So i Have Been Thinking About a DSLR

Well, i guess it had to happen sometime.  i have recently been considering getting a DLSR (camera if you didn't know).  Apparently i may be going on a cruise to Alaska (AK) in a few weeks. 

So why would i consider a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera?


Basically, i have a vintage 2003 Canon Powershot A70 (a whopping 3.2 mega pixels).  This trip to AK is probably going to be my last "real" vacation ever (come on end of the world).  So, i thought maybe i should get a slightly more capable camera.

Why DSLR instead of point and shoot or compact cameras?  Basically, i like to have a viewfinder available.  This seems to be a disappearing feature in most modern cameras.  The few cameras that do seem to have viewfinders (non-DLSRs) seem to be mostly extended range point and shoot - which typically are not well reviewed by customers.  i guess i kind of like the idea of manual focusing too.   

The first thing i noticed with DSLRs was the price.  They are kind of costly (even more so when you consider different lens permutations).  i guess it is not so bad when i consider that my current camera might have cost around $300.

So what cameras did i consider (albeit briefly) in my price range?
* Nikon D3100 - strongly leaning toward (at current price, above that - no)
* Nikon D5100
* Canon T3
* Canon T2i

To be honest the D5100 and T2i are probably above what i need, they were just on my list in case the camera i really wanted turned out to have really poor build quality.

So, i went into a camera store today - Wolf's Camera (part of the Ritz camera chain).  To get a feel for how the cameras felt in my hands.  i only really tried the T3 and the D3100.  The T3 had a smooth plastic casing that i didn't really like.  i had seen on some online reviews that the D3100 didn't have that great of build quality.  However, when i held it in my hands it felt solid.  The person at the store said that the D3100 is way better than the Canon T3.  i was strongly leaning toward the Nikon D3100 anyway. 

So, now comes the hard part... will i actually buy the camera?  Well, i would kind of like to.  However, the problem is that i would have to pay in cash.  i am not sure i can get away with paying in $20 bills at most stores (that would be about 30 $20s or 38 if i got another lens at a $100 discount).

If i buy it here (and get the chance to get used to the camera), then i would have to find a way to take it home.  If i tried to wait, the price may increase (by up to $100).  i should probably mention that the sales tax here is 2-2.5% lower than it is at home (roughly a $10-15 difference). 

Edit/Post Script/Whatever: i have decided that i will not be buying a DSLR for the AK trip.