Best value for money DSLR on the market right now would be the Canon 550D/Rebel T2i. I grabbed one a little while ago, and I'm very pleased.

Some information on DSLR's that I'll pass on from Mobiledeli, who shoots with a Canon 7D, is to grab a Nikon lens adapter and get 28mm and 50mm manual Nikon lenses, as there's a mechanism in the Canon lenses that doesn't always reset perfectly and can introduce flicker into animation. Also, close focus filters are essential.

I'd recommend Dragon Stop Motion as well, for capture.

As I have said before...

"In stop motion you take 100,000 photos, so over time this on a DSLR the mirror will seize up. Because the Mirror system is contantly doing this in Stop Motion. You also can not get it replaced because it has a warranty on the number of photos you can take before it breaks.

Bare in mind that 4/3 do not have the mirror system, have reasonable macro shots and live view, and are smaller than others."

Lenses:

Stop Motion Pro has some great advice (although I would go for AnimatorHD it is a lot cheaper than Dragon StopMotion).

Whatever DSLR you choose, make sure it supports tethered shooting if you want to use it with animation software.

If I was animating through tethered shooting (which I would do) Would this remove the mirror issue?

Thanks for the help. I probably will save up for the Rebel T2i. I've been wanting to shoot in HD which that can do. I've been needing an SLR for photography which that can do and I've been wanting a new camera for animation. So I aim to get that. I'll look into the lenses more soon.  Thanks for the help.

Now if my computer would turn on I'd look into new animation software.

-Hoogle on college computer.

A question about the EOS 550. It's called the Rebel T2i in North America but in Europe it's just called the Canon EOS 550D here. Is there any particular difference or is it just named Rebel T2i to fit in with marketing canon?

I'll probably try get Dragon. I will have enough money in my savings for the 550 though it will mean looting my savings.

That's what I thought. I'll need to see if I can get the Nikon lenses that have been reccomended before I seriously consider purchasing it.

I recommend AnimatorHD - a lot cheaper than Dragon on basic versions.

When I bought mine I could only afford the stock lens that came with the body (18-55mm), so unfortunately I can't speak from experience on that front other than to say that the stock lens is certainly workable although not fantastic.