In the market for a nice new digital camera (SLR)...

[WTMindy]

What do I need to know? We are really novices in the camera department. Is there a website that compares different cameras? What is the best deals that you have found? What features are must-haves, and what features are only used by professional photographers (which we will never be!) Thanks is advance!

[fiddledeedee]

We are novices too, but after doing some research online, we went with the Nikon 40x, which is a 10.2 mp. If you go to Amazon.com you and look at a specific camera, there are a bunch of customer photos uploaded, right under the picture of the camera you want to look at. We not only read reviews, but we looked at pictures people had taken with the cameras we were looking at, to see if we liked the results. We felt that the Nikon's had the best color to them. We didn't have thousands to spend, so we went with a two lens package, the 18-55mm (short range/wide angle) and the 55-200mm(longer range), with the D40x. We picked up a few other accessories, like filters, a bag, screen protector, and a memory card, etc. With tax and everything, we spent maybe $1000 total. This camera is being discontinued, with the D60 coming out very soon, that will be more expensive. So we hurried to get it, and felt we got a good deal on the camera.

My DH has already taken over 300 pictures! It's a nice camera.

Oh, pick up a copy of Photoshop Elements 6 to help make your pictures perfect. It's software, we got it at Costco for $80.

HTH!
fiddledeedee

[theodwyn]

I love my Canon Digital Rebel XTi.

It has features to let a novice use it, but can progress on to the special features as you feel able. Costco has a pretty decent price, but the best prices I found were Beach Camera online.
Wendy

[Debbie in London]

I'm a Canon girl, myself.

Here are some good websites: http://www.dpreview.com/ http://www.steves-digicams.com/ http://www.luminous-landscape.com/

Here's where I make most of my purchases: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Debbie

[Jean in Wisc]

I love my Canon Digital Rebel XTi.

It has features to let a novice use it, but can progress on to the special features as you feel able. Costco has a pretty decent price, but the best prices I found were Beach Camera online.
Wendy

I've had my Canon Digital Rebel XTi for a few weeks now. I'm glad I took the step up from the Nikon 40X--I see that I'm going to enjoy the little gadgets that help me to take the picture "my way". I've a lot to learn, though. :D I'm waaaaaay far off from knowing what I'm talking about. LOL!

Things I remember (but don't rely on my memory--check it out on the internet and other users):

The Nikon 40X is made for the average non-professional who wants a step up from the point and shoot. The Nikon 80X does more, but it costs more, too--it is the lower end of someone serious with photography. Nikon has a great following and although they have higher end cameras, too, they have found their niche making a good camera for the non-professional. This is a great way to get more camera without spending quite as much money.

Canon's niche has been to stay on the edge of the new and innovative. The Canon Rebel XTi is the low end of the professional cameras. It can take the raw data of the picture allowing it to be reworked once you've put the data into the computer. I can't imagine I will ever do this, but this camera does give you more options in the future, should you decide you are interested. I'm quite sure the Nikon 40X does not do this--but I'd guess the 80X might...can't recall.

There are other brands out there, but when I went camera shopping, the Nikon and the Canon seemed to be the most popular--some stores ONLY had these two brands in stock (like my Best Buy).

I really liked the grip of my Rebel--when I hold it in my hands, it fits. This is important. Go in and play with a few cameras--you can eliminate those that simply do not feel comfortable in you hands. Point, aim, and shoot. Ask to look at the owner's manual and see if it looks readable. Google the cameras you are considering. Google "buying a camera." There are a lot of websites out there. I don't have them bookmarked anymore--sorry.

I read that there were some things the Nikon 40X could not do, but I'm fuzzy in remembering--is it that the lenses might not work with the higher end cameras should you decide to step up? Someone help me out here. If this is all the camera you think you will need, then that would not be as important.

Best Buy had a sale on Rebels when I purchased mine--I got it for a good price. Watch the sales...

:)

[~Tara~]

Ditto all Jean said. Really...you MUST go play with them. See what feels right and works for you. Repeatedly I fondled the Nikon D40 and the Canon equivalent. Repeatedly the Nikon spoke to me. It felt right in my hands. The controls seemed more logical to me. It just *fit* me. So, that's what I have.
You may find the Canon perfectly fits you :)