gday, wanting to upgrade to a DSLR now and really can only allocate few hundred toward one.

generally after something that starts up quick, auto focus, known as a reliable trustee camera etc., and still usefull for taking shots of moving objects (cars)...

several minutes on eBay and others provides results such as:
Canon EOS Digital Rebel 300D (2003) 6.3mp $ 120 +
Canon EOS 350D (2005) 8mp. $350+
Canon EOS 400D (2006) 10.1 mp + Accessories $325 +
Canon EOS-20D (2004) 8.2mps $120 +
Nikon D40 (2006) 6mp +twin lens kit 18-55mm/55-200m $ ????
Pentax K100D ["BRAND NEW"] 6mp $300+

wondering if basically the 300/350/400 denotes newer model with higher MPs etc?

also what is difference between the Canon range EOS ***D compared to the 20D listed?

pentax seems to have reviews of great clear photos though isn't quite "brand new" i.e. its a few years old right? the model that is..

opinions?

have to be careful of shutter count best bet is save get a 1000d or something

Agreed. These days new beginners body's are so cheap there's no real point in going for a second hand X00d.

With Canon, the more numbers in the name the lower spec it is, e.g. 1000d is now the lowest spec camera, then the 450d, then 50d, then 5dmk2, then 1dmk3, 1dsmk3.

Yes it means more MP but usually has other advances too, like better noise control, faster AF etc..

a x0d is Canon's semi-pro/serious-amateur crop body (1.6x all focal lengths), the 20d is good but probably equal to say, a 400d in features and the 400 will have better AF probably. There was big jumps in advances from the 10,20,30 and 40 but not SO much in the 40 to 50.

cool that explains the differences, thanks.

i do get your points in buying new, but as i mentioned , really really have to restrict cash.. can't justify that kind of expense... no a PnS wont surfice anymore...
i'm trying to get 350D to 450D or 20D prices vary as to suitability with extra lens or bag and lens, extra batteries etc... the user reviews still read good even those inthe last few months for say a 350D... i know they are 5+ years old now abouts but as i said...cash is strapped... im often surprised though at what prices the go for despite their age.. whilst others go for crazily cheap...
hope to get one in next few days so will keep posted,.

on another note id got my father a kodak something or other SLR style PnS like last year... he decided it was to big and wanted a pocket size, so jumped on eBay and got a Kodak m883 (think it was)... reviews absolutely decimate it, 8MPs but the review of them looks v.grainy, lots of noise... yet to see them on PC or printed though..
another reason why i want opinions etc..
so Canon would be considered reliable and trustee tpes of things..
o after reviews seems the *0D series are bigger / heavier... does that prove much of a problem with travel etc ?! would benefits of sturdiness and build quality over weigh that...

If you're strapped why not try for a Pentax *ist or a K100d? Sure they may be slow but they'll still take decent pictures in the right hands, are SLR's so can go full manual and aren't as bad as everyone says when comparing to a 50D/D300 etc..

If cash is strapped so much but you NEED an SLR, try film. Sure it costs getting developed etc.. (unless you do B&W at home) but when it comes down to it, I got an EOS 500 body for $50. I then got a 38-80 EF AF lens for $30. Throw in a roll of whatever, Kodak gold 400 at $3 a roll from Coles and you're out and shooting that day, when you get say a Canon 350D, then you gotta get a memcard, lens, have a computer to download shots onto etc.. it is substantially more expensive.

When it comes down to it man, unless you ebay-snipe shit over a 3 month period or something it's going to be at least $500 for a full 350D/D50 kit. That's it bluntly. Unfortunately this isn't the hobby for the cash strapped. Hell I count myself as cash strapped and i've spent over 5K in the last 15 months on gear! It all adds VERY fast.

lol, true true... been hitting up eBay etc for couple of weeks, and v. surprised at what 2nd hand DSLRs are going for... considering what they are going for "new" too.
Already have olympus and Pentax SLRs with few lenseses each, tripod, big box of film... i take my 3 year old into the garden and take photos of bugs and flowers. i plan to give him the digital i've had for 5 years (more), an Olympus cz740 ultrazoom or something, 3.2 mps. lol. maybe you can see why im after but more than the current :

as you all say , gonna have to spend tad more than i hope, but i hope that gets me something thats been as trustee and long wearing as the Olumpus digital. ...onto a Nikon D50 for "reasonable" price...

maybe this next question can help me decide at least on what brand/model direction to head towards... Canon 350 etc appear to be good all round from reviews etc, ..plastic, light, on and on... Pentax k100 etc appears to all have on body shake reduction (rather than lens) (cheaper lens?), whilst Nikon appear to be favourites?! -though their most basic model.. d40 doesnt have auto focus motor?!?!
what benefits do you have over other models you've trie?!
i am leaning towards the pentax's currently , can i hope that with practise etc any shortcomings of them would worked out?!
i might scrounge through the forum further see what others are doing with diff models...

...got a Nikon D40 $395. appears good nic.... charger, battery covers things etc... original books/warranty cards, neck strap appears never attached, HarveyNorman purchased orgi. $699.

just gotts figure few things out ,,, glad with purchase, hope to pic up and develop (acquire) few skills techniques etc...

cheers... 2nd had D40 on eBay were going for $500 +.... then postage of course,,,