http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012YA85A?ie=UTF8&tag=bestdeals-y-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0012YA85A

Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001XURPQS?ie=UTF8&tag=bestdeals-y-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001XURPQS

Actually, i think the MP don’t even really matter – the bigger the print, the farther away one tends to be when looking at it. So unless you intend to view it from the same distance at which you’d view a 25*15cm print, just have it printed as big as you like.

Also, any recommendations on cameras would be appreciated! I’m looking to stay under $1000 total for a kit.

Thanks

Either of those two models will work fine. If you don’t need video and want to get the most bang for your buck, go with the Rebel XS. I am not a big fan of the Rebel T1i as I think it and the 50D, which uses a similar imaging sensor, were rushed to market when Canon started loosing market share to Nikon. Canon got caught sleeping and seemingly went out of control trying to catch up to Nikon. They were onto something with the Rebel XSi but, then chose to market more and more megapixels instead. They seem to be back on track with the 7D and Rebel T2i but, respecting your budget, we’ll skip those models for now. To be honest, I think the Rebel XS is a better buy not just because it is cheaper than the T1i…I also think it offers better image quality than the T1i.

As for lenses, I strongly recommend sticking with Canon lenses. If you have to look outside the box, consider Tokina, Sigma or Tamron, in that order. For the moment, I’d say the EF-s 18-55mm IS kit lenses available with both Canon cameras you are considering is a good starting point. You might add the EF-s 55-250mm IS telephoto zoom to round out your kit for more distant subjects. You could also add the EF 50mm f/1.8 II prime for a "cheap" lens that actually offers very good results as a portrait lens as well as a lens for shooting in low-light. Beyond these basic lenses, I’d say take some time to master the camera and these basic focal lengths. In time, you’ll develop a sense of what you like to photograph and you’ll be in a better position to make your own decisions on more expensive lenses as your skills and knowledge improve.

The kit I described above (Rebel XS /w 18-55mm kit lens, 50mm f/1.8 prime, and 55-250mm telephoto zoom) should cover 98% of what most people will ever want to shoot. More importantly, it should easily fit within your $1000 budget with reputable online retailers like Adorama (http://www.adorama.com) or B&H Photo (http://www.bhphoto.com). Brick and mortor stores like Best Buy should be prices similarly. You should even have enough cash left over to buy a couple 2GB or 4GB SD cards, a card reader and a small bag which will have you out the door with pretty much everything you need to get started.

just YOUR opinion
cannon or nikon?
maybe even your opinion on a CERTAIN camera …
i like the cannon rebel!
or the nikon D5000

i am a beginner

I would recommend you Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera
# D-Movie Mode with sound; record 720p HD movie clips
# Live View with contrast-detect AF, face detection and subject tracking
# Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
# 11 AF points (with 3D tracking)
# IS0 200-3200 range (100-6400 expanded)
# 4 frames per second continuous shooting

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00267S7TQ?ie=UTF8&tag=bestdeals-y-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00267S7TQ

you can read the pros and cons for the camera here

http://www.best-discount-deals.com/1_4_buy-and-buy-compare-prices-Nikon-D5000-12-3-MP-DX-Digital-SLR-Camera-with-18-55mm-_100616448_018208254545_0.aspx

But along these lines, older DSLRs did not have live view; you had to look through the viewfinder to compose and the screen was only for menus and picture review.

Thanks in advance.

Trust me, you do not need (and probably do not want) 21 megapixels. For starters, they take up huge amounts of space on your cameras card and your computers harddrive. Secondly, they are almost completely unnecessary. I have a 5D mark II, and I wish it was 15MP instead of 21.

10 is a lot. DSLR’s give you better quality for your MP than point and shoots do. I have a 8×10 that was shot with a 4MP DSLR, and it’s beautiful.

There is one thing that affects your quality much more than MP, and thats your lenses. A 8MP camera with a nice ($1200) lens will take better pictures than a 21MP camera with a $300 lens. Lenses also don’t get outdated as fast, and they stay with you when you get a new body.

What I would suggest doing is getting the 1000D in the kit (it will come with a 18-55mm lens). It’s not a very good lens, but for hte $99 it tacks on to the price of the body alone, it’s hard to beat. Use it for a while, and decide, what do I want to do that this doesn’t? Do I want something has a wider field of view (get a canon 10-22 or similar), do I want something that can help me with taking photos of something far away (check out a telephoto lens, like the canon 70-300), do I want something to let me take better close up shots (canon 60mm macro is a good start).

Also, I would suggest getting the Canon 50mm f/1.8. It’s about $100, very sharp, and performs great in low light. Also very good for portraits. At $100 it can literally not be beat.

Just been looking at that one but don’t really know what im looking at or for! i have wanted a decent camera for a while and this one is in my price range, but you can get it with different size lenses etc and i dont know the difference!

Pretty much every site out there gives you different information on each camera!

Your help is much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

"Pretty much every site out there gives you different information on each camera!"

Do you think its any different here on YA? No two answers will be alike.

The standard kit lens is the 18-55. Some sellers create their own "bundles" adding to the standard equipment supplied with the Canon kit. Prices for these bundles will be all over the place depending on whats added and how obnoxiously the sellers overcharge. Many of the additions are cheap accessories you can get anywhere for less than what youre actually being charged in the bundle. Some of these prices look incredible because some sellers provide gray market cameras intended for sale in other countries. The warranty will be useless in your country and you will have to ship the camera overseas for repair or buy a service contract from the seller and ship it to them for repair. The seller bundles are why you see so many different lenses offered with the camera.

For safety buy the standard Canon kit camera with the 18-55 lens or if available the body only with the lens of your choice from a reputable seller. Add the lenses you want as your needs and interests change.

steve

What will NOT work are EF-S lenses on the 1D and 5D series Canon DSLR’s or Canon EOS 35 mm SLR’s

NONE of the Canon FD or older FL lenses are usable with the EOS cameras