Quite a ways back, I had a few people asking questions about what type of DSLR to get if they were just starting out.  I told them I would write a blog about it so I could share my thoughts with everyone who reads my blog.  It seemed like everytime I sat down to write this down, I was overwhelmed with all the information I could share on this topic and how to organize my thoughts.  I finally realized I can just do it in bits and pieces. So now, I am finally sitting down to write the first installment of this topic.  One of the questions people always ask when looking at cameras is what brand to go with.  Although other companies make some great cameras, I really suggest going with either Nikon or Canon.  They consistently build great cameras and have great lenses and you will never have to worry about whether the company will continue to have good products.  You see, with DSLRs you are really buying into a whole system, so you have to think about more than just the camera.

When buying a DSLR, you need to think about the camera body of course, but also the lenses.  Some of the other brands have great cameras, and a few great lenses, but Nikon and Canon have a wide variety of great lenses to put on that camera body.

The next question, that can often lead to heated disagreements between photographers (j/k   ) is whether Canon or Nikon is better.  I will start by saying I have always been a Canon girl.  I started shooting on my Dad’s Canon AE-1 (35mm Manual Film Camera) before moving to my Canon 40D.  I love the way the Canon feels, and I love the Canon glass (lenses).  That said, Nikon produces great products as well.  You will have friends who will tell you that you have to get a certain camera, but really any Nikon or Canon camera will give you a great place to start in digital photography.  I suggest going to a camera store (Glazers, Kenmore Camera, even Best Buy has some of the lower end models) and really playing with some cameras.  Try both a Canon and a Nikon in your hand.  Fell where the buttons are and look at how you navigate through the menus and around the settings.  Canon and Nikon cameras are set up a bit differently and one may intuitively make more sense in navigation for you. One may feel better in your hands.  I for one do not like how the Nikons feel in my hand, but that could be just because I am used to Canon.

In the end, everyone will have a different preference between Nikon and Canon, so buy what works for you.  Just be sure to make sure it is what works for you and not just for your friends.