Originally Posted by gaterose

I use a d5000 and would agree with whoever posted above about the d5100 at costco (or sam's here). I believe it's $800 or $900 with 18-55mm and 55-200mm starter lenses. You can pick up a D5k like mine for around $450-600 with those lenses on craigslist usually.

I've thought about switching to full frame but it would be too expensive and I really like the size of the DX bodies. I can get smaller/sport camera backpacks so I can carry my camera hiking or biking and have quick access, rather than stopping what I'm doing, removing the bag, setting it on the ground, and unzipping a huge panel.

The D5xxx series also have a flip out live-view screen for composing odd angle shots, I use that a lot for taking ground level shots or when I'm too lazy to squat or sit on the ground for other low angle shots.

There are downsides to the smaller sensor but I don't think those downsides outweigh the upsides for every photographer. I have a 20x30" cropped jpeg print taken with my old 10 MP D40X hanging in my kitchen and it's still quite sharp. Oh and the dx fits in my center console along with a second lens, even with all the junk I keep in there.

If you're set on Canon I believe they make a comparable kit for a similar price but I don't know what model that is.