Enthusiast dSLRs

These dSLRs start at about $800 (often including a basic zoom lens) and range to about $1,200. These models are available from Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony, and other vendors. These cameras don’t sacrifice many features; the corners are cut in ways that probably don’t affect the typical photo enthusiast. 

For example, cameras in this class often are built around rugged polycarbonate bodies rather than the almost-indestructible magnesium camera bodies found in upscale cameras. The viewfinder systems might use pentamirrors that are a little dimmer than the pentaprisms found in pro cameras, and magnification through the viewing system might be lower. It’s common for these dSLRs to have much less sprightly continuous shooting modes, too. For anyone who could never justify spending $1,800 or more on a dSLR, these models offer just about every needed feature with enough megapixels to produce very high-quality pictures, indeed. They form an excellent foundation for building an arsenal of lenses and other accessories that remain useful even when the photo enthusiast upgrades to a newer model in the future.

Source : DSLR for DUMMIES