I am looking at buying a new camera to start out on a more amateur level. I can either buy the Panasonic FZ38 with an 8GB memory card, tripod, case, extra battery, card reader, screen protector, neckstrap and a cleaning cloth for £306 (with import tax - £267 without). However I am also looking at the more low end scale of DSLR's. I have never owned a camera similar to either of these and would eventually like to move on to a more professional level. People are telling me to buy a DSLR and then upgrade it with lens etc when I had the money and needed to, however others said that my camera would be obsolete by the time I wanted to turn Pro. So I'm wondering what my best option is.
Thanks in advance,
Natalie

I have also found a Canon EOS 1000D with the following accessories:
Canon Rebel XS Camera Body
Canon 18-55mm IS Lens
Wide Angle Lens
2X Telephoto Lens
UV Digital Filter
Digital Flash
Professional Camera Bag
8GB SD HC
SD Card Reader
Extra Li-ion Battery
Lens Cleaning Kit
Multi Section Professional Tripod
Mini Travel Tripod
Lens Cap Holder
LCD Screen Protector (4.5")

For £420, so what would people recommend?

I am now taking photography courses to understand some of the features a little better, however this will be my first serious camera purchase, my parents brought my other camera's.

Does anyone know how well the FZ38 works in low light conditions? I would love to be able to get some nice shots in a few concerts for myself and friends, so would this do the job?

Natalie,

For the photography and needs you've described I would say that the Canon DSLR (or any DSLR for that matter) would be much more suitable for you than the Panasonic. The main reason is that a DSLR is a system upon which you can build and grow as a photographer. With a super-zoom or compact, point-and-shoot, or whatever; any camera that doesn't have an interchangeable lens like a DSLR; once you buy it you're stuck. A camera with a built-in lens can never be anything more or any more versatile than it is out of the box. With a DSLR however; lenses do not become obsolete like camera technology; you'll keep your glass (i.e. lenses) as you mature to better cameras and newer technologies. So contrary to what you were told it's the Panasonic and NOT the DSLR that will quickly become obsolete.

A DSLR is a camera system. There are a huge variety of lenses available with Canon. There is also a huge variety of accessories available that enable you to an almost limitless assortment of shots and different types of photography. The only real limits will be your own skill set and your imagination. Not so with the Panasonic. It's a good camera for what it is and in good hands is capable of marvelous results, but it's just not in the same league as a DSLR. Almost NO pros shoot full-time with a camera like the Panasonic; but almost ALL pros shoot a large percentage of the time with a camera like the Canon (i.e. a DSLR). As a general rule, for serious work a pro will pick up a DSLR every time. The only real exception being, many pros use higher end film and digital cameras (medium and large format with interchangeable lenses) which cost many thousands of dollars. A DSLR will enable you to develop your skills as you grow as a photographer... really important for someone who has aspirations to become a pro.

Also, the Panasonic doesn't have a hot shoe so you can't attach another flash; you're stuck with the built-in one, which is pretty weak. With the Rebel you could attach a powerful Canon flash at that concert and bathe the stage with your own light, thus overcoming the challenges of indoor lighting. You can pick up a second-hand or new off-brand flash like a Sunpak or a Vivitar on the cheap.

Secondly, a DSLR has a larger sensor than any camera with an attached lens. Thus, it captures more light. This means that DSLR's are superior to cameras like the Panasonic in low light. You can use higher ISO values and still maintain high quality. That in turn means faster shutter speeds in any given light. Faster shutter speeds mean you can stop the action (no blur) of that lead singer or guitarist in low light and still get a great quality shot. You can't do that with ANY non-DSLR camera (except maybe the new Canon G11). Additionally, you can buy cheap prime lenses ($90 for a 50 mm F 1.8) that are extremely good in low light. Any camera like the Panasonic just can't cut it in low light.

Thirdly, you'll find that a DSLR has better performance; that is, when you press the shutter there is no lag and you get the shot you wanted, not so with the Panasonic and non-DSLR's. Also, shot-to-shot times are a lot faster. Burst shooting (lots of rapid shots back-to-back) is usually higher with a DSLR.

Among the negatives are a higher overall cost for a DSLR system and you won't start out with that big zoom lens that you get on the Panasonic. But keep in mind that you won't be able to get a sharp concert shot with the Panasonic because of the slow shutter speeds you'll have to use in the low light. Your shots will be blurry and noisy, and with the slow shutter lag you probably won't get the shot you wanted anyway... the moment will be gone before the camera's shutter snaps open and shut.

Your best bet will be the DSLR. The Rebel is good in low light so you'll be able to use higher ISO's, and that means faster shutter speeds. Also, you could pick up an inexpensive, consumer-grade zoom lens for about $250-300 to get the close-ups shots you'll be wanting. The kit lens is a good value and it comes with image stabilization so that will help with low-light too.

Hope this helps,
Cheers,
Dan
highsierran@webshots.com