Recommendations on a digital SLR

[Hokie]

I want to buy my daughter a decent digital SLR for college graduation. I am looking at the Canon EOS Digital Rebel. Any others I should look at in that price range. What about lenses? It appears that with a good lens and larger memory card I will be in the $700 proce range.

[bvar22]

1. The Canon Rebel XT 8 Megapixil.....

...is the best "bang for the buck" digital SLR camera on the market.
The quality and resolution of the photos taken with this camera will in most cases match that of cameras that cost 3 and 4 times as much.

As far a lenses, all the Canon digital lenses are good.
What kind of pictures does she like to take?

[Hokie]

2. Mostly outdoor photos

Typical scenery shots. She traveled across country last year and took some great shots on the trip. I found another thread in this group with a link to a great site - Steve's Digicam. I think I narrowed it down to the Canon and the Nikon D50.

[bvar22]

3. There are some good comparison sites on the Net.

I GOOGLED "Nikon D50 vs Rebel XT"
and this was the first hit:
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/nikon_D50_review.html

Canon just released a new model of the Rebel, the Rebel XT.
Both the Nikon and the Canon are excellent cameras.

[Fovea]

4. Consider getting her a used Nikon D1X

with a basic zoom lens, you are in that neighborhood these days.

They are pro grade, and indestructable.

[priller]

5. I'm shopping for one myself

Don't overlook the Nikon D70s also, probably closer to the Canon Rebel than the D50.

My advice is to let your daughter decide. While the Canon and Nikon have very similar specs, they actually feel quite different in operation. In my hand, the Nikons feel more solid, where the the Rebel feels too small and a bit plasticky. But it may fit your daughter's hand just right.

Also, they way their controls work, button layout, and so forth -- the user interface -- is also quite different for the two cameras. Let your daughter spend some time with each one, let the store help explain to her how each one does more common operations, how to use manual modes, etc. See which approach seems more intuitive to her.

They're both excellent cameras and both have a large array of lenses to choose from. You can't go wrong with either. It really boils down to a question of individual preference and taste.

[regnaD kciN]

6. I was thinking the same thing about ergonomics...

As far as I'm concerned, the 350D (Rebel XT) is sized just a bit too small in the handgrip for it to be comfortable to hold, but I'm a large male with big hands. For me, the Nikon grip is a bit large, but still preferable, but I've seen comments from some sources that the Canon might be a better grip for those with smaller hands, most women included.

Another thing about the Canon that bothers me is that, to change ISO, you have to take the camera away from your eye to look at the data display on the camera's back, while the Nikon shows it changing in the viewfinder. Other people might not have any problem with the slight delay Canon's design requires.

Both cameras should be able to produce excellent images, it really comes down to which feels most comfortable and "natural" to the user.

[Hokie]

7. I decided on the Canon EOS

Thanks for all the great comments. DU'ers are the best, smartest, nicest folks I know!

I think the Canon will work for her. She has small hands so I think the feel will be OK for her. She is graduating with a degree in both Aerospace and Ocean Engineering so I think she can figure out the controls. I got a package from Newegg with a 18-55 mm F3.5 zoom lens. I might by her a 50 mm faster lens later. Also picked up a 2gig CF card. The links were very good at explaining the features. There is a $100 rebate deal on the Rebel until July.