Looking to upgrade from a standard point and shoot camera to a good DSLR?

I'm doing some research into buying a good DSLR camera with some lenses. I have been looking at the Nikon D5300 and Nikon D7100.

The main purpose of the camera is that i want to be able to take great photos of my family and upcoming family events, and then use these photos to print and display.

Question is, what is a decent camera to purchase, and what lense(s) would you recommend buying, as from what i have read, the kit lenses are perhaps not that good and i would be better off buying the stand alone camera and adding lenses to it.

I do also plan on taking a photography course so i can understand the functions of the camera much better, so would like to make sure i buy a decent quality camera.

Would love to hear peoples comments.

I think it is a disadvantage these days to not have an articulating LCD so the Nikon D5300 should be ideal. Just stay with the Nikon lenses that were designed for that class of camera.

The Canon 70D (same class as Nikon D7100) has an articulating LCD. It should be noted that theese mid range cameras are more robust, quicker to operate, and have much better viewfinders.

Get a Sony SLT A65 or A77 if video control while shooting is particularly important.

The practical things that the D7100 has over the D5300 is the weather sealing and an internal focus motor that lets it use any of the Nikon lenses. A couple of things the D5300 has that the D7100 doesn't is an internal GPS and the flip screen.

The D7100 does have some photographic advantages, such as more focal points and more cross-type focal points, faster continuous shooting and faster shutter speed.

The D7100 will allow you to use less expensive Nikkor AF lenses since it has an in-camera auto-focus motor, however the AF-S Nikkor lenses do focus faster one the D7100 and will work just fine on the D5300

The 18-55 mm lens that comes with the D5300 is just the lens you need while learning how to use a fully adjustable camera.

What you have actually read is that the kit lens is not as "fast" as a similar lens like the 17-55 mm f/2.8 lens, but you will be paying a whole lot more. The 18-55 mm lens comes with the D5300, the 17-55 mm f/2.8 costs an additional $1,540. Those who poo-poo kit lenses are either not thinking about the cost of other lenses or are just lens snobs.

The 18-55 mm lens will allow you to learn how to use a fully adjustable camera, while shooting landscapes, group shots, full body shots and head and shoulder portraits.

Until you have about two or three years experience using a new dSLR, you will never see the difference between the $200 18-55 mm lens and the $1,540 17-55 mm lens. Do you really need to take the advice of people willing to spend YOUR money?

After you have spent the time in a photo class, you will discover what other lenses you may want to buy.

Usually a person will want either a super wide angle zoom for shooting amazing landscapes, but will cost you just under $900. Or they will want a lens like the 55-200 mm or 70-300 mm for shooting sports, action and some wildlife. The third lens choice will include a Macro lens like the 60 mm f/2.8 or 105 mm f/2.8

There's plenty of time for you to decide this after you have finished your classes in photography and have learned how to use your camera intuitively.

ANY DSLR will serve you well, and the 18-55mm standard zoom is the best place to start. Don't bother about other lenses until you build up the skill and experience to use them.

It should be noted that the Pentax K-30 does everything the D7100 does (Pentax were making SLRs while Nikon (and Canon) were copying German rangefinders), at the cost of the D5300.

Find a dealer and look at what Sony (better video - they also provide sensors to Pentax and Nikon), Canon, Pentax and Nikon have to offer, and choose the one that feels best in your hands.

Thanks everyone for your responses, i appreciate the advice in relation to cameras and lenses. Will keep it simple to start and then add more lenses later. Time to go shopping now.

You could go with the D5300 and spend money on good lenses. These two cameras have the same sensor, same AF system, but the D7100 is bigger, heavier and better built.

Here's a DSLR Buying Guide - http://www.smashingcamera.com/which-dslr-camera-to-buy/