Best SLR camera (UK)?

Hi, I'm looking to buy an SLR camera, this is the first time I've baught one myself, but have used friends cameras. I have been looking at the Nikon D5000 (can be baught in a package deal with the 18-55mm VR Lens for £464) Is this a good camera to go for. I have been told nikons are the best, there certainly seems a big price difference between this and the other one I looked at, the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Digital Camera for £379!

I'd use the camera for the simple use of high quality photos, absract photography I'm interested in and I'm also looking to take part in a photography course in my spare time. Is this camera more for professionals? The nikon looks pretty user friendly but is it worth paying that much for a few extra gadgets that I may not even use? Would you recommend any other cameras?

Actually the new Nikon D3100 is the new camera that will be eventually replacing the D5000.

http://www.europe-nikon.com/...umer/d3100

The Canon SX30 is NOT a dSLR at all. It is a more sophisticated P&S camera so has a much smaller sensor (15 times smaller) than a dSLR and can't use interchangeable lenses

While the Nikon D5000 and D3100 can produce professional quality images, the professional Nikon's are the D3X, D3s and D3 series cameras. They cost up to 10 times what the entry level cameras like the D3100 cost and the D3 cameras come without a lens

I would consider Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Digital Camera
35x ultra wide-angle (24-840 mm) optical zoom lens for Canon quality telephoto images
Outstanding hand-shake correction with 4.5-stop optical Image Stabilizer
14.1 Megapixels for high detail shots
6.8 cm (2.7 Inch) vari-angle PureColor II VA LCD, plus electronic viewfinder

http://www.amazon.co.uk/...0042RUAQ6/

http://rover.ebay.com/...26_rdc%3d1

Canon SX30 is a great camera but its not a DSLR. It has a smaller censor ( so less image quality than a DSLR ) But It has a greta Ultra zoom lens. Also you can try the older version which is SX20 because its £284.98.

But if you are looking for a DSLR then Nikon D5000 is better choice which you get with 18-55mm kit lens but there's Nikon D3000 which is only £339.00 and its latest version Nikon D3100 which is £499.00. Buying a DSLR is great but there are always other costs like batteries are expensive and everything else.