Nikon and Canon usually have competive models with overlapping features in
a given price range.

Some bottom end models may not have in-body focus motors so must use dearer
newer lenses. I'd recommend having a in body motor as you can then AF
(autofocus) older lenses which can give good quality at lower prices.

Anti-shake/ image stabilisation / ... makes an immense difference to the
lowest speed at which you can hand hold a camera without blur from hand
motion.

IF quality is similar then you will find an 18 - 135mm immensely useful if
you like "wandering around". If you want to take some wildlife photos BUT
usually static locations (portraits, landscapes) where time is less
critical are of more interest then the longer 250mm may be valuable. The
difference between 250 amd 135mm is significant for animal and bird shots.
(500mm is not enough ! :-) ).

Largest aperture (minimum f number) affects low light photography and f/2.8
is nice but usually not available in a lower cost lens.

Buy a 50mm or 35mm f/1.8 or f/1.7 "entry level" lens sometime soon. All
manufacturers make one. These are the lowest cost new "real" lens you can
buy, have performance equal to a $1500+ zoom but because of the fixed focal
length and decades of amortization of the design cost say $US150 or less. A
 f/1.8 (or 1.7 or 1.2 or 1.1 or ...) lens introduces you to a whole new
world of photography. Depth of field of cm to mm at extremes. Amazing
results.

***BUT*** also look at a Sony SLT camera. Some do not like the EVF rather
than OVF viewing. But they are a world apart in  what can be done and seen
with a camera. With a  Sony SLT there is NO lve-view and standard view per
se - only "View". All is integrated and continuous. You see what you get
beforehand and can see affects of adjustments etc. Utterly transformational
for some (eg me) - not enough to matter for others. Somethig like A35, A55
probably (or latest versions.) All Sony SLRs / SLTs have IN BODY IS so ALL
lenses are IS capable. Ypu do not appreciate how much this matters until
you try to use a lovely low cost old lens on ag a top Nikon and find it
needs many times the shutter speed to achieve Sony results due to haing no
IS in the lens. Try it.

Excellent camera review site - as good as any available
Read what they say about your target cameras. Take more notice than of most=
..


               http://www.dpreview.com/camerareviews/.


For more camera stuff that seemed useful to ne see my Photos and
Photography Pinterest pages here

     http://bit.ly/RMPINTEREST




                                  Russell
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