Short & sweet overview of the popular DSLRS and which might be best for you . Some of these recommendations are based on prices that fluctuate daily, check in with me @camerarec to get my absolute latest recommendations. All prices in US dollars.

The very short & sweet guide-

My Recs [Budget = Nikon D3100,  $800-$1000 = Canon T2i,  $1000-$1500 = D90,  Above $1500 = 7D] Updated August 19 2010

Slightly longer short & sweet guide-

Budget (< $700)

Best of the bunch: Nikon D3100

Cheaper but without video functions
Buy an XS/1000D – 10 MP megapixels, Live View, 3″ LCD with 230K resolution (~$450)

A benefit to buying the XS- you can autofocus with a cheap but good lens like the 50mm f/1.8 (~$90)which gives you nice lower light performance and depth of field control. If you buy the D3100 the cheapest lens that will give you the same ability/control is several hundred dollars more. It might not ever matter to you, you may be happy using the lens that camera comes with, and there are plenty of other lenses that will work with the D3100, but you should be aware. Feel free to ask me follow up questions on this, it can be confusing and intimidating trying to figure out what lens will do what for you.

Buy A D3100 14MP, 1080P video @ 24 FPS, very user friendly with guide mode and full time auto focus in video mode, Very high ISO = good low light performance (~$700)

NOTE: if you buy a D40/D60/D3000/D3100/D5000 you need to look at my list of compatible(will auto-focus) lenses Some of the cheaper lenses will not autofocus on this camera and for some that is a reason to buy the XS.

$700 – $1000

Best of the bunch: Canon’s T2i Fantastic camera, noise levels are low and the video and image quality is excellent, on par with the significantly more expensive 7D.

Canon T1i – Solid 15MP camera with decent HD Video, Hi-res LCD screen, excellent button placement and control scheme (~$720)

Canon T2i, Offers excellent HD video, 3″ 920K , 18MP ( (~$899)

Alternate choice the Nikon D5000 -Slightly Better in low-light, HD video not as smooth as T1i but does have articulating LCD screen, I just wish it was higher resolution, the LCD is a 1/3 of the resolution of the T1i. (~$650) See my note above about compatible autofocusing lenses. UPDATE 8/19/10 I see little reason to buy the D5000 over the D3100. The only advantage the D5000 has is the articulating LCD screen, but you would be sacrificing better image quality/more MP to get it and the D3100 has 1080P video @ 24fps, D5000 video tops out at 720 and does not offer the new full time autofocus in video mode of the D3100

$1000 – $1500

Best of the bunch:  If interested in Video step back to the T2i | If you plan to only shoot stills or primarily stills the D90 is still an excellent value.

Buy a D90 excellent low-light performance, HD video(limited to 5 min clips), gorgeous LCD & viewfinder along with built in wireless flash capabilities at just about $1000 – This is best camera you can buy under $1500. More about why I love the D90 The D90 body only is now $779, this is an excellent price and up until the announcement of the T2i was the best value DSLR under $1500.  Now the T2i shoots MUCH better video, Better LCD, 18MP vs 12MP in the D90.  D90 advantages are in build, viewfinder is bigger/brighter,  built-in wireless flash control and a kit lens with more range 18-105 vs 18-55 with T2i.

50D Solid 15MP gives you access to all of Canon’s lenses but no HDvideo and no built in wireless flash (~$1130) I see very little reason to buy the 50D at this point.  The T2i beats it in almost all features except build and and possibly ergonomics but that depends on how it feels to you.  60D has been announced – see how it stacks up – 60D vs T2i vs 7D

> $1500

Canon’s 7D 18MP, 100% viewfinder, Dual DIGIC 4 and new AutoFocus are great.  Stellar HDvideo. Reviews have been very positive. Not Full Frame but not everyone needs that. More here (~$1899)

Buy a D300s12MP w/ 18-200mm VR II Lens – Not full frame but excellent quality, low-light performance and video in a much more affordable package (~$2500 w/ very nice 18-200 lens) (~$1800 body only)

Alternate Buy a 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens – Gorgeous giant images and jaw dropping HD video (~$3000)

If you buy a Canon take a moment to look at my recommended lens list and if you have any questions please find me on twitter @camerarec

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