Give me the low down on current DSLR cams on the market?

I'm an all-round graphic designer and have lately gotten an interest in photography and film making. I heard that the Canon DSLRs produce both stunning video and photo quality, but Nikon has better photo quality. I checked up on the 7D and it runs into $2000+ and I'm just wondering what you're paying for.

I'm not planning to be a professional photographer or film maker, but I'm serious about utilizing these things into my profession as a graphic designer. Can I get a recommendation on what model would be suitable for me? I don't need the best of the best, but I want something decent for on-the-side film making (HD quality).

Any will do fine for photography, for video i'd get a D5100 or D7000.

Be aware that the expensive ones usually have the same image quality as the cheaper ones. Their price tag comes from a set of different features that cater to the needs of power users, such as better weather sealing for outdoor use or a crazy autofocus system for professional sports shooters and journalists where every missed shot means lost money.

E.g. The Canon T2i / 550D has the same sensor as the 7D. The Nikon D5100 has the same sensor as the $1300 D7000, which is better than the one of the $1500 D300s.

For video, the D5100 is currently the best affordable camera on the market. It has autofocus during recording video and, importantly, has an external mic jack. That's a huge issue as the autofocus is quite noisy if you use the internal microphone.

I'm also on the same boat. I'm also a graphic designer with experience of 10 years. I click lot of pixture with my compact camera. When i'm on holiday. Just now i have develop the interest of serious photography to enhance my profession and capability which may be use for my professionally growth.

I have alwanted to have SLR camera.bt earlier it used to be quite expensive.since the time has come now the camera are not so expensive now. And quality is same… I'm looking for Nikon D3100 as some professionals say. It is "cheap" and "entry level camera". I don't mind. In office we have canon 7D but I compared some pixs there's no different between cheap and entry level and professional when you click normal daily life pictures. If you dnt have skill you can't click good pix wheather you have 7D or D3100.

So I'm planning to buy D3100 soon…

The price difference is mostly related to Features and capabilities.

Full frame sensors [same size as 35mm Film] will yield higher resolution frames of subjects that fill the frame than DX sensors [ approximately 2/3 the dimensions of full frame for Nikon stuff]

if you don't fill the frame as often happens with Wildlife shots or candids of people DX generally results in better resolution of the image you end up with after cropping.

Final print size is relevant when large prints may be required; larger prints require greater resolution to maintain image quality. Many features of the really expensive Cameras simply may not be required by a large number of shooters. If you are never going to need or use Mirror Up Mode Depth of Field Preview, or 12 frames per second is there any point in paying for them?

The only real advice one should offer is this
Explore all the terminology until you understand it well
List the features you Need Features you Want and Features that might be nice to have

then consult the Specs posted at Makers websites to determine which models fit your Criteria

then make a decision

remember when most people recommend things they are basing their suggestion on their needs not yours what works for them is often irrelevant to others.

I have tried both Canon and Nikon and the truth is, both just works great. Although it has always been said that Canon is always better if you prefer taking photos of human subjects and Nikon more for products, sceneries and objects.

My suggestion would be, since you are only new in photography, choose what is just enough for your needs. It's always best to invest on the lenses rather on the body of the camera. Don't believe people when they tell and push to you that the more features and expensive a camera the better because if you don't need such features and you can't utilize it, you paid mostly for nothing.

The top choice for me is Canon 500D. It has a really good quality video, audio and pictures. But if you like a Nikon, Nikon D90 is my best bet. But Nikon is often heavier than Canon camera's. Go to the store and check the two cameras. Handle them and try them out. Which ever camera you feels most comfortable, then choose that one.