I’ve been into photography for about 2 years and I’ve used a Canon EOS Rebel K2. I want to step up to a nice digital camera that’s HD and gives good depth to the photos. Have any suggestions?
I’ve been into photography for about 2 years and I’ve used a Canon EOS Rebel K2. I want to step up to a nice digital camera that’s HD and gives good depth to the photos. Have any suggestions?
Something easy to use too. 
5 DSLRs Under $500
Written by Eric on November 13th, 2007 | 4 Comments
Just in time for the holidays, here’s 5 great DSLRs (with kit lenses) under $500:
1. Canon Rebel XT – The Rebel XT was my first digtal SLR camera. I bought it shortly after it became available in 2005 for $1000 (a Rebel XT is $499 with a lens as of Nov. ‘07). I still use it on almost a daily basis. I’ve shot somewhere around 25,000 – 30,000 shots now. No hiccups yet. Anyway, I can personally vouch for the reliability and image quality that this camera packs. (Read more about the Rebel XT here.)
2. Nikon D40 – I’ve been using a Nikon D40 for a few months. I’m primarily a Canon user; however, I wanted one of these cameras to play around with and to see what Nikon had to offer. I am very pleased with the capabilities of my D40. The D40 is significantly lighter than any DSLR that I’ve ever used, even the Canon Rebel series. It’s now $477. (Read more about the Nikon D40 here.)
3. Pentax K100D – The K100D is compatible with any Pentax lens ever produced. The in-body Shake Reduction (.pdf fact sheet) means that you get image stabilization with every K-Mount lens out there. This is the only DSLR under $500 that does this. The K100D also features a 2.5? LCD, an 11 point AF system with 9 cross-type sensors, ISO 200-3200 and 16-segment multi-pattern metering. All this at $449 is a heck of a deal. (Read some reviews of the K100D here.)
4. Samsung GX-1S – The Samsung GX-1S is a 6.3-megapixel digital SLR featuring world renowned Schneider optics and a high-resolution 2.5-inch LCD. The interchangeable-lens DSLR was developed jointly with partner Pentax Corporation, meaning that it accepts K-AF Mount lenses. The $441 GX-1S is essentially a rebadged Pentax *ist DS2, which is just fine for this price.
5. Olympus E330 – The E330 was the first Live View DSLR, meaning that the LCD screen serves as a viewfinder. You won’t find this feature on any other DSLR under $500 (the E330 is $450). The E330’s LCD is “articulated,” it can extend out from the camera body and swivel downward or upward so the E-330 can be held overhead to shoot over a crowd, held at the hip, or even placed on the ground–something that’s not possible with a traditional SLR that relies on an optical viewfinder alone.