Hey all,

Started to look into Christmas presents for my other half and she mentioned that she would like a Digi SLR.

I have seen the likes of the Canon G9/10 which look good but these are technically not what she is after!

Can anyone advise me on a good SLR around £300 or do I need to up the budget big time?

Cheers

Will

I've an Olympus E400, you may still be able to get one, but I think they've been replaced by the E420. I like it, easy to use and light.

But you'll need more budget to get an extra lens, or look for the body and 2 lens kit?

Get a Nikon D70 off ebay…an awesome reliable camera, £1,000 when new, now going for £200ish with lens.

The Sony one for about that much is meant to be alright isn't it?

I've got the Sony Alpha 20. I think it sells for about £280 now. I'm very happy with it, but I'm no expert

I've got a Panasonic G1, which isn't a DSLR, but has a nice big sensor and interchangeable lenses. I really like it because it is small, light and compact, so I find myself using it more than the Nikon D50 I had before. Oh hang on, I think it's a little bit more than £300 actually, sorry. If you can stretch to it, I'm sure your wife would love it.

Nikon D3000 leading the way at the moment I think-lots of good reviews and seems to be available for not much more tha £300.

Any other ideas apart from those already mentioned?

Looking at the same thing today.

Considering the Sony Alpha 230 (looked at one in John Lewis £349), felt OK with a few good features (image stabilisation etc) but reading reviews it's not coming out very well. The older 200 is better apparently. Also looked at the Canon 1000D (JL £399), didn't feel very well made, a bit plasticy.

Coming home and reading some more reviews have almost settled on the D3000 as it does seem to getting some good ones. Will go look at one tomorrow. I know JL have them at £399 plus there is a £30 cash back from Nikon at the mo. I'm sure they are cheaper elsewhere on the net.

Also thought about a Pentax K-M (will take some old lenses I have) but as yet not seen one in the flesh or available of web

I bought a Nikon D40 with 2 lenses for £350 about 6 months ago which has done me well. It even has a screen with pictures on it that beginners like me can understand.

I've got a feeling they've stopped making them now but sure you might find one if you shop around. The best deal I found was Argos.

I'd go for something 2nd hand. You can get a Canon EOS 400D with lens for about £320. I bought a 350D last year, it's really good and was in perfect condition. I definately wouldn't bother with one of the really expensive compacts though.

Go for the Nikon or Cannon camera
Both makes have a camera around this price.

Glad to hear someone else is thinking the same as me Spence! It really does get good reviews-the only downside are some folks reckon it has a few less features than the Canon/Sony etc but the build quality and ease of use would outweigh this in my eyes! Tempted by one for myself now actually…..

The Nikon D40 for around £250 was a steal. Are they still around?

another vote for the D70. I use one. excellent bit of kit. if a little out of date!

A 300 quid DSLR should be pretty decent nowadays, but don't under estimate how much top quality lenses cost. If you're not planning on having a few lenses and flash guns etc, you need to think if you really need a DSLR. There's some excellent compacts available for much less than £300.