Best value SLR Digital Camera?

I'm wanting to purchase a SONY or Nikon SLR Camera but I'm not which brand is better. I'm not a professional so cameras that are over $550 are out of my league.

Do you know any good SLR camera that are very good and are below $550? It doesn't matter if it's SONY or Nikon but preferably those brands. (I heard Sony is very nice)

Sony is just a baby in DSLR compared to Canon and Nikon so ditch the idea of getting Sony, get from the brand that has long history and lots of quality lens and accessories. Don't be fooled into cheap price and more feature marketing gimmick set by Sony only to regret later when you find out that Sony doesn't have as much lens as Canon or Nikon.why? Coz Canon and Nikon has been in this business for more than 50 years, how abt Sony? Well just 4 or 5 years I think. People buy quality watches from a brand that has been making watches for generation like Rolex or Omega not Gucci or Prada. Those are for who don't know better.

Would you like to buy a Film SLR or a Digital SLR (DSLR).

Its going to run you at least $500 for a DSLR body alone, so you will need to save up for a few lenses.

My advice: Pick up a Nikon D3000 ($500-600) and a 35mm f1.8G lens ($200)

Sony is ridiculously innovative in their SLR lineup and out weight Canon and Nikon in terms of speed, FPS, video and they were the first to introduce a mirrorless camera. They are an excellent choice.

Canon and Nikon are dominant in the camera world so down the road you'll have more lens availability and third parties who make lenses with Canon/Nikon mounts.
Nikon has a better warranty and product support, Canon tends to be slightly more expensive but people buy them anyways due to the name.

In that price range you could afford a discontinued DSLR.
Entry level Nikon is around $700 including kit lens and Canon is around $800.
Sony also makes wonderful SLRS such as the A35, & 55.
They also make the NEX series which use a sensor that is APS-C sized (same as Canon/Nikon cropped sensor DSLRs) but it's about a 3rd of the size. They don't have too many lenses out just yet and they aren't cheap, (the 18-200 is around $1000) but the NEX-5 is a pocket sized unit with excellent image quality.

You're getting into an expensive habit as it is so perhaps look at an entry level Nikon such as the D3100 or D5100.

Look at the Nikon D3100 or the Canon T3 for excellent entry-level DSLR's. They both have high ratings, easy learner modes, and more settings for you as your skills grow.

Sony? They have nice specs, but as a sportsphotographer, I've never seen a Sony DSLR used by a pro on the sidelines, nor have I seen any around me when shooting photojournalism. They offer nice specs, but have no serious history, like Nikon & Canon. Their "new" translucent mirror technology was tried and abandoned by Canon in the 70's. That system steals 30% of the light from your image and diverts it to the lcd viewfinder. Frankly, every photographer wants 100% of the light for the best quality image.

Finally, look at the JD Powers Customer Satisfaction Survey for DSLR's. Notice that Canon & Nikon are definitely the cameras that satisfy their users the most. Then see where Sony rates - at the very bottom of the survey, well below the industry average.
http://businesscenter.jdpower.com/news/pressrelease.aspx?ID=2011105

DSLRs start at $500 so I'm pretty sure you can find one. Yes, Sony is very nice, Nikon is technical, Canon is popular, Pentax is best with backward compatibility while Sigma is the new kid on the black.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...rtclk=sort