DSLR OR POINT AND SHOOT?

Hi. I'm looking for a camera.
i'm having choice in point and shoot nikon L830 and dslr nikon d3100 or d40

i have read lot of reviews about nikon L830 and i'm little bit satisfied but the one issue is it uses alkaline battery. Where nowadays even digi cam comes with lithium battery.

if i go with dslr it is bit costly as in dslr cam every year new model exists and replaces the old one.
as i'm not professional one i adopt to be a photographer.

so i'm confused whether to buy point and shoot and can later buy a good one or
one dslr which i can use lifelong. So please help to take correct decision.

Take a look at the Fuji S-series. I think that should help you with the battery issue.

I figured I would buy one of those* and maybe graduate to a DSLR if someone in the camera club would sell a used one. I'm not interested in having a large selection of lenses, so I don't think it should be much of an issue. I would like to practice with one for a thousand shots or so before I decide to put more money into a DSLR.

I'm gonna watch this to see what others say though…

Take care

Unless the reviews you are reading are written by professional reviewers, the chances are that the person writing the review is 1) either unaware of the capabilities of those camera and call everything it does as awesome because the results are better than their mobile phone or 2) have unrealistic expectations of cameras and give you negative statements about the camera.

The first thing you need to know is that the L820 is a P&S camera and has a tiny sensor and can't use interchangeable lenses. The second is you need to know that the D3100 and D40 are both dSLR cameras and thus have huge sensors compared to any P&S camera, use interchangeable lenses and are fully adjustable.

The Nikon D3100 is a newer camera so has more advanced features than the D40 has.

That said, you really need to do some independent research probably by first visiting the NikonUSA.com website and comparing those three cameras.

If it were up to me, I would buy the D3100 and start learning the fundamentals of photography with it

If you really want to learn about photography - don't get the L830. Its weakest points are:
- small 1/2.3" sensor
- low ISO capabilities
- _no_ aperture (it just uses an and filter instead)
- no manual modes (would be a bit useless anyways without the aperture)

You also don't need to get a DSLR right away. But there are some high-end compact cameras that will offer you a lot more options than the L830, in a smaller package than a full grown DSLR - albeit at a price approaching (and sometimes exceeding) that of a DSLR beginner's kit.
Then again, a decent DSLR will be ok for several years. Yes, there are new models every year - but the differences between this model and the next year's model are usually very small. And your old camera doesn't get any worse just because a new camera has come out.

If you want to look for a camera you can use to learn about photography, you'll need:
- large sensor (1/1.7", micro four thirds, APS-C are common sizes)
- full manual control

See e.g. Dpreview http://www.dpreview.com/...eview.com/ for an overview of cameras and some expert opinions on them.