Canon Rebel XS vs Pentax K-x vs Nikon D3000?

Question

Canon Rebel XS vs Pentax K-x vs Nikon D3000?

Answer 1

Everything is a depends question. Most photographers would pick the system with the lens that they need. Beginners generally don't need to think about it too much specially with the cameras you have listed.



There is pretty much three reasons to get the XS. It's dirt cheap these days. Another is if you want to use Canon lenses. And it has the most support from third party vendors. Otherwise, it's older, the back LCD screen is noticeably smaller(compared to the other two), no video, though it does have rudimentary live view.



The D3000 is a little more complicated. Nikon's entry level cameras are bastardized in that they don't have auto focus motors built in. This means that there are a lot of older AF lenses that won't auto focus with this camera. If you are only going to be using the kit lenses or buy only modern lenses then this isn't a problem. Image quality is pretty much on par with the XS. Unless you are specifically looking for it, you wouldn't really notice. No video. No live view (useful to have). Has great support from third party vendors (but ever so slightly less than Canon). Has some higher end features such as greater number of auto focus points (same amount as the K-x).



As for the Pentax, for high ISO photos (think low light, no flash photography), there is no question. Pentax K-x is much better. It's better than it's peers when it came out, let alone older tech like the XS. So cleaner photos when taking noise and detail into account. It has live view and 720p video. Has a fair bit of higher end camera features like the 11 autofocus points and much faster continuous shooting (4.7 fps in RAW/jpeg vs 3 fps in jpeg for XS and D3000). Pentax also enjoys probably the greatest amount of support for legacy lenses. All lenses built for Pentax lenses from as early as 1975 will mount and work on any Pentax DSLR's. Albeit a lot of the legacy lenses were manual everything lenses. Has won many awards for the best entry-level camera for being easy to use, physically very small, lots of higher-end features (for its class) and great photo quality.



As far as I'm concerned, the K-x is the best choice. The only reason you would not want to go Pentax is because it's Pentax. Not nearly as known these days as Nikon or Canon (different scenario in past times). This also means quite a bit less support from third party vendors. This shouldn't cause any problems because all major third party vendors do support Pentax.



Even with all that said, ultimately, it really doesn't matter too much as ALL three cameras are great cameras and can take wonderful photos. If I can afford it, I'll go K-x, if budget is a real concern, I'll go XS yet I do like the D3000 ever so slightly over the XS. Lol, confusing.



Before making a choice, go play around with all three cameras. Pick the one that fits your needs and almost as important, the one that feels best in your hands.

Answer 2

The Pentax K-x. It has won prizes for the best beginner's DSLR and is superior to either the Canon or Nikon models.

Answer 3

The Pentax is far and away the best value for money, if you can stretch to the Kr you get the new Sony sensor that outperforms any other APS sized sensor on the market (whatever the price). Better low light performance, lower noise (on a par with a Nikon D3, a full frame camera costing thousands of £'s more), wider dynamic range than even full frame sensor cameras, along with the top end K5 it really is a breakthrough camera.



Pentax has the longest list of compatible lenses, 230 'K' mount lenses and that's just the ones made by Pentax. third party lenses would more than double this figure. All will be image stabilised as it's built into the camera, any that are auto focus will work as the motors built into the camera too, all at no extra cost.



Here's a list and genuine user reviews.



http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/



It doesn't stop there, Pentax cameras, even at entry level, have ALL the functions you will ever need, some only available on a Pentax. Nikon cameras are very poor at entry level, most don't even have auto bracketing (required for HDR) a pretty basic requirement. Canon may have them, but they are buried in menus (3 different menu settings required to set up your camera for HDR).



Pentax are far and away the most cost effective system to buy into.



Nikon cripple their entry level cameras, if you want all the functions you have to buy the more expensive models or, if you want auto focus and image stabilisation the more expensive lenses.



With Canon your buying old technology, things have moved on dramatically, particularly in the last year with sensors. They are definitely more 'clunky' to use than any other manufacturer.



Pentax are really well thought out, which makes them quick to use, have all the functions, the best backwards compatibility of any manufacturer which means loads of cheaply available high quality lenses are available, and the best sensors (which is the important bit) by far.



