Any recommondations for DSLR at around £200 price-range?

Second hand only at that price point I think.

It might be worth trying to find a trade-in at a camera shop.

Jono

As Jono said at that price you're looking at pre-owned

Nikon D40 with 18-55 say or poss. Canon EOS 350d if they hunt around

Trouble is, in digital SLR terms, you can now get much 'better' electronics as 2011 bodies are light years beyond what was available even just a few years back, whereas a good '70's 35mm SLR is still a good SLR.

If they can stretch, a new Nikon 3100 with newer version of 18-55 can be had for £400 if they look around and Canon  550D only a little more. Pentax K too maybe.

If £200 is firm budget though, I'd be looking at D40 or 350D. If they're ebaying, read description very carefully and be very picky.

If they want a decent camera for 'just over' £200 though (£240) and doesn't need to be SLR, try a Canon S95, just replaced by S100 but still available at lower price. I have one and it's a proper camera that really does fit in my pocket.

+1 x 3 for second hand only at that price point

For £200 you will be hard pushed to find anything new with a detachable lens

I'm a biased Canon EOS 1D & 50D user,  but Canon are hard to beat

(OK to Nikons also but not much to choose between Canon or Nikon)

Canon are pushing out new smarter wizz bang models faster than Santa on his rounds.

These new models have freed up a bunch of exchanged units & have reduced 2nd hand prices.

EOS 350D is a good simple lightweight model or better it's replacement 400D that has an easier to read screen.  

Problem is at this price level the standard kit lens are a bit iffy.  Not so easy to spot a bad one in a shop/sales situation, but if defect free they are OK for a beginner.  

Most entry level lenses are 18-55 or maybe 18-80'sh

You might need to stretch the budget, but something with a self cleaning sensor function is a real +++ 

Dirt marks on the sensor are a pain as cameras age & its not a DIY thing for amateurs at this level & the only fix is to pay for a pro clean at rip off prices.

New users should not be tempted to remove lenses, period.  

If you must - like changing lenses - then make sure its only in a real clean dust-free environment. 

If you buy from a dealer they should guarantee the unit is defect free & also that the sensor is clean.  Its a simple enough check.

Private sales & auction sites - buyer beware

I compared a 3100 to the Lumix G3 and now have the G3 and i am a long time Nikon fan.

Get your friend to check out the Lumix cameras as they combine Panasonic electronics with Leica designed lenses and give really great results.

Jono

2nd hand .check shops in your area ,will have trade in models after xmas. canon 400 /lens 200 mark

"I would avoid a d40 get a d50"

You could avoid it but then you would be avoiding the better camera. Not that the D50 is not a good camera, it is, but despite the numbering it is the earlier camera. Neither needs to be avoided. If you want some advice on various DSLR's KenRockwell.com is an interesting read. There are others.

Thanks for all the replies!

My friend is looking for DSLR camera for a xmas present for his 16 year old lad, so he’s probably only considering something brand new.

So from what I read from the replies, a £200 budget brand new for this kind of camera is a non-starter?

Although, i wonder if the detachable lens is far more of a want than a need.

Perhaps I ought to point out to him a few good fixed lens camera’s for £200 - £250

Personally, for that money, wouldn’t he be better off with something sensible and compact rather than a big clunker full of compromises?

All I can do is advise him : )

Debs

S95

Anything by Panasonic up to £200 is good.

Jono

Yes, Ken Rockwell is an interesting read, but not necessarily good advice. I think he is purposely controversial to get visitors to his site so he can get revenue from click-throughs. That's how he makes his living. Just about every photog pro I know considers him a complete idiot, spouting unhelpful advice.

There are much better sources of useful information on camera gear: dpreview.com, fredmiranda.com, photo.net, bythom.com. I'm a Nikon shooter, so nikoncafe.com and nokoinians.com are also good sites. Canon users will have comparable forums.

Canon S95 a very nice camera, and my pocket camera for when I want to lay down my heavier Nikon DSLRs. Probably one of the best choices for a sub-DSLR budget.

FWIW, I am an old Canon A2E 35mm shooter with L lenses, who couldn't be happier with my Panasonic GF-1.  The newer, cheaper micro-4/3 cameras from Panasonic stike a nice balance between large sensor and compact size.  Raw images and focus speed are very good.  I would look at the Olympus models now, if I were in the market.  Not sure if these are quite attainable at the cost you require, but close.

Nick

Not sure about the prices (they may or may not be cheaper than SLR's), but the newer mirrorless interchangeable lens systems are interesting. Basically SLR-features in a compact body.

Otherwise I'd say, considering he's a 16 yr beginner? and budget is limited: go for a 2. hand SLR from one of the well-known models - perhaps he can even get a few lenses to boot. Sure, it won't be state of the art, but it'll give him plenty to start with - a good place to learn all the basics of photography.

After learning and getting some experience with this basic gear he can decide what more he needs [if at all]. Better lenses, other types of lenses, flash, better camera-body, remotes, tripods, flash bouncers/umbrellas/etc, "better" in what way, etc. etc.? He can then upgrade one component at the time.   

I just sold a Pentax K10 for about 150GBP. Its aging indeed, but still capable in the hands of a sufficiently talented photographer (not me )

Btw. keeping up with digital sensor-technology and/or always getting the best is an expensive venture. A friend of mine put it this way: "In the old days we upgraded ISO/dynamic-range/technical performance simply by buying a new role of film - nowadays the same upgrade means buying a new camera (body)".

Debs

If your friends intention is encouraging his son to take up photography the above suggestion is definatley the way to go. A Canon 20d with 18-55mm lens would cost about £200.00. Another £20 would buy a good quality vintage prime lens and adaptor. IMO going back to basics and shooting in manual mode is the best place to start.