I'm looking to buy my first SLR camera which ones are good?

I've had many regular digital cameras and now I'm ready to move onto a digital SLR. I'm not quite sure which one would be good for me. I've been looking at Nikon and Canon and so far from my research I like the Canon Rebel XSi.

I want to use my camera to capture moments in my life, such as taking good quality pictures of my 1 1/2 year old nephew, friends at gatherings, family at family gatherings, food, landscape, and places I go/ visit with my boyfriend. I just want a awesome picture where I can eventually hang pictures around my house and enjoy my photos. I eventually want to make it a hobby of mine.

If anyone can help that would be so helpful! Please and thank you.

A good first DSLR is a Canon T3i or Nikon D3100. Something like that. If you have more money buy a better lens than what the camera comes with. You may even consider buying the body only and getting a $500-1000 dollar lens to start out with. Something like a 50mm F1.4 or 15-85mm (Canons) Nikon has similar lenses. I like Canon because they have good cameras and the used lenses are easier to find if you want to buy or sell your gear to move up. Good luck to you.

PS… I have been into photography for years and currently have a Canon 7D and 5 lenses and a whole lot of accessories. (about 7000 worth of stuff… It can get expensive but you can do it for cheap if you just GET A GOOD LENS)

Either the Canon Rebel XSi or the Nikon D3100 would be great for your needs.
http://www.dpreview.com/...oneos450d/
http://www.dpreview.com/...ikond3100/

Both are easy to use with simple auto modes for beginners, but also can grow with you as you learn to make more creative settings.

Before settling on either, I'd suggest handling the cameras and seeing which one feels "right" for you. Check the size, handling, controls, and user menus. It's like test-driving a car. You want one that won't get in your way, when the creative moment occurs. Either camera is capable of giving you amazing photos and capturing those memories you will cherish.

Here's some sample photos from each. Just use the drop-down Now Showing menu for standard photo types or use the Search box for specific subjects of interest.

Before anyone can advise you they need to know how much you have to invest. If you want ''good quality'' and ''awesome'' photos its going to cost you. You can of course buy the cheapest prime in the Canon lineup, the 50f1.8 II and the cheapest zoom, the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and they maybe enough for you. But if you want ''awesome'' you're going to have to spend considerably more. What I've found since I got into DSLR photography is its not so much the cameras and lenses, its the accessories that cost the money. That's where the biggest profit margins are made. I've got Hoya filters that cost more than the 50f1.8 II and the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS combined.

Oh what fun Canon EOS Rebel T3i camera has been! This was such a splurge for me & I don't regret any of it! I'm just a normal girl, no experience in photography, and this takes professional photos (ON AUTO!) I can't say enough great things about this! The video quality feels like you are there, the swivel screen is great! The options are endless on this! You will not regret this purchase-promise! You can adjust autofocus while shooting by pressing the shutter button or the AF button, but it may have a less than desired looking result and unless you are using an external microphone, the autofocusing sound will be picked up. The T3i has the digital zoom feature in video, which allows for nice smooth zooms while filming.