I think it completely depends on your price range, all the digital SLR's from high quality makers like Nikon, Canon and so on are great. I would look at the Nikon's D series and Canon's EOS Rebel line. The D40 is a great pick for an entry level SLR.

That said, some point and shoots actually aren't too bad. The major advantage of the SLR is the interchangable lenses, but lenses can be really, really expensive. Personally I've got a PowerShot A570is and I've installed an open source firmware update for it called CHDK, which gives you finer control over everything from aperature size to exposure settings. You can even write simple scripts with it that will, say, automatically bracket a scene, or automatically take a picture when the camera senses motion in the scene. Really useful for things like lightning photography.

But still, some day I'll spring the money for a digital SLR. Until then its point+shoot and my trusty Pentax K1000

no get the d40 it shoots awesome pics even though it's 6MP plus MP doesn't matter if you aren't printing 3' X 3' foot prints


Wow that was a very bad explantion of the prints

LOL

The Nikon D40X is a good camera in terms of handling except when you go through the menu.

The Canon Rebel XTi is easier to access the other feature than the Nikon. I maybe because Nikon has more features. But that is not the only reason I bought my Canon as I have my old Canon equipment as well.

Have you check on bridge camera lately?

I have the Canon XTi but also considering the Fuji F100fs, cost a lot less than what I've spent on my D-SLR, and the Image quality isn't too far behind.

If I have to start from scratch, I would buy the Fuji then decide which brand to go to when ready to buy D-SLR. Because once you have your equipment it's hard to switch brand.

Try this site to comapre - http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM