DSLR Camera, which one?

[Grippy]

It's all personal preference really. I still use my old Oly E-1 from 2001 from time to time, it's a 5mp DSLR but with an old ccd sensor and I love how it produces colours and love using the thing, although I love my Pentax DSLR's too, especially the star tracking feature of my newest one for astro shots.
Make sure if you are going to be doing more than happy snaps in full auto mode to get something with 2 dials, one for shutter speed and aperture and weather sealing, all of my cameras have been out in rain, hit by waves, dropped in dirt and covered in filth and are still fine due to having good weather sealing.
Like others have said, get a decent body and save up for some good glass and a good tripod for long exposures. Learn how to use the thing properly and compose your shots and you'll be good to go.

Sent from under my Grand Cherokee

[Kiwi Jeeper]

I started with Minolta film SLR many moons ago. Switched to Canon. Then digital. Through 450D and 550D, I'm now at 80D. Best camera so far. However, kit lenses are generally not great. They are ok. But body and lens bought separately would be the way to go.

[Snort]

Thanks for the replies, all helpful.
Merry Christmas.

[neomut]

If you can stretch go for the d500 (if considering dx frame and nikon).

we've gone up the dx range from d40 -> d7200 -> now d500.

Awesome awesome camera.

-> bit of a review here but there is tones out there https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-d500

THe main consideration would be full frame or dx.

[a-frame81]

I use an old Canon 1000D, but like neil_se, use a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and the difference between the old kit lens and this one is night and day. I do still have the 55-250 kit lens and it's acceptable, but I rarely need to use a lens that long. Other than that I have the nifty 50 (50mm f1.8 ) that I was lucky enough to be given by a friend who upgraded to the1.4.

Based on my experience, I'll go a bit left field and say buy a cheaper second hand body and spend most of your budget on decent lenses, either new or second hand. You'll get way better results out of better glass than spending all your coin on a really good body and limiting it with cheap glass, especially since it's the OP's first DSLR. The lower end DSLRs will have alot better "beginner" features while still giving the ability to use full auto and as long as you're not doing too much night time work where the lower ISO specs will cause issues then they will do the job until you're ready, as a photographer, to move to somethign more advanced. Just my 2c.

[destron]

I have a nikon d7100. Good value for the money and easy to operate.

[Snort]

Hi to all that replied to my question. It has been about a year since my original post and thought I would fill you in on what camera I ended up buying. After plenty of second guessing myself I bought a Fujifilm XT2 mirrorless and a 18-130mm lens. Both are weather sealed, and after getting used to the functions I am going to buy another lens soon. I am happy with my choice so far.
Cheers