60D would be better than 550D.

The screen that can rotate and move is the main plus point for me, at least.

Why not take A55 with kit? It has better ability, and its worth your money.

With 3k, I doubt you can get everything LOL~

A flashgun cost bout 1k+, decent quality one like 580ExII or sb900. Unless you intend 2 get Nissin, which is cheaper, there is still no way to squeeze everything into your budget.

Try Sony A33/A55 twin kit. It comes with kit n telephoto lens around around 2.5k for A33, 2.7k for A55. 500 bucks is decent enough to get a flash from sony, though not the top end one.

It took bout 5k+ from me last time go get everything for my photography hobby. Therefore, limited budget can get you limited things only. Save up more to get better things later.

Well, if you insist so, 60D would be better but its outta your budget.
550D is around your budget though.

If you don't mind me saying, a dslr is a tool 4 the photographer 2 use. Choose the one you think you will like.
But I believe that Sony is better 4 your budget range.

A33 with twin kit or A55 with kit lens.
Those are slightly better than the alternatives.

Same with A55. Same specs, only it use optical viewfinder instead of the newer EVF used in A55.

Both perform rather decently for their price, but A55 kinda tempts me more because of the specs sheet.

Used both A580 n A55 b4. Like both of em pretty fairly.

A55 has GPS also btw.

D3100 no AF motor. Means auto-focus relies on lens alone. Lens with AF built-in is not cheap lol.
Its decent, but not worth the $$ for me. If nikon, I'm recommending D90 and above only cause they have built in AF-motor.

A33 has AF motor + image stabilization inside body.

Hard to say which is good and which is bad. But for me, I rather go A33 than D3100.

Lol~
You wont need it de la bro.
Trust me. 1 month, and you will be thankful you got a slightly more advance camera compared to D3100.
Telephoto?
A33 with kit is around 2.5k.
I reco you take kit and find the suitable lens for you before spending more.

I think can get lower around 100 more, if i recalled correctly.

Around 2.3k I got last time.

Decent enough for the 1st generation DSLT lol.
D3100?
Around 2k

2000+ can get D90 meh?
If you can, spend more and get 60D.
Unless you prefer Sony, A55 or A580 can give your 550D or D90 a great run.

A580 from Sony. Decent all rounder than can pawn some of the more expensive camera in its range.

A580 can match up 2 all the model stated.
But loses out to A55's video la.

Not reli. Go to the alpha thread and see some shots posted by sifu albnok using A55 lol.. Though it is paired with Zeiss

A580 with kit lens, and F58am flash.
It will cost below 4k and you will get an awesome flash.

Sony's flash is already cheaper compared to others lol >">

Erm, i got mine with kit 2.55k

The rest, i already get myself so hard to say.

But I reco you drop all those bags and mem card and get em yourself for a cheaper price.

I got a cheap SanDisk 8gb class 4 and a memory stick lol. They cost around 100+ both combined.

For bag, I got myself a Crumpler 7MDH lol. With industry disgrace as strap.

LOL.

Creative Damansara offers 2.6k stg for kit, Studio Zaloon, 2.7k kit with everything.. Try your luck at lowyat plaza also. I saw many people selling DSLR now.

As I always has stated, each brands has their pros n cons. Therefore, if you like pentax, then go get it.
Its the skills of the photographers that determimes the quality of the pic, nothing more.
Camera are just tools 4 you to use lol.

Yeap with 18-55.
I use 2 memory card so I can swap em anything I need just in case lol. Sony has 2 card slots, 1 for SD, another for Memory Stick.
Market price around 2.7k++ lol.
Memory card is cheaper compared to memory stick. And memory card class 4 is ok for me already. Try class 6 if you need it lol.

D3100 confirm loses out to A580 in terms of specs and feature
D3100 is already without AF motor in body, which annoys me. Lens that have built in stabalisation ish expensive when compared with normal lens.

A550 is an older version of A580 lol. Why get a lesser version?

550D from Canon? I think just because it has 18 mpx, it attracts many newbies due to the megapixel thingy.

I did not say that. I said I'm satisfied about the speed that a class 4 can provide for me. If you got the budget, then might as well get a original Sony memory stick lol. There is nothing wrong bout buying high speed cards, just kinda wasting if you do not use em much lol.

I got transcend, kingston and sandisk. All of em are 8gb class 4 and all work perfectly without any trace of problem so far lol.

You will need high speed card when you are bursting shots. If not, the camera will slow down as the writing speed to the card is slower. Normal 3 fps burst will certainly not cause this. What i meant was continuous burst.

You wont be lonely, trust me. My pals all Nikon and Canon user. SO?

This is the A580 I'm referring too lol.

Why not look into A33 by Sony? It performs better than D3100 anyways lol.

60D around 3k++ like that for kit, i think. Try asking skydrake at garage sales. I remember his price was quite nice.

D7000 if you can push your budget, if not 60D would do fine.

Try go PC Expo and try. A33 would be a much better choice in my opinion. Used D3100 b4, dont like it too much lol.
But both are decent camera.

60D is a class higher than A55. But it cost 1k+ more than A55 too. In terms of pricing, A55 is nicer. In terms of picture, A55 can compare with 60D at its best. Furthermore, A55 has 10 fps burst. Lol.

60D and A55 have the swivel LCD, which I love ALOT XD
If you want to try Sony, A55 is quite decent. other than the EVF, there is nothing much different about it. Oh did i mentioned AF during video?

60D has a great body instead. Like the semi solid kinda feeling lol.