Subject: Digital SLR cameras

Hi guys.In few days my girlfriend has her birthday and I'm thinking about getting one of digital SLR cameras for her.The problem is that I know nothing about photography so I don't know which one should I choose.I only know that Sony Alpha,Olympus and Panasonic Lumix are good but nothing apart from that.I'd really apprieciate any advices and opinions:)

as long as u mentioned those first then yeah, you don't know anything about SLR cameras :)

I have a pentax K100D and it's allright for a first DSLR. For starter's purposes, I don't think camera's in this class differ that much. You can check reviews on a specialised website and compare.

Only Canon or Nikon. Model depends on the level. I'm a canon person and used canon 30D and 40D. Now it's 50D. These are for advanced amateurs. For beginners any Canon Rebel would be perfect.
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i heard nikon's pretty good and popular, but i wouldn't know, since its my friends who have them, not me :)

I've got a Nikon D40 - it's about the cheapest of their SLR range

According to what I read some think it a better camera than the D40X or D60 though

Ok guys,I've checked a few websites and I think I'm gonna get Canon 1000D or Sony A230.Is it a good choice?

I don't know. I thought the canon 10-series (30-40-50...) were their starting cameras. Can anybody explain how the numbers work overthere?

I love the pentax. Sturdier, so it can take a hit; makes more noise, so you look mighty important and you can distance yourself from mainstream amateurs with your mysterious brand :)
Seriously, I can't compare, since I only used one brand.

the cheapest stater cam of canon is the 1000d
starter cams with some more functionality are the series 400d....450d... - 500d
the semi pro cams are 20d...30d....-50d these are also often called the bigger sisters of each starter cam with one more 0 in the modell number....
than there are of course the high end ones like 5d.. 1d mark etc...

but back to the actual question:
Mostly when such a question is asked...supporters of canon and nikon battle each other...this hasn't happend so far.. (I'm actually wondering why?^^ :D)
In my opninion you should go for one of those options. I would actually try to not switch the comany...so for example if your girlfriend had a canon digi-cam I would also go for an canon dslr, simply because it is easier to adapt yourself to the camera when you already know a bit of the menu sytsem used in the camrea.
But I have to say I'm not an expert at all and there are surley guys with more with knowledge who may help you by finding the best camera... ;)

nikkon, canon, olyplus, pentax, sony

they all have similar entry level models (and cost also the same) so you can't make a bad choice

nikkon and canon are the most known ones so it's easy to find cheap lenses
olympus has the best "kit" beginners lenses

I got a Nikon D90 and it´s great. I can recommend Nikon (D40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 ;) ).

i have D40 ...and i can confirm that it's a perfect beginner's SLR ...and in the right hands it can do wonders ;)

oh, ok thx

mine is canon 450 d I'm mquite contented with it.. it's great for beginers