Q&A: What is the best Digital SLR camera with Liveview capability?

in Best Slr Camera

What is the best Digital SLR camera with Liveview capability?

I am interested with buying an entry-level Digital SLR camera. I bought the but it does not have Liveview capability. My Internet research seems to indicate that the Sony a390 may be the best option I have. What is your opinion?

Thanks! icon smile Q&A: What is the best Digital SLR camera with Liveview capability?

What is the best SLR to buy?

I not a professional photographer by any means, but I do like to take pictures and would really like to have a nice camera, but not spend $ 1,000s of dollars. Any suggestions on a nice digital SLR camera that is around $ 500?

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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }

Jeroen Wijnands February 9, 2011 at 2:10 pm

My opinion is that liveview on a DSLR is rarely useful and that sony still has a lot to learn about building a reliable dslr.

fhotoace February 9, 2011 at 2:44 pm

If I were buying an entry level dSLR with Live View, I would buy the Nikon D3100

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25472/D3100.html

NOTE:

You do know that holding a two pound dSLR at arms length to compose a shot is just asking for blur due to camera movement, which gets worse as the focal length of the camera increases, right?

Live view has some specific uses:

* it can be used when using the video feature on a camera
* it can be used when the camera is mounted on a telescope or microscope
* it can be used when shooting product shots in a studio.
* it can be used when shooting macro shots in unusual camera positions.

The other major drawback to using Live View is the huge drain on the cameras battery and it can cause the cameras sensor to overheat after about eight minutes.

In the studio and when mounted on a telescope or microscope, we use an AC adapter to supply the power to the camera.

Petra_au February 9, 2011 at 2:49 pm

Your EOS Rebel XS is a perfectly fine dSLR with a perfectly fine viewfinder…which is what all dSLR photographers usually use to shoot with.
Live View is not a necessity…it’s a gimmick carried over from compact cameras. It does have it’s occasional uses, but it’s not practical for shooting with all the time and is not recommended to be used for prolonged periods.
And, you will most likely always need to mount it on a tripod to prevent image blur…because you could never handhold a dSLR steady enough at half arm’s length (not to mention, you would be laughed at if seen doing this).

My opinion…learn to love your viewfinder.

Cat Lover February 9, 2011 at 2:52 pm

I think you’d better read your instruction manual again. My daughter has the XS and she has live view on hers. She has never used it though, as the viewfinder is the way to go with a DSLR. So dig out your manual and read about your fine camera! No need to buy another one!

keerok February 9, 2011 at 3:27 pm

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Q32DLZ63V4T6BVR535ON3HBNLM/blog/articles/168453?listPage=date&listItem=201009

DigitalPhotography February 9, 2011 at 3:29 pm

Hey,

Don’t buy a Sony DSLR – they don’t have many lenses and Canon and Nikon are the best

For Live View (remember, it’s not like at small cameras cause auto focus works slow and it’s hard to hold a 500g camera for 1 hour)

Here’s a post called ‘Buying a DSLR, what’s important, megapixels, features, brand, price, quality and which one to buy – http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2009/03/which-dslr-to-buy.html

I recommend Canon EOS XSi, T1i, T2i, 60D and Nikon D3100, D5000 and D90

Good luck!

Princy February 9, 2011 at 4:17 pm

Canon XS does have a liveview just go through the manual you might find it. If you want to replace camera than might consider Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera
* 14.2-megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor;
* 3-inch monitor with One-Touch Live View shooting and movie capture
* Full 1080p HD Cinematic Video with full-time autofocus and sound
* Easy-To-Use Nikon Guide Mode with intuitive controls and on-board assistance
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D3100-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B003ZYF3LO/?tag=ya-ans-camera-20
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574865779&toolid=10001&campid=5336440665&customid=nktprk&mpre=http%3a%2f%2fshop.ebay.com%2fi.html%3f_nkw%3dNikon%2bD3100%26_sacat%3d0%26_odkw%3dlens%2bof%2bCANON%2bVIXIA%2bHF%2b200%26_osacat%3d0%26_trksid%3dp3286.c0.m270.l1313

thomas h February 9, 2011 at 4:26 pm

I own two Sony DSLR’s an A330 & A350. Both have tilt out live view that makes composing an image much easier when I need to get down low or shoot overhead. I don’t use the live view all the time, only when it makes it easier to get the correct angle as opposed to using the view finder.
As far as the not very many lenses available statement made by DigitalP, he is very wrong. There are not only all of the Sony and Carl Ziess lenses in Sony/Minolta “A” mount, there is also all of the Sony/Minolta “A” mount lenses available from Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, Promaster, and over 20 years of excellent Minolta Maxxum lenses that all will work on the Sony Alpha DSLR’s and are “stabilized” when mounted on the Alpha’s.
I have no complaints with my choice of Sony, but you are the one that is going to be using the camera, go to a camera store, compare, hold, and take some shots with what is available. Your camera should feel like part of you and be comfortable to hold with the controls easy to access.

TOM

Andrei February 9, 2011 at 5:14 pm

Nikon D3100 because it has full HD and can help you make really quality movies with continuous auto-focusing and subject tracking when you shoot movies.

screwdriver February 9, 2011 at 5:29 pm

How about the new Pentax Kr? Image stabilisation built into the camera so any lens you fit is image stabilised at no extra cost. Probably the best APS sensor in any DSLR not just entry level, all the functions you will ever need some only available on a Pentax. By far the cheapest system to buy into. True compatibility with old manual lenses, there are thousands of these around reasonably priced (less than £100, often a lot less). I could go on, but that’s enough I hope.

Here’s a well regarded independent review

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1009/10090910pentaxkr.asp

Chris

H February 9, 2011 at 5:49 pm

Any canon rebel series would do.

DigitalPhotography February 9, 2011 at 6:40 pm

Hey,

For around $500, I recommend Canon EOS XS and Nikon D3000. However, the D3000 has no Live View and no AF motor, so not all lenses will auto focus.

Here’s a post called ‘Buying a DSLR, what’s important, megapixels, features, brand, price, quality and which one to buy – http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2009/03/which-dslr-to-buy.html

Good luck!

Spipa P February 9, 2011 at 7:00 pm

I would consider Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera
* 18.0-megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor;
* DIGIC 4 image processor for high image quality and speed
* ISO 100-6400 (expandable to 12800) for shooting from bright to dim light;
* enhanced 63-zone, Dual-layer metering system
* Improved EOS Movie mode with manual exposure control and expanded recording 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
* Wide 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor;
* Dedicated Live View/Movie shooting button
* New compatibility with SDXC memory cards,
* Plus new menu status indicator for Eye-Fi support

Saleem June 5, 2011 at 10:04 am

New:: Best Digital SLR camera 2010

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