I am buying my first digital slr camera and I need advice.?

I want 8mp, 15X optical zoom ( ?) fast shutter speed and good memory. I am looking at HP, Olympus, Canon, but I am open to suggestions. I want good close up shots - I will be using for action photos and portraits and nature shotsI am buying my first digital slr camera and I need advice.?
Well fist of all, HP does not make a DSLR and no DSLR comes with any lenses discribed with x factor optical zooms. .... They all use optical zooms. I think, perhaps, you are talking about SLR-like cameras





Look here for some data on two of the largest makers of pro SLR cameras





http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d300.ht鈥?/a>


http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d60.htm


http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/rebel-x鈥?/a>I am buying my first digital slr camera and I need advice.?
Is Ken Rockwell scripture?
You might consider a point and shoot type camera as your first endeavor. Fuji f50fd is a good example.
Well you are missing out on some good DSLR like cameras. I myself own a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 and the camera is a gem as far as i am concerned. Why should i go out and spend a fortune on lenses when i have a great lens that is 12X optical zoom? Then i can add on a 1.7x tele convertor. They say bridge cameras can not compete with DSLR's but there are alot of people out there that are disagreeing. I spent a total of $400 for my camera and then another $200 on filters, memory cards and a bag.


Fujifilm just came out with a new model called the S100FS that is 11mp and olympus just came out with a 20x optical zoom that has manual focus and zoom. you should reconsider the benefits and not look at these cameras like they are diseased.
According to your specs, getting a dSLR system with 15x zoom will be somewhat expensive.





Forget about HP. They don't make dSLR cameras and their ';advanced'; digital cameras simply suck.





Personally, I would not consider getting an Olympus (Four-thirds), due to high noise levels in high ISO settings.





You can go for Canon, or even Nikon. Both brands offer great cameras, great lenses (and a wide variety of them), and several accessories.


Canon has a better ISO performance due to their CMOS sensor.


Nikon take the lead in build quality, ergonomics and durability.





My recommendation would be getting the following:





For Canon: Digital Rebel XSi (body only) + EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM lens. This setting will give you about 7X zoom, and will cost about $1159.94.





For Nikon: D60 (with kit lens) + Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR. This setting will give you about 11X zoom, and will cost about $ 956.94.





Hope this helps!
I would definitely recommend canon. Canon will give you everything great from close macro shots to far away sports action spots. It is the most reliable in my opinion.