what is the best digital SLR?

Question

I have been an art major for over a year and focus on painting but am becoming increasingly interested in photography. Which Digital SLR would give me the best results while still remaining practical and easy to use. Are most SLR's hard to use? I just have this undying urge to take pictures. Which one should I ask for for Christmas?

Answer 1

Any of the Canons from the XT (8mp) on up. But the XT is the starter of these great cameras.
The EOS Digital Rebel XT features Canon's 8.0 Megapixel CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, which captures images of exceptional clarity and tonal range and offers the most pixels in its class. This APS-C size sensor (22.2 x 14.8mm) has the same 3:2 ratio as film cameras, creating an effective angle of view that is 1.6x the normal EF Lens focal length. Featuring an on-chip Noise Reduction Circuit with an expanded ISO range, the Digital Rebel XT's sensor offers professional sophistication in a consumer package.

Answer 2

Any DSLR will require that you READ & STUDY the Owner's Manual for the camera.

Pentax, Olympus, Nikon, Canon, Sony, and Sigma offer excellent DSLR cameras.

IMO you should spend some time at a professional camera store and let the salesperson tell you the features and benefits, advantages and disadvantages of each brand as you handle them. Each camera will have a different "feel" and you should choose the one that "feels best" in your hands. If you do that, please, please buy the camera from that salesperson*. Most real camera stores will give you an hour or so of personal instruction with your purchase.

Happy shopping!

* Most salespeople in speciality stores are on commission. Its simply wrong for you (or anyone) to take up their time and then "stiff" them by not buying from them, IMO.