Camera for a beginner? £300-ish budget

Yeah I'm going to have to pick, it's quite tough though.

From what I've gathered, the Nikon build quality is better, the general quality is better, but it's much harder to use than the Canon and more expensive.

Apparently once you buy into a brand, you kinda stick to that brand, I guess it's because of the lenses etc? Can anyone give me some insight, if for example my gf picked this up and wanted to move onto a mid-ranged bit of kit, or maybe eventually even a higher-end bit of kit, is there any advantage to either of the brands? I.e. 1 having better quality, more affordable lenses than the other? This may make the decision a little easier.

I'm kinda leaning towards Canon at the moment, because of it's ease of use, but the build quality of the Nikon is obviously a great benefit, as she'd want something that feels nice to hold and use.
 
^ The build quality of the Nikon's is what attracted me to them. They aren't that hard to use either the d3100 has some special mode that teaches you how to use IIRC, and as you use them you will gradually know all the controls and it's only like £30 more.

If you buy more lenses then yes it makes sense that you stick with one brand although there is nothing stopping you selling al your gear and changing brands, but it's really not a big deal same with going for higher end kits, both brands make top cameras, it usually boils down to which one "feels" right for you, I would personally take your partner to a shop and test both cameras out. TBH unless your gonna be doing pro photography, it's not as much about the technology, these entry level cameras will take fantastic quality photos, the main thing is to develop an eye for a scene.
 
Definitely get a DSLR if she wants to get into photography as a hobby, a CSC will prove limiting fast and they are generally a nightmare to use outside of automatic modes - which is where she will essentially want to be.

Out of the D3100 and 1100D, I'd got for the D3100 (and I did), its technically better and feels superior in the hand. The Canon feels like a plastic toy in comparison. D3100 also has a 'Guide' mode which tells you what settings to change to achieve certain results. Useful when you're initially starting out, but once you've spent a bit of time researching and experimenting you won't look at it again.

Another vote for 'understanding exposure' if you want to get her a book. I think it's in it's 3rd edition now. A few people have suggested his techniques are dated, but the basic (e.g. exposure and composition) do not change.
 
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I just bought a Nikon D3100 from the well known high street catalogue shop this morning, under £300 now. A great price for an entry level DSLR. I am just waiting for the battery to be full charged.
 
I should have posted before, but on a certain Rainforest website the price of the Canon 1100D dropped to £287, so I nabbed it along with some other bits on Friday.

I went for that understanding exposure book, 1 other book about macro photography, extension tubes, a 32gb SD, bag and a 50mm 1.8 lens.

I could always cancel the order if you think it's worthwhile to go for the Nikon?
 
Aedus said:
I should have posted before, but on a certain Rainforest website the price of the Canon 1100D dropped to £287, so I nabbed it along with some other bits on Friday.

I went for that understanding exposure book, 1 other book about macro photography, extension tubes, a 32gb SD, bag and a 50mm 1.8 lens.

I could always cancel the order if you think it's worthwhile to go for the Nikon?
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From what I read both are about the same other than Nikon does 1080p video so it comes down to what you like best.
 
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