I have 拢450.00 to spend on a digital SLR camera and am having difficulty picking the right camera.?

I have whittled my choice down to 3 cameras but cannot decide which to buy as my knowledge on this subject is limited. The 3 cameras are: Canon EOS 400D (Apparently a good camera but comes with a rubbish lens), Olympus E-410 & the Nikon D40x. Can anyone help?

I am also in the market for a cheap DSLR and have done extensive research. At a local camera store, I tried all three of these and others. First of all, the hardest and least comfortable to use is the Olympus. I would not recommend it above the other two. Either the Canon 400D (called Rebel XTi in US) and the Nikon D40x would be a good choice. I have a friend who is a professional photographer, and has told me that Canon is a better choice than the Nikon. I, however, like the feel of the Nikon and its amazing start-up time more. I am probably going to get the Nikon D40. If you are on a budget (which I would assume you are) I will direct you to this link: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm
and say that he is probably correct. Save your money for something else and get the D40. You probably wouldn't even notice the difference between that and the D40x. (or the D60!)

Oh, and from my conclusions I will probably get the D40.

To be honest, you need to go to a good camera shop and try out all the cameras specified - look at them, try them out and talk to the staff. DO not go to dixons or currys, go to a specialist shop...

As far as lenses, a shop would make you up a package - not necessarily what the manufacturer is forcing on you.

For me I wouldn't look at any other brand than the Panasonic Lumix range. Fantastic quality pictures and they use a Zeis lens. Mine's got a 12X optical zoom, and it's awesome. I've taken really clear pics of the moon without a tripod, you can really see the craters.

I am not going to qualify those options for that price because a frind of mine from the UK just purchased a pro-owned, reconditioned Canon 30D for only 拢350. He then picked up an EF 17-40mm F/4 L for another 拢300 making for an exceptional camera lens combination.

There are many lenses available of exceptional quality. Any lens you choose pretty much would be better than the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 that comes with a new kit camera.

To get a professional grade camera for price an entry level camera would be the way to go. Just be sure to make the purchase from a reputable camera shop in your area or from a reputable online retailer.

As far as the Nikon of the Olympus E-410, I like the Nikon for an amateur photographer who is starting out but do not see a great deal of room for growth in the camera. Plus, it lacks a RAW foramt for pictures and only has 3 focus points. The Canon 400D and 30D both have 9.

I like Olympus products but just have not been impressed with their equipment in the realm of digital. Their lenses are more expensive than Canon and they are not as commonly used as other brands so find a professional to help you is a bit harder to do than with the Nikon or Canon.

I hope this helps. Good Luck!

I have a Kodak Z740 and I love it to bits. I got a telescopic lense for it at christmas too. It is difficult to lay your hands on Kodak accessories though so just be sure to do your homework first so you know its easy for you to get things to go with it.