Info on DSLR cameras anyone?

I'm getting one for christmas, a nikon one preferably.
i have been looking at them online and some of them take AA batteries,
i'd just prefer a battery pack one rather than invididual batteries.
what do you guys think on this?

You may rest easy

Only Pentax makes dSLR's that only use AA batteries.

All the rest use state of the art Li-ion batteries

Look closely at the Nikon D3100.It is the camera with the most bang for the buck

They are a waste of money since you can't effectively have a " digital single lens reflex camera" as there's no shutter to "reflex" you are looking at what the lens sees anyway with digital since the ccd sends its view to the screen, the cameras that take AA are a dead loss and are worse with NiMh rechargeables and only the lithium AA batteries give any life at all but are ridiculously expensive, even the lithium battery packs do not give very much life so it is essential to have a spare

What a load of nonsense here (fhotoace excluded)

First of all, DSLR still have shutters and they, fortunately, have optical viewfinders. An optical viewfinder is quicker, more response and more accurate than any digital.

As to the T2i promoter. The gizmodo article quoted (Gizmodo is a nice all purpose site but not especially knowledgeable on photography) is from may, several months before Nikon's D3100 came out. Now, I'll grant you, the T2i is still a very nice camera (if you can learn to work with the horrid interface of those rebels) but it has stiff competition from the nikon.

Compatibility, The baby nikons (anything below the D90) require a lens with a motor in the lens to autofocus (Nikon's AF-S, Sigma HSM and Tamron's BiM models) but all the other functions will work with any Autofocus lens ever made for Nikon. If you don't mind shooting full manual just about every Nikon lens ever made will work.\

The point made about growing into and learning a camera is valid for every brand. It takes some study and a lot of practice to master a DSLR and even more work to outgrow it.

Any of the cameras exc. Pentax use a pack and I'm constantly amazed at how many shots I get per charge even when shooting "heavy" (RAW + basic jpeg) with flash in big rooms. I bought but rarely use a backup battery.

I know your looking for a Nikon; but how about the Pentax K-r?

http://www.dpreview.com/.../pentaxkr/

(Going against what fhotoace said… )
"For those photographers who can't decide if they prefer AA batteries or a proprietary rechargeable battery as their camera's source of power the K-r offers both options. It comes with a rechargeable battery as standard but AA batteries can be used with the help of an optional adapter."

I know you said preferably Nikon, but perhaps you might consider the Canon Rebel T2i. It has been rated by SEVERAL sources as the best on the market for the money and what you get. It is still quite an expense for a beginner, but is a camera that will totally grow with you. In the beginning, you have fully auto capabilities and it still takes outstanding photos. But as you learn how to use the manual features (and I highly suggest that you do. There are plenty of free tips online) then you can still upgrade through new lenses, etc. - All of which will work with all Canon DSLRs. Before you buy Nikon, be sure to check their ability to grow with you - will all lenses fit the camera you choose to buy, etc? (my friend has a Nikon, I think a D300, and hers doesn't work with all nikon lenses.) Something to consider before spending that kind of money.

*updated* OK, since my (& all other) answers were called nonsense, for no particularly educated reason, here are some more articles to support what I said above. The Digital Rebels have been considered some of the top user-friendly DSLRs by SEVERAL sources. But the "this is nonsense" contributor is proving what I always say anyway - the Canon vs. Nikon debate is quite the controversial subject in the photography world. Google Canon vs. Nikon and you'll see what I mean. I do find it interesting that the nikon promoter would suggest that the d3100 is so much better than the T2i. While it is true that the d3100 is a challenger to the t2i, the t2i still edges out the d3100 in still photo abilities, and is FAR superior in video capabilities. And I must also correct said contributor: the d3100 is not fully functionable with older Nikon lenses. If you try to use a lens on the Nikon D3100 that does not include AF-I or AF-S (internal focusing motors) (which are very few) autofocus won't work - you'll have to focus manually. (digital-slr-guide.com)

Nevertheless, the debate will continue… And below, as promised, are a couple of updated and RECENT reviews.