[nikonuser11]

I saw some very useful posts here with similar questions but I wondered if it would be ok to post what I'm looking for for ME and maybe get a definitive answer as opposed to seeing the other posts answers which spawns more questions from me. Hope thats ok guys and gals

I have a point and press- told I take good pictures but I know better - I dont really understand all the settings to take a really good picture but I also dont want a basic point and press. I love taking landscapes and non-posed people shots, some landscapes have looked amazing to the naked eye but the picture looked basic (you'll know what I mean),I want to be able to enlarge my pictures for home framing and no PQ loss up to say A3 size if poss. I would like Canon or other well know reputable manufacturer. I also would like auto focus and great zoom and anti shake/blur etc etc, also like to future proof myself as much as possible
budget around £500?

advice greatly needed and appreciated

[markiii]

much the same boat as myself. I'd like a better quality glass, and a wide lens choice, but with some noddy modes to avoid me needign to get the manual out every time I use it.

Nikon D40 loosk like it will do the job, but I'm getting tempted by the new D90 as lens choice is better and cheaper

[Garf]

Originally Posted by markiii

much the same boat as myself. I'd like a better quality glass, and a wide lens choice, but with some noddy modes to avoid me needign to get the manual out every time I use it.

Nikon D40 loosk like it will do the job, but I'm getting tempted by the new D90 as lens choice is better and cheaper

The D40 actually has a decent selection of lenses available to it now - for most people's needs, it is pretty much catered for (still a lack of a cheap 50mm prime that will AF, but the recent 35mm prime looks pretty good and is fully compatible with the D40)

That said, the D90 does look like a cracking camera, and everyone I know with one speaks very highly of it..

[VinnyP!]

For £500 you'll struggle to get a great zoom and an SLR. You will be able to get an SLR and nice standard zoom. You will get a great bridge camera which will do a lot of what you ask. You lose out on low light performance, interchangeable lenses, speed of use and an optical viewfinder. You gain ease of use and a do-it all camera that is within your budget with a longer zoom range. The Canon SX1 IS would tick all your boxes and add High Def video as well.

[denno75uk]

I don't mean to sound unhelpful cherokee, but you haven't really stated much in your requirements that hasn't been touched upon in the countless other threads advising on a DSLR purchase that you've probably already looked at.
Any of the budget/mid range DSLRs on sale currently would likely do what you need them to. They'll all have enough resolution print quite happily up to A3, and image stabilisation can be had either in the lenses available (Canon/Nikon) or in the body itself (some Olympus/Sony). The zoom factor is taken care of in the lenses. A good quality telephoto lens to go with whichever kit lens you end up with, will set you back between £200 and £350.
As for future proofing, I wouldn't worry about that. For starters, it's nigh on impossible and secondly a camera that takes good photos now will still do so in years to come. My Canon 30D is a 3-4 year old model and still does the job nicely. Getting a model above those in the budget range may help stave off the need to upgrade simply by having more features. It could be said that a DSLR is the most future proof type of camera to get as you'll always be able to use the lenses you invest in, even if you upgrade the camera.
For your budget I'd take a look at the Canon 450D, Nikon D60, Sony A350 or the Olympus E-520. All very capable cameras that are around mid-range in spec. The Olympus and Sony have IS built in to the camera. The Canon has IS in the kit lens it comes with, as does the Nikon (called VR).
Fact is, there's no definitive answer to your question. All the current DSLRs are very capable and certainly a huge improvement over the point and shoot compacts you're used to. Sure there are things like availabilty and price of lenses/accessories to consider, but if a camera works for you then these things aren't a problem. Either personally or on here I know people using cameras from all the manufacturers and they pursue their hobby equally as well.
As often said, go and try to have a hold of the cameras you're considering as how it feels in your hands will likely make the biggest difference to your enjoyment in using it.
Also, when you get the camera, get a decent book on photography like this or this as these will help you get more out of your photographs than any amount of equipment.

[robjw]

I'd just get something like a Sony a200. You can save a bit by going 2nd hand. Even an a100 would be more than capable. Then you can get some second hand minolta lenses and get everything you need within your budget.

[Pirate!!]

Ahoy!

Anti shake in-body I assume you mean? Pentax, Olympus, Samsung and Sony have it and you'll do it within budget. There is one possible alternative. Take a gander at this.

Now there's a thought! It'll likely retail for circa £440.00, but you'll have to read the specs and reviews. Quite something!

[UrbanT]

If you buy a brand such as Samsung, you do get an awful lot of technology for your money.

I will mention it as I have one for sale in the classifieds, but the Samsung GX20 has a 14mp CMOS sensor, in body image stabilisation and dust removal system. Here's a video review from What Digital Camera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLSJhUwiMDQ

[Yandros]

To get anti-shake on all lenses, here are some of your options:

If you go Nikon...

Nikon D60+18-55VR £360
Nikon 70-300VR £352 (ouch those price rises are hurting!)
Total = £712

Canon...

Canon 1000D+18-55IS £342
Canon 70-300IS £388
Total= £730

Sony...

Sony A200+18-70+75-300 double lens kit - £379

If you get a non image stabilised long zoom for either Canon or Nikon, that'll bring the price down to £500ish, but I'd be temped to pay the extra for the added utility if you can run to it. The Canon and Nikons have better high ISO performance and build than the Sony, but you're obviously paying a premium for it.

[Damien]

what about considering the 55-250IS, can be had for under £200.

D

[LiMPiNg]

I saw the Nikon D60 with the 18-55mm VR lens at PC World in Harrogate for £299 today. Tack on the £30 cashback (valid till Mar 31) and it was £269. Not sure if it is that price everywhere though, as the website still shows it at £379.

[Noggin1980]

Originally Posted by Yandros

To get anti-shake on all lenses, here are some of your options:

....

Canon...

Canon 1000D+18-55IS £342
Canon 70-300IS £388
Total= £730

....

If you get a non image stabilised long zoom for either Canon or Nikon, that'll bring the price down to £500ish, but I'd be temped to pay the extra for the added utility if you can run to it. The Canon and Nikons have better high ISO performance and build than the Sony, but you're obviously paying a premium for it.

Or you can pay less and get a better camera and get the

Canon 450D + 18-55IS
Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS
for £636 from argos, jessops will price match and jessops will allow you to have a play with it first and be able to give advice on if its right for you.

Of course the zoom lense isn't as impressive as the one you listed but you get the better camera and its alot closer to budget.

I completely agree with you about making sure you buy the image stabalised lense, no point having extra zoom length if all your photos are blurry without a tripod.

We ummed and ahhed about buying a DSLR 2 years ago and decided they are too bulky and went for something in between and regreted it, we then brought the 450d last week and are absolutly amazed at the pictures. Pretty much every shot we've taken has come out well even in difficult conditions, low light or full zoom, before we'd have been throwing away 70% of photos in these conditions.

Of course you will also want a big memory card, camera bag etc so you will probably end up at around £700 if you went with this option.

Best bet is to go into a camera shop and have a play, undoubtably the quality benefits you get from a DSLR are worth it, but they arn't as convient as something small.

We found the canon to be the lightest, smallest and most comftable DSLR for my wife, she hated the feel of the sony and nikon.

[Yandros]

Fair point about the 55-250IS. In my defence I'm a Nikon fanboy, so not so familiar with the Canon lineup. Similarly, if you don't need 300mm, Nikon have a very economical 55-200mm VR.