Digital SLR Cameras

[bakerhillpins]

Wife would like one so thinking of picking one up for her for xmas. Problem is I am camera illiterate. Anyone care to make suggestions? I figured I would be in the $500-800 range for a decent one for her.

We are not professional photographers but looking for a decent unit that can take action shots of say kids at sporting events or um.. burnouts. 

Yes, it's effectively the last minute. 

Thanks!

[71charger_fan]

For another couple hundred, you can currently get a new Olympus OM-D EM-5 with lens. http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/digitalcameras/omd/e-m5.html The Olympus Micro 4/3 lenses are interchangeable with the Panasonic Micro 4/3 system which also has some nice cameras in the $500 to $600 range. I really like the mirrorless cameras. Performance on par with full size SLRs in a more compact package. http://www.digitaltrends.com/best-mirrorless-and-micro-four-thirds-cameras/

[bakerhillpins]

 

Cool, thanks for the recommendation.  Seems I have a few lens options with that base. Ill have to look into what the different lens options are good for.

Anyone else?  Site search pulls up lots of stuff from 06-09'. 

[Dans 68]

Nikon. I've had my D-80 since 2008 and it has served me well. Look at the Amazon site for Nikon cameras, and read the reviews. There are some good bundled values (probably the D3200 would be a good fit). Take your time (I know) and see what is the best for you. http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-18-55mm-55-200mm-Accessory/dp/B007X48KL2/ref=sr_1_6?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1387426239&sr=1-6&keywords=Nikon

Dan

[Mike DC]

 
Nikon & Canon are Coke & Pepsi.  They both make good stuff at the consumer level.  But you are committing to one team or the other because they won't make anything interchangeable between them. 

Even if you are getting a brand new camera body there are lots of perfectly good used lenses out there.  Check out your local dedicated camera shop. 

[Nacho-RT74]

I went with Pentax!  ( K-x in my case, nice for the beginer, discontinued, now is the K-r ) great price/value relation... the only con I can warn is the lack of lenses availables out from the shelf.