Buyer's Guide 2009: D-SLRs Under $1,000

22 Comments

1. Alberto makes this comment

   Tuesday, 09 December 2008

   I have been noticing that the Nikon D80 has not been talked about or even considered as one of the top DSLR cameras, is it because of the big hype of the D90? I also notice that the D60 is talked about alot, again more than the D80. Why is that? Would you consider the D60 a better camera than the D80?

2. thefonz makes this comment

   Friday, 12 December 2008

   Probably because the D80 is an older version of the D90. But the D80 is a great camera, I agree with you.

3. joebob makes this comment

   Sunday, 21 December 2008

   Who thinks a $1000 camera is "entry level?" What entry level SLR buyer has any idea what the real difference is between the $1K and $500 models? I'm in the market for a dSLR to replace my film SLR, and I'm having a tough time getting past even the lowest prices. I can buy a nice 35mm SLR and still have 300 bucks left over for film and processing, or stick with my current body, buy a fancy new lens, and still have hundreds left for film. An experienced 35mm SLR user might get extra value from the more expensive models, but are still probably better off with the lower end until they learn what digitals can or can't do. A Nikon D90 is anything but a first-time camera. If D3 is the Ferrari of Nikons, the D90 is a Porsche 911. Nobody buys a 911 as their first car. Nobody sane, that is. The D40 and Canon XTi are a Volvo by comparison; solid, manageable, well-featured, and a decent value. I'll probably be buying the D40, but I wish I could find a model that's more like a Camry.

4. hmmm makes this comment

   Sunday, 21 December 2008

   i am pretty sure that the olympus is not $999 someone might want to change that

5. dan makes this comment

   Monday, 05 January 2009

   D40 is a very good starter camera. thats what i learned/am learning stil on. its great. i doubt anyone who is jsut moving from film to digital will want to go through the motions of learning digital on a D3. i've talked to a D90 owner and he said it was very much like his old D40. so maybe it is a good starter camera but in my opinion sumthin under $600 is a good thing to start off on. my D40 was my first camera ever and i honestly had a ton of fun learning how to use it.

6. William Powers makes this comment

   Monday, 12 January 2009

   Nikon stopped making the D80 recently (but not the the D40s, or the D60), and the D90 has a lot to do with it. I use a D80 and recommend it HIGHLY. The D90, with its video capability, goes beyond being a camera in a negative way. Bill Powers

7. Krys makes this comment

   Thursday, 19 February 2009

   I need HELP! I have a Cannon Powershot S2 IS and am highly disappointed with it due to the noise it has on alot of my photos. I am not at all familiar with all the tech stuff of a SLR but can tell that this camera drives me crazy! I am looking for another camera like a Nikon D80 or maybe a Sony A350. What are your all opinions? I have two people that highly recommend both and am torn on what to do. I really love that I can do movies and sound record with my Cannon and these cameras don't have that. I have read numerous reviews of these two types. Can't decide. Thanks for any insight you may have.

8. Teddy Pruett makes this comment

   Sunday, 22 February 2009

   I have a contract to write a book about quilts, and I have to provide the photos. I need a simple DSLR that is capable of providing print-quality images for a 9X11" page. Trying to stay under $1,000. Will the Rebel Xsi fill these requirements? It has to be SIMPLE - I am a historian, not a techie!

9. photographer makes this comment

   Sunday, 01 March 2009

   I picked up a K2000 as a small DSLR for use with high quality primes. It is solid and does everything very well and fast. The other entry level cameras are not in the same league.

10. Aron makes this comment

    Friday, 10 April 2009

    Olympus information is incorrect

    All of the Specs for the Olympus E-520 are sadly incorrect - it's just copied from the Nikon up above.