Digital Camera for Christmas

For Christmas I want a digital camera, an SLR one. I'm only an amateur but I feel that I'm beyond compact cameras now. I'd really like a Canon or a Nikon, for under £500. What are the cheapest SLR cameras on the market? Best makes, etc

I have a sony alpha DSLR and it is brilliant, i would totally recommend it to anyone. You can put it into auto and just aim and click and get stunning pictures, or if you are ready for more, you can put it onto manual and adjust everything to your hearts content. And as you get better, you can invest in better lenses.
http://www.sony.co.uk/hub/dslr/dslr-slt-cameras/dslr

Argos are doing a good deal on Nikon D3000 until xmas. This is a good camera.

In the first place asking for a SLR is setting yourself up as a person knowing nothing and thus could be taken advantage of in a retail store, SLR refers to film cameras which are scarce or non-existant. DSLR refers to digital cameras. Best makes aside can't be considered as the bar has been raised in the last year with the new models coming out. They are mostly closer to the upper $500.00 mark or even into the $600.00 range. In US Dollars. What you need to do, is put in a few minutes in research. Such as checking each manufacturers website in your country and noting the entry level model and it's features. Also in the States we have large cameras shops on the east coast that are known for good prices (below retail). I'm going to list their web sites here in the hope they may aid you in finding the lowest price. After you determined models and price, you need to find these cameras in a retail establishment, to see how they feel in YOUR hands and easy they are for YOU to view through.

www.bhphotovideo.com 1-800-854-5575

www.adorama.com 1-800-223-2500

https://www.amazon.com/...mazon.com/

You can't go wrong with Nikon or Canon.

The Nikon d3000 or 3100 is a very good starter slr.

First avoid Sony Alphas they are for people who haven't done the research. Sony make really good camcorders but they went in to cameras half hearted and really took of. NIKON and Canon are both excellent brands and it is really whatever suits you best. The Canon 1100D is cheaper than the NIKON D3100 and on paper is worse. It really just depends on what you think is the better choice. Go out and try them both.

For me NIKON worked better than Canon. My D3100 has superb low light capabilities and superb ISO performance especially as it is bottom range model. I think NIKON do make better lenses than Canon but that is just my opinion.

I'm just recommending what I use because it is what I think is best. Canon owners would say the same about their cameras. You really can't go wrong with either, just go and try them out first.
Sony aren't that good in cameras but they make the best Camcorders(hands down).
Hope this helps
James

The Canon EOS 550D EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Kit would be a good choice right within your budget. It's a great beginner DSLR camera at reasonable price.

If you are willing to pay around £60 to £80 more, you can consider a higher level of Canon EOS 600D with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens Kit. By comparison to other beginner cameras, the Canon 600D is definitely better in image quality, Plenty of manual control via quick access buttons, and Easy live view & movie controls.