I am looking at going into the digital SLR camera market to upgrade from my compact point and shoot digi camera - can anyone recommend a decent starter one that offers decent quality at an affordable price? I have been advised to try the Nikon D40 or D60 for starters.

I'm like you - a novice with the whole DSLR thing. All the advice I got was to go for the D60 - that was advice from a lot of people - novice and experts alike. Delighted with mine...

Canon EOS 450D if I had my time over again.

I have the 400, should have waited for the 450 to come out

I've just taken the same step ....

Many years ago I was a an early adopter of autofocus film SLR, Canon EOS 650. I defected to digital about 2000 and have had a series of digital compacts since then, however I recently took the plunge into DSLR with a Nikon D40.

I was working to a budget which is why I got the D40, if I'd opend the wallet a bit wider I would have gone for the D60. The D40 and D60 both get consistnetly good reviews. After shopping aorund I got a cracking deal on a D40 with two Nikon zoom lenses for £352. I have to say I'm chuffed to little mint balls with it!!!

A couple of points to bear in mind, apologies if you already know this. First don't get hung up on megapixels, a DSLR with a lower pixel count will give better result than a compact. Second when you are looking at the lens specification the focal lenghts quoted for DSLR have to be converted to get 35mm equivalent. For example the 18-55mm zoom on the D40 is the equivalent to a 27-83mm zoom on 35mm format. Its a bit strange because the specification for compact digital cameras usually do quote the 35mm equivalent, but for some reason they don't make the comparison with DSLR spec's. The conversion factor is quoted as 1.5 or 1.6 depending on where you look. My second lens is DSLR 55mm-200mm, equivalent to 83-300 in 35mm terms, that can be very useful!

The D40 is coming to the end of its time now so there may be even more good deals if price is an important factor for you. Stornoway Grey GS ... What a fine motor ... but not any more ... ... psst look at my gallery!
Company cars ... a thing of the past - May 2013.

I have the Nikon D40 which is excellent. But I agree that its being superseded now. But don't go for megapixels. The D40 has 6 meg, which is plenty. Most SLRs have at least 10 meg now, and some much more. Quality of lens and ease of use are far more important than number of pixels.

If you are not interested in changing lenses, then go for a hybrid. This falls between the compact and SLR, but without a changeable lens. Its very good for most amateurs and better price than SLR. I can't advise on any partcular makes or models.

I use a Nikon at work and at home and you can't go wrong.
Work it's great on manual with lights, and at home we have an old D50 that takes great picture even on Auto for the wife and all the kids shots. Spend any extra money you have on a good lens and you'll be set up for years.

Kind regards,
Dave

shilen,

There are many specialised photo forums to help you with this difficult decision and you can really spend hours and hours to find out what you should go for and I fear that the more you look around, the more you will become confused...
When last year I decided to switch from analog to digital, (I only had experience with a Fuji "bridge" camera), I was much attracted by the Sony alpha cameras with an atriculating LCD screen. Many people don't want this as it resembles too much the point and shoots but I found it very convenient to take pictures of mushrooms, easily distracted children or subjects hidden by the crowds.

You're looking for decent quality at an affordable price? Most of the pictures in my gallery are taken with a Sony Alpha 350. (not the "picos de europa" ones) allthough the resolution has been reduced.
Maybe not one of the most popular camera brands but certainly value for money.

Amazon currently have the D40 on offer for £246 which is only £50 more than I paid for my digi camera 2 yeara ago. The D60 is £400. I know that more pixels do not mean better images so the D40 seems to be the best option. (is there much other difference between the two?) One question for D40 owners, when taking photos does the 2.5" lcd screen act as a viewfinder as one reviewer on the website said it doesnt and that you have to use the small viewfinder to take photos - i find it hard to believe but if someone can put me straight it would be appreciated!

I'm sure that the D40 and D60 LCD screen cant be used as a viewfinder but I think the D90 can. You soon get used to looking through the viewfinder again - it's just like the old days!

Also consider the Pentax K200D. I was lucky enough to get one for my recent 50th and was trading up from a Fuji bridge camera, the S9500 (less scary and very competent) Nikon has the kudos for sure but the Pentax has two good lenses in the kit and the best bit, for our climate, has lots of water seals you won't find on cameras in this price range. Good luck and tell us where we can see some pics when your sorted.

As a for instance the Fuji took these:-

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

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i use the camera on my phone  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

npinks wrote:

i use the camera on my phone

avtur wrote:

Second when you are looking at the lens specification the focal lenghts quoted for DSLR have to be converted to get 35mm equivalent. For example the 18-55mm zoom on the D40 is the equivalent to a 27-83mm zoom on 35mm format. Its a bit strange because the specification for compact digital cameras usually do quote the 35mm equivalent, but for some reason they don't make the comparison with DSLR spec's. The conversion factor is quoted as 1.5 or 1.6 depending on where you look. My second lens is DSLR 55mm-200mm, equivalent to 83-300 in 35mm terms, that can be very useful!

shilen wrote:

One question for D40 owners, when taking photos does the 2.5" lcd screen act as a viewfinder as one reviewer on the website said it doesnt and that you have to use the small viewfinder to take photos - i find it hard to believe but if someone can put me straight it would be appreciated!

shilen wrote:

One question for D40 owners, when taking photos does the 2.5" lcd screen act as a viewfinder as one reviewer on the website said it doesnt .....

That is correct, all picutres are taken using the optical viewfinder (one feature I am soooo glad to get back to) The screen is used for displaying camera information and reviewing pictures once they've been taken.

I think the D60 gives more m'pixels and a dust reduction system ... Stornoway Grey GS ... What a fine motor ... but not any more ... ... psst look at my gallery!
Company cars ... a thing of the past - May 2013.

avtur wrote:

shilen wrote:

One question for D40 owners, when taking photos does the 2.5" lcd screen act as a viewfinder as one reviewer on the website said it doesnt .....

That is correct, all picutres are taken using the optical viewfinder (one feature I am soooo glad to get back to) The screen is used for displaying camera information and reviewing pictures once they've been taken.

I think the D60 gives more m'pixels and a dust reduction system ...

This is the reason I suggested the EOS 450 it does both...

BUT if all you want to consider is a Nikon