I'm in the motion of buying a new digital camera seems how I fried mine by accident... However I'm wondering how all these pictures on this site are so unbelievably detailed. I couldn't dream of getting a picture like these. My question is what is the difference between a regular camera and an SLR camera? I'm not sure what an SLR will do for me compared to a regular camera. Just wondering if anyone could share their 2 cents about it and if you could recommend some good brand names to go by. All is welcome and appreciated, I'm really in the dark about it, so every little bit counts. Thanks :)
PS: I think I posted this elsewhere by accident....I don't know where it went...So I'm posting again...

Good morning
Fried by accident? Now, that sounds like an interesting though sad story.
Am very new to digital photography myself, but one thing have learned is to work out what you want to do with the camera first, and how much control you want over the mechanics of taking a photo. Then, work out what you can afford. If my experience with computers is anything to go by, get the best that you can afford. And be prepared to compromise.
There are many good names - Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm are just three of many names that spring immediately to mind. I have a Fujifilm S3000 - obsolete now, but does a passable job as can be seen by my gallery. There are many others here with far greater experience who will be able to give you something less nebulous.
My next camera will definately be a Digital SLR. I'm trying to do work with the S3000 that it was never designed to do, and the inability to have any control over shutter speed and focus, with only minimalistic control over f-stop, is slowly driving me barmy. My issue is only cost - just a big bit more than is in my range at this time, but plans are in place and moving nicely.
Enjoy your day
Romane

A few weeks ago I got a new computer, with a new pretty 19" LCD monitor, I usually kept my digital camera ontop of the old monitor where it just had enough room to balance without falling off, so when I got the new one I did the same, however last week not realizing how hot the monitor actually gets on the top after having it on all day I had my digital camera on and running hooked up to my computer loading and scanning through pictures, and it then went black and turned off, when I picked it up, it was way too hot and wouldnt function as it should and the lcd display on the back is now black...it makes a funny noise and when turning off takes twice and long and whines... I'm slightly mad at the monitor... but I guess all good things must come to an end and gives me a new excuse to spend some money on a new one. I was recommended to look at the Nikon D70 and Canon Rebel XT. Not sure how much I should be looking to spend, but all the SLR cameras appear to be a little expensive. However I am willing to make the investment. I'm not sure what I am looking for as far as pictures and effects go, it's a trial and error new found hobby, I used my regular digital camera everyday so I'd like to try these so called SLR cameras for a change.

You can’t go far wrong if you stick with Canon, Nikon, and Minolta brands. That doesn’t mean no one else makes good cameras but those are generally recognised as the best and most reliable. Pentax, Fuji and Olympus also make good cameras but are generally considered to be a step down the ladder.

You won’t go far wrong if you buy the best camera you can afford from Canon, Nikon or Minolta. Those three are generally recognised as being the best and most reliable manufacturers of quality cameras. When you buy a SLR camera you are buying into a system of lens and accessories and the three I mentioned have plenty of lenses and accessories to choose from. Other manufacturers you could consider are Pentax, Fuji and Olympus. However they aren’t as highly regarded and don’t have as many accessories and lenses to choose from. In my experience they aren’t significantly cheaper than the big three either.

Romane suggested you decide how much control you want and what you want to do with it. That’s good advice, I would also add that you handle as many as you can because some will suit your hands and the way you like to work better than others.

I hope this helps in some way.

To answer your initial question: The defining feature of an SLR camera is that the viewfinder looks through the same lenses as the camera uses to record the image, you see pretty much the exact frame that you're going to photograph. Other camera have a slight difference (paralax) because the viewfinder is separate from the rest of the camera systems.

I have a D70, and i would definitly recomend it. What everyone else has said id mostly agree with. Just a note on the brand side. When you look at what people say, they will almost always recomend canon and nikon, and sometimes something else. I think that could be interperted as canon and nikon are the best and there are a few that come close like olympus. I personally would stick to canon and nikon.

The other main difference is that you can swap lenses on an SLR so they are more versatile. But you can easily spend more on a new lens tat you did on the camera itself.

