First, why DSLR?

If you really into DSLR, then weight should not be an issue for you.

And if weight is an issue for you, then a good photography equipment is an issue for you; you are better off getting a nice prosumer.

If a good photography equipment like special purpose lens type is an issue for you, then a D60 is not an issue for you, because if you are not carrying and changing lens frequent, why need the internal-motor-built camera?

I guess since you have no preference and special requirement on your equipment.

It's ok to proceed with the 3 models you have in mind. They make no significant difference to serve your needs.

Personally, for your budget and new unit, I'd recommend canon 1000D. It's really value for money, for its nice feature (for example: got live-view, so good for self, family & friends use) and good pricing.

(although i'm a nikon fan, but practicality is more important; but if you have bigger appetite, then there are great great nikons waiting for you, if you don't mind the weight- nikon dslr usually heavier, cos build-materials are selected to provide sturdy handling feel ma)

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Added on April 15, 2009, 1:58 amHi, just sharing my opinion based on my own amateur experience. Hope it helps you and a lot of others here.

A general rule for
- above-average requirement digicam,
- good enough for general indoor/outdoor, work/leisure purposes
- handy, user friendly type (not semi-pro or pro type)- means your mother sister brother father, son/daughter can use, easily type
- can produce very good output of image type

Requirement, my personal:

1. Wide angle- it's a must, very important, significant when you are taking group photo or architecture. A wide angle means minimum 28mm (lower the better) on your minimum lens zoom (the shop guy will know what you mean), if you can spend RM1000 for a digicam, don't buy 35 or 38mm type. It's a worthwhile privilege

2. Preset program- indoor, outdoor, night-scene, portrait, macro, high ISO (very important for taking important scene indoor or outdoor where flash is not allowed or affect the natural lighting), sports. These are basic, but useful because if you are using normal digicam, you won't be spending time doing manual setting, otherwise you'd be using semi-pro or dslr

3. Zoom- minimum 3x - 5x or 10x (even better) OPTICAL zoom, don't care so much of digital zoom, it's helpful but not significant

4. Video- sometimes you'll use that, so under normal 1gb card, if it can support up to 15mins, depends on quality, would be good already

5. Accessories- you might need additional battery or memory cards sometimes, so check the price first.

6. Megapixels- If you are not going to print the photo larger than A4 size, a 6mp will do. In today's term, if you don't want to get embarrassed by those who ask 'how many mp ar, you camera' get up to 10mp will do.
Excessive is waste of memory storage if you use in full (then again if you have 10mp camera, but only set at 6mp, then why get a 10mp in the first place?) and not significantly improved your photo output, but make your camera cost higher

Other things to consider
7. Popular brand- easy to buy spare parts and after sales service. imagine you travel or work in foreign country and you need to repair or buy additional items, and they say 'sorry, we don't have this'.

8. Price- below RM1500 better still RM1000, or else, you buy semi-pro lagi baik

9. Warranty- if you buy from popular camera shop, it's wise to top-up the warranty period, repairing a camera, sometimes, is hefty, touch-wood, if anything happen

10. Memory Card- if you have been using or your closed ones using the type, than buy back the camera who use that type lor. can swap, and easy to share. Otherwise, get SD, most common and cheap

Mostly covered already.

Any camera can shoot nice photos, different brands have different strong points- this is on personal experience using own/others camera; depends on your requirement.

Some of the interesting discovery i can remember are:
casio exlim- very durable battery and long video shooting
panasonic lumix- very nice lens and sharp image
olympus- i tried the water-proof version, very good for all weather, even under water to catch swim suit

Maybe i've got used to, but i been using very frequently the Canon Ixus-es (since 40, 55, 60 and now 870).

Like it, especially the new 870 cos:
- its compact
- and fulfill all the requirements mentioned above
- common enough, canon has good network of sales & service centre

There are a better versions, but i guess this 870 is just enough and if want to save time and money, just get this.

I'm not a professional photographer nor commentator, neither in camera business.

Just that if i'm not using my Nikon dslr, i like using my ixus 60 and my gf 870. I'm a nikon fan. (canon should be proud for this, hehe)

if want more pro, look on powershot G9 or G10, canon. I won't hesitate to recommend canon digicam to others, but try it on your own is the best, because there might be lot of nice camera around that i have never tried of course, but remember the basic requirements must be fulfilled.

thanks for reading, hope it helps.

This post has been edited by the aviator: Apr 15 2009, 02:19 AM

Hi WandererX,

Thanks for giving a lot of helpful suggestions in this thread, i believe it benefits many head-scratchers out there!

Just a point I'd like to comment, I saw most of the time, when it comes to DSLR, you've been directly or indirectly proposing to avoid Sony.

Guess it's slight unfair because they are many satisfied owners out there that shoot nice photos with their Sony system. Let it had its benefit of doubt, anyhow, Sony Alpha is from Kodak-Minolta which is not a new and unestablished player in the market, maybe, brand awareness wise, not strong compared to Canon or Nikon, especially Canon which is so brilliant in their marketing activity, if you observe how it captured its SLR market-share since the 90s.

Guess it'd be better if we can compare things advantage vs advantage + disadvantage vs disadvantage. Other than that, of course, personal brand-preference is also one important criteria when buying expensive or hobbyist-product.

Cheers bro, just sharing