I'm not too sure about what camera to choose..?

Hi there English Rose! I would suggest that if you are looking to get a new digital camera, and have been thinking about getting a D-SLR camera, that you go ahead and make the switch without question. The prices of D-SLR's have dropped so much recently that they are now as cheap as the traditional point and shoot digital cameras and offer you so much more. D-SLR stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex which refers to the way that the image is recorded on to the digital sensor giving exceptional quality prints and images even on lower megapixels than some of the point and shoot digital cameras. The main plus point on a D-SLR is the that with the lenses have fantastic optical zoom features that don't distort or pixelate the picture in the way that point and shoots do. I would also suggest that you have a look at the Sony A200 over the Nikon D40. It features a 10.2 pixel sensor, 2.7" lcd screen and comes with an 18-70mm zoom lens. It was voted as Best Entry Level D-SLR in Europe at this years TIPA Awards as it is so user friendly and great for beginners. And its a steal at under £265! Hope this helps you out, let us know what you decide to get!

Ok an SLR is a single lens reflex camera. This means that the image comes through the lens hits a mirror and goes through a prism to the viewfinder so what you see is almost exactly what the image is. When the shutter activates the mirror raises and the light gets to the sensor. What you will get out of a DSLR is a larger sensor. One that is many many times the size of the one on a point and shoot. Larger sensor = more light to each pixel = crisper, clearer photo with better color. In addition the DSLR will have better optics which again = clearer better image. It will have better metering, a better image processor, less shutter lag due to faster focusing more precise focusing. It will work on an auto mode but when you grow in skill and are ready to take more control the camera will let you do that. You can change lenses to meet your needs. It gives you more options for flash like balanced fill flash. I could go on As to the D40 IMHO it gives you more for the price than any camera out there today. It has the features that most photographers want. Its the lightest smallest DSLR available. So I do not see how getting it would be a mistake. I have a D300 that cost several times what the D40 does and still when I am shooting family stuff for fun I often grab the D40

i prefer canon powershot, for example canon a2000, e1, sx100,etc.