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this has been a question that has been bugging me ever since the eos-300d came out and the projected dsc-f828. i mean, i have been looking to replace my g2 with a better camera when i go off to college (i'm a senior right now)...and those two were my primary choices. all the reviews say that those two are both supposed to be very good cameras (but i suppose that we'll have to wait for the production model of the 828 to really know)

so i ask my photography friends and they all seem to lean towards the eos-300d...but none have been able to give me explicit reasons on why the 300d would be a better choice over the 828. i'm sort of afraid to say what i'm leaning toward right now because i simply don't know enough about SLR's to make any type of decision...but i'll be honest and say that i'm sort of leaning toward 828 because i'm thinking that of the image quality should be close, and because that the screen tilts. (yeah.....i'm seriously a hard core fan of the moving lcd screen...but i think that i can get used to a camerea w/o it)...and that extra 2 megapixles would be nice...but the fact remains that if the 828 really is that good, why is all of my friends suggesting the 300d instead.

so i'm asking the same question here.....basically.....which one????

thanks in advance

~leo

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If you are a student, and you don't have a lot of money, then you will probably do better not getting a DSLR. The reason that I am say this is that to get the most from a DSLR you are going to need several lenses and a good external flash. If you buy a good fixed lens digital camera, you will get most of the features that you need built into the camera. I started out with a Nikon Coolpix 5000. Many of my friends have the Coolpix 5700. The 5700 gives you a reasonable resolution, and a good optical zoom lens. It is small, and convenient to carry, and will give you all of the photography power that you need.
I just purchased the Nikon D100 DSLR. Now I have 5 lenses, a flash and various other stuff that requires a large bag to carry. It happens to be what I want, but I still use my Coolpix when I go out to parties and affairs when I want to minimize what I have to lug. BTW, each of those lenses cost over $300. Several of them cost a lot more.
The bottom line is that you have to consider the total investment, when you make the decision. I am not suggesting that you buy a Coolpix. I only use that as an example, because it is what I own.
Good luck.

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Regards,
--Ed--
CP5000, CP990, N80, D100

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Leo:

Short answer: which camera is best depends on your personaly approach to photography and your particular needs... Having said this (that I doubt help you in anyway) let me share some comments and personal opinions on this question. Key words here are prsonal and opinion... some people may and will disagree I am sure of that.

First of all both cameras youa re considering are great cameras. EOS 300D and new Sony 828 promise to be outstanding machines. Main pro for Sony: On a single package you have it all... Main con for the Sony: On a single package you have it all!!!

AS Ed said, DSLR need different lenses and you actually get the most out of them because of that flexibility: you will use the lens that fits better for the particular photo you want to take. If you plan to get just the body and one lens... perhaps you will be better off with the Sony 828.

The DSLR will gibve you, on the long run, more flexibility and room to grow as a photographer. I am just beginning that path. I had a Coolpix and recently bought a Canon EOS 10D and a couple of lens... I am sure I will add more lens on the future, once my wallet recovers.

Regarding your concern on Megapixels, not all megapixels are created equal. As a rule of thumb, the larger each pixel is, the better tonal range and lower noise you will be able to capture. For example, Canon EOS 1D has 4.1 MP, but it's photos compare with advantage to the 10D 6.3MP, because the 1D pixels are bigger, ergo lower noise, better tonal range. So don't get fooled by the Megapix number alone.

There is an excellent site created by NK Guy. He explained the EOS system with detail and provide helpful insight on what are the advantages and disadvantages on DSLR. Perhaps you may find it useful too.


Canon EOS articles by NK Guy

Soem argue the main disadvantage of a DSLR is the size and weight... but guess what? The SOny 828 won't be pocket size either. If you don't have a pressing need, I would recommend to wait until the Sony 828 get on the market. Then you will be able to compare (or read and see comparissons) noise levels, performance at high ISO and size. You may even be able to wlak to the nearest store in your area, pick boths cameras and find out which one feel better in your hands. That is, by far the most important test.

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Last edited by IcarusFree on Oct 15th, 2003 at 05:40 AM

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thanks for the responses guys

wow i still have a lot to learn lol. you know IcarusFree, i never realized that the pixles are different sizes lol. i don't think money will be too much of an issue (i have 1.5k - 2k set aside for a camera in the bank, since i do work). i was going to wait until the sony came out before making a decision...but i actually have a need for one.

i am "the" photographer at school, and it's just next to impossible to get pictures of any type of our dance team, tennis team, etc...with a g2....except for blured ones lol....owell....thanks again guys for your advice, i think i'll just wait it out and see.

~leo

and btw, just out of curiosity, if i were to get a 300d, what kinds of lenses and other goodies would i need?

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Leo:
If you get the 300d I would suggest the bundled lens (Canon 18-55mm ES) and perhaps a moderate zoom. The Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is wonderful and offers a lot of bang for your money IMHO. Anotehr good lens, sharp, nice optics, light, fast is the canon 50mm f/1.8 USM II. If you are really rich... you can thin on the wonderful 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM (about $1600, out of my reach for the time being)

Another good accesory is a flash... the 420EX is very good and it is a great value for the money. The 550EX is too much, at least for me at this point.

Get at least one polarizer filter ( the size of your lrgest lens, in my case 72mm for the 28-135 IS) and step un rings for using that filter on your other lens.

Lots of memory cards and perhaps an external digital wallet (e.g., X-Drive, Archos Multimedia).

A good bag, tripod and Monopod are also useful.

My start-up gear for DSLR was ESO 10D, canon 28-135mm IS (95% of the time in my camera), Canon 50mm f/1.8 USM and speedlight 420EX.

I already had the camera bad, tripod, memory cards and external digital wallet from my cp 995.

Hope this helps.

PS... if you have the money... there are places with refurbished EOS 10D around $1100. Refurbs are top quality, with 90 days warranty... greta value IMHO.

__________________
The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and seldom simple
[URL=http://gallery.bytephoto.com/showgallery.php?ppuser=4]Please let me know what do you think!!![/URL]

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thanks again =D

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with an 300d came I would say fast rated lens and image stabilized lens can't be beat..myself I got a 28mm-135mm image stabilized lens for general use..awsome lens...then got something for a zoom which was the 75mm-300mm stabilized lense,and then added a 50mm 1.8 lowlight lense for portaits...and to top it off got the 550ex flash which makes the camera awsome...so...to me personally I love this camera compared to my nikon 5700 which sits on my desk pleading to be used..hope this helps

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