Need help choosing camera >£250

[charlieart66]

I was wondering if you could help me choose the camera that’s best for me. I would like a camera for day to day use and I am looking to spend around £250.

I am very tempted by the Canon eos 20D, but as I cannot find any new (is warranty a necessity?) I was looking at the 30D instead.

The only reason I've looked at the canon cameras is because my friends have them and they seem to have pretty amazing photos, but to tell the truth I haven't really looked at anything else. I assume I want an SLR due to the picture quality/detail that I would like?

I was also told by my other friend that Sony have recently purchased another camera company and are looking at entering the market with quality low cost cameras.


Essentially,

• Is buying a second hand camera a big risk? Do they break easily?
  
• For good, detailed pictures do I definitely need a SLR?
  
• What make or model should I look for?

Cheers,
Charlie

[SmartWombat]

Try Canon's official reconditioned camera outlet on ebay http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Canon-Outlet - run by Digital River.
I bought a 1DSmkII from there abotu 25% off - with a 1 year warranty.
Which I needed because the shutter broke while I was at le Mans 24 hours.

Don't overlook the Olympus 4/3 system for lightweight good quality cameras.
Or Sony, Pentax, Samsung.

But if your friends have Canon and you're likely to borrow lenses and other accessories that's a good reason to choose them.

Most important thing is the lenses, not the bodies.
I found that spending a lot on lenses (more than my 20D cost) got me image quality.
Then those same lenses are still good on my 1DSmkII and 1DmkIIN - but is costs a lot !

You can end up spending £thousands on lenses, it's an investment.
That is what is more likely to keep you with a camera system in the long term.

[p.instructor]

P.instructor is here to help!!!

I recommend the Nikon D40 which is really a perfect camera for day to day use. It's really more than your budget but it worth getting it .

Key features

6 megapixel DX format CCD (1.5x FOV crop, as D50)
Nikon Image processing engine (as D80 / D200)
3D Color Matrix Metering II, 420 pixel sensor (as D80 / D50)
New Multi-CAM530 three area AF sensor
ISO sensitivity range 200 - 1600 plus HI 1 (3200 equiv.)
Custom Auto ISO (selectable maximum ISO, minimum shutter speed)
2.5 fps continuous shooting (as D50), unlimited in JPEG
No status LCD, new LCD monitor based status / settings screens
Help suggestions on LCD monitor (eg. scene too dark, try using flash)
Large 2.5" 230,000 pixel LCD monitor
Bigger viewfinder view (x0.8 magnification, 95% coverage)
Short shutter lag and viewfinder blackout
Support for SDHC (SD cards over 2 GB in capacity)
In-camera retouching
D-Lighting (shadow / highlight enhancement)
Red-eye reduction
Trimming
Monochrome
Filter effects
Small picture
Image overlay
USB 2.0 with PTP and Mass Storage device support
Very compact, light body (smaller, lighter than D50)
Improved menu user interface (as D80 / D200)
New EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion battery (7.2V, 1000 mAh)
New 'Version II' AF-S DX 18-55 mm kit lens