First EVER SLR recommendations for a new Photographer

[Julcak]

Hi I am fairly new to the the Photography world n have been working with a point n shoot for quite some time....i now have the financial opportunity to purchase my VERY first SLR which of course will b digital...i can spend no more than around 800 and would like to know what anyone would suggest would be a great camera to start with in that price range...the one that keeps coming up most it seems as a good starter is the Nikon D3000...would this be a good starter camera but more importantly what WOULD be a good starter camera...today is thursday and i will be going to make my purchase on monday so as much help as i could get over the next few days would be greatly appreciated

[Eastree]

Wow! That's quite a bit to slog through.

My first question would be whether you have read about what is available.
My second question is your intention: Do you plan to upgrade to full frame or not?

I recommend finding a place that sells cameras by all the major manufacturers. Go there with an idea of which models you read about and have decided are options for you. Pick them up. Look through them. Touch the controls and see how it feels.

Trust me: one will stand out to you.

Whether you decide to use Nikon, Canon, Pentax, or Sony (and I'm sure I've forgotten at least one), you'll be getting a decent camera. Sensor resolution is not important. Each brand will also sell their cameras with a lens, usually 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6. I know some sell a different focal range.

But seriously, this is something to (almost literally) feel out for yourself. If you just go snap up a Nikon, and you get it home and find it's clunky or the controls aren't what you'd like ... you'll always feel that about the camera. If you compare what's out there, and decide that the Nikon fits your hand best, and the controls are at the tips of your fingers, exactly where you'd want them to be, you've found your camera.