DSLR Cameras?

I have an older Nikon dSLR and love it! I think you'd be happy with any of the three you mentioned (especially if you haven't had a dSLR before).

My suggestion: go to a camera shop (like Ritz) and hold/try out those three to see which one you prefer. You can always price-shop after you decide.

I have the D3100 and love it! I went back and fourth between the Canon and Nikon and had a hard time choosing which one I wanted. I ended up finding the Nikon for a really good deal, so I went with that. No regrets!

I have a Nikon D5000 that I really like except the video. I think Nikon has improved that on newer models, though. For low light I use a 50mm f/1.8 lens that I really like. I think I paid around $150 for the lens. Whatever camera you choose, I recommend getting a lens with the widest aperature (lowest number under f/) you can afford for low light. Most of the lenses you'll get with a camera set only go down to f/3.5, but usually they focus on how much it zooms which really isn't helpful for low light.

I just bought the Nikon D3000- I love it! So simple to use and it does so much more than I know about right now :) I learn something everytime I get it out. Hoping to take a class soon. It takes amazing pictures- they are so clear without any type of editing. I bought it as a bundle at Best Buy- Camera, regular lens, extra zoom lens, nice camera bag and a memory card...649.00. I think the D3100 is the newer model of the 3000. I love Nikon cameras!

I love our D3100 by NIKON. We got some great help at Best Buy comparing the Canon and Nikon. I was able to play with each one and just liked the Nikon better. It seemed easier, although it has been almost a year and I am still learning things. Probably should read the manual. :) We like taking action shots of our son playing baseball and it does a great job.

I have a Canon dSLR and, though I don't remember which model, I love it. We've had a number of Canons (film as well as digital) in our family & have had excellent results.

Not sure you can make a bad choice among the models you've listed. Have fun!

We have the Nikon D3100, we got a great package at Costco for around 800. It does so much that we don't know about but even the little we have learned is amazing. It has different modes and some take night pictures with very low light. Another night mode using the flash to take the person upfront but does a slow exposure to enhance the background. It is an amazing camera.

I just wanted to add that if you have a Costco membership that bundle comes with DVDs that teach you a lot about using the camera. I also wish I could post pictures from Burano, which is a fishing village in Italy known for the bright colors they paint their homes, it would negate any authority of the above opinion. I can assure you the reds were red!! Actually all the colors popped like you were looking at the scene in person.

Really you're asking the difference between a Mercedes and a Lexus - people will only respond with what they own and love. If you truly aspire to learn and grow as a photographer, then get the Nikon 3100. If you only want to take better pictures with the fully automatic setting, then get the Canon. The little Canon is more user-friendly to beginners; the little Nikon will give you more capability if you want it beyond fully automatic setting.

I'm a professional photographer and I use a canon 50D. I LOVE it!

I've always had an SLR camera both film and digital (minored in photography in college) and last time I went camera shopping, mid last year, I was introduced to the Sony Nex 3 (or 5). It is not considered an DSLR camera but does everything, and I mean everything that a DSLR camera can do. The body is a lot smaller, there are interchangeable lenses (either using the sony alpha lenses or using the adapter to use other brand lenses.) I love this camera and am so happy that I went with it, not just for the size but for the easy use of it. It's great with a very active 6 year old and I've never missed a shot of something great =). I have amazing action shots of my son in his soccer games, beautiful micro shots of the butterflys at the Natural History Museum and great wider angle shots of mountains and landscapes. I'm in love with this camera, it got great reviews and I highly recommend it. I got mine at Best Buy, the camera with one lens was 600, then the other lens I got was 250. There are other lenses I want but just started off with one. Good luck.
Take care,
H.

We have a canon 7D and I love it. It is amazing and does so much. We have also had a rebel (the original one), 20D and 30D. We take so many pictures that the shutters are wearing out on the 20 and 30Ds at this point. Try some out at the store and see what you like. The lenses are going to make more of a difference than the camera body from many things, so you can save some money and then get some really nice lenses. The professional series lenses really are worth it and let more light in, so better pictures. We also have gotten at least one of ours as a refurbished one and it was cheaper that way and still just as good. Canon had repaired it. We have sent one back for repairs and they were wonderful and honored the warranty even though we were about a week out. Cannon tends to have a faster shutter than nikon, but nikon I think is known slightly for better color. Really just try out the two and see what you like, once you pick a brand you are pretty much stuck with it once you start getting accessories. That being said I wouldn't trade the Canons for anything else, love, love, love them! There is a bit of a difference in weight depending on which body you get and then the lenses too if that matters. Take some pictures in a camera store with the different ones and see what you like about each and how they look on the camera for lighting, movement, etc.

If you want accurate color cast, canon is the best. I brought a red bag with me shopping for a new camera, tried every camera. all canon cameras were accurate to the red cast, the other brands not so much. Red color is the most difficult color to capture. Also get tutorial DVD, you will love it. Photograhy is my hobby, i use it every day with my little ones. I love canon rebel.

I have a Panasonic Lumix that's several years old. I'm an artist and expect a lot from a camera. This one has been terrific. I especially like that it gives a bigger zoom than most models. It's very good at catching details even in poor lighting, and I can further enhance the results by tweaking in my iPhoto program.

I don't have one personally (yet) but I have heard that the Canon Rebel is good. :) Good luck!