Can I buy a Nikon 40, 40x or 60 or don't buy it?

I am going to buy my first DSLR because my Point shoot digital camera ( Nikon Coolpix 5000) has a big problem and can’t be continue using. I am concerning Nikon D40x or D60 because right now they fit my budget . Besides , I am new for DSLR and I don’t want to buy an expensive one then am not able to use most features it has. but some of people o talked to me D 40 and D 60 was designed for beginner only . if I buy it , I will be regret for that. They mean if I want to buy, at least buy D80 . I don’t know if they are right or maybe they are too professional and require too high. I just want to make some picture a little bit better and do not ask too much.Of course, if I keep doing, maybe my request will change. Please let me know how do you think Nicon D40 and D60. If you have some good picture made by them, please show me if it is possible.


Thanks!

I don't shoot Nikon, but entry level dslrs is more camera than most people will ever need. Not only that, but either one will be a huge step up from your P & S. As has been recommended many times, save money on the body and spend it on quality lenses. When I bought, I got a used camera and spent twice as much on my first lens.

entry level is such a consumer term.. any camera you get will generally be an okay camera, there is no best camera, no greater camera, no entry or pro level camera.. i've been a victim to that feeling for the longest time, and i recently have realized i took better shots on my full manual powershot sx100 than i do with the d40x. I'd get the d80 out of all of them btw

You don't need to stick with Nikon, there are great Sony/Canon/Olympus alternatives. The gravest mistake you can make is to limit your self to just one brand, each brand has their own niche specialty and one might work better for you than the other. Sony and Olympus, for example, save consumers tons of money by offering in-camera stabilizers, so you don't have to buy ultra-expensive lens to get image stabilization. Canon also has only CMOS in all of their current models, and even models 3 generations old. Try the variety of flavors and dont limit your self.

I still don't know if I need to buy a powershot to use a period of time or directly buy an entry level DSLR camera. I like painting very much and hope to use the landscape pictures when I paint . so I don't ask too high quality on my photography itself.

Thanks!