My husband and I are looking at getting a nice camera for Christmas. I want something that can take nice action pictures. We do dog shows for fun and need something that can take a nice picture of the dogs doing jumps and such. Honesty don't want to spend over about $800 but I want something nice. My parents are going to help us research when they come visit for Christmas but I wanted to get some ideas of what brands and models would be best. Thanks 

Canon Rebel or a Nikon.

Any camera you choose, make sure it uses standard lenses and not any that are specific to the camera/brand.

Both of the cameras I mentioned take standard lenses, so you can shop the lenses and get them cheaper.

I have a Canon Rebel T3i. It takes action,macro, portrait & panoramic shots. It will also shoot video. 

Nikon VS Canon always seems to be what it comes down to. A friend of mine made a good point and go with what you feel comfortable with, how does it feel when its in your hands? how the weight is when youre holding it up? what's easier when it comes to buttons and switching to features and what not? These are some of the things I asked myself when I got my Nikon D5100.. x_X price tag $849. Of course the lower models would be lower than $800. Down fall of Nikon. The lenses... you'd have to get Nikkor, which is the one built for Nikons. Now as far as Canon go, I believe you can use off brand lenses. Piece of advice, make sure you do lots of research on the one youre eyeing. Compare it to other brands.. Ive used this site to compare DSLR's

Good luck o_o 

Canon rebel uses the same lenses - they're standard lenses. 

Nikon has a "new" ( a few months ago) point and shoot that looks like a DSLR but you can control shutter speed like on a DSLR and some other stuff I didn't understand. I'll try and find which kne it is. It's my next goal camera. I have the l110 now and really like it but I wanted to control shutter speed. 

^Agree with just about everything said about the rebels. (since it's what I've had experience with)

On top of just a camera since you are wanting to get great action shots, when you go to by the sd cards spend just a little more and get a class 10 card(they're usually locked up). I think wal-mart sells the 16gb for $25, but they are perfect for a series of fast shots and won't freeze up your camera. 

Thanks everyone 

I was looking more at the cannon brand. That's the kind my dad uses. I used to have a cannon one but when I dropped it down the stairs it never worked the same and finally stopped working completely last year. 

We have a Nikon & love it! 

We just bought a Cannon T3i.

Best buy had an awesome deal on it just a week ago, check em out we got the case, 16gb card, the three year insurance, the extra lens and walked out the door for 1000. The camera itself it about 800 and the lens sells for 250, so not including the case and card- anywhere else your looking at spending a lot more.

We love it, a friend of mine has one and we had to go out and buy it- you wont be disapointed :)