best entry level DSLR camera around £200

[Soultech]

Hi All,

I'm looking for a Digital SLR camera that is roughly £200 and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. It'll be my first SLR so an entry level type one with not too many bells and whistles would be fine. I've seen the Nikon D40 for about £220 is this a wise choice or are there better cheaper ones about?

Thanks in advance,

Soultech.

[mypspname]

At that price D40 it is mate, from what i hear its a cracking starter camera!

[Farno]

The D40 is a winner.

[ash]

So what else would you need?

It comes with charger right?
Just need a memory card and your set? And a case I guess to protect such an investment. Any tips on this?

Thanks

[joe1978]

I've recently got a Nikon D40, love it already!!!
I've put a UV filter in the front of the lens just on case I'm an idiot and drop it then *hopefully* the filter will take the brunt of impact!
Yeah it comes with battery and charger just get a good quality mem card from your fav internet supplier, I've just got a sandisk 4Gb extreme III with a USB reader for £13 delivered superb!!!

joe

[netronelson]

The D40 is definately your best shot in this price range... your only other option is used but you'd need to spend some time (and possibly a bit more £) to get what you want... if that's any help!

[Farno]

All you need after the camera is an SD card to save your shots onto.
Dont buy one huge card. If the card fails you'll lose all your shots.
Buy a few smaller cards. I use SanDisk Ultra with my D40 and i've never had any trouble.
2GB for only £4.99 free delivery
I'm going to buy a little more myself, didnt know it was so cheap.
Play.com (UK) : SanDisk Ultra II 2GB SD Memory Card : Electronics - Free Delivery

[Spiderkid]

Another vote for the D40, bought mine when my son was born a few months ago and have not ceased to be amazed at how good the shots are.

Also the standard kit lens which is supplied with it (18-55mm) is supposed to be very good too (I replaced mine with a 18-200mm lens so never really got to try out the kit lens).

I agree with Farno that it's better to have more smaller cards (2GB) as that way it forces you to download your images more frequently and reduces the chance of you loosing them. A 2GB will last a full day's photo shoot with no trouble (well over 500 shots at highest jpeg quality). It is worth going for the Sandisk Ultra or Extreme as if you're taking lots of continous shots the write speed can make a real difference.. and for 2GB they're as cheap as chips now anyway.

As for accessories, a UV filter for the lens can be a good idea, although I didn't like the effects I got with mine so I got a polarising lens instead and love it.

Also, for carrying the camera around with you one of these is indispensible.. Lowepro Slingshot 100 Sling Bag For Digital SLR & 1-2: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

And if you want to take lots of indoor shots of people at night, you can't go far wrong with this little beaut of a flash.. Amazon.co.uk: Nikon Speedlight SB-400 External Flash: NIKON: Electronics & Photo

You may have worked out by now that even owning a cheap dslr opens up a whole new world of monetary pain... but it's worth it!

(Lastly... never, ever, ever buy anything from Jessops unless you absolutely have to. Generally speaking they're the most expensive photographic retailer on the high street.)

[PD_BARBS]

You would also get a canon 400D for not much more than that at the moment.

[TG V1P3R]

And another well respected camera around this price level is the Sony Alpha 200

[dazza74]

Another vote for the Sony A200, your getting more camera for your money and comes in around the same price once you factor in the £30 cashback.

[senu]

This one should have been a Poll.

[Farno]

All the cameras mentioned will be a great start.
Get to a shop and get them all in your hands and see what feels the best for you.

[senu]

Originally Posted by Farno

All the cameras mentioned will be a great start.
Get to a shop and get them all in your hands and see what feels the best for you.

Excellent answer
Everything thing else is potentially ( and unsurprisingly) subjective as brand loyalty comes to play
There is never any "best"
Best VFM isnt always Best Ergonomics or best all rounder
The fact is that they are all so keen on pricing now that the magic figure of £200 alone may not swing it for one over the other

[Munchkinn]

Love my D40, but the Sony is a good camera too!