I'm being drawn to Nikon... maybe it's because of Paul Simon singing Kodachrome..."I've got a Nikon camera, I'd like to take a photograph", what models of Nikon should I be looking towards? And what am I looking to spend in Canadian funds for one of these? Also has anyone purchased a camera off ebay? good? bad? local retailer way to go? Suggestions? Comments?

Mix and match: http://www.dpreview.com/ Enjoy!

You might want to wait a little while. Nikon will announce the replacement for the D70 (presumably the D70s), and a new, more consumer oriented camera (the D50) on April 20th. It will be interesting to see, officially, what improvements will have been made.

Check Rob Galbraith’s site for more details and for the press release, when the announcement is made. (www.robgalbraith.com)

i bought my D70 for $1450 about a month ago. They might be dropping a bit now, with as Will said new ones coming out.

1450 US or CAN?

CAN of course :) with the 18-70

Ya, sorry i read you wanted to know in canadian and then just assumed you would be like me and not think about wiether i ment CAN or US:P

Good point!

I have a D-70 and a Fuji S2 While the Fuji is top drawer. The D-70 will do most anything you want to yet it is simple enough for my wife and kids to experiment with and the I-TTL is unbielivable!! you cannot screw up a flash shot. (without trying really hard)

You might want to consider the Rebel XT though, it's higher resolution than the D70 and is nice and compact. Plus, Canon's EF lens selection is second-to-none, the autofocus system is more sophisticated, the high ISO performance is excellent and it supports E-TTL II flash metering.

It's advertised at around $1,300 CDN with an 18-55mm kit lens or $1,120 CDN for just the body.

Its a toss up between the 2(Rebel XT and D70) at the moment. I can't really make up my mind, and I'm not sure I know enough to even know what I really want out of it. I'm just really missing my camera. I'd like to purchase one within the next 2 weeks. I called around for prices on the D70, I only found one place open and taking calls, they quoted the D70 at 1499+tax CDN and were out of stock. I've noticed on ebay however they have packages for alot less...what to do what to do.

I just came accross a review for the D70 predesser the D70s and it looks like there isn't that much of an improvement, so i would say if your going to go nikon still go with a d70, and save a few bucks getting one as they go out. link
There is also the new D50. Looks like it is alittle cheaper and more aimed at a family camera. I haven't read the reviews for it yet, but it might be another option for ya, if you don't have enough already.

I have a D70 and am very happy with it. It will take a while to learn all the functions so that you can adequately take advantage of them all, but in the meantim there is the automatic mode. I chose the Nikon because I heard that the quality of the lenses was slightly better, plus a few other minor things; but I have never heard anyone was unhappy with the Canon Rebel either (which is slightly cheaper). The only thing I can suggest is try handling them and see which one feels better to you, maybe it will just come down to which one you like the look of. Make sure you get a good deal too, I got a package with two lenses rather than the standard single lens and saved myself a few hundred bucks. Whichever one you decide to go with you shouldn't be disappointed.

Not quite on point, but: I highly recommend "Nikon D70" by Peter iNova. Check it out (along with other top camera ebooks) at www.GMBooks.com
here.

Well folks, I bought a new camera today, went with the Digital Canon Rebel XT, after the warranty, storage card and camera bag I spent 2000$ CDN. Camera was 1299.99$ CDN. I had so much fun testing it out. From using a 2.0 Fujifilm and a 3.2 Fujifilm, this is a whole new world. The fact I can zoom in on something and not have it distort just blows my mind. I'm reading the manual and guessing on buttons, but I think I am starting to get the jist of it all. Being able to hold the lens stops the shakyness and the easy auto focus option makes everything so easy. The detail is something else. I took a picture of my aging mother's wrinkling face, I was so impressed you could see every little crease and crinkle so clear and crisp. She however was not so impressed that we could see it all. I can't wait to get outside and play around taking some shots. Thanks for all the input, I'll try and get professional and take something you can be proud of.

Sorry I missed the information-gathering stage, even if I don't have much to share. Good luck with your new camera, I envy you deeply. :-)