if you can still find one anywhere, the Pentax K10D has been going for silly cheap prices since the K20D came out.

Some serious camera for the money, and the body has built in shake reduction so all lenses benefit from it regardless of how old they are.

Im not sure whether to opt for an D40 or a D60. What are the main differences between them?

As for carrying a bag around, when Im travelling I always have a bag with my iPod, book etc... in so size isnt an issue.

Quote from: FuMaNIm not sure whether to opt for an D40 or a D60. What are the main differences between them?

As for carrying a bag around, when Im travelling I always have a bag with my iPod, book etc... in so size isnt an issue.

D40

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/

D60

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond60/

You might also consider the D40X, produced just 4 months after the D40 it has 10 megapixels rather than the 6 of the D40.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40x/page27.asp

Compared side by side...

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=nikon_d40%2Cnikon_d40x%2Cnikon_d60&show=all

If you have money for a D60, then a better choice would be to get a D80.  Much more camera for your money.  D60 is more expensive as its a newer model and the improvements are not noticable for the price increase.  

I would go and get a D40 and have a little space for an additional lens.  The moment you buy a DSLR you quickly land up wanting to buy some lens.  

Either go D40 and get a 70-200 VR AF-S blah blah (can get the lens for about £120) and a D40 for £220 (give or take £5).

Or, go D80.

Main reason to go for a D80 would be that it has a motor inside the camera to drive any lens that are attached.  The D40/x/D60 you have to rely on lens with motors inside (this is not as big an issue as many point out).   Every lens on my want list actually has a motor in it already.  The only one that I have to manually focus with is a 50mm prime, although its not actually to much of a problem.  You can always get a 30mm prime.  Like with anything, there are pros and cons.  

I love my D40 and to be honest, will keep me going for many years.  As budget is tight, I much prefer to spend more on the lens than the camera, as if you upgrade you will keep you lens where the camera becomes void.

 

Quote from: mrtand get a 70-200 VR AF-S blah blah (can get the lens for about £120)

Might want to change that the 70-200 Vr is £1000+ unless you know somewhere that can get them for £120 in case tell me quick.

Im guessing he means the 55-200

http://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/p-nikon-55-200mm-vr-lens.htm

havent seen it as cheap as £120, but Im not ruling anything out (I dont tend to watch Nikon lens prices that closely).

N and C have started producing their cheapo lenses with stabilisation in the last few months to try and counter Sony and Pentaxs in body shake reduction. For me it doesnt quite cut the mustard, I like having SR capability with my 30 year old Carl Zeiss 35mm

Ive pondered today and might consider one of the Canon EOS cameras. I really cant decide. I know Ill need at least 2 different lenses for my holidays as Im going to Niagara Falls and New York City and possibly a decent flash for some night pics.

Ill probably end up getting here as I go away in 5 weeks and would like some time to get use to it.

Quote from: mrtThe Nikons are superior lenses by far, but if youre on a tight budget then the sigma isnt as bad as its meagre price-tag would suggest!

Ill qualify that - Sigma lenses are actually on a par with Nikon.  The reason theyre cheaper is because their quality control is less stringent.

Oh and dont fall for that megapixels crap - most of it is marketing hype.  Most mid-range and budget cameras take an image then upsample (enlarge) it by multiplying the pixels manyfold.  You may think youre getting 10MP but in fact youre only getting 2.5 (x4).
   

Oops my bad!  I did mean 55-200.  You can get them as cheap as £120 if you shop around.  A mate of mine just got one from Amazon as they had a deal on (just check and they are at £135, so have gone back up - recall ebay having a shop with some for the £120 mark).

Personally, if you bought a D40 (or D40x) and picked up at 10-20 Sigma Wide angle you would be an very very happy bunny!  Do a search for 10-20 on Flickr and it will give you an idea of how much fun you can have.  The 10-20 can be picked up for £250 from onestopdigital what with a D40 for ~£220, so under £500 for a nice little bundle.  I own a zoom lens too, but to be honest, very rarely use it.  Depends on what you are taking photos of, but I think for travelling/holidays the wide angle is a much better investment.

Quote from: EagleOh and dont fall for that megapixels crap - most of it is marketing hype.  Most mid-range and budget cameras take an image then upsample (enlarge) it by multiplying the pixels manyfold.  You may think youre getting 10MP but in fact youre only getting 2.5 (x4).
   

I agree with the first part, but no camera made by a reputable brand has ever upsampled in that way. The cheap and crappy ones used to, but even they seem to have stopped doing it for the most part.

The reason why 10mp in a compact is no better than 6 is because the lenses cant provide the resolution. In an SLR the lenses are better quality and the sensor is larger, so 10MP and even more is well worth it (although not necessarily a killer feature). I have 2 or 3 pro class lenses which easily out resolve the 10MP sensor in my K10D for example.

Quote from: FuMaNIve pondered today and might consider one of the Canon EOS cameras. I really cant decide. I know Ill need at least 2 different lenses for my holidays as Im going to Niagara Falls and New York City and possibly a decent flash for some night pics.

Ill probably end up getting here as I go away in 5 weeks and would like some time to get use to it.

If youre thinking about an SLR, dont be conned into thinking Canon are the only ones who make one. Dont get me wrong, the Canon EOS system is excelent, but so are the cameras made by Nikon, Pentax, Olympus and Sony.

The best piece of advice I think can be given to someone starting out in SLR photography and trying to choose a system is to get down to Jessops and handle each camera. The one which feels right in your hands is the one you should buy.