PowerShot to Rebel?

Hi, all!

I’m very, very new to all this. I finally got sick of cameras going lame on me and hopped into a PowerShot SX130. I’m extremely happy with it, but I’d like a little more, in the future. Namely, I’d like a Rebel.

There are so many models, though! Obviously, the more I spend the better the camera (or at least logically), but what are the real differences between one that’s $500 and one that’s $750?

Sorry, total newb question, but I’m getting real interested in this photography bit and the point-and-shoot has got me salivating for more.

Also, my PowerShot SX130 IS has a 5.0mm to 60mm zoom lens, so what’s the difference between that an external with the same numbers?

Skwerly wrote in post #14722111
Hi, all!

I’m very, very new to all this. I finally got sick of cameras going lame on me and hopped into a PowerShot SX130. I’m extremely happy with it, but I’d like a little more, in the future. Namely, I’d like a Rebel.

There are so many models, though! Obviously, the more I spend the better the camera (or at least logically), but what are the real differences between one that’s $500 and one that’s $750?

Sorry, total newb question, but I’m getting real interested in this photography bit and the point-and-shoot has got me salivating for more.

Skwerly wrote in post #14732921
Also, my PowerShot SX130 IS has a 5.0mm to 60mm zoom lens, so what’s the difference between that an external with the same numbers?

Does "a little more" mean you want more magnification? features ?

you can see camera comparisons at
http://www.dpreview.co​m/products/compare/cam​eras/

Tread gingerly into the land of the DSLR. First you get the camera with a kit lens. Then you want a longer zoom. Then you need a prime of some length. After that comes a macro. Now you need some supplemental lighting. Oh, don't forget the tripod, then almost immediately, a better tripod. Man, you just discovered you need a longer zoom. After a year of two of this, you find yourself needing L-lenses. It is worse than heroin, because... it is legal!

Really, the camera does not matter much. It will end up being a small, almost insignificant, part of your photographic hobby expenses. I switched from film to digital about 5 years ago. I have accumulated about $10,000 worth of equipment. Granted, some of it has already been sold. This is a very expensive hobby. I now have an entire closet of photo stuff. A shelf for bodies (camera, not human), a shelf for lenses. A shelf for all of my lighting stuff. Oh and don't forget the very large shelf devoted to all the film stuff I rarely use anymore.

The DSLR. It is not a camera. It is a commitment.

Skwerly wrote in post #14722111
Hi, all!

I’m very, very new to all this. I finally got sick of cameras going lame on me and hopped into a PowerShot SX130. I’m extremely happy with it, but I’d like a little more, in the future. Namely, I’d like a Rebel.

There are so many models, though! Obviously, the more I spend the better the camera (or at least logically), but what are the real differences between one that’s $500 and one that’s $750?

Sorry, total newb question, but I’m getting real interested in this photography bit and the point-and-shoot has got me salivating for more.

Skwerly wrote in post #14732921
Also, my PowerShot SX130 IS has a 5.0mm to 60mm zoom lens, so what’s the difference between that an external with the same numbers?

The T3 is the entry level, has a lower resolution sensor, and lacks a few other features, but, still, will take much higher quality pics than your Powershot.

The T2i, T3i, and T4i can all still be found on retailer's shelves, but the T2i is becoming harder to find. They all share the same sensor, but the higher numbers have better / more features than the lower numbers.

If you have interest in video, shoot for the T4i.

As to lens focal length / zoom ratio, be prepared ... $$$ for glass in the DSLR world, but the kit lens should get you started nicely.

Skwerly wrote in post #14732921
Also, my PowerShot SX130 IS has a 5.0mm to 60mm zoom lens, so what’s the difference between that an external with the same numbers?

According to dpreview.com the PowerShot SX130 lens is equivalent to 28-336mm on a 35mm or what is now referred to as a full frame camera. That is 17.5-210mm on a Rebel or any other 1.6 crop camera.

If you don't understand that statement, just remember you would need lenses with focal ranges from 17mm to 210mm to experience what you have with the PowerShot SX130 camera.

A Rebel kit with 18-55 and 55-250mm lenses will be close to $1,000. You will need an E-TTL flash, memory cards, extra battery, case, etc. and you will be approaching $2,000 much sooner than expected.

You have a very nice camera. Use it, use it a lot. "sambarino" has shared some words of wisdom.

This is better than many books: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=414088

Skwerly wrote in post #14732921
Also, my PowerShot SX130 IS has a 5.0mm to 60mm zoom lens, so what’s the difference between that an external with the same numbers?

You will not find any kind of a high quality lens with the sort of superzoom that you find on some P&S cameras. The larger the zoom ratio, the more compromises have to be made in image quality. For the best quality zooms, rule of thumb limits zoom to 3x-4x, meaning that the telephoto end is 4 times the wide end or less. The icon of Canon's lineup is the 70-200, and the mid-price range version is the EF 70-200 f4 L IS. It has a zoom ratio of 2.9x. The EF-S 17-55 f2.8 IS has a zoom ratio of 3.2x. These are 2 of Canon's highest rated zoom lenses for IQ, and they are right around 3x zooms. You need both to have the reach from wide angle to moderate telephoto. Together they would cost you about $2400 new. Granted that there are cheaper options, but they come at a cost of either image quality or speed, or both.

I'm not trying to scare you, just make sure that you are informed. When you buy the Rebel kit, it will probably come with the 18-55 IS lens, This is a good lens, especially considering that it sells alone for about $100. It has good image quality, especially when stopped down to f8 or f16. It isn't a fast lens, meaning that it's largest aperture is only around f4 if I remember right, and it doesn't have Canon's best autofocus system, but it's still a good little lens and great to start with. A reasonable addition to a starter kit is the EF-S 55-250 zoom, for about $300. It extends your range well into the telephoto end, and again it's a good lens with decent image quality for the price.

A great many users are quite satisfied with the kit lenses and never get into the crazy spending that us junkies do. There is no telling which category you fall into until you start down the road. I suggest that you buy the T2i or T3i kit with the 18-55 IS lens (and the 55-250 if your budget allows) and see how that suits you, then explore from there.

+1 to what Preeb said.

I started differently - in fast primes - because I started shooting basketball courtside in poor lighting conditions. But, in good lighting, those 2 lens should give you some great pics.

Thank you for all the replies! Very good information. I greatly appreciate it!

Preeb wrote in post #14734507
A great many users are quite satisfied with the kit lenses and never get into the crazy spending that us junkies do. There is no telling which category you fall into until you start down the road. I suggest that you buy the T2i or T3i kit with the 18-55 IS lens (and the 55-250 if your budget allows) and see how that suits you, then explore from there.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^