I presently have a Panasonic FZ28 with 18x zoom (it isn't a true 18x, just 18x the wide angle focal length, it is more like 12x in SLR terms). In
the film era, I had a SLR with a couple of lenses and loved it.
The Panasonic is quite good, the image quality at the full zoom end is poor, and there is lots of noise in low light, so I was considering an
upgrade.
The one I most like the look of at the moment is the Nikon D3200, it has 24mpx and an 18-55 lens which is wide angle to about 1.5x zoom, to get anyway
near the Panasonic zoom I would need a 55-300 AF-S zoom, the Camera and kit lens and the telephoto would cost about £800.
Does anyone have hands on experience of this camera or recommend anything better? (within the same price range)
The D3200 is the replacement for the model I bought last year, the D3100. It was my first step up from a compact, and has been an easy camera to learn the 'basics'. I've added to the 18-55 kit lens with a Nikon 55-300 VR, and a Nikon 50mm 1.8 prime lens. One of the downfalls of these 'entry level' DSLR's is that there is no auto focus motor in the body, leaving you restricted to a limited number of lenses as they need to have the motor built in the lens.
Are you pleased with it? Any problems?
the d3200 is gettng good reviews, i'm getting one later this year, i've got a nikon already but a cheaper one, and its a good camera, if u
get d3200 try and find a friend going to america, they're only about £450 in america, from what i've seen uk price is about £650-700, if
bought in montana no sales tax either (vat), i'm working in america so i'm sorted, won't be home till xmas at the earliest or i'd
offer to get u one out here, bestbuy.com is like currys out here, look see what they are there.
[Edited on 8/7/12 by bj928]
[Edited on 8/7/12 by bj928]
They are down to around £530 on Amazon at the moment, dropping by about £20 a month - when do I blink!
Thanks for the USA offer, but I would rather have a UK guaranteed one
quote:
Originally posted by Mark Allanson
(it isn't a true 18x, just 18x the wide angle focal length...
quote:
Originally posted by RIE
quote:
Originally posted by Mark Allanson
(it isn't a true 18x, just 18x the wide angle focal length...
That is an 18x zoom, as that is how it is defined
The Nikon with 18-55 and 55-300 will give you most of the focal lengths you're likely to need.
The 50mm lens is a common buy because they are cheap and good quality. Be aware though that on most DSLRs its a short telephoto lens, good for portraiture. A 'normal' lens on a DSLR would be about about 32-35mm.
quote:
Originally posted by Mark Allanson
Are you pleased with it? Any problems?
I use the Sont A series and am more than happy with it, horses for courses really, I started with the a200 and now also have the A580 which gives me 8frames per second or more so good for action shots, it is compatible with the Minolta mount leses so can save a bit on lenses, The stability is inbuilt into the camera unlike other wher the lens has stability control leading to a dearer lens. More than happy with the quality Offers Video, 3d and Panorama as well. The new A57 is getting good reviews at the momment this uses mirrorless technology something Sony appear to be leading the way with
For some reason I stated I had a 50mm 1.8 prime, that was wrong, it is a 35mm 1.8. It pretty much gives a 'normal' view, pretty close to what most human eyes see as there field of vision when attached to my DX body (3100).
That is what I thought you meant, realize that on a full frame 50mm = 1x magnification, 100mm = 2x........... On the Nikon, it has the APS-C which gives a 1.5 multiplier, so a 55mm-300mm will give a 1.5x to 9x zoom - very useable
Before I take the plunge (the most I have spent on anything other than a house of a car), does anyone see a better deal anywhere than
here?
I keep almost hitting the pay now button but pull back instinctively!
Your link just shows an empty "cart" 
I assume you've checked hotUKdeals for offers ? You never know
As posted on hotukdeals Olympus E-PL1 12MP Compact System Camera with 14-42mm lens. £199 at Argos, showing 3 instock at Taunton
quote:
Originally posted by UncleFista
Your link just shows an empty "cart"
I assume you've checked hotUKdeals for offers ? You never know
HI Mark. One of the many regulars I remember from the past
I have a couple cameras, the panasonic lumix ZX1 (not made now) is great for the pocket but my Canon EOS 500Dis far far better.
I didnt buy the new 550D at the time (about 9 months ago) as I felt the outgoing 500D had better reviews.
I think one of the key issues is sensor size. A lot of small cameras have 1/6 inch CCD sensors. As the size of the photodiodes in the sensor is
related to signal to noise, then a little sensor is never going to cut it. The 500D has a sensor of something like 22x16mm area, and as a result the
noise, sensitivty and performance are far better. However, carrying around an SLR isnt always convenient. But if you dont mind size, then an SLR is
better, or perhaps there are compact cams that dont use such a tiny sensor size around?
ATB
steve
quote:
Originally posted by Mark Allanson
quote:
Originally posted by UncleFista
Your link just shows an empty "cart"
I assume you've checked hotUKdeals for offers ? You never know
Ah, not logged in, the Nikon D3200 camera with 18-55 lens at £515.99 and the matching AF & VR 55-300 zoon at £225.90 (Gulp!)