Kits just don't have the reach. And the Canon one is shash in my opinion.

She has taken a disliking to Nikon having played with a D3100. Shame, coz they're cheaper stuff seems better to me.

I think we're gonna go a little over budget and do this:

http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/canon-eos-650d-kit-18-135-stm-1013-p.asp

Thoughts? Seems like the best overall compromise to me. Bit of reach, decent AF, burst for ski/board, not the most expensive....

That's probably the one I'd get and the place I'd buy it from as well.

There's £50 cash back on the 60D at the minute.

Curveball. D7000. BOOM!

Just need to decide on the right lens combo. Thinking either 18-200 VRII, or DX 35mm f1.8 and 70-300 VR.

Ah, the more expensive option you mean?

D7000 doesn't have an articulating screen which is why I never went for it. But if I didn't require one, it'd be an attractive proposition. As it stands, I keep having to tear myself away from the 60D on the HDEW website and sit on my hands patiently for the 70D.

If you're breaking the £500-ish barrier and want a kit with reasonable reach the K5 has the same sensor with added WR for antics in the snow

http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/5494/Pentax-K5-with-18-135mm-WR-Lens---IN-STOCK-.html

I am starting to get the impression someone doesn't know what they actually want though

That's girls for you!

I drove her to Verona the other day and put a 5D III, D600, D7000 and 60D in her hands. Pentax have zero presence in this country. D7000 is in my opinion a storming deal at the moment AND the best crop sensor camera available, bar the 7D. Her hands liked it.

K5 is lush and would go on the list IF the DA WR 18-135 kit was cheaper AND there was better availability of lenses for more reach at reasonable prices.

She also played with a Samsung NX1000 and saw some M4/3s stuff and decided it was "for girls" and she wants a "big, manly camera with a proper grip"

I just can't get on with the Nikon UI.
Well seems you've narrowed the field somewhat!

Not fussed about an articulating screen as I use the viewfinder.

Ok, last chance to weigh in and help me decide.

18-200 VR for everything?
or
70-300 VR and then either an 18-55 VR kit, or 35mm prime?

She likes the width of my 15 kit and isn't keen on a prime, but I know the 35 is a superior lens to the kit and so is the 70-300. I went for 15-85 in Canon and haven't regretted it for a second as I think 55 is too short for everyday use, but that was £500 rather than £150. Is the normal 18-55 the better place to start for someone who hasn't ever had a "real" camera before?

My wife has bought a Samsung nx1000 with zoom lens and the flash. It's a very nice camera but there are a lot of features.


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It's an acquired tase, for sure.
I don't know of I like it so much as I'm just used to it now.

Mark