Please recommend me under S$500 DSLR Camera

[nrclhr]

Hi Guys,

I have been using Point and shoot camera from last couple of years, now I want to experience some DSLR camera but I dont want to spend so much money on my first purchase I just want to buy a very cheap DSLR for learning purpose and after that I'll buy a good one. Can you please recommend me a cheap DSLR under S$500 or so? Thanks

Regards,
Naveed

 

[ortega]

i don't think there is one for under S$500
maybe can consider 2nd hand

 

[skyguy]

i guess he mean 2nd hand

 

[catchlights]

maybe not now, perhaps you need to wait a few more years for a new entry level DSLR to fall below $500 level.

alternately, you can consider a used DLSR.

 

[synapseman]

2nd hand would be the only way to go. If the $500 price includes a kit lens, then I suggest the older models like:

Canon EOS 300D/350D
Nikon D50/D40
Minolta Dynax 5D

Note though, that digital SLRs (especially those in the lower-end range) become very unreliable when they're more than 3 years old. The electronic components tend to fail without warning. You might end up spending more money to replace it after a couple of months.

I suggest you up your budget a bit, say $900. That will get you a brand new camera with kit lens and at least a 12 month manufacturer's warranty. Makes better sense, IMHO.

 

[navlem]

$500 can also get you Sony Alpha a100 with kit lens.

 

[nrclhr]

$500 can also get you Sony Alpha a100 with kit lens.

Hi navlem,

Thanks for your feedback, where can i get Sony Alpha A100 at S$500? can you recommend me a shop.


Hi All,

Thanks a lot for your prompt reply, I know my budget is bit tight and I can get a 2nd Hand camera under that budget but i dont want to buy 2nd Hand, but can you also suggest me any new cheap DSLR between S$500 - 900? Thanks

Regards,
Naveed

 

[Snoweagle]

It can also fetch u an EOS 10D.

 

[third3rdwheel]

Hi navlem,

Thanks for your feedback, where can i get Sony Alpha A100 at S$500? can you recommend me a shop.


Hi All,

Thanks a lot for your prompt reply, I know my budget is bit tight and I can get a 2nd Hand camera under that budget but i dont want to buy 2nd Hand, but can you also suggest me any new cheap DSLR between S$500 - 900? Thanks

Regards,
Naveed

To maximise benefit - in terms of learning how to use a DSLR - better to buy 2nd hand because you get more value out of your money in terms of getting a more advanced camera with more features. Of course the choice is yours to make.

 

[ahbian]

Hi navlem,

Thanks for your feedback, where can i get Sony Alpha A100 at S$500? can you recommend me a shop.


Hi All,

Thanks a lot for your prompt reply, I know my budget is bit tight and I can get a 2nd Hand camera under that budget but i dont want to buy 2nd Hand, but can you also suggest me any new cheap DSLR between S$500 - 900? Thanks

Regards,
Naveed

If really so tight, you'll be stretched when getting additional accessories or storage cabinets for your gears.

Maybe you can try to consider payment by installments, or put off the purchase till you can pay for it comfortably.

 

[navlem]

Hi navlem,

Thanks for your feedback, where can i get Sony Alpha A100 at S$500? can you recommend me a shop.


Hi All,

Thanks a lot for your prompt reply, I know my budget is bit tight and I can get a 2nd Hand camera under that budget but i dont want to buy 2nd Hand, but can you also suggest me any new cheap DSLR between S$500 - 900? Thanks

Regards,
Naveed

If your budget is between $500 - $900 you can get a first hand Sony A200

It costs $888 new with kit lens. It can be found at any Sony Style.

 

[kinkywinky]

E-420 @ courts is selling around the budget mentioned

 

[hamustar]

I think i can understand the hesitation to go 2nd hand. However, it should be safe to get 2nd hands which are extremely lightly used. These are low wear and tear and can pass as new, physically.

If you're looking at affordable and good quality, why not consider the Pentax line? In the BuynSell , there are some pretty good models on sale that meet your budget.

For example, there's a limited edition Pentax K10D grand prix edition. Brand new!

 

[synapseman]

Personally, I don't recommend getting a 2nd hand DSLR.

Reasons:
Reliability issues (as I mentioned earlier). In the older days, getting 2nd hand was the way to go as film SLRs could easily last 10 years - at the very least.

Now, DSLRs are exactly like PCs, the prices keep dropping and the technology keeps improving. Would you buy a 3 year old PC for $500?. Cheap, but is it worth it? So buying 2nd hand actually doesn't make good sense these days, unless the model is a fairly new one, less than 2 years old. Still won't be less than $500 though.

Low-end DSLRs are not built to last, and the shutter mechanism has about maybe a 30,000 shot guaranteed lifespan. This may seem like much, but you don't know how trigger happy the previous owner(s) could have been. I think an average enthusiast could easily have pressed the shutter button 10k times within 8 months.

DSLR technology has not matured yet, and is continously improving. So if you ever used someone else's new DSLR and you use your own 300D/D50, you're going to feel really frustrated (and don't say you won't).

So, where to find 2nd hand DSLRs? For this, I'm afraid you'll have to do your own homework and search the Buy and Sell section here in CS.

New DSLR kits can be had for less than $900 (but no way @ $500. More like $880+ price range). All the major brands will have such deals. Again, you will have to do your own research on this. Check Harvey Norman, Courts for starters.

 

[K3N]

Check with Olympus Singapore showroom 1-800-6596787
I think they have some new ones for < $500.

 

[riliodelacruz]

You can check the stall in lucky plaza, I can't remember the level but should be 2nd or 3rd level..when using the escalator upon reaching the level (2 or 3rd) the stall that you will see at the right side with "Sony....(something)" as the name, offers Sony DSLR @ Sgd650 with kt lens and another zoom lens...hopefully you can still avail of the promotion 'cause i asked that stall 2 weeks ago...btw, there is also a stall on the left side (with the escalator as reference) with "Sony....(something)" as the name, you might confuse that to what I'm referring to...

 

[chuaboonkiat]

D60 kit dont cost very high now.

 

[chuaboonkiat]

Canon EOS 300D/350D
Nikon D50/D40
Minolta Dynax 5D

is there a D50?

 

[darrrrrrrrrr]

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/

 

[navlem]

You can check the stall in lucky plaza, I can't remember the level but should be 2nd or 3rd level..when using the escalator upon reaching the level (2 or 3rd) the stall that you will see at the right side with "Sony....(something)" as the name, offers Sony DSLR @ Sgd650 with kt lens and another zoom lens...hopefully you can still avail of the promotion 'cause i asked that stall 2 weeks ago...btw, there is also a stall on the left side (with the escalator as reference) with "Sony....(something)" as the name, you might confuse that to what I'm referring to...

Actually there are still shops that sells Sony A100 new.

Should be around $500 - $600 range.