Travel Photography - New SLR

Hi

I'd like to get an SLR as I've been using point and shoots for far too long and quality/lack of features is pretty underwhelming.

I was wondering if any of you could help me with my search, looking for something with the following attributes:

- Not too chunky, would prefer something with a less obtrusive design that isn't too big over a plethora of features I will hardly use
- Looking to pay around £300-400 GBP as it's my first SLR and if I find myself enjoying photography more so than now I'll upgrade in the next year probably
- Advice on a good lens to go with it that is good for long distances? (going on a safari soon)

I have no preference towards Nikon or Cannon so I'm open to all options!

Thanks for any help

the canon rebels are VERY nice now, lots of great features and also can be used easily. This is the in price range, maybe others will chime in about the nikons. The nice thing about the rebel from canon is that as you request, they are pretty compact, much more so than their normal XXd form factor and the regular nikons.

the canon rebels are VERY nice now, lots of great features and also can be used easily. This is the in price range, maybe others will chime in about the nikons. The nice thing about the rebel from canon is that as you request, they are pretty compact, much more so than their normal XXd form factor and the regular nikons.

Yeah the Canon rebel does look nice and pretty good shape/size too! Although looking on google there seem to be many lots of different makes/models of the canon rebel, which do you suggest for my budget?

I think there is really only ONE CURRENT rebel, the other ones listed have been the previous models. The latest one, is the T1i, which does full 1080p HD video capture, nice. The Xsi, is the latest of the non video. I think both are very nice, and with a starter kit lens in your price range. Check out the dpreview.com forums for very good reviews of both of these cameras

This is a great topic for our Travel Photography forum.

And check out these two threads that are pretty current on the same topic:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-photography/948720-help-first-dslr.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-photography/899550-beginner-questions.html

Based on those threads I'm going to close this one. Please feel free to add additional questions to one or both of those threads as appropriate.

Thanks!
-sbm12
Moderator, Travel Technology and Travel Photography