Here is a great site to learn a lot about photography and some of the Nikon and Canon lenses and cameras.Pro's answer only? I've been a photographer for 40 years, but I'm not a pro. Does that count for anything? Both of the previous answerers are quite correct. If you're only just setting out in photography, may I suggest a college course? From there, you could also try to find a pro who needs an assistant who will teach you as well as paying you, which will go some way to help pay for the equipment you so desire.
Best of luck, and please don't think that just because some of us are not pro's, doesn't mean we know nothing.I agree with the above poster about Nikon D40x.
But both Canon Rebel XTi and the Nikon D40x are entry level digital SLRs. Don't get me wrong, they are great to start with. But, if you are the kind, who like to explore all options, then you are better off with either Canon 40D or the Nikon D80.
More important will be the lens you chose with the camera. Currently, Nikon's kit lenses are a tad better than those of the Canon's. The higher end lens of both manufacturers are really good. You will need a good lens for serious photography. Then there is the tripod and fast flash cards and readers.
Also, you should play around with these cameras before you commit to them. The way they feel in your hands and the menu interfaces are something you should pay close attention to. Go to a local camera shop with your own memory cards and shoot a bunch of images. Compare them at home and you can then vote with your heart and your wallet :-)
Also, wait till you hear all the PMA 2008 announcements (Jan 30 ~ Feb1, 2008). Both Canon and Nikon are planning to announce newer models with some exciting lenses as well. Worst case, you can get a good bargain on the older cameras, if you do not want to go for the latest.
- echelvan
http://www.dslrgossip.comI'm not sure why it is, but there's quite a bit of snobbery on Yahoo! Answers about digital SLR cameras. It seems to come from people who believe that the technology is the biggest part of making a photograph, rather than the photographer.
The answer that I would have written myself if I had been here earlier is the answer by Brandon V (which is ironic, as the "B" in JBT stands for Brandon.) The only difference is that I would have recommended to you the Canon G9, or the Canon SX100, or the Canon S5 IS instead of the Sony he pointed you to.
I would not recommend that you get a digital SLR camera yet. They're expensive, they require a lot of extra equipment, and prices on them are falling as technology gets cheaper and more advanced. At the age of 16, there's a lot you can do to learn photography and develop your style with an advanced point-and-shoot camera.
And hey, since you're 16, it's more likely that a camera is going to get banged around and need repair than it would be if you were 40. (Not that I'm saying you're not responsible -- that's just the way it is.) I'd rather repair a $400 camera than a $2000 one. But that's just me.I've been doing photography as an amateur for a few years now with just a regular film SLR and I recently bout a Canon Xti and I would definitely recommend it for a beginner. As a beginner I really enjoyed my film camera but now that I've used the Rebel Xti I really wish I had it earlier. Its definitely useful to be able to take pictures and experiment and see your results right away, without having to pay for developing for finding a Dark Room to do it yourself.
I you do go straight to a Digital SLR camera I would recommend that you, at some point, (perhaps in college if you choose to go) rent/borrow/buy a film SLR camera and take a photography class that includes time in the dark room, trust me, your time spent in there is worth your while!