Hi Enterkey, thanks for your response, but I can't get to that page, (the link tells my work computer its 'advertising') what is the camera you're suggesting? I have a canon SD Powershot

laurenduvall said:Hi~ I've been trying to do the research to determine what and which camera to buy, but have given up. Can someone please just tell me what to purchase? hehhee

I am a happy user of a point and shoot camera, but I want better quality pictures. I am happy when I use a friends Nikon D40, the lack of live picture (or whatever its calleD) doesn't bother me.

I want
Good quality pictures (for normal prints, 4x6, 5x7s)
burst picture takign ability
not to ahve to switch lenses every time i take a picture
to be able to have the camera self focus
everything I need to take a picture to cost less than 650$

If I buy this Nikon P80 10.1mp will I be able to take it out of the box and take a picture with it, or will I need to buy a lense too?

That looks like its a "P"80, does that mean its not a DSLR?

help! thanks

P 80 is a point and shoot (no need to buy lens)
with "Powerful 27 to 486mm (35mm format equivalent) 18x optical Zoom-NIKKOR lens" built-in

ChinaRider said:If you don't want to change lenses, you should get a lense that covers somthing like 18 - 200mm instead of the 18 - 55mm that comes with the normal unit.
!

Thanks, What does the 18-55 mean? I see lenses for 55-200, what does that mean?

scratch that, I think I've got it. it looks like 18-55 would be for wide stuff, like landscapes, and 55-200 would be for portraits; so the 17-200 would be so I could take a picture of a landscape, then a portrait, without switching. I think i'll just be taking pictures of the baby, so I would want the 55-200 on, right?

atlanticfisherman said:P 80 is a point and shoot (no need to buy lens)
with "Powerful 27 to 486mm (35mm format equivalent) 18x optical Zoom-NIKKOR lens" built-in

So, If that has the ability to zoom from 27-486, why is it so much cheaper than the ones with the separate lenses?

will it not be as good picture quality?

(thanks everybody for your help!)

Thanks Everybody! I just bought the Nikon D40 from RitzCamera; i got the Nikkor 55-200MM VR lense also.

too much....

it was 810 total, but theres a printer with a 100$ rebate, so 710. (with tax and all that crap) I was actually pretty happy with the package from ritz, it was the cheapest I could find online, 599 for the d40 with the 2 lenses, the 18-55 and the 55-200; in the store I paid an extra 50 for the VR 55-200mm lense. it also came with a bag, a photo book, CDs, prints, and classes. I know the classes are probably silly to most people, but I think i might actually go, at least until i can turn it on by myself.

TXrex said:Instead of making a new thread, I'll ask my questions here.

I am thinking of buying a DSLR and it will be my first. Have always used point and shoot cameras before. I came down to 2 choices. Canon XSI or Canon 40D. The 40D is about 300 dollars more but I have heard it does a lot more. But I am a beginner to DSLR's and don't know if the extra bells and whistles will do me any good as a beginner. I don't mind the bigger size or weight.

Which one should I get? The XSI or 40D?I think you should spend as much time as you can looking around and reading this site That link takes you to the XSi page, but there are many many other pages crammed with info for you. In addition to that avalanche of information, the site has a helpful "ISO 12233 Resolution Chart crop sample comparison tool" (If I did this link correctly, it compares the XSi and the 40D).

I think Canon is a great choice in general, but for the extra money, I do not think that the 40D is worth it for you (based on the ridiculously small amount I know about you).

IMO (and many may disagree which is okay, too), spend the difference on lenses and you will notice more improvement than between bodies - that is, until you go to a full frame sensor camera (Canon's 5D or 1DS Mk II or III).

I also believe that - although better equipment is capable of producing better results - there is something to be said for learning within the limitations of a basic DSLR.

Finally, if nothing else, the 40D weighs almost twice what the XSi does.

Best of luck, and have fun no matter what you get.

laurenduvall said:too much....

it was 810 total, but theres a printer with a 100$ rebate, so 710. (with tax and all that crap) I was actually pretty happy with the package from ritz, it was the cheapest I could find online, 599 for the d40 with the 2 lenses, the 18-55 and the 55-200; in the store I paid an extra 50 for the VR 55-200mm lense. it also came with a bag, a photo book, CDs, prints, and classes. I know the classes are probably silly to most people, but I think i might actually go, at least until i can turn it on by myself.
Did you get a SD memory card as well? The kit doesn't come with one unless it clearly stated it did. I'd recommend getting a 1gb to 2gb card if it didn't - usually about $25.

Actually, Nikon is very well known for the quality of its high end lenses. Canon... erm... let's say it's like comparing a BMW to a Lexus. One is a wannabee, the other is the real thing.