tomfr Loc: Brevard N.C.

If you live within driving distance of a camera shop(few and far between) they are your best bet. They will be more costly, but, the price is well worth it, to make a reasonable decision. Hands on experience, is worth more than all the opinions you could ever get on line. All the input you receive on line, will only add to your confusion. If there is a camera club in your area, try going to one of their meetings, it is my experience, guests are always welcome.
. Remember, there are other camera manufacturers other than Canon and Nikon

tomfr

Chuy Loc: OUT OF TOWN

Good advice squirrel. Im amazed at some of the things i just read. you are on a very tight budget so take your time. At your price range all the cams. will work for you. At this point the feel of the camera in your hands is the most important thing, If you get the bug like alot of us crases out here this wont be your last camera any way. ps learning on your own can be fun and it will save you money. happy shooting.

molsonice Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Ok I have read almost all the recommendations and all I can tell you is go with a camera that has interchangeable lenses and one you can affort for now and build on it. As you grow your first camera will become your back up and the new one your main. Also like everybody said it is an expensive hobby and some photography cleasses are necessary if you are just getting started. Remember always have your camera/s handy for that once in a lifetime shot.
Best of luck.

ltruex Loc: Waco TX

If your incline towards the heavier, dslr with exchangeable lens Canon is a good brand with plenty of room for expansion, but seeing you love Landscape, I would ask you consider looking into camera reviews online with such sites as Digilloyd who will offer comparison reviews and tell of flaws. By example my favored camera is Canon (it applies with most work I do), but Nikon doesn't shift colors where Canon does, and for your work with people and landscape that should be taken into consideration...It's a software problem that also contributes to smudge focus in landscape shots...not a problem with Nikon and hope Canon will someday offer to correct this software issue. You will like Nikor lens quality and crisp focus. :thumbup: L3

lorvey Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

You may want to look at some Sony models.

Chuy Loc: OUT OF TOWN

You can get the feel at the camera shop,but you will feel it in your wallet as well.

Photog

The quality issue is largely based on ones personal experiences or the experiences others share with us. Cannon and Nikon are both excellent. Although, from what I see, Nikon rules the pro market. The 2012 Consumer Reports lists Panosonic with the fewest repairs based upon their reviews with Nikon and Cannon close behind.

The suggestion to visit a good camera store or find a local photo group near you are great ideas. Equipment matters but practice and sharing with others makes us better shooters.

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

canon vs nikon, mac vs pc, ford vs chevy........it's all ridiculous.

i shoot canon...and you know how that happened? i was at a camera shop in minneapolis and tried out both canon and nikon...they were both awesome...so i flipped a coin. did i buy the best? not really..they were all on an even par. bias towards a brand is just based on personal choice.

as far as a choice in your price range..i wouldn't be afraid of the nikon 3100 or canon t31..and i'm sure pentax and sony have models in that price range.

all the brands make fantastic cameras these days. i have a friend with a sony and he takes awesome pics. i have lots of friends with nikons and canons....none of us in the last 3 years have had to have any repairs.

it's funny how the majority of people get brand-prejudiced after they buy. whatever they buy is the best. my nikon is better than your canon, my mac is better than your pc, my ford is better than your chevy! just ridiculous.

i have never bought the "best"....just what i chose in the price range of funds i had at the time.

i do, however, have something that i consider the best...and that's my wife! we will celebrate 27 years on new years eve. all the rest of the camera and electronic stuff is just junk that is non important.

bhfranklin Loc: Boston Area / Cape Cod

why not also take a look at the Sony A55 (I believe it was a recent "Camera of the year " and supports all those Minolta Maxxim lenses. It also has IS in the body so you can get the less expensive quality lenses without IS. Just my newbie opinion but if your search here thare are lots of pro-sony discussions on this forum.

Chuy Loc: OUT OF TOWN

love the input

yaterman96 Loc: Southern North Carolina

Canon or nikon are both great cameras, but its the person behind the camera thats takes the picture.

nanasmiles Loc: LaFollette Tn

I like this approach as well, wish I had one close by, I have had to learn through different camera's, starting small and working up and learning as I go

MtnMan Loc: ID

I bought the Nikon D5100 from Costco. That kit included a 55-300mm lens, which you will like for animals.

It also has an 18-55mm, which you'll like for everything else.

Costco also had the Nikon D3100 in a kit for somewhat less but with a 55-200mm telephoto.

The D5100 is more sophisticated than the D3100, has a swival and better screen, and has the same sensor as the much more expensive D7000...but the above kit is about $1,000. You'll be happy with it for years to come.

You'll also be happy with the Canon's you mention...but check the lenses that come with the pacakage. They may matter most.

arteest Loc: Arizona since 2007

I was in the same boat. I went from a Nikon P90 to a Nikon D3000, used from B&H with the 18-55 lense, $369.00. Just got it and on my first shoot I realized I wanted more zoom, like the P90 so I found a used 55-200 for $115. on B&H. It was a comprimise but I'm happy and don't have a lot invested, just a lot for me. If this goes anywhere I can always upgrade. I'll be posting my first pics soon.

Canoe50d

I think you need to ask yourself what type of photographer do you wish to be. By that I mean is this a hobbie or are you really just wanting to hold onto memories with as little headache as possible. My G/F didn't want to many bottons..... on a camera and she found my T2i too much to learn. She just wanted to grab the moment. For xmas I picked up the Canon Powershot XS40HS, brand new. She loves it and so do I. It has the same processor as the big dog cameras, plenty of meg pix and many features to include full hd 1080 video. Flip out screen, full auto or manual settings. ISO is great and has built in I.S. The zoom is built in meaning you can't swap lenes and don't need to as it shoot very well from 24-840mm. I am blown away at the zoom. The pictures are great and it's all for less then $400. Check it out. I have owned Canon for years, can't talk down about Nikon for i have NOT even held one. Hope that helps.