Want a small DSLR any suggestions?

Dont think that the letters DSLR are necessarily the answer...

Look into 4/3 rds cameras and even Micro 4/3rds

They are really 9/10ths of the real deal, easy to manage , have interchangable lenses and take superior shots!

Look into it..

I have both full and 4/3rds and love both just as much

 

Unless you're set already with one brand I suggest the Sony NEX series.

I was on Canon for almost 6 years, switched months ago and very pleased.

 

What are you looking to shoot?

And a BTW to clarify 4/3rds and m4/3rds(microfourthirds) are two different lens mount systems and formats that use the same sensor.

4/3rds format is dslr based with a traditional mirror box and optical viewfinder like other dslr's.

Leica, Panasonic and Olympus produced dslr's/lens catalog in this format but Olympus is the only one that still does with it's E5

m4/3rds has no mirrorbox and uses a lcd or evf for a viewfinder. The lack of mirrorbox allows a smaller body/system while retaining the benefits of a larger sensor with much better IQ and ISO performance than P&S and bridge cameras while competing with well asp-c in all but the higher ISO arena. The solution to that though can be better/faster glass that will make up some of the difference.

Panasonic and Olympus produce m4/3rds bodies/lens catalog presently. Lenses can be used from each manufacturer on the other's bodies as the mount is the same. Third party manufacturer's are producing m4/3rds lenses to allow more selection.

All in all m4/3rds is a capable system that has benefits in size and performance and sees a great many people leaving their dslr's at home more often than not or even selling them and migrating fully to m4/3rds.

If you have older MF lenses you'd like to use m4/3rds is also a great platform as it has adapter's available for just about every significant mount. The olympus bodies are the only ones to offer in body IS of all the mirrorless camera's meaning any lens attached is image stabilized which is a great benefit. m4/3rds bodies offer a full hotshoe flash mount and built in remote fired flash triggers, the largest group of lenses produced in native mount, and the Oly EVF seems regarded as best of the EVF's available.

If you are looking for small format dslr capable cameras m4/3rds is worth a look...

 

Nikon D3000 or D5000. User friendly and the 5000 shoots HD video. A good beginner to knowing about photos camera. I shoot with a D300 and D200 backup and love them

 

msdesignltd does...

I've got Oly

 

What is your reasoning for the DSLR? Being able to change lenses? As suggested, MFTs can do that, too, and are smaller.

If you just want a small camera with outstanding image quality, the Fuji X100 seems to be fantastic. I haven't seen it in the flesh, but people in photo forums are more than enthusiastic about it.

 

Fuji X100, Leica, or the Oly/Panasonic 4/3rds System

 

I have GF2, GF3 is out now..
The real difference is the Lens...get the best you can
Mine is a leica 25mm 1.4...thats 50mm in dslr talk..
You must also buy a novaflex lens adapter, great quality..as this lens is 4/3rds and the camera is micro 4/3rds

With This lens, I never use a flash..

Heres a compare..GF2 vs. GF3
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_GF3/


Just a Really Fun Set up...5 out of 10 shots are dslr quality, the other 5 are just plain great!
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Nicely Clarified..


This appears to be quite a nice choice as well

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=4752&review=panasonic+lumix+g3

 

I have the same lens and use the Oly adapter(panasonic also makes an 4/3rds to m4/3rds adapter) that allows full AF and electronic control of the 25mm Panasonic/Leica. I didn't realize Novaflex makes a adapter that allows full control.

Panasonic is also introducing this same lens in a redesigned native package for m4/3rds so you have the performance without the weight/size penalty but it will be pricey like this one is.

Oly has also just introduced some new fast primes as well that are being noted as very good performers. 12mm f2.0 and 45mm f1.8 to go with the 17mm f2.8(old design with motor noise shooting video) they have in m4/3rds.

These new lenses are also designed for video as is the E-PL3 kit 14-42 zoom meaning you won't get motor noise recorded like you will from the older kit lenses when shooting HD video.

