Which DSLR camera's of Nikon and Canon have auto focus with in the camera Body?

I'm planning to buy an entry level DSLR like Nikon D3100 or Canon 1100D with a telephoto zoom lens. But I'm stuck hearing that all the Nikon dslr's don't have the focus motor with the body, hence the Lens would be expensive! Also, I heard that all canon DSLRs come with built in motor. Please shed some light on this matter. The more the answer gets explanatory the better as I'm new to this field!

Most all dslr cameras take lenses that have their own focus motors. Actually that's a lot better because it means you won't be wearing out an in-body focus motor… And given that you probably won't be using the same lens all the time those motors should last quite some time.

Only the very cheapest Nikon dSLR models do not have the AF motor in the body. Some Nikon lenses have the AF motor in them so they will autofocus with those cheap Nikon dSLR's. You just have to be very careful in buying lenses for AF compatibility. Nikon did this to lower the price tag of their entry-level model cameras.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/...y-lens.htm

With other brands, it won't matter. If the lens is AF it will autofocus. If the lens does not have AF then it will not autofocus. For Pentax, if the lens is manual focus, there's a focus indicator that lights up when the subject comes to focus while you manually turn the focus ring on the lens.

Canon has never had a focusing motor in their camera bodies. Its always been in the lens.

Nikon models from the D90 up (D7000, 700, 800, 300S, 3, 3x, 3s, 4) have a focusing motor in the camera body. The D3000, 3100, 3200, 5100, 5200 all require the AF-S lenses with an in-lens focusing motor.

First of all 1100D is a very basic camera. Don't consider it. Try 550D, if your budget permit.

In Nikon, cameras below than D90 don't have auto focus motor i.e D3000 / D3100 / D3200 (newly launched) and D5100.

For these 4 cameras, which are entry level camera, you will need AF-S lens. If you are looking for standard zoom lens i.e. 55-200mm, you can get this: AF-S 55-200mm VR which MRP is 14, 000 (At local shop it is available between 10-12K. Since in Canon 55-250mm will cost your around 16, 000 (note: here you will get 50mm extra).

Cost of Nikon 55-300mm (Auto focus) is Rs. 20, 000/-

If you want Prime lens in Nikon i.e. 35mm f/1.8G (with auto focus motor) - it will cost you around 12-13K while in Canon - EF50mm f/1.8 II cost you 6-7K.

Nikon's AF lenses (without auto focus motor) are much cheaper than AF-S (with auto focus motor).So if you think you can handle the focus manually, buy AF lenses. Old timer photographer or experienced photographer focus manually.

If you buy a D3100, D3200, D5100, etc you should stick to the consumer grade AF-S lenses, as they all have internal focus motors. There are plenty of these lenses, so you should not feel you are not able to get the lens you want.

If you want pro-grade AF lenses on a budget, then buy an advanced amateur Nikon, such as a D7000. Many serious photography hobbyists go this route as they can get professional glass less expensive than the latest AF-S professional lenses. This is less expensive than buying the latest pro glass from Nikon (or even Canon if you own Canon gear).

If you want pro-grade AF-S lenses, then you can afford any camera you want.

So the only real issue with an entry level camera lacking a focus motor is if you want to use the older professional-grade AF lenses. That Nikon continues to make these lenses for the budget minded photographers, and to maintain a degree of backward-compatibility. This should be seen as an advantage, but some have twisted it into a liability.

Of course when Canon went to focus motor lenses, they just made all of the older lenses obsolete, and you could not use them on a newer Canon, autofocus or not. If you owned any of these lenses, you were out a lot of money.