Camera advice: Update

Thanks for the comments, everyone. In the research I've been doing, I had already pretty much narrowed it down to a Canon or Nikon. I went to a camera shop yesterday to see the Canon Digital Rebel and the Nikon D50 and D70. All of them look pretty good, but I think I'm leaning toward the Canon. It's 8.0 megapixels instead of 6.0 and, although it's $200 more, there's a $100 rebate offered by Canon through June. The D50, though, comes with two lenses. Decisions, decisions. I think I'll sit on it for a little while, then make my choice. That's what I did before I bought my iBook last year, and I've been very happy with it.

Comments

[Katie]

I'm sure you've gotten solid advice . . . and so did I, when I thought I could afford a digital SLR. (Sigh. Someday.) I'd decided on the Nikon d50 for a myriad of reasons I can't remember. I just remember that there are certain factors that you have to take into account that few people know about, like some ratio (aspect ratio? that's not right I don't think) and "virtual" ISO and viewfinder accuracy and the fact that megapixels don't matter as much as other things I can't remember . . . and I don't know what I'm talking about, which is why I've hesitated to comment on a topic that interests me greatly. I used to know! All I can say is that choosing the best optics should always be your top priority, that you should hold the camera and play with it, and that talking to a good salesperson can teach you more in five minutes than hours of web research.

Katie, who is sure this didn't help but who wanted to say SOMETHING because digital SLRs are so exciting!

P.S. From what I can tell, I'd try to find a way to avoid using the digital end of the zoom spectrum because they so quickly degrade your image. You probably know this. It just amazes me that so many people buy high megapixel cameras with only 4x optical zooms.
P.P.S. Buy a warranty, and be prepared to have the guts cleaned often.

[Katie]

I DO remember that in digital, the mm readings for degree of zoom aren't accurate for some reason. The salesperson told me that if I bought a zoom that started at 28 mm, I could really only expect a range in the 30s.