What is best brand of SLR to buy and best specs.?

The one in your hands.

Pentax take, and meter with, their own manual-focus lenses, have superior pentaprism viewfinders throughout the range, and all have body motors and in-body anti-shake systems. All but the basic K-500 have weather-sealing at a lower cost than their competitors. It should be noted that Pentax are the oldest SLR manufacturer in Japan, and have been quietly turning out excellent cameras for around 65 years.

Sony's SLTs shoot better video, and both Pentax and Nikon buy their sensors from Sony. Again, all Sony models have body motors and body-mounted anti-shake. Sony swallowed up Minolta a few years back - Minolta autofocus lenses fit Sony SLTs, manual focus SR/MD lenses do not, and the adapter isn't worth the hassle.

Canon have never used body motors. All Canon and third-party autofocus lenses have lens motors - this means that any lens made for Canon DSLRs will autofocus on them (just like Pentax and Sony/Minolta). Canon's in-house sensors seem to be a little behind the Sony ones used by everybody else, but there isn't much difference in the real world. Canon manual focus lenses are called FD and they don't fit their DSLRs, Canon gave up making an adapter as a bad job.

Like Canon, Nikon put their anti-shake system in the lens, so it isn't always available. Cheaper models don't have body motors (that lens you want may not autofocus with your camera - check first), and although they can take manual-focus lenses, they can't meter with them (set the camera to manual and either use a separate meter or guess) - more expensive models don't suffer from these flaws, and add the pentaprisms that you'll get cheaper from Pentax.

Whichever you buy, the quality of the photos depends on YOUR skill and experience, so get the one that feels best in your hands. If you can only see Canon and Nikon, stick to crayons.

Almost certainly the same brand that your family and friends are using. You can then share knowledge and accessories. Canon or Nikon if you intend to stay with the brand for the rest of your life and might aspire to pro work.

Pentax or Sony (though Sony has a big electronic viewfinder rather than a optical one) can often be more enjoyable to use.

Many people like the dinky little Olympus OM D series with electronic viewfinders and smaller 4:3 sensor. If you're not wanting anything printed at poster size or shoot in clubs or caves it matters little which you choose.

Four major brands, all virtually as good as one another.

Canon

Nikon

Pentax

Sony

As for specs, well, you will have to decide what you want from a camera. Pick some models within your price range; study the various features of each one, then buy the model that meets your requirements.

Four major brands, all virtually as good as one another.

Canon

Nikon

Pentax

Sony

As for specs, well, you will have to decide what you want from a camera. Pick some models within your price range; study the various features of each one, then buy the model that meets your requirements.

There are four good mainstream brands - Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax. I assume that you are looking for a digital SLR.

In SLRs using film, it much depends on what is available second-hand when you are intending to buy. Avoid all except the good names. Pentax, Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Minolta.

I presume you mean DSLR, not SLR (which is a film camera?).

There is no 'best'. All the major manufacturers (Sony, Canon, Pentax and Nikon) make comparable models at various price points.

1. Set your budget

2. Go into a proper camera store and try out the models from the above manufacturers within your budget.

3. Check for menu choices, button position, and general weight and 'feel' in your hands.

4. Buy whichever feels best for you.

The best brand is Hasselblad but it's not for mortals like most of us.

Set a budget starting at $450 and get the most expensive you can afford. Specs don't matter if you don't know photography. Just trust that whatever dSLR you buy, you get the same picture because that is how it really is. Picture quality depends mostly on your skill. The camera is only a tool.

Do you know what a Troll is? Someone with a new account that asks vague questions like "..what is the best...".

If you are real - tell us what you want to do with the camera. What is your budget.

This will help us guide you to a decent camera without wasting our time or making suggestions for $5,000 pro cameras when all you want to do is make 'selfies'.

Find out in Facebook Popular Photography magazine, Digital Photography, Betterphoto.com and American Photo.

The answer really depends on what types of photography you're intending to do. My advice would be to visit photo review websites.