if it is for walk about lens.
it's a very good lens.
it is sharp yet can produce bokeh. good option.
however sometimes got focusing issue especially in low-light condition therefore you got to test on it.

canon 550D + 1855 will cover most of your need except tele.
therefore I suggest you to play with 1855 1st. IMHO IQ 1855 is better than 18135. you may consider it.
later you can try better lens compare to 18135.

D7000 is better as it own latest technology.

d7k owns nikon latest sensor which is currently the best sensor on DX level (IMHO)
d7k owns most of d300s capability 56 focus points CMIIW, high iso range 100-3600
and so on. however d7k still lose in video technology compared to d60 I am not sure why but at least this is what the forumers said.
(I think because d60's swivel lcd which make it nicer in video <- IMO)



for me d3100 owns better ISO performance and own latest nikon's sensor (same sensor with d7000)
IDK about 500D but I think 550D is better compared to d3100.
go trough some reading:
http://www.camera-catalog.com/compares/pop..._canon_eos_500d

you may want to consider crop factor as well.

This post has been edited by aldosoesilo: Jan 10 2011, 02:15 PM

What I scare will be your bottleneck is your creativity not your gear.
IMHO they are good a very decent camera I'd say however some of them giving extra mini-mini feature compared to the other.
e.g HD-recording, super big Mega pixel
well if you find it useful you can go for that.

as for me, for entry level DSLR go for the best value of money which for me 500D or d3100 (both for canon and nikon respectively)
and it come back to your brand preference

I found it's a very good deal when I bought mine d3100 as per now I haven't feel the bottle neck IDK about you.
good luck for your decision bro.

a little gentle tips from me.
Ask what you want most, then juts pick it impulsively (if money doesn't matter)

a friend of mine got his approx 2.4k with kit lens.
he bought it from e-bay.us if you dare you can try.

if that is the case I will go for 60d at any point of time.
about the kit lens. for me it doesn't matter since we will eventually sell it
unless you want to stick with your kitty forever.

^
if that is the case d90 will serve you quite good. but if it is possible go for d7000 instead because d90 has been 2years+ which make it worse compared to the latest d7000.

however budget wise 60d is quite good. it's swivel lcd will be very helpful in movie making. and spec wise 60d is better compared to d90.

IMHO D7000 is monster in low light for cropped factor sensor.

550D wouldn't be a wrong decision however if you don't really use the mega pixel thing and the video recording looking at 500D wouldn't be wrong as well. it's depends.
if you are okay with another brand sony will be a good value of money. or maybe D3100.

^
good luck on your photography journey

550D is the best option considering your condition.

d7000 + 50mm 1.8

D3100 is RM 1999

considering your model preference
I will suggest you to go for d3100 550d will cost you more than 2k. approx 2.8k

---

Added on January 17, 2011, 10:31 amwhat makes these two has the same price?
2) New body with secondhand lens - Rm2300 + Rm300
3) Used camera set found in forum- ~Rm2600 ( but with 3 years warranty)

if the lens is the same (kit lens).
go for the third option.

else go for the other lens with 2nd option.

This post has been edited by aldosoesilo: Jan 17 2011, 10:31 AM

^
with RM 2k you can get brand new d3100. <- the best you can get within your budget I'd say.

D3100 is a good decision.
but you can always take a look at 500d and 550d. even Sony cameras.

If you prefer Nikon.
I will choose D3100 at any time since it own Nikon latest technology improvement in sensor, ISO performance and processor is truly amazing.
however the downside is it is smaller, no bracketing and no swivel LCD.
you got to choose there.

D3100 is better in low light performance.

^
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=713957&hl=drybox

if you ask me to compare between those two I will come out with D3100 model in my mind at anytime.

500D, 550D. You can try samsung if you want to. hahaha

I have no much idea when it comes to compact camera however you might want to consider this.
http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1698317