the lens.

If you're in KL, then just go to Times Square Nikon showroom... have a play with the cameras... then head to the Sony shop and play the DSLT and NEX they have displayed there. That's the best way to decide

Sony HX series.. Photo not good indoors but video very kungfu indoors or outdoors. Just press button kau tim

Best of both worlds (in compact form factor) is Sony RX100... current king of the hill.

Video mode very kungfu like HX9V and stills mode jpeg looks like best in class for the moment.

I had a Kiss X4

"KISS" brand is for Japan local market.. "Rebel" brand for the US market and xxxD for international market.

Everything about the camera is the same except the local warranty (grey market), language option (Kiss got Japanese and English only) and have to live with a camera called Kiss (also shown in camera's exif)

Bout the swivel screen... well you always have the option NOT to use it and keep it in position right. I got a 60D and never once worry about the swivel screen.

Ok... short tunnel then