[mike543]

i am going to upgrade from my powershot s40 to DSLR. I am totally new to dslr and do not know what to buy. I want to take some portrait shots of my pets(cats and dogs) to blow up for pictures for my wife to frame and also the capability to zoom into buildings for some architecture shots. i need something that i can use for all types of shooting to experiment. i know that £600 is entry, but there is so much to know that i need some expert advice on choosing the right camera to start with. The combination of body and lense or lenses i have read is important, but what is the best to go for, what type of lenses, best deals around.
here are some i have seen

http://www.jessops.com/Store/s29706/...tId=481&comp=n
http://www.jessops.com/Store/s2308/0...tId=481&comp=y
http://www.jessops.com/Store/s34867/...tId=481&comp=y
http://www.jessops.com/Store/s28045/...tId=481&comp=n

[Strobe]

I was in a similar dilema to you and went for the new Sony A100 DSLR. Much has been made of noise at high ISO but the magazine reviews seem to rate it favourably. I have not had any issues with it too date but then I am a complete amateur when it comes to anything manual. Having said that, the picture count with my Ixus is now over 20,000!!!
Jessops are doing the camera plus kit lens for £599.
http://www.jessops.com/Store/s35784/...tId=481&comp=y
The new Nikons/Cannons are probably a tad over your budget. My other option was the D50 but I liked the idea of the in-camera anti-shake, as it should make future lens purchases cheaper.
Trust this helps.

I too have bought the Sony. Only had it a couple of days, but I am very impressed so far. I got the twin lens kit from Jessops.

[mike543]

went for the nikon d70s in the end with a sigma 70 - 300 apo dg macro lens.

[petrolhead]

Now would be a good to look at the 350D as the 400D is iminent