The best semi-pro Digital SLR currently on the market is a Canon XTI. Based on price.

check out http://www.Stevesdigicams.Com

Hey Joseph,

Get one with lots of megapixels. Then, point and shoot. When you get the pictures back to the computer, you can CROP to a frame out of the picture that is to your liking. You can turn most pictures that are frammed too big into really great pictures, just by cropping down to the important rectangle you want to keep.

the best is canon 5D if u want to go a bit cheaper go for the 30D
see them online, and go to your nearest store to see them and handle them….

It may be difficult to find a Digital SLR’s within your budget. I would recommend looking at more that just the camera and examine the “system” as a whole. By system I mean lens, flashes, etc. It may be a good idea to look into taking a photography course as well. DPreview.Com is a very good resource for information on a major digital camera systems.

These are the cheapest pro level cameras available…They all use the same pro lenses that their more expensive counterparts use.

Nikon D50 & D70
Canon Digital Rebel
Canon Rebel XT
Minolta Maxxum 7D (became Sony Alpha brands)

It all depends on what you are shooting, if you are going to shoot portraits or weddings you may want to look at a full frame sensor.
If you plan on shooting wildlife or sporting events you may want an camera with a smaller sensor.

The smaller sensor would act like a built in multiplier, without loosing any lens speed or quality.
both Nikon and Canon make cameras with the smaller sensor,
but between the two only Canon makes a camera with a full frame sensor.

Your budget is unfortunately way below anything that could even introduce you to pro level equipment. You need to be shopping in the used market for something like a Nikon D100 or something of similar age – about 3 or 4 years old.

if you are looking for a quality digital camera for under 300 bucks, you may want to try getting a stolen one off a crack head. A Nikon d80 is a quality relatively inexpensive camera. I shoot with a canon xti now and love the results. Both cameras are in the 900-1100 dollar range. Now you could get yourself a nice point and shoot camera but I wouldn’t call these professional use cameras because of your lack of control. They can produce nice snapshot type photographs if you learn to use the camera properly.

Also you may want more experience if you want to enter the profession. There is lots to learn about cameras before you can take professional quality photographs. You will also want to know a thing or two about printing.

WIth your budget, you are looking at a second hand market. Your money can buy you a pre-owned Nikon D70 which is a good start. Hopefully, you can add more and get a simple kit lens- Nikon 18-70mm f3.5. A second hand one could cost $200. Lenses are generally more expensive than the camera.

And the next thing to spend on is lessons.

The D70 is a good step to find out if you want to take your photography to the next level.

If you are getting into Professional Photography you should know what to look for in a camera