Help me shop: $600 to spend

[MedCruise07]

So is $600 enough to get a decent DSLR? Things I care most about: sharp image and color quality. Last year I spent $200 on a Canon PowerShot and nothing looks right--the colors are messed up and the flash is horrendous (and I could go on . . . ). I loved my Canon SLR but it is almost 15 years old, film and photo processing are so expensive, and I would love to be able to see the photos on my computer--so I want to take the DSLR plunge but my experience with the digital point and shoot has me worried.

I take pictures of the normal daily life with kids things. I would rather invest in a good body and maybe add on with lenses later.

Any thoughts?

 

[ukcatfan]

While I normally recommend Pentax, you might be able to use some of your old lenses on a Canon DSLR. First thing to remember is that there is no such thing as a bad DSLR. They are all capable of capturing amazing shots. Many times the lenses are the more limiting factor. IMO the single most important factor is how they "feel" to you, so go out and handle them in person. I really wanted a Rebel XT until I actually held it and did not like it. I have a Pentax K100D.

 

[boBQuincy]

$600? Very close, Canon's Xsi (with lens) is only a little more than that at Amazon. The price varies a bit day by day and at different sellers, you may find it right at $600.

Canon's Xs is slightly less, either of these cameras is more than decent, capable of very good images. The 18-55 kit lens is actually pretty good too. The flash on most cameras, including dSLRs is not very strong and often limited to about 10'.

 

[jann1033]

like Ukfan said, if your lenses are EOS or EF lenses they will fit the present day Canon dslrs.
adorama has xs and xsi kits with rebates in your price range( or maybe under $50 more, some with the newer IS kit lenses that are supposed to be pretty good.

i had a rebel xt and i liked it fine. i think the focus system and noise could have been better but the xs series seemed to fix those problems. otherwise it was fine.