Oh wants a decent camera for his birthday off his family, so weve been having a look at what we want.....there isnt a huge pot of money, but want the best we can for what monies are available

Does anyone have any opinions on these please?

A standard digital??

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5593763/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CPhotography%7C14419436/c_2/2%7C14419436%7CDigital+cameras%7C14419441.htm

I like the look of these, but whats the benefit......or con??

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5595125.htm

and dont understand the SLR bit, are they really good or something, are they worth the extra??? This is the cheapest one of its type....?

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5593086/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CPhotography%7C14419436/c_2/2%7C14419436%7CDigital+cameras%7C14419441/c_3/3%7Ccat_14419441%7CDigital+SLR+cameras%7C14419500.htm

I don't know much about cams but the SLR bit seems to be for people that are a bit more serious than just taking your basic family/landscape snaps so I would say it really depends on what he wants it for. basic needs or more proper photography?

i wanted an slr camera and saved up for one but they are like carrying an extra bag around. Instead i got a canon ixis and i love it. I got it with a carry case and memory card from costco. Cost £100 i think.

SLR cameras are good but if you're not going to use the manual settings you're as well to get a decent compact with a good few programmed settings (landscape, portrait, macro, night, etc). Don't worry about a bazillion megapixels unless you're planning on making very large prints of your photos and look for high optical zoom over digital zoom (which is shit)

I've always been a Canon fan, but Nikon are also a good brand

I Love my SLR but unless you are going to spend time learning how to use it then it might be a waste of camera, and you wont get good results easily.

Once you've used an SLR you do kinda get pissed off with compacts BUT they are still great cameras, I have a little Casio Elixim which takes good pics, battery lasts forever and its nice and small to put in a hangbag.

Of the 3 if you want a good camera that wont annoy you with size and settings then go for the first, or something like it - they have plenty of presets so you can pretty much always get a good shot, they are really easy to work and nice and small to take about with you.