Canon T2i/T3i/T4i or RX100

What's the most I should pay for a T2i? (bundle & body only)

What's the most I should pay for a T3i? (bundle & body only)

What's the most I should pay for a T4i? (bundle & body only)

Or would I be better going for the RX100? (I know it's not a DSLR)

What I'll be using it for:
-Portrait shots (people)
-Scenery
-Some video recording (sparingly)
-Can be new or refurbished (don't mind refurbished at all actually since hopefully it's cheaper)

I'm asking the most I should pay since I see prices all over the boards and not too sure what's a good deal and what's not (never followed the pricing of DSLRs). All in all, looking for great deals on either!

Looking for less than $600/700 (if possible)

You need to go with a 7D, expect to pay around $1800 for that

Quote from Count_Chocula : You need to go with a 7D, expect to pay around $1800 for that

Your suggestion makes no sense. He said portraits and scenery--not action/wildlife. The advanced AF system is wasted on portraits/landscapes... and for those purposes, the T2i/T3i is just about as good (same sensor).

I'm not sure which planet you come from where the 7D is $1800. It has sold for $1100--brand new--from several retailers in the past. The current 2nd-hand price for a 7D is between $800-$850.

He may as well go with a T2i, but I'd just recommend picking up the original 5D--which can be had for around $500 now. It's great for landscapes/portraits. Remember, with landscapes, you typically want to go WIDE--APS-C has a 1.6x crop factor. Then you can sink $100-$200 into a decent video cam (5D) lacks video recording capability.

You do NOT need to go with a 7D. Telling someone that wants an introductory-level DSLR to get Canon's best non-full frame camera is heavyhanded trolling. And the 7D for $1,800 is highway robbery anyway, as B&H, Adorama, etc. all have it in the $1,400-$1,500 range.

As for shopping, just go to B&H and get the T3i. The T2i is old enough that it's no longer readily available, and if you don't know whether you need the T3i or T4i, get yourself the older/lesser model. It will work just as well for you, and you should spend the savings towards additional gear you're going to need with any camera setup. This is just over $630, but that's because it comes with lens:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/pro...gital.html
And if you click on "Click Here To Save $30 on Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 Software" just to the right of the photo of the camera, then you get Lightroom 4 for $90. It's Photoshop, so it is great for editing photos, and it also does things like tagging photos, importing and organizing photos, etc.

Thanks guys!

I'm versed in Photoshop/Illustrator (flyers, invitations, etc.), but never took the dive in photography, lol.

For a used T3i w/ EF-S 18-55mm IS II Lens Kit for $479.95....would that be a good price for a T3i? I only ask because I'm not too sure of the history of pricing (i.e. some tablets were $100-200ish cheaper during Christmas)

Quote from Requisite : Thanks guys! I'm versed in Photoshop/Illustrator (flyers, invitations, etc.), but never took the dive in photography, lol. For a used T3i w/ EF-S 18-55mm IS II Lens Kit for $479.95....would that be a good price for a T3i? I only ask because I'm not too sure of the history of pricing (i.e. some tablets were $100-200ish cheaper during Christmas)

Used or refurbished? If it's a refurbished then that's not a bad price.

I say 5D Mark III, no need to upgrade later on.

Quote from canonikon : I say 5D Mark III, no need to upgrade later on.

By that logic, everyone's first car should be a Ferrari.

Quote from shnitz : By that logic, everyone's first car should be a Ferrari.

I bought a Bentley, what's wrong with that?

Quote from Requisite : Thanks guys! I'm versed in Photoshop/Illustrator (flyers, invitations, etc.), but never took the dive in photography, lol. For a used T3i w/ EF-S 18-55mm IS II Lens Kit for $479.95....would that be a good price for a T3i? I only ask because I'm not too sure of the history of pricing (i.e. some tablets were $100-200ish cheaper during Christmas)

The 18-55 kit lens is junk, but for ~100 you can get the Canon EF 50 1.8 which is a good lens and great for portraits

Quote from jasonh328 : The 18-55 kit lens is junk, but for ~100 you can get the Canon EF 50 1.8 which is a good lens and great for portraits

First of all, the kit lens is not "junk." It doesn't matter where you look, while the build quality is not up to snuff, you are getting MUCH more than $100 worth of image quality.
http://www.lenstip.com/232.11-Len...mmary.html
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos...0d?start=1
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/sh...421/cat/11
http://www.flickr.com/groups/canon18-55is/pool/

Even border to border performance, good resolution, etc. It's not perfect, but you definitely get more than your money's worth. By all accounts, it's regarded as good enough. Plus, for a beginner, it's a great lens to learn on until he or she knows what to buy next.



Second of all, the 50mm f/1.8, while pretty optically impressive for its price, has bokeh that's downright atrocious for portraits. Once he is ready to step up, there are better options, as he deserves to buy a keeper lens. Also, the 50mm can't replace the 18-55mm, as it's too long for most shooting except portraits.

Quote from shnitz : First of all, the kit lens is not "junk." It doesn't matter where you look, while the build quality is not up to snuff, you are getting MUCH more than $100 worth of image quality. http://www.lenstip.com/232.11-Len...mmary.html http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos...0d?start=1 http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/sh...421/cat/11 http://www.flickr.com/groups/canon18-55is/pool/ Even border to border performance, good resolution, etc. It's not perfect, but you definitely get more than your money's worth. By all accounts, it's regarded as good enough. Plus, for a beginner, it's a great lens to learn on until he or she knows what to buy next. Second of all, the 50mm f/1.8, while pretty optically impressive for its price, has bokeh that's downright atrocious for portraits. Once he is ready to step up, there are better options, as he deserves to buy a keeper lens. Also, the 50mm can't replace the 18-55mm, as it's too long for most shooting except portraits.

I get nice bokeh from the 50 1.8, perhaps you have a bad copy?

Quote from jasonh328 : I get nice bokeh from the 50 1.8, perhaps you have a bad copy?

In addition to being able to sell your used lenses for as much as photography shops, you seem to also be encased in a physics-bending field. Feel free to type "Canon 50mm f/1.8 bokeh" and other creatively similar search terms into google, and read to your heart's content. Or look at those lens review sites I posted above, and navigate to the relevant lens review. You will find that YET AGAIN the entirety of the internet disagrees with you.

I still can't decide whether you're a troll or just completely ignorant.

Quote from shnitz : In addition to being able to sell your used lenses for as much as photography shops, you seem to also be encased in a physics-bending field. Feel free to type "Canon 50mm f/1.8 bokeh" and other creatively similar search terms into google, and read to your heart's content. Or look at those lens review sites I posted above, and navigate to the relevant lens review. You will find that YET AGAIN the entirety of the internet disagrees with you. I still can't decide whether you're a troll or just completely ignorant.

Unlike you, I can take good portraits with this lens. I am sorry to hear that you can't achieve similar results. Perhaps you should take some classes at your local community college. I don't see how being better than you at something would be make an "ignorant troll".

Here is one of many reviews that agree with my position:

http://thenewcamera.com/recommend...otography/

Maybe you should find a new hobby, as you obviously aren't cut out for photography.