I have looked at the:
Sony A560
Sony A390
Sony Alpha SLT-a35
Nikon D3100
Nikon D5100
Canon EOS Rebel T3
Olympus E-volt E620

With DSLR’s, it is the individual lenses and not the camera body that determine their usage. That is why a lot of photographers have 5-6+ different lenses. The "basic kit" lens (normally an 18-55mm) is a good lens to learn the camera with, and once you get to that point you will have an idea of what your next lens purchase will be.

As far as the camera itself goes…The "BEST" camera is the one that feels natural in your hands with controls/menu system that you can operate instinctively. If the camera feels "unnatural" to you and you have a hard time finding/operating the controls, you will miss shots because you are fumbling around with it.

Both Canon and Nikon make nice cameras. The best thing to do is visit an actual camera shop (not bestbuy/walmart) and try the different models within your budget to see which feels the best to you. I bought a Canon for its ergonomics/feel/menu and control layout and a fellow photog chose Nikon for the same reason….it is about personal preference.

The one thing to remember is to budget in extra money to cover an extra battery, memory cards, camera case, a USB memory card reader, and taxes (these can add another $200-$250 to the entry level camera price).

Also, most camera shops offer free beginner camera/photography classes (and free prints) when you buy a camera there.

So I’m looking for a beginner’s dslr, 10 MP and up, with relatively good reviews..ideally I would like one under 500, but I’m afraid that the ones i see aren’t very good..so i need some advice!

Thanks!

The best you can get for 600 canadian is Canon EOS Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
DIGIC III image processor provides fast, accurate image processing; Live View Function

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B001U88YW2?ie=UTF8&tag=beautblog-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=B001U88YW2

D3100 is great, T3 is a bit cheaper but with less features. Both are reliable and good, there is no better brand. Pentax’s K-r is also good, but the brand is a bit less popular (due to lower advertising).

Here’s a DSLR Buying Guide – http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2009/11/which-dslr-to-buy/

The t3i, in case you hadn’t noticed, is a dslr – fully controllable camera, it’s not a gimmick. It’s not loaded with "effects". These cameras are designed for serious photographers not snappers. They are designed to be under the photographer’s full control for lighting, exposure, shutter speed, ISO and other things.

If it’s effects junk you want buy a cheap point and shoot. If it’s serious photography you want and you’re willing to take the time to learn how to use such a camera the t3i will be excellent.

If i check best buy it just says the more expensive ones are better (obviously) And everyone has mixed feelings in customer reviews, so i want to hear personal experience from anyone else.

What is a good digital SLR camera (and im aware that pretty much all are good in quality, i mean with everything else, zoom, blur, flash, battery life, etc) that is not too expensive?
Ok a budget, perhaps at between $300 and $400

Canon Rebel XS camera is a beauty when it comes to introducing beginners into DSLRs. I have owned this camera for about 2 years and never had any problems with it. This camera only makes you more hungry to upgrade your gear once you really get into photography and are looking at full frame cameras. One of the upgrades I would recommend right away is getting a much better and sharper lens. Don’t get me wrong, the kit lens will work for couple months. A nifty fifty(50mm) lens, although plastic, will give the user a nice sharp image that one can be proud of. Overall this is a great DSLR and you get the bang for the buck.

However, if you’re not planning on buying any extra lenses, or just plan on buying the cheap (<$250) consumer lenses, look at a super-zoom non-dSLR digicam instead. You generally still get the "fancy" shooting modes of aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual as you would in any (d)SLR. SLRs are meant for people who are going to need to change lenses on a regular basis, and know why they need to change lenses (hint: it’s not just for focal length a.k.a. "zoom"). This will save you several hundred dollars, and you’ll probably be just as happy.

Also, dSLRs are really designed to require (yes, require) post-processing in Photoshop or equivalent. If you’re the type to take the memory card to Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Target, or wherever when it’s full and just print, you’re missing half of the equation that you need with a dSLR.

Of course, if you have your mind made up that you want (or need) a dSLR, I’d go with a Canon XT or XTi. The extra 2 Mpix of the XTi isn’t really all that necessary, and the older XT will save you some cash.

John (AKA the "Grumpy Photographer" as someone named me once)

However, if you’re not planning on buying any extra lenses, or just plan on buying the cheap (<$250) consumer lenses, look at a super-zoom non-dSLR digicam instead. You generally still get the "fancy" shooting modes of aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual as you would in any (d)SLR. SLRs are meant for people who are going to need to change lenses on a regular basis, and know why they need to change lenses (hint: it’s not just for focal length a.k.a. "zoom"). This will save you several hundred dollars, and you’ll probably be just as happy.

Also, dSLRs are really designed to require (yes, require) post-processing in Photoshop or equivalent. If you’re the type to take the memory card to Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Target, or wherever when it’s full and just print, you’re missing half of the equation that you need with a dSLR.

Of course, if you have your mind made up that you want (or need) a dSLR, I’d go with a Canon XT or XTi. The extra 2 Mpix of the XTi isn’t really all that necessary, and the older XT will save you some cash.

John (AKA the "Grumpy Photographer" as someone named me once)

Can you point me to any reviews of the camera?

Do you own it? If so, what do you think of it?

Thanks!

The camera is called the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10. Digital Photography Review has an in-depth preview of the camera, and is always a great site to start reading about new gear.

The DMC-L10 has not been released yet but, according to Amazon, should be available on November 20, 2007. I’ve been using its big brother, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1, for about a year and have been very happy with it. The Leica lens is very impressive, especially for a kit lens, and the image quality is excellent.

The new L10 beats the L1 in resolution, and the swivel LCD is a welcome new feature. As with the L1, the price is higher than you’d expect, but it’s likely to drop if you can wait a few months, and you do get the killer kit lens. Definitely check out the DPReview article for detailed specs et cetera.

What I’m looking for: Image quality is most important to me, followed by good features like colour accent mode, black and white, sepia and such. And (I forget what you call this), but I want to be able to take multiple photos within milliseconds.. shutter speed I think?

Anyway, yeah. Basically I’m looking for a nice, small digital SLR camera that has really professional image quality. preferably under ~ $900. Reviews would be great…thanks in advance!:)

well the Nikon D90 is a very good camera (it’s not necessarily a beginner camera) but it is selling new for around $900.

it’s less than 2 pounds (25.2 ounces) which is very light for such a high end camera

thanks

Best Buy has a great selection of SLR cameras. Check out the website too…they have a lot of sales that are offered on the websites and not in stores. It’s always good to compare them both.

I would also recommend trying www.craigslist.com it’s a great way to search for cameras that people are trying to sell in your area, a lot of the time they are barley used and you can get great deals. You also have to meet with the people who are selling the items, that way you can probably test it out before you buy it.

I’ve used a version of this camera that is a few years old and I loved it. It takes great quality photos and the lens it comes with is amazing. Depending on what your going to use the camera for, it would be good to buy additional lenses for it as well.