It will be myh 1st digital slr and want something not too complicated use and easy to get to grips with. ANy other recomendations? the sensor cleaning function on the 400d would win my vote. i don't think the pixel count and LCD should be a major issue, both camera's are great. Nikon have some good camera's but the sensor cleaner on the 400d wins it for me every time. For your first digital SLR, there is not going to be that much of a difference. The primary differences between the two is the megapixel difference (8mp on 350D/10mp on 400D) and the size of the LCD (2" on 350D/2.5" on 400D). For what it's worth, if the price difference is not important, I would suggest getting the 400D. For a comparison between the two, I would suggest visiting Link 1 in my sources section. More megapixels (10 vs 8) on the 400D
Bigger LCD screen also used for settings readout on 400D
Automatic LCD switch off (when eye is placed at viewfinder) on 400D
Better buffer for faster frame rate/burst rate on 400D
Dust-removal CCD and dust analysis function (when used with supplied software) on 400D
2 more focus points (9 vs. 7) on 400D
AF points arranged in a diamond accross a wider area of the frame on 400D (on the 350 they are arranged in a cross)
Also there is 拢50 cashback on the EOS400 until the end of the month, remember this when comparing prices for the two. You may as well check out the latest Pentax K10D. It has 10 megapixels, Image Stabilization in the body and accepts all previous Pentax K-mount lenses (you'll have to manually focus). You can go to shutterbug.com and find a review of it in the August 2007 issue.
Regardless of what camera you buy, check out cameraarmor.com and bonicadive.com and invest in whichever protective cover you think best. After reading all the horror stories in here about getting cameras wet or covered in sand the extra prtection is worth the price IMO.
Your next purchase should be a HAZE/UV filter, a Skylight* 1A (uncoated) or 1B (coated) filter, and a circular polarizer. The HAZE/UV filter helps eliminate haze in scenics; the Skylight filter eliminates the bluish tint seen in distant mountains and in photos taken in open shade. Most importantly, they both protect the front element of your lens**. No lens should face the world naked - they should always have a protective filter. The polarizer filter will allow you to darken a blue sky (so white puffy clouds really "pop" or just for the visual effect) and removes glare/reflections from glass, water, sand, snow, and painted metal - but not from polished metal.
* I use both. The 1A is handy if you'd like to experiment with a thin coating of vaseline or lip balm on the filter for special effects. The 1B with its coating can reduce any glare caused by using the filter in some outdoor lighting conditions.
** True story. Years ago I was at a festival and a child touched the front of my lens. Well actually he touched the Skylight 1B filter. I have no idea what he had on his finger but it ruined the filter. Had the filter not been in place an expensive prime lens would have been ruined. $15 saved hundreds. | 