BootsnAll Travel Community

I have decided it's time to get a new camera.

Please give me your opinions on which ones you use and like.

Here are my requirements:

SLR
10+ MP
easy ability to manually set shutter speed, exposure,white balance, etc
Self Timer
Fast speed for mult. shots at a time
Excellent easy night settings (mainly i will be doing this on my own but also like just flipping the switch for this, this is very imp. since i hate flash)
Good built in flash - would prefer to also have ability to attach a flash.
switch from color to b/w
good macro setting
tough yet lightweight

typically i like a camera i can rough around a bit but it has to be light since i hate carrying heavy camera equip.

I have not been able to find this in an SLR but does anyone know of any slr's that also record video?

There are a ton of cameras that fit your requirements (though you might have trouble with“good built-in flash” ... and good macro depends more on the lenses available for the system you buy). Picking the right one probably requires asking a few more questions.

To me, the most important question is what type of SLR do you have now (or have you had in the past)? Do you have any lenses? If you're already invested in one type of system (Canon, Nikon, etc.), that goes a long way toward helping decide which new SLR to buy.

If you’re totally new to digital SLRs, I’ll ask another question: How much do you want to spend?

I use Canon and a Rebel XTi. That was my first dSLR, and so far it’s worked out well for me (though I do currently lust after a 40D).

I agree with the above - if you own lenses, stick with a compatible system. I just bought my first SLR and now I'm lusting after a telephoto lens.

It seems like for SLRs that the consensus is to either go with Canon or Nikon, and then within those brands what you buy is entirely dependant on your budget.

The one I just bought is a Canon Rebel XSi (technically, I bought it as a gift for Kathy, but it's turned into a bit of a shared toy), and I'm very impressed with it. It has most of the features you want:

Your list - XSi feature

10+ MP - 12.2 MP

easy ability... - it's an SLR, of course it does that

self timer - check.

fast burst speed - 3.5 fps (not as fast as some more expensive models, but decent)

good built in flash - not sure what makes a built-in good, but it's there, and also has a hotshoe

switch from color to b/w - check

good macro setting - there's an automatic macro setting, but also full manual control. A decent macro lens should take care of that.

tough yet lightweight - the XSi is very lightweight. As for tough, it's about as good as plastic gets, but obviously not on the level of a metal-bodied camera.

what's your budget?

Nikon's are heavy...so check and play with them before you buy em. I have a D200 and somedays I really really regret it but now I have 3 lenses and no mood to sell and buy a lighter one. I have a potrait lens and macro lens and then a lens which is 18-200mm..this is my travel lens. Good enough for 90% of the shots.

I get 6 frames a second..so pretty fast per frame.

I found this article (and web site) to be helpful in considering what camera to buy...

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

Personaly I think that Canon EOS 40D is a very good camera.