What is the best digital SLR for amateur photographers that plan on making digital photography a serious hobby

Question

I plan on using it when I go hiking and on road trips to take pictures of landscapes and wildlife. I want to learn how to use the manual controls, so that I may create more artistic photos than can be created with a point and shoot camera. Some day, I would like to be a pro! :-)

Please recommend a name and model number.
Also, tell me why you recommend it.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Nikon D40 / D70s / D80 / D200.... all available for review here:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/nikon_d40.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/nikon_d70s.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/nikon_d80.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/d200.html

The D40 + D200 being listed as "BEST BUYS" on the site
http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

Answer 2

I use the Olympus E-500. Awesome pictures and relatively easy to use. It has a lot of advanced features that will allow you total manual control, but the auto modes allow you to take great shots while you are leaning the advanced modes. There is also a website ( http://www.olympusdigitalschool.com/ ) that gives you all the info you need for shooting. It tells exactly how to set the modes on the camera and will list any other gear you might want to consider. Take a look at the website to get a little more info on all the Olympus E models. If you choose this model I recommend buying the TTL-50 flash to go with it. The built in flash is good, but I do a lot of portrait shots and need better lighting control. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Personally I'm a fan of the Canon Digital Rebel ... but it's a very expensive camera (~$600-$900 depending where you get it) ... any camera will do for you as long as it has these 3 things:
1 - you're able to find and change the manual settings (shutter speed and aperature) and don't have to keep asking "where was that again?" They can't annoy you either ... for example I don't like where the aperature control is in newer cameras anymore. It drives me crazy, I'm not getting one until I have to. :)
2 - good resolution. It's measured in megapixels - the higher the better. Talk to the person who's selling it to you ... tell them what you're using the camera for, how much you're willing to spend, and they'll be able to tell you how good of resolution you'll need.
3 - shutter speed and aperature ranges: make sure the camera has a shutter speed range of about 1 or 2 seconds long to at least 1/1000 of a second, you'll need that high of a shutter speed if you're taking pictures outside in the bright light.
Aperature should go from 1.2 or 2.6 up to 16, if it's less than that on either end you're getting cheated out of a lot of your ability to take those artistic photos.
If you can't figure out from the camera itself these things, look at the box. If not there, I'd be getting suspicious it's not very good. Ask, once again, the person who's selling it to you.

Answer 4

I recommend the Olympus e300 - a great value camera with interchangeable lenses. Low prices on internet.