Panasonic has a solid line of m4/3rd lenses as well and I have the 20mm f1.7 I keep more/less glued to my E-P1 when I use it though I use it happily with all my MF and 4/3rds AF lenses with great results.
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My Bad... On my pana, its an olympus, for this lens, full auto control.On my Nikon , its a novaflex...you're sharp...good one

 

since we are both running the P/L 25 I was wondering where the novaflex entered the m4/3rds equation and whether I missed something along the way.

 

That leica 25, is the best lens Ever..no need for zoom..you must force yourself to your position..always takes a crisp shot..
cant say enough about it..

 

agreed, just not necessarily the best advice for a small dslr rig for the OP.

m4/3rds in either Oly or panny and a few native m4/3rds lenses and I think they could be off to shooting happiness provided sports/fast action shooting isn't a primary goal or activity for th new kit as that's not a strong suit of any of the mirrorless cameras though it is getting better.

 

Have a look at the blog of Peter Lueck:

http://www.peterlueck.com/

Google translation to English on the upper right hand side.


His photos at flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterlueck/

Respectively:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterlueck/sets/


The Leica X1 may be not exactly be your choice, because it has no interchangeable lenses and it is pretty expensive. But its pictures are really sharp (rightclick => original):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterlueck/4371613974/in/set-72157623365667760
http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterlueck/4862650837/in/set-72157624523120929 <= note the background!

Other X1 samples:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterlueck/sets/72157624523120929/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterlueck/sets/72157623365667760/with/4371613974/


Here`s a E-P1 (Leica Summilux 35mm manually focused) series from the Meissen porcelain factory (near Dresden, Germany), which I like very much:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterlueck/sets/72157625225371580/with/5108308228/

Same in black/white:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterlueck/sets/72157625241072706/

Take your time. It is definately a very interesting blog!

 

So FWIW, it depends on what the OP wants to use the camera for. If shooting sports action, such as cars at a racetrack in daylight, I think it's hard to beat a DSLR. Unlike micro 4/3s, and other cameras with LCD panels used to frame your pics, the DSLR has a viewfinder that's not a problem in bright sunlight that would wash out most if not all LCDs. Also, generally speaking, DSLRs shoot faster (more frames per second, next to zero lag time when pressing shutter release).

As for size, for me, anything bigger than can fit into your pocket is large. I find it's no more inconvenient to take along a DSLR than something like a micro 4/3s. Of course, that's because I don't often go backpacking, where size and weight do matter.

In low light, full frame and the latest DX-size sensors are also hard to beat. Full frame DSLRs are especially good at providing shallow depth of field so you can isolate your subjects and throw the backgrounds out of focus. My current favorite DX DSLR is the Nikon D7000. Check out what Rockwell says: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d7000.htm
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just a FYI on m4/3rds - largely you are correct for sports shooting is not a mirrorless strong suit.

m4/3rds has no shutter lag to speak of.

to clarify there are a couple of the panny m4/3rds cameras have EVF built in so you don't have to rely on the LCD for framing images.

and at least one of the panny's and all of the current Oly's have a detachable EVF option(I believe they are manuf. specific unlike the lens mount, i.e. can't use oly evf on panny and vice versa) that can be used as not to rely on the LCD at all times.

and I'd pass on any rockwell references as even dyed in wool Nikon shooter's are a little disdainful of his thoughts.

 

I have an Olympus EPL-2 Micro Four Thirds and a Canon 5D MKII. On vacation it is much easier to haul around the Olympus and you can get some good shots.

I have the optional electronic view finder and it slides on and off easily. It's small and works well.

The depth of field is a function of the focal length and sensor size. A great lens for the Olympus MFT is the Panasonic 1.7 20mm. You can get a shallow depth of field and nice bokeh. As well as good low-light shots. I also have Olympus 9-18mm and 14-42mm lenses for it which make nice photos as well.


My avatar was shot with the Olympus/1.7 combo. Here's a bigger version of that one and another shot with the same equipment showing a nice shallow depth of field.
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I love that avatar shot! SNJ, Navy version of AT-6?
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Thanks, yes an SNJ at Boulder airport a year ago.

 

Congrats to your purchase! Consider ditching the "auto" mode for "P" ("program"). That mode will still set aperture and shutter speed for you, but leave the rest of the settings under your control. Take some hours to read the basics about ISO etc., and you'll have a lot more control without a too steep learning curve.