looking for a new camers

ok i'm looking for a new camera. i lost my old one months ago and now have given up looking for it lol.

What i want

-good focus
-good quality
-suitable to take pics of dogs and sports
-suitable for nature photos
-easy to take when out at the park or on a walk
- Less then $900
-Can take indoor and night photos
-A camera that's a begginer or intermediate camera
-digital

What i don't want

- bad quality
-bad focus
-way to big to bring places
- can't take pics of pets or sports
- over $900
-HP or Kodak. I've used those cameras in the pass and i am not impresssed,
-complicated settings that only a advanced person would know
-film

I have looked into Canon, Sony and Nikon. If it's possible can you also include prices of the camera you would reccomend

Nikon D40!

I have the D50, it's awesome. The D40 is pretty spiffy as well...I think half of Chaz has the D40 actually.

Haha, my thoughts exactly.

I don't remember the exact price of mine (It was my sweet sixteen gift) but it was WELL under $900, and I have 2 lenses for it.

I just recently ordered the Nikon D60x and I'm anxiously awaiting its arrival.

i read the d40 is bad at taking pics of sports and nature? I dont know if that's true though.

It also looks like it's heavy where i couldn't take it on a walk? i don't know though. What do you guys think?

best thing to do is to go to a camera shop and actually hold/try the camera. Makes a difference--especially if you are looking for something compact. A DSLR is going to be bigger than a point and shoot--but some DSLR's are bigger/heavier than others.

Thanx. the only camera shop i know of is target where i live lol. they don't trust anyone but hey i wouldn't blame them either

My d40 takes great action shots, as long as there's adequate lighting. Nature shots as well. I will go through some of my past photos, and post them.

It is large (which is why I plan on getting a point and shoot soon) but you most likely won't find a camera with the features you're looking for AND have it be compact. (I figured that one out, when I was searching.) I do take mine on walks though, and I've never had any trouble.

If you have up to $900 though, you should go for the d40x or the d60, or even the d90. I got my d40 as a sweet sixteen gift (it was all I got, because of the price) and I didn't have a huge budget to work with.

Some 'nature' pictures taken with my d40.

If you are used to shooting with a point n shoot camera the d40 will be wonderful and will seem incredibly fast. If you have shot with other SLR style cameras before it will seem a bit slow for the action but there is still a LOT you can do. It's an excellent starting point and will let you get started on a budget, collect some lenses and if you want to upgrade your body later you'll be well on your way.

You'll also be surprised at just how balanced the cameras are. I know my jaw literally dropped when I picked up my D50 for the first time. I was expecting this heavy, awkward camera and while it's def heavier than a P&S, it's so balanced that it compensates nicely.

I take my camera to the dog park and on walks all the time. The camera bag I have is great for carrying other stuff as well, so I'm set for a good long hike when I really feel like it.

Yeah, the camera box (body) is so light that the weight of the lens makes it not too much heavier than a P&S. At least this is how it was with my in-laws' D40.
They're slightly bigger, but not too bad. Granted, I don't have the smallest P&S either, though. The lenses are easy to remove, too.

Thaks everyone. I think i will go for this instead. I was saving to buy another computer but then i looked at my boy and realized he's getting older and i want pictures of him to remember. So the laptop could wait lol.

I am considering the D40 now. Thanx for all your help

We found a D60 on sale in a kit for $840 plus two lenses. We ended up spending a lot more on lenses and filters though. >.<

If I were buying for me, though, I'd get a D40. I believe the starter kit for those was $599.

My D40 is great at taking pictures of anything that I want it to. Be it portraits, action shots, nature shots, etc. And with the lens I have on it, it is a bit heavier than my P&S, but as others have said, it's not that bad. I take mine pretty much everywhere without a problem. I think if you have $900 to spend on a camera, you should definitely look into the D40.

Nikon D40

I have a nikon d40 and I love it.

thanx everyone. i appreciate all the feedback

Nikon is the best you can get, in my opinion. But my Canon Powershot A610 does the trick for me with focused pictures at 16x zoom. It's a wonderful camera but getting old! I hope to get a Nikon soon. If you want something cheaper than a Nikon though, go for the Canon DEFINETLY.

Avoid Kodaks BTW, I have a Kodak Easyshare C633 that SUCKS.