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I'm thinking of buying a Digital SLR, but don't really know a lot about the various options and would like some suggestions from people with more knowledge than I.

So far I've settled on the following three:
Canon Rebel XT or XTi
Nikon D40
Sony Alpha A200

I'm not even close to being an amateur photographer, so I don't need a lot of the high end options that come with the big ticket cameras. I'm basically looking for something that I can point and shoot, but has slightly more than the basic options. I'd eventually like to learn a little more about photography as I travel more, so a camera that is above entry level would be preferred.

Also, any suggestions on where to purchase online would be great. Barclay's in Brooklyn has some excellent prices, but if you know of a store selling for less I'd appreciate the heads up.

Putz,

I was in your shoes about 3 years ago. I bought the Nikon D70 (now discontinued) and found it was very easy to use. Later I bought the Nikon D200 (now discontinued) and this is the camera I use the most.

The reason I went with Nikon was the fact my brother-in-law is big into Nikon and he said I could borrow any lens I wanted.

If I were you I would stick with Nikon or Canon. They are the two leaders in the Digial DSLR markets.

I have bought from B&H Photo, Buydig.com., Canoga Camera, Go to resellerratings.com and check out the online stores and their ratings before buying.

Hope this helps.

A few of my friends are photographers, and all 3 of them started out with the Canon Rebels. Only one of them had an issue with the Canon and that was because of a slight delay from the time you push the shutter to the time the picture gets taken, keep in mind this was a model from about 5 years ago and the delay was approx 1.5 seconds.

If it was me I'd go for the Canon Rebel. I'm not sure on good prices however as I haven't been in the same shoes myself.

Hope that helps!

Is 6 MP too little for a SLR camera? The Canon Rebels are a little more expensive but I currently own a Canon Powershot and love it. I can get the D40 with a 70-300 mm lens and a bunch of other gargets for about $700, and I have been told that SLRs are more about what lenses you have rather than the MPs etc.

Apparently some of the Nikon Lenses come out best in many magazine tests, though not sure how unbiased their tests are.

Sony has probably one of the best live view systems available. But go for the Alpha300 (jessops exclusive) or the Alpha 350.

I recently bought an Olympus E510. due to them designing digital cameras from the ground up, using the fourthirds system for the camera & lenses which they claim reduces on visual noise, as the lenses are specially designed for digital whereas other manufactures are still using film SLR technology, so their speil goes.

My only critisisms with my E510 are the live view & not being able to disable flash when in fully auto mode. THough neither is a problem as I much prefer using optical viewfinder as per standard SLR's & I am quite happy using the different manual & semi manual settings where settings can be remembered insystem & when been switched off, always an advantage.

But if your funds allow Go for the:

Olympus E510/E520/E420
Nikon D60/D80 or D40x at a push. The D40 is now too outdated & outperformed
Sony Alpha300/Alpha350
Pentax are also doing some nice performing & looking cameras, though lens & camera range limited. Shame really

Cannon Range overpriced & underperforming in the digital format unless going for Pro models I wouldn't bother. Cannon really havn't moved forward in the past few years.

Check this out: KenRockwell.com

or here: Nikonians :: The Nikon User Community

You should be able to find the answers to all of your questions. Personally, I would suggest the Nikon D-60. Not much more than the D-40, and is more up to date. I have and use the D-200

You don't want to travel with an SLR. They are way too bulky and impractical.

I have an SLR but I don't want to alert people that I am a tourist with a large bag, lenses and a flash.

I got a Point and Shoot with 10 X optical zoom, movie capability (720p for HD) and a large LCD screen. Panasonic DMC-TZ5. It is compact for a camera with a great zoom.

Amazon.com: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5K 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black): Electronics

My friend has an SLR, too, but he was always looking over his shoulder in DC - worrying about getting mugged.

Fortunately my vacations don't take me to the crack lairs of DC, but thanks for the suggestion.

I'm pretty much settled on the Nikon S40 with an 18-55 and a 55-200 lens. A family friend had a Nikon SLR before the days of digital cameras and has a bunch of lenses that I plan on nabbing since they are no longer is use.

I also already have a non-SLR that I'll be carrying with me for those times when an SLR just isn't practical. I carry a backpack pretty frequently, so putting a SLR inside shouldn't cause me any more problems than I already experience