Nikon D80 - Should I pull the trigger? :)

[tgrabarc]

Hello!

I am so glad I found this site, so much great information!

I am currently looking to upgrade my camera. Right now we just have a basic P&S camera (Pentax Optio A10) and am looking to get some better image quality.

I have been eying dSLRs for a little while now; but always seems very cost prohibitive. I do not have any photography background and always thought I would like to learn and that I would be able to, but reading through the posts here, boy does it sound complex! lol

I would mostly be using the camera on vacations and for every day family type photos. I have found a used (and seemingly well cared for) Nikon D80 with an af-s nikkor 18-55mm lens for $450. It is at the upper end of my current budget but doable.

I am trying to debate the flexibility and image quality of the dSLR vs the less bulky nature and less expensive (no lenses) of a good P&S.

Would you try for something like the D80, or go for a high quality P&S like a canon s95?

Thank you for any advice!

[OsmosisStudios]

US$? That's a little high, but about right if it's in really good shape. Try bargaining them down to $400, but that's still gonna be fair.

[katia]

if it's just for snapshots and stuff why not get one of the newer, more lightweight Nikons? like the D3100. i believe that's still in the $450 (ish) price range. BRAND NEW. keep in mind if you buy used, you probably won't have a warranty. especially on a camera as old as the D80.

[kcoppock]

I actually just got the D80 myself a few weeks ago -- $400 for body only, in good condition, though. (up from a D40). So far my only complaint is the low flash sync speed (1/200), but I knew that limitation going in.

It is a LOT heavier and bulkier than the D40 and certainly any P&S you'd be looking at, so that's something to keep in mind. With that said, I wouldn't consider changing to a P&S from my D80, it's a world of difference in image quality.

[tgrabarc]

Thanks for the good advice!

Another question. I just got back from the local camera shop and have become intrigued with the Olympus E-PL2 kit. It is not an slr, but it may offer some of the flexibility and image quality of a dslr in a smaller package size with greater convenience.

Any thoughts on whether this would be a good option for someone just beginning to learn photography?

[ravncat]

As for the Olympus Ep-l2. It's a good little camera - I have the Ep-1 (Same image quality different control layout) For starting to do and learning photography - it's not really a bad choice. It's great for it's size and portability, and is capable of good image quality.

However- Compared to a DSLR it is slower to focus, you'll have fewer total lens choices - and it has a smaller dynamic range -- The range from black to white you can capture is lower - so it can be difficult to use in scenes with lots of contrast (that are very bright and have dark shadows). The micro 4/3rds cameras also struggle more with low light than (current) DSLR's.

If you get one, I highly recommend the panasonic 20mm 1.7 lens. It's great for size and is one of the better lenses for the system and lets you shoot in lower light.

[Ballisitics]

Originally Posted by katia

if it's just for snapshots and stuff why not get one of the newer, more lightweight Nikons? like the D3100. i believe that's still in the $450 (ish) price range. BRAND NEW.

Would it be possible for you to show me where I could find it for that price?

[katia]

Originally Posted by Ballisitics

Would it be possible for you to show me where I could find it for that price?

oops, i said "i believe" lol. and was wrong.

Nikon D3100 - $649.99