Old timer needs kicking into digital age.
 

I need help to decide on which DSLR to buy. I have owned and used an Olympus OM 4 for 27 years, but have become increasingly frustrated with processing film and the costs involved. My main topics of interest are nature and landscape. I'm by no means a professional; just a very keen enthusiast. I have a budget of around 900 pounds, so I'm uncertain as to wether to go for a higher end DSLR such as the Nikon D7000 OR Canon 60 D, or should I go for something like the Nikon D90 or Canon EOS 600D, leaving some budget for another lens. I don't want to get rid of my OM4 unless it's necessary. What I really want to know is will any of these cameras actually give me the result I achieve with my OM4?

I think, from what I have read (and as I'm looking to upgrade also) the Canon 60D is excellent for the money. The difference between the 60D and the 7D in slight and not worth the extra cost, unless you do a lot of nature photography. From reading reviews, it is a better choice for nature, but the 60D is better for allround photography. But like you, I am no expert.

Personally, I'd suggest the Nikon D5100 over the Canon 60D:

[url]http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_60D-vs-Nikon-D5100[/url]

It's £600 with a kit lens ([url]http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-nikon-d5100-digital-slr-with-18-55mm-vr-lens/p1525134[/url]) leaving you enough money to get a wide angle lens (I'd recommend this though it will push your budget a bit: [url]http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-sigma-10-20mm-f4-5-6-ex-dc-hsm-lens-nikon-fit/p1007711[/url])

Will it be as good as your Olympus? Well you're going from 35mm down to a cropped sensor, so you'll probably notice the difference in frame size. In terms of quality though, you'll probably see an improvement especially in low-light.

I wouldn't worry about review stats as different reviewers will score cameras differently.As Matt said,snapshot scored the Nikon higher than the Canon but DP Review score the Canon Higher than the Nikon!!
The best thing to do is select the cameras you feel will be of most benefit to you and go and get your hands on them and see which suites you best in feel,weight and features you are looking for.
For me ,it was the Canon 60D with the ef-s 17-55 f2.8 lens,it just felt comfortable to hold and gave me the features I wanted.It was expensive but I am very happy with the quality of the images so far.
So,try to get your hands on them, compare and choose.Whichever way you go,enjoy your purchase!

Des

[QUOTE=DigiDiva;66342]I think, from what I have read (and as I'm looking to upgrade also) the Canon 60D is excellent for the money. The difference between the 60D and the 7D in slight and not worth the extra cost, unless you do a lot of nature photography. From reading reviews, it is a better choice for nature, but the 60D is better for allround photography. But like you, I am no expert.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for that DigiDiva, I've done as you suggested, but unfortunately they didn't have a 60D or 7 D for me to look at, only the Nikons. I think the best thing for me to do is to go to a larger shop in Birmingham and handle them all one after the other to truly work out which will suite me the best.
Kind regards littlehaggis.

[QUOTE=mondmagu;66369]I wouldn't worry about review stats as different reviewers will score cameras differently.As Matt said,snapshot scored the Nikon higher than the Canon but DP Review score the Canon Higher than the Nikon!!
The best thing to do is select the cameras you feel will be of most benefit to you and go and get your hands on them and see which suites you best in feel,weight and features you are looking for.
For me ,it was the Canon 60D with the ef-s 17-55 f2.8 lens,it just felt comfortable to hold and gave me the features I wanted.It was expensive but I am very happy with the quality of the images so far.
So,try to get your hands on them, compare and choose.Whichever way you go,enjoy your purchase!

Des[/QUOTE]

Thanks, I took your advice and tried them out for myself today, I'm still undecided though,the Canon 60D wasn't available, but the D90 and D7000 felt quite comfortable in my big hands. I'm drawn to the 7000 more because of build quality than anything else. It's a shame I couldn't borrow one for a couple of hours or so to help me make my mind up.
Kind regards from littlehaggis.

[QUOTE=MattUK;66346]Personally, I'd suggest the Nikon D5100 over the Canon 60D:

[url]http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_60D-vs-Nikon-D5100[/url]

It's £600 with a kit lens ([url]http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-nikon-d5100-digital-slr-with-18-55mm-vr-lens/p1525134[/url]) leaving you enough money to get a wide angle lens (I'd recommend this though it will push your budget a bit: [url]http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-sigma-10-20mm-f4-5-6-ex-dc-hsm-lens-nikon-fit/p1007711[/url])

Will it be as good as your Olympus? Well you're going from 35mm down to a cropped sensor, so you'll probably notice the difference in frame size. In terms of quality though, you'll probably see an improvement especially in low-light.[/QUOTE]

I can see where your coming from on value for money Matt, but only concern is that the
d5100 felt a bit too small in my big hands, the D90 and 7000 felt more my size when I tried them today. I'm still undecided though.

You could always look at the second-hand market to save a few bob. The Nikon D200 can be brought for under £400 and is weather sealed. It's a semi-pro camera and a good camera for nature shots. The only downside is the ISO shouldn't be pushed above 800 otherwise, noise will start to appear. :D

Yes another one for the d5100 over the d90 or the 60d.

I don't recommend second hand. Sensor tech moves very fast and iso performance has massively improved since the d200.

Have a look at dxomark they rate ever sensor on the market. You can adjust your search fields to the right of the page just to aps-c and aps-c 1.4. [URL="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Ratings"]http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Ratings[/URL]

[QUOTE=thefonz78;66621]

I don't recommend second hand. Sensor tech moves very fast and iso performance has massively improved since the d200.

[/QUOTE]

While I agree with the second part, secondhand shouldn't be discounted. As the OP has £900 pounds to spend in total, a secondhand D200 could leave him with between £500 to £600 to spend on lenses. The images the D200 produces are first rate and as the OP has used SLR's for a long time, shouldn't be a problem to him. :D