Considering getting a camera

Ok, I'm considering getting myself a camera that can take professional photos.

What would you guys recommend?

Please include a link to somewhere where I can buy it too (so I can see the price - in £, UK)

I also need to know what things are important in a camera, megapixels, etc... and how important each thing is.

I can't really offer much advice, but look at the Canon 400D.

I just bought one with the kit lense for £385. If you order one before December 31st, you will also get £50 cash back.

You might want to consider a Nikon D100 if looking for a lower priced camera. If you are going to get one that is more expensive then look at
Nikon D40X
Nikon D80
Canon EOS 40D
Canon EOS 30D

You can purchase on Ebay. Get a camera with at least six megapixels. You can read some reviews of current nikon models at http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Nikon/ they also cover Cannon. I would pretty much stick to either Nikon or Cannon.

Originally Posted by UKMatt Ok, I'm considering getting myself a camera that can take professional photos. What would you guys recommend? Please include a link to somewhere where I can buy it too (so I can see the price - in £, UK) I also need to know what things are important in a camera, megapixels, etc... and how important each thing is.

What is important is what do you want to take pictures of? Any camera body may work well but I consider the lens to be the most important. Do you want to do weddings, events, night life, landscape, sports.. if you can be more accurate I can recommend some gear.

Get a Nikon, cheaper but can be competitive with other highend and high priced branded cameras.

Try searching for something like a refurbished Nikon D50. I belive these sell for about £250 with kit lens(18-55mm f/3.5-5.6).

Not as new as D40/D40x but still an excellent camera for the price. It also has the drive motor on the camera body which means you get full autofocus on older lenses too. (D40/x can only autofocus with the more expensive lenses housing their own AF-motors).

The camera output seems weighted towards saturation and picture quality is very good.


edit: set aside £80 for the awesome 50mm f/1.8 prime.

Originally Posted by TheGrandBerry I can't really offer much advice, but look at the Canon 400D. I just bought one with the kit lense for £385. If you order one before December 31st, you will also get £50 cash back.

Yes i agree with grandberry they are probably the best camera's around for the price in my opinion and there quality is outstanding!

Originally Posted by UKMatt Ok, I'm considering getting myself a camera that can take professional photos. What would you guys recommend? Please include a link to somewhere where I can buy it too (so I can see the price - in £, UK) I also need to know what things are important in a camera, megapixels, etc... and how important each thing is.

Yes, you should be more specific here. If you're doing weddings then a camera with a good lens will do you fine, but if you're wanting to do sports or nature you'll need to find something with a nice shutter speed as well. (and on and on.)

Please give us specifics on what you're intending to do.

Cannon are by far the best. If you don't get one, then my advice is not to get a poloroid digital camera. They are awful. I 7.1 megapixel poloroid takes pictures like a 4 megepixel.