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

http://www.pentax.jp/english/support/digital/20060907e3.html

I just updated my K20Ds firmware, my first for any DSLR, without any problems. Just follow the instructions to the letter and you should do fine.

http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.adorama.com/

"Which one is better?" — I’ll have to say the Nikon D300 is better. It has faster auto-focus, significantly higher resolution screen, better image quality, much more lenses available, significantly more cross-type focus points, weather sealed, significantly more dynamic range, significantly larger sensor, more focus points, better color depth, has an optical viewfinder, shoots slightly faster and has faster max shutter speed. The disadvantages i see here is it doesn’t shoot movies and is more expensive compared to the Lumix G3.

I found this link where you can read the user review for Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera:

http://www.amazon.com/review/R35ZMUOTC2BREU/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R35ZMUOTC2BREU&tag=famavca-20

You can buy it online from this link below:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D300-12-3MP-Digital-Camera/dp/B000VJX7DW/ref=cm_rdp_product&tag=famavca-20

But since you seem concerned about the video feature, i’d say you should go with Panasonic Lumix G3. I found a link where you can read a user review for it:

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1HUNASKHD51MO/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R1HUNASKHD51MO&tag=famavca-20

I also found a link where you can buy it:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Four-Thirds-Interchangeable-Free-Angle-Touch-Screen/dp/B005058BTW/ref=cm_rdp_product&tag=famavca-20

I hope this helps you make your choice.

The d3100 and the d3000 are pretty similar. The d3100 is a bit newer and can also take HD video. The d3100 is the d3000’s slightly "older brother." Not a big difference between the two. The largest difference is the video.

I would personally recommend the d5000 or the d90. They have both been discontinued but you can still buy them. The d90 is considered a semi-pro camera, while the d3000, d3100, and d5000 are entry-level cameras. You can get the d90 for about $900 with a kit lens, which is a very reasonable price for all it can do. The d5000 runs for about $650, I believe.

Thanks.

I am still using Nikon lenses from the 70’s with my Nikon digitals. So probably yes you can use them with Nikon DSLR. Non-AI, Pre-AI (also called NAI are the original Nikon F bayonet lens mount and lenses introduced in 1959 for the Nikon F camera) will not mount on some DSLR. On others it may mount but not meter. On AI converted lenes it will mount but may not meter on all Nikon DSLR. An AI ( circa 1977) lens will work.You may not be able to use all the functions with the lens depending on what series lens it is, some Nikon DSLR do not have autofocus motors in the body.. . AF, AF-D, AF-S, AF-I, VR and G will work ( AF and AF-D will not auto-focus on D-40s or D-60s)
There is a really good chart on lens compatability here

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

You wouldn’t be able to use lenses from an EOS digital SLR on an EOS film SLR, though… they are EF-S lenses and have an extra piece that the EF mount doesn’t have.