My initial choice was the Sony A450, but I can't seem to get it anywhere. Many people suggested Nikon, so I went with that brand. At first, I bought the D3000, but then I learned about the D3100, which ended up being a much better option. I went with the D3100, and now I nearly don't regret it. I am not new to DSLRs; in fact, I used to shoot on a Sony A200; but, the camera is fantastic, and I shoot almost exclusively in the "S" mode, adjusting the shutter speed. I highly recommend this camera to everyone:) Below are some advantages: Excellent color reproduction Even more or less acceptable are modes of automatic operation. Light It is quite comfortable to hold in the hand. The whale lens is quite good; the only drawback is that it does not have a sufficient focal length. The position of the control buttons is quite convenient. Battery life is fairly respectable for its price point. Clear menu Convenient photo editor Great fast fire is displayed on the video. Various disadvantages: When capturing video, you won't be able to connect an external microphone. Even if the whale looks good, the focal length is not sufficient. The white balance is inconsistent at times. The flash does not have sufficient power. Small diopter values; I use my left eye, which has a -1.5 diopter correction, to see through the viewfinder. It is recommended that autofocus be set up so that the focus point can be changed using the buttons on the camera.