Photographers! I need opinions!

Right, I've decided I'm going to have to take the plunge and go for a camera with manual controls and interchangeable lenses. I've been reading a bit online and had some input from some of my 'photo-freak' friends and the consensus is to go for something like the Nikon D3000 which goes for around £300-350.

However, one of the main reasons why I haven't bought a DSLR already is due to the size. They're huge!! Plus I wouldn't feel comfortable carrying one around when I went on holiday unless I could it away without the bulk showing (I know, petty reason). Sooooooooo, I've been digging around and found a Sony model which is coming out very soon called the NEX-5! It's the perfect fit really for my needs although the pre-order price is £550 from the Sony store which, needless to say, is astronomical compared to the Nikon!!!

I've been looking at the spec sheets for both cameras listed here: Nikon D3000, Sony NEX-5. Really some of the stuff I don't have a clue about but the simple stuff like shutter speed, iso etc. I can understand. Another thing that's making me think about the two are the available lenses. The Nikon has the wider choice but the Sony had only 3 available at present (2 available at launch) but there will be an E-mount adapter which allows you to use Sonys' DSLR lenses. The thing is, I don't know how the Sony lenses compare to the range that the Nikon has available for it.

Thoughts and opinions anyone?

I own a D3000 and tbh the 'bulk' compared to other DSLR's is not that much. Yes it is visible as it dangles around your neck and a bag would be required to cart it around where you don't want people to see BUT the options it can give you over the Sony you listed is a lot more.
The Sony has many options and can make an instant impression with been able to snug it away, I assume the picture is hard to get an accurate size difference between the 2, And an 18-55mm lens which is pretty good lens for most images required or the with 16mm F2.8 pancake option which is wider lens and more landscape work or wider angled images.

The Sony, according to info, is smaller and is like an upgrade to a standard Digi cam that we all probably have from Argos but with interchangeable lens and a good sensor it seems a pricey upgrade tbh.
Reading through Sony options: http://www.sony.co.uk/product/dsb-ne...ialAccessories
Some of the accerioes are a little... wtf... I think is best word used here.
LA-EA1 for example lets you use A-mount lenses DSLR lens on a none DSLR... NO idea how that will look with the images but it has versatility.
With various mounts you can use other DSLR lens on it but still its hard to say how the sensor will cope + if you did then you will still have a large camera as it is the Lens that make these look huge so unless your thinking of sticking with the basic lens it comes with which is ok for most stuff then its going to be same as the D3000.

D3000 however is an entry level DSLR setup from the basic Digi cam era of point and shoot.
The basic setup package is a 18-55mm Vibration reduction Lens but I've seen other options online with a 2nd lens thrown in.
The basic camera with no lens on is still twice-ish the size of a basic digi cam and with a Lens on it does get bigger but it also is same as the Sony as with regards to what you are going to be shooting.
The D300 is like a step up to the DSLR range which is the direction you need to be moving in terms of photography, but the Sony only has lens options to try that and not the proper thing.

Though I have no experince of this Sony model so cannot say from experince but still all depends on what your after from it.

D3000: http://instinctivenature.deviantart.com/
Take a looky

Cheers for the opinions Fbh! Yeah honestly I would prefer the Sony over the Nikon but with the feature set I'm not sure if the £200+ price increase is worth it... I think I'm gonna need to wait for reviews and think long and hard about the two since it is a lot of money to be spending. The drawback of no AF when using different lens is something I'll have to decide if it's worth it too...

Lads I have to reccomend the cannon SOS 500D I've just bought. It is crazy good. Full manual settings on anything you want.15 mega the resilution is massive. And thy any slr is bbig to a compact but I think the quality out weighs that

How much that set you back m8?

after seeing your pics of the mw2 guy at the expo, i would advise that you GET YOUR SPENDING UNDER CONTROL!!!!! your eye will not improve with a better camera

besides, are you really going to go full manual, or like my wife are you going to spend a grand on a dslr and always keep it in automatic mode? seriously no joke, real photography is a lot of work and most people intend to spend the time, but in reality dont. Think about it before spending your cash....er credit...

Im currently looking into the idea of a dSLR....however im finding that unless u really want to get into it and start buying lenses that cost more than the body etc then you are better off with a bridge camera!

As one of the websites i read said: "My most general advice has been that if you are using the kit lens that comes with your dSLR, you should have purchased a bridge camera and saved the money and hassle."

Originally Posted by Amrish

Im currently looking into the idea of a dSLR....however im finding that unless u really want to get into it and start buying lenses that cost more than the body etc then you are better off with a bridge camera!

As one of the websites i read said: "My most general advice has been that if you are using the kit lens that comes with your dSLR, you should have purchased a bridge camera and saved the money and hassle."

What do you mean by a bridge camera? And what do you think you'll do Amrish?

And Dragon, thankfully I didn't have to spend much that weekend as I had a friends' place I could stay at. I've already saved my allotment for this month so don't worry. Though with something like this I'll have to sell a lot of things but I don't think I'm near buying one anytime soon anyway lol!

Hmmm, Haggis, that DSLR is more expensive than the Sony!! What did you pay for yours??

I just want sharper images and better pictures in low light i guess. I also like the idea of having some control over things like the f stop and shutter speeds.

currently looking at this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-Lu...=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

What about the Panasonic GF1? It's a Micro Four-Thirds camera and you can get a bundle on Amazon for around £550. The review looks good and I like the idea of the hot-shoe which the Sony doesn't have... Any thoughts?