I have $900 to spend on a DSLR - which one?

I would get any cheap nikon or canon body. Don’t get wrapped up in the megapixel race it is not worth the money unless you plan on printing huge. Go to a camera store that is not a major chain, and they will help you out.

My advice is to get a cheap body, and a nice lens. Also choose the newest model camera body in your budget, instead of an older higher-end model. If you want a body that shoots good video you will spend a lot more, so if video is a must I would wait a little longer and let the technology catch up a bit. The lower end camera bodies may start having video soon, or at least that seems to be the trend. Personally I wouldn’t worry about the video feature, but everyone is different.

I would strongly consider Olympus for many reasons.
I use Olympus and love it.
Being different than all the Canon and Nikon shooters.
Great value for the money.
4/3 system has many advantages
4/3 system is being backed by different brands. Olympus, Sigma, Panasonic etc.
The Kit glass is the best kit glass you can find. (that being said, it is still kit glass)
the pro glass can compete with any glass on any system. (you heard that right)
small, compact bodies.
The higher end bodies have Images Stabilization in the body, thus any lens you mount becomes image stabilized, not the case with Nikon bodies (some)

Cons-can be noiser in low light in some circumstances, also, no video.

@LJC I think you give good advice, especially about the video, one thing I have to say though, is that for some people, kit glass might fulfill all of thier needs for thier photography/budget. Personally however, I wish I had listened to your advice, and would have spent my money first on glass when I first started :]

@patg7590 seems to be good advice too, I only know nikon and canon and that is why I suggested the brands.

I also agree that a kit lens will work fine, however, you need to be ready to learn how to operate the camera. Shooting in Program Auto with a low end body, and kit lens can get you a lot of grainy, flash burned, or blurry images. If you learn what creates all of those mentioned issues, you can take better pictures with the same camera and kit lens. The easiest way to shoot nice images on a DSLR is to buy a nice lens. A fast lens will allow you to shoot in Auto more often with better results.

IMHO-Auto sucks

if you want to shoot on auto just buy a P/S and go at it. You are buying a DSLR because you want full control of the photographic experience. Shoot-ALOT- make mistakes, learn what all the settings do. Join Flickr. Have a ball

I agree that Auto sucks… I am not suggesting that this person shoot in Auto, I am only telling them how to do it successfully, if that is what they plan on doing.

Nikon D90

12mp, noise is minimal, great quality, shoots video i believe in 720p

I can poke the camera enough to not need to use Auto mode. If we scratch the need for video then specific suggestions welcome – e.g. Nikon D5000, etc?

@wenn – how does the d90 compare to the d500 or the equivalent Canon EOS – any idea? Price/features, etc.

@warrickt so all that and you dont even consider olympus?

shame on you sir.

D90 is $1000 for just the body so your budget is already in the red. Personally, I would get a D40 and a very nice lens. The D5000 sounds nice but it is over $700, and that doesn’t leave a lot of room for a good lens. Also you should check out @patg7590 suggestion with comparable Olympus bodies.

not discounting Olympus – which one?

@warrickt http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Digital-Stabilization-14-42mm-40-150mm/dp/B001TXKQBK/?tag=noisydeals6-20

or any of them. I have an e500 and an e620

a used 5d

@warrickt The D5000 is an entry/beginner level version of the D90(d90 is more professional level), the D5000 feels of lesser quality and there is no display for camera data.

Go to a camera shop and hold them both, you’ll see what i mean. I thought about getting the D5000 over the D90 because it has the same 12mp and $300 cheaper. After seeing htem both in person, I still go for the more expensive D90.

You’ll be happier with the D90. (if you go Nikon..which for DSLR I reccomend over anything else)

Get a Nikon D90 with a Nikkor f1.8 AF D
Beleive me (and read kenrockwell)

Forget about video for your budget. The D90 doesn’t leave you with any room for lenses. Pick up a D40 and spend 600 on lenses. Plus the D40 is light enough to carry around. The Oympus E-620 will also do well for your budget, leaving room for lenses and is also a light weight option to carry around.

Just remember, if it is too big/ too heavy to carry with you than its not the right amera.

I wouldn’t spend that much on lenses. 50mm are great price value.