Seeking first entry level dslr camera advice (novice)?

I looked around for quite a bit. And even looked into the newer more compact mirrorless cameras. In the end, I still went back to Nikon or Canon. And after looking through them, I liked Canon's UI more. So I was considering the Rebel series. Like the T2i, T3, T3i, T4i, T5i, or the latest one SL1.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but other than T3, the core of the other Rebels are the same. If additional features/functions aren't that important to me, would grabbing the cheapest one (T2i) be good enough to play with for a few years? Like to get to learn photography on my own. The only thing stopping me is the typical saying, "You want to get newer models because they will be obsolete in a few years since new models are always coming out every year or bi-annually."

And possibly eventually get a better camera later on, whenever that may be.

So what's your thought?

I shoot Canon gear and it's the only brand I recommend. I have a t1i and an XS, both older models now but so what? Newer models don't impress me much when I'm getting good results from the gear I have. Just because it's no longer made, again so what.

The "core" as you call it is basically the same on all dslr cameras, the prism, mirror and shutter assembly… All that stuff is basically the same. What's different about them are some features and a higher mp count - which to a good photographer, doesn't really mean much. It's more about skill, knowledge and lenses rather than a high mp count.

Most of us regulars here would probably recommend the t3.It's Canon's most basic dslr, is priced at only $500, shoots 720 HD video which I find works very well even on my 62" HD TV.

Of course the choice is yours. Speaking of obsolete, that's the camera companies marketing to us. There are photographers out there shooting 6-year old digital slr cameras with a shutter count of several hundred thousand. It's not about the newest gear, it's about what you can do with the gear you have.

Canon have been trotting out the same old sensor for donkey's, and Nikon have that little problem with AF/AF-S lenses. While good, neither is perfect.

Sony inherited the expertise of Minolta (first multimode SLR and first AF SLR) and their SLTs are better for video than either. They also make the sensors for Nikon and Pentax.

Pentax developed the first Japanese SLR, perfected the instant-return mirror and pioneered TTL metering. Their MF lenses fit (and meter on) their DSLR bodies.

Whether a camera works or not, is far more important than when it was released, and the choice is truly down to personal preference - work out a budget, talk to a dealer and handle a couple of suitable candidates (don't buy used without a warranty), choosing the one that feels best in your hands.

YOU will be shooting with it, so it's YOUR opinion that matters.

I bought a Canon 350d 6 1/2 years ago. I was a hobby photographer then. 2 years ago I started my photography business still using my 350d. Sure I'd like a newer camera, probably the 7d for children's photography but I don't NEED it. My point is that even the 350d has all the custom settings you'll need to practice your skills on. My advice: Go for an affordable Canon EOS series and buy the best lens you can afford with it.

The three comments here are top quality answers from people who 'know their stuff', I couldn't add anything to their advice - I can only compliment it!

My mates got a better camera than me, unfortunately it sits in a 'display cabinet' most of the year, the best camera I've got - is the one that's about to fire off a shot (and it lives in my rucksack).