Recommend me a DSLR Camera please

[matrixsc]

I currently have a Pentax Optio 330GS Digital Camera. But i'd like alot better camera for photo's at home with the family and holidays ( honeymoon next year)

I have little idea what i'm looking for i just know i want a bit more quailty than a point and click like i already have.

And to have some nice quailty photos.

Budget of around £500 pounds

Been told a Fuji 6500fd might be good for me?

Any help would be great please.


Thank you..

[Radiohead]

Well the Fuji isn't an SLR for a start....

Seriously though - £500 is just the start. It might be worth searching on previous threads as this question comes up almost daily. To precis:

D50, 350D, 400D, D80, lenses mutter mutter

[baldrick]

I would suggest that you can buy a very high quality compact camera if all you want is good photos. DSLRs are more work and far more expense!

If you really want to get into photography then look at DSLRs but if it's just the ability to snap high quality pictures then look to the top of the range compacts...

[neilmcl]

Originally Posted by baldrick

I would suggest that you can buy a very high quality compact camera if all you want is good photos. DSLRs are more work and far more expense!

If you really want to get into photography then look at DSLRs but if it's just the ability to snap high quality pictures then look to the top of the range compacts...

Something like the new Canon Powershot G7, for example.

[matrixsc]

Originally Posted by neilmcl

Something like the new Canon Powershot G7, for example.

Do you have any more examples for me please?
The reason i thought DSLR was because they have better lens to zoom in on things even the standard lens that they come with were better than the compact ones or am i wrong?

Thanks for the info so far.

[Wingless Garuda]

As you want a DSLR, here's my 2p worth. Lots of people here have the Nikon D50 (under £500) or the Canon 350D (more expensive). There are new models coming out though, the Nikon D80 (I think that it's approx £800 so over budget) and the Canon 400D (again over budget). The new cameras may result in lower prices for the D50 and 350D though. Both are quality DSLRs and other posts have mentioned that you should handle them in a shop to see if they suit you (eg the Canon is smaller than the Nikon).

Personally, I was going to get a super-zoom (ie not a DSLR) but decided that a DSLR was more flexible and was going for the Nikon until I heard about the Pentax K100D, which I got primarily for the anti-shake feature and the ability to use old Pentax lenses. I like it and am happy, but you may feel that the others are better (eg they probably have more new lenses available etc).

I don't think that you will be disappointed with any of them.

They all come in kit form and so it's pretty cost-effective to get the kit rather than get the DSLR body and a different lens, as the kit lens adds little to the cost.

Also have a look at http://www.dpreview.com and http://www.steves-digicams.com/

Both sites have camera reviews and forums. Hopefully someone else in avforums will give you more info.