If you had $500 or less to spend, what would you get ?

To preface this question, my location is now Hungary.

My wife's brother in-law has become a bit insistent about purchasing a new camera, despite his wife's wishes that he doesn't.

He isn't a photographer. His brother just got an Sony A300 and he has seen my D300 and is just trying to "keep up", which is silly IMO, but he does have two kids, and goes on vacation a couple of times a year. So I suppose that the most important thing for him, is to be able to photograph the kids and family while on vacation.

Shooting kids can be a challenge though if they're fast, and I'd rather pair any camera with an equally as fast lens for any situation. But I'm afraid that kind of $ is out of the question for now. So He needs to start off with a good kit lens and decent enough body which he can learn to use without too much complication. Though.. he was an engineering major, so perhaps that shouldn't be an issue...

I'd love some advice on a body or body with kit lens or body + lens made by pretty much any manufacturer at this point, which you guys think is a good value.

Thanks for reading,

Doug

Edit: BTW, I shoot a Nikon D300 (still use my Canon S3IS though) but don't think it's a good time for a newbie on a budget (Nik's prices have skyrocketed and are ridiculous) to start investing into Nikon unless they have serious plans for doing something professional later on. The D40 is a good contender, but still needs newer lenses for any AF abilities.

A good solution in the US $500 price range would be the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS point and shoot camera. Good performance for a decent price that would leave money to buy additional memory cards and batteries and a charger.

For a DSLR, a US $500 price would mean a refurbished body and lens, which would be a good choice, but they're more difficult to find.

A Canon 20d and a 50mm lens or 18-55is lens would be a good way to start for sub 500.

It wouldn't be much of an upgrade from the A300, but if he got a 20D and an inexpensive lens he would at least be in a better system.

Honestly unless he plans on making money with photography or wants to get much more serious, I don't think he should get a new camera... Competing with you is silly.

foxesamu wrote in post #8733504
It wouldn't be much of an upgrade from the A300, but if he got a 20D and an inexpensive lens he would at least be in a better system.

Honestly unless he plans on making money with photography or wants to get much more serious, I don't think he should get a new camera... Competing with you is silly.

I agree. But at this point his excuse is that he wants it for vacations and taking photos of the family/kids. I personally also think he should just get a slightly better P&S than the one he has, but I doubt I'll be able to convince him.

I was thinking about offering my Canon S3IS, but thought about it again and my senses came back to me ! I was looking at some refurbed Olympus E-410's and those seem to be alright and cheap. Zuiko lenses are very good to boot. I will have a peek at the Canon 20D as well, as suggested above. Thanks guys.

I just don't think he'll settle for a P&S.

Doug

DC Fan wrote in post #8733280
For a DSLR, a US $500 price would mean a refurbished body and lens, which would be a good choice, but they're more difficult to find.

That's not true, the Canon XS and Nikon D40 - though perhaps discontinued? - are still available with the kit lens on amazon.com and B&H for $500 and $470 respectively (and they are not refurbished or used).
http://www.amazon.com …&m=ATVPDKIKX0DE​R&v=glance
http://www.amazon.com …&m=ATVPDKIKX0DE​R&v=glance
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_EOS_Rebel_XS_a​_k_a_.html
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …0_SLR_Digital_C​amera.html

Also, I haven't kept up with it but last time I checked, Sony's A200 was being sold for $500 and Olympus and Pentax also had DSLRs available for $500 or less. And of course used cameras are an option too and easier to find than refurbished.

While I agree it's silly to spend $500 just to "keep up" with others, a DSLR would remove the annoying shutter lag you get with most/all P&S which most consumers really hate.

Here's some used options for him:

http://www.adorama.com​/US%20%20%20%20356863.​html
http://www.adorama.com​/US%20%20%20%20356268.​html
http://www.adorama.com​/US%20%20%20%20356336.​html
http://www.adorama.com​/US%20%20%20%20356242.​html

These do not appear to come with a lens but they are well under his budget so he should be able to pick up a standard lens and stay within his budget:
http://www.adorama.com​/US%20%20%20%20356543.​html
http://www.adorama.com​/US%20%20%20%20352360.​html
http://www.adorama.com​/US%20%20%20%20354799.​html

If he is interested in refurbished options, Adorama usually has some.

You can get a Pentax k2000(Km in europe) double zoom kit for $500 or so. Pretty decent camera that can take old K mount MF glass natively with AF confirm and auto exposure.

http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1254325​193&sr=8-1

A rebel xti, canon 30d.

Thanks for the links and suggestions all. I was hoping to try and keep the purchases on the EU side, but if I do find a really good deal at Adorama, B&H or Amazon, I can just have it shipped to a family member who can forward the item to Hungary for me I suppose.

How is that Canon 10D by the way ? I mean in terms of something which is only a hundred or so more dollars would it still be worth it or better to spend the extra bit of cash ?

Doug

dougrb wrote in post #8735666
How is that Canon 10D by the way ? I mean in terms of something which is only a hundred or so more dollars would it still be worth it or better to spend the extra bit of cash ?

You know, the 10D once was regarded as a pretty good camera, I'm sure someone who is dedicated and has an artist's eye can take better pictures than I ever will take with my 40D and engineering pixel-peeping brain...

XTi and something like a 28-135 both used, if you can find a sweet deal. Otherwise XTi and a good cheap zoom or a nifty 50. I loved my XTi, it was fantastic and I really did like the small size, may very well buy one as a travel/backup option.

usukshooter wrote in post #8733991
While I agree it's silly to spend $500 just to "keep up" with others, a DSLR would remove the annoying shutter lag you get with most/all P&S which most consumers really hate.

The Sony A300 is a DSLR... unless I'm missing something.

Edit: never mind! I thought it was he who had it, not his brother.

Unless he really cares about the size of the camera--having it look "professional"--I'd also recommend the Nikon D40 and Canon 400D. Either of them can probably be had for around $300, and a great starter kit would be an 18-55 + a prime (a 35/1.8 for the Nikon or a 50/1.8 for the Canon).

ohansen wrote in post #8735733
You know, the 10D once was regarded as a pretty good camera, I'm sure someone who is dedicated and has an artist's eye can take better pictures than I ever will take with my 40D and engineering pixel-peeping brain...

The 10D doesn't accept EF-S lenses without physically hacking the lens itself. That alone is probably a really good reason to start with 20D or later. The buffer is also much smaller and slower to clear than the 40D, limiting your chances in sports action. The 10D was a good camera in its day but it has been succeeded by so much better.

what's wrong with his SONY A300DSLR? Tell him to get a 50mm 1.7 (or maybe a 50/1.4?-- i am not familiar with the SONY lenses tho).. That will be financially better than buying any new system.

A used rebel XT, or XS with a kit lens should come in under budget and allow for an extra 50 1.8 lens or flash.