Help me find a good dslr camera for starters?

How to buy a DSLR

http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2009/03/which...

compare cameras

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp

ratings

http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/

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It is really difficult to choose between the D3100 and the D5000

here is the side by side

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/Nikond3100/

However, if you can afford, buy a D90 instead because it has a motor, and has more features.

In Canon the 50D has AF motor, but I don't know if the 60D has, I believe it has not.

I would consider Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera

*12.3-megapixel DX-format CMOS image sensor

*Outfit includes the 3x AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens with image stabilization

*D-Movie Mode with sound; record 720p HD movie clips

*Vari-angle color 2.7-inch LCD monitor; one-button Live View

I am purely an amature photographer, but I do have an eye for a great photo, so I wanted an easy to use camera that could "do it all." If truth be known, I bought this camera to take photos of my new GSP puppy as the point and shoot Nikon just didn't cut it with respect to the action shots, and neither did the expensive HD camcorder, so I was getting frustrated missing those perfect shots.

Right out of the box the D5000 couldn't have been easier to use, within minutes I was shooting away and getting awesome shots of the puppy. He's quick, so the shutter speed was important and it performed flawlessly in all light levels. I don't know who complained about the video function, but I thought it was exceptional for playing on my computer or uploading to YouTube or Facebook. It didn't look too bad on my 46" flatscreen either. The coloring of my puppy tends to pixilate most digital cameras but this didn't happen with the D5000, his ticking came out crisp and clear in either still or video mode. I just returned from a cruise to the Bahamas and took some incredible sunsets and beach shots with the aid of a polarizing filter. The VBR was invaluable for steading the shots especialy when taking photos of the evening stars, and you would never know they were taken from a ship during twilight.

I have small hands and the weight and grip of the D5000 was perfect. The only downside was I bought the kit with two lenses and a Nikon bag, unfortunately the bag was too small for both lenses to fit comfortably along with the filters and books. I ended up purchasing a Lowepro backback from Amazon which was very secure as it opened on the inside. Battery life was also amazing shooting over 1200 frames (including some with flash), but I didn't use the live view feature except for the video. I found the viewfinder to be large enough that I didn't need the live view for stills.

Overall I adore this camera. I was nervous about spending so much money on a DSLR, but I couldn't be happier with it's performance. Definitely buy te filters though, they make the end product all that more "professional" looking.

A teen I know just got a Lumix G10. Although its a compact system camera rather than fully-fledged DSLR it does offer full control and the ability to change lenses. It's small, lightweight, cheap and suits her very well. The lenses can be costly though which is a downside.

The D3000/D3100/D5000 from Nikon are good starter cameras and fairly compact as are the Canon 1000D/500D and Pentax K-x/K-r as well as the Sony Alpha offerings.

There is no 'one brand is best' in my opinion and you ought to visit a store and have a feel for the cameras yourself. Camera choice comes down to personal preference as much as anything else.

D40 is extremely affordable and really gets all you need done. But isn't fancy like the new stuff but arguably is better. Is also very very light.

If you can afford it D90 is an all-around amazing camera that you really won't have to replace for a very long time.

Your lens is more important than the body.

I started out with a D80, which was great and the D90 is just an extremely improved version of it.