[Mark_h]

SLR is just bigger. Leave it on auto and it's a big, expensive point and shoot. Move it to Programme and you get control but hard to mess it up. Move it elsewhere and you can get fancy depending on what you are trying to achieve. You'll learn about priorities, metering, depth of field and all that as you go along. For day 1, leave it in auto, point it at something you like, press the button and you'll get a decent picture.

However >90% of the quality of a picture comes down to what you point it at not what it is. Some of my best pictures have been taken with my worse cameras.

Also don't worry about getting uber-expensive lenses right away. If it comes with a kit lens it will already be 100x better quality than your phone or point and shoot. Once you've used it a while you'll work out what you need next.

The problem with asking folks is people that get really into it get really into it and think nothing of spending hundreds or thousands on kit that a beginner doesn't need.

If a mate was looking to get into bikes you'd suggest they got a cheap simple SV or a Hornet or something however some would say you need a 1098 or KTM990 because they're better. Keep it simple to start as chances are you don't know what you want yet.

With cameras so long as you stick to a brand (Canon, Nikon etc) the kit is largely interchangeable so get a basic canon body with kit lens. If you want a better lens you can get one later once you know what you need it to do; if you then want to upgrade the body you can and if you get another canon your cheap and your decent lens will still fit.