Chris

Answer 4

Even without the video, the Kx is still better. You can use it just like a point-and-shoot with all those beginner modes built into it.

Answer 5

I would consider Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera



10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for poster-size, photo-quality prints

Large 2.5-inch LCD display; includes Canon's EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens

DIGIC III image processor provides fast, accurate image processing; Live View Function

EOS Integrated Cleaning system and Canon-designed Self Cleaning Sensor Unit, plus Dust Delete Data Detection in included software

Stores images on SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Answer 6

Skip the Nikon D3000 and get the D3100 instead if you get a Nikon. The Pentax is rated one of the best entry-level DSLRs, but Canon and Nikon make a larger lens assortment. You need to get your hands on each one of these cameras, see if it feels right in your hands, read up on more reviews, see which lenses you want to use and make your decision then.

Answer 7

Canon XS. I Was Looking For The Best Entry Level SLR & Saw 1000D/XS & I Decided On It Pretty Quickly. It's Cheap,Economic & Just What I Want Too Get Started. I Can't Wait Till Christmas To Open It Lol (: But Go With Either Canon Or Nikon Over Any Other Brand Because You'll Have Plenty Of Lenses Available In The Future Without Any Hassle. You Sound Like Me; I Also Want To Get Into Photography :D

I Got My Camera Here:http://www.ryda.com.au/Canon-EOS-1000D-Digital-SLR-Camera-18-55-IS-Lens-p/eos1000dkis.htm & You Can Guess Who The Reviewer Was Haha.

Answer 8

listen imo @ lowentry level models you should focus on the brand muach more than on the characteristics...why? because they will be kinda crapy anyway... even if a model gets good perfomance at lets say video shooting it will suck at other specs.. viseversa...





So focus more on reliability quality and what fits more on your hands + the lens support.. (because you can upgrade the body when you get better skills but can you upgrade the lens? or can you use the lenses you already own on your new body?)



For the above reasons and not limited to the above I say canon is your best choise...

Answer 9

Nikon D3000 worth every penny, its a basic easy to use dslr, great picture quality, the display turns as u turn the camera vertical or horizontal, great for ammetures as well as professionals, could have been better if you could use the screen as a view finder for basic point n shoot pictures, its just my opinion.

all in all a great buy

Answer 10

I have to go with the DSLR chosen by the Techncal Image Press Association as their 2010 "Best DSLR Entry Level" - the Pentax K-x. Here is a real-world, hands-on review:

http://www.shutterbug.net/equipmentreviews/amateur_digital_slrs/0510pentax/index.html



The Canon XS was introduced in 2008 so its close to being a 3 yr. old model and thus 3 yrs behind in technology.



The Nikon D3000 is a very basic DSLR with a CCD sensor and poor performance at higher ISO settings - those above 400.



Here are the features of the Pentax K-x:



1) A CMOS sensor.



2) Live View.



3) HD Video.



4) Double/multiple exposure capability of from 2 to 9 exposures on a single frame with Auto EV Compensation. This opens a whole new world of creativity to you.



5) A focusing motor in the camera body so any Pentax mount AF lens ever made will auto focus on the K-x as it should.



6) Image Stabilization in the camera body so any lens used becomes an IS lens.



7) A choice of camera body colors so you don't have to settle for a black camera unless you want to.

http://www.pentaximaging.com/slr



The Nikon D3000 has NONE of those features. NONE.



Here are the current prices at B&H - http://wwwbhphotovideo.com - for the 3 cameras with an 18-55mm zoom:



Pentax K-x, $519.00



Nikon D3000, $499.95 after a $50.00 Instant Savings from B&H.



Canon XS, $499.95 after a $50.00 Instant Savings from B&H.



In my opinion a mere $20.00 is an acceptable amount to pay for all the features of the Pentax K-x. Just to have the Live View, the in camera focusing motor and in camera IS should seal the deal for you.



As far as video is concerned, you might find it desirable in a few months and I've always believed its better to have a feature and not need it than it is to need a feature and not have it.

Answer 11

Hey,



Stick to Canon and Nikon, they're the best.



D3000 has no Live View and no AF motor, XS has both. All 3 will do what you wrote, it's basic stuff.



Here's post "Buying a DSLR - http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2009/03/which-dslr-to-buy.html



Good luck!