aNdY wrote:

> Thanks so much. Actually I also had went to this url 2 days ago and
> preview the Canon 350D and like it. But I was hoping for better ones.

Why would you need anything better?  Do you intend to print larger than A3? 
Even if you want to sell your photographs, the 350D is good enough for 
professional use.

If you really do want something better, take a look at the 13MP Canon 5D, 
but that will cost a lot more, and on top of that you'll need to spend a lot 
of money on a good lens for it.  The larger the sensor the better the lens 
needs to be.  And even though 13MP sounds a lot more than 8MP, it will only 
produce a print which is 25% wider.  I honestly don't think you need more 
than 8MP.  Most people don't.

Don't forget, even if you go for the 350D, you'll have to buy a decent lens 
for it as well, which could cost more than the camera!  The lens that comes 
with it is okay, but you'd really need something better to get the best out 
of it.  For you I'd recommend the 17-85mm zoom which has image 
stabilisation.  If you only want to use one lens, this is a good choice.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=10511
Be warned that this lens won't fit onto the 5D if you decide to go for that 
instead.

If you do go for the 5D, this lens would be equivalent to the one above, and 
also has image stabilisation.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=7337

But if you want the best quality, this lens would be a better choice.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=11924

> In the url you gave, it has link to places where I can order it. The
> prices ranges and if I were to pick the shop selling it the
> cheapest... will it be advisable?

I wouldn't buy from the first shop you find.  Search the internet, some 
places sell a lot cheaper.  A bit of searching can save you a lot of money.

> Ok, I will go seek and think about
> it. I do wish to have just one len as I do no like the idea of taking
> out and putting back len onto camera.

Being able to change lenses is one of the best things about a DSLR!  You may 
really like that when you find out what different lenses can do, but if you 
really don't want to change lenses, then you probably don't really need a 
DSLR.  In which case, I suggest you seriously consider the Sony DSC-R1 
instead.  It has a very good lens, similar in range to the ones mentioned 
above, and a DSLR sized sensor, so it's effectively a 10MP DSLR with a fixed 
lens.  According to dpreview, the cost of the camera is worth it for the 
lens alone.  So if you only want to use one lens, buy this one and get the 
camera free!

Oh, something I forgot to mention.  DSLRs don't do video.  If you want a 
camera that can do video as well, don't get a DSLR or the Sony DSC-R1.

> IF I go for tour, I want one
> which can take picture easily and easy to carry.

Well that depends on what you call easy to carry.  I think a DSLR with one 
lens is easy to carry (I use a camera case on my belt) but many people want 
a tiny camera that you can slip into your shirt pocket.  If that's the case, 
then consider the Panasonic LX1 that I mentioned, that's tiny and very 
light.  Or the Canon G6 which is a little bigger but still small compared to 
the others I mentioned.  The LX1 does good video too.

> The best brand any
> idea is which? is Nikon comparable?

Canon and Nikon are the big two.  Nikon was the leader back in the days of 
film, but Canon is in the lead with digital.  Canon makes the best quality 
sensors, but you won't go far wrong with either.

> How about Sony, Oympic and so on?
> Any idea?

Sony, Olympus, Minolta are all top makes, there are many other good ones 
too.

> I look at them in the url but there are so many tempting
> ones. I think it really depend on my luck if I were to get one or
> not. Sigh... The sony looks cool too.

That may be the best choice for you, but it's not the smallest camera to 
carry around.  Get a decent padded case to put on your belt.

> Many others look cool too. I
> will see how when i go to the shops. Their attitude matters.

Yeah, but salesmen usually want to sell you what they've got in stock, so 
you can't always trust them.  It's good to go to the shops just to pick up 
the cameras and try them out.

> Thanks a lot. BTW, hope they sell those in Singapore.

I don't see why not, most of them are made in Asia aren't they?

> Most important question I have is, which brand or model I must never
> consider and why?

I don't know.  I don't spend much time looking at cheap cameras.  If it 
can't save RAW files I'm not interested.  Most people shoot JPEGs, but 
shooting RAW files gives much better quality, especially if you want to make 
adjustments to the photos afterwards.  There are a bit more fiddly because 
you have to convert them, and they are bigger files so you need bigger 
memory cards, but it's worth it if you are really serious about quality.

> That way I can look out for this problem with
> digital camera and get the real good ones. Any idea?

Well in my opinion, avoid cameras that don't do RAW, avoid cameras with 
small lenses and avoid cheap cameras!  If you stick to the big names like 
Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Minolta and Sony you won't go far wrong.  There are 
other good makes too but those are 5 of the best.

Don't forget that you'll need to buy quite a lot of big memory cards for a 
camera with lots of megapixels, especially if you go on long trips.  This 
can add a lot to the price.  You'll also need spare batteries.

Paul