Help me choose a new camera

My sony p&s is on the verge of breaking, screen keeps going blank and the power button is also broke. So I am going to take the plunge and get a DSLR in a month or so(if it holds out that long), my budget is not great, around £300-£400, £450 at a push. So I would like everyones opinions please.

Thanks in advance.

I have a Canon EOS 400d if you are interested?

Seriously, if you are just getting into digital SLR, I reccommend the 400d as an excellent camera, brilliant for a first time.

Cheers dawn, I did notice, but like I said it will be a month or so before I plunge, longer if nothing else breaks
When I spend on something on any electrical item I always do my homework for weeks-months.

Good idea! Best of luck.
Dawn.

Wait for another month or so. Retailers will be feeling the pinch in spring with all this talk of Credit Crunch Hype. Reckon by then prices will have fallen another 20% at least off retail now. In the past I've always rushed in, not now.....I'll wait till I see another reduction before I'm even tempted.

In this price range my advice is the Nikon D40 (about £299 now and possible cashback too?) and spend the left over on an extra lens to accompany the one that comes with it, which is very good itself

If you can wait a month or so though, I reckon new models will be announced... so you might be better of hanging off a bit and either getting a bargain or a new model.