Choice of two

[mel]

First venture into DSLR photography, needs are, good general family type pictures, some "creative" type arty stuff and experiments with extreme close ups, landscapes & HDR that type of thing, along with some high speed tricky Motorsport stuff such as night time racing etc. Oh and budget is flexible ish but happy around £500-600 mark for starters with basic kit lens.

I think I've got it down to a choice of two, either the Canon EOS 550D or Sony Alpha A55 but I'm open to opinions from the more knowledgable or even other suggestions.

[dxbtiger]

Although I am a Nikon user I would choose the Canon out of those 2.

Why the 550 though, the 600 comes in on budget according to link below.

http://camerapricebuster.co.uk/cat1.html

[dibbly dobbler]

Most folk go Canon or Nikon as you will have a much wider choice of lenses in the future

[RobDickinson]

600D is almost identical to the 550D apart from movie mode tweaks and the articulated LCD screen.

If neither of those tempt you buy the 550d.

The canon will perform a ton better than the cheap alpha, and no SLR robbing you of 1.3rd of the light!

Get the 550d and the 55-250IS

[Podie]

If you go Canon, the usual IT phone line will continue to operate....

[LongQ]

RobDickinson said:

600D is almost identical to the 550D apart from movie mode tweaks and the articulated LCD screen.

If neither of those tempt you buy the 550d.

The canon will perform a ton better than the cheap alpha, and no SLR robbing you of 1.3rd of the light!

Get the 550d and the 55-250IS

I reckon this is very sound advice.

You may be out on a limb for some of the things you hope for. Tricky high speed night shots (depending in what that means) may be into Canon 1DX III territory .... Somewhat outside your target budget of course - or it will be in about 6 years time when it is released.

Bear in mind that as your experience grows you will likely be wanting to invest in additional lenses to enhance the results of your efforts. And you are asking for a waide range of disciplines which frequently means different lenses. You can't beat a good collection of lenses.

[curtisl]

The 550d is a brilliant camera for the money. 550d gets my vote.

[andy-xr]

550D from me as well, have never really got on with the Sonys

[covboy]

Kept my 550 as backup to my new 7D

[Gemm]

I'm sure Sony Alpha is a totally capable camera but I think it's wise to go for Canon for reasons mentioned already. You'll also get a lot more help on internet (e.g. forums) with Canon simply because there are lots more users.

[mel]

Cool, looks like I can go shopping later then, canon it is.

[Podie]

600 is on Amazon deal of the day at 15:00...

[mel]

You know those voucher card things that parents and relatives insist on giving you for Christmas and birthdays even though you've turned 40 and do manage to have a little of what is known as disposable income (for the time being)? Well I've got a little pile of them now that has built up without being spent, and although amazon/dixons/eBay might be £50 cheaper they don't take bloody "Bluewater" cards and if I don't spend them now they'll still be there in another 6 months. I can hear a "never knowingly undersold" calling.

[Crafty_]

www.camerapricebuster.co.uk for the cheapest prices..

[mel]

You do also have to take into account that canon are underwriting £40 cash back on the 550d & £50 on the 600d but Bly if purchased from an "authorised and participating retailer" Amazon do appear to be on Canon's list but don't appear to be making a noise about themselves, big anticlimax if that is all they'll do at 3.00pm!

[anonymous-user]

I bought a Sony alpha DSLR on boxing day and they're fantastic machine.
But they are all very similar so probably comes down to what YOU want.

[mel]

Good call Pod, just got the 600d £499 in Amazon sale with another £50 to come from Canon so £450 when I would have happily spent £600 means I can now get the 55-250mm lens and not feel guilty thanks mate.

[Podie]

mel said:

Good call Pod, just got the 600d £499 in Amazon sale with another £50 to come from Canon so £450 when I would have happily spent £600 means I can now get the 55-250mm lens and not feel guilty thanks mate.

Good result!

[Podie]

mel said:

I would have happily spent £600 means I can now get the 55-250mm lens and not feel guilty thanks mate.

The slippery slope of justifying lenses has started...

[Gemm]

Podie said:

The slippery slope of justifying lenses has started...

Oh dear.......