Digital Camera Advice

Dark Moon

Sensor dust. An entirely unavoidable reality of shooting with a DSLR. First, blow the sensor with a blower bulb (camera pointed down, like always, when the sensor is exposed). If that fails, look into some sort of sensor brush. If that fails, look into a wet cleaning system. I don't have any advice beyond "Don't be cheap." A cheap, non well known brand may destroy your very expensive sensor. I'd expect to pay about $100 for the wet option.

The alternative is to get it professionally cleaned (if the bower option fails - blowing the sensor will be something you do very, very often). This is more expensive but your chances of ruining your sensor go down a bit.

Kalkino

Damm, oh well, I guess I had to learn this somehow.

I picked up a blower and brush yesterday, so I'll have another go tonight

GrimReaper

Reading the op getting a DSLR is out of his price range, especially since he'll need to buy the camera and at least a couple of lenses.

Best route is probably something like the the SX20, it can be picked up here for £326. Close to ops price of £300. (although add around £20 for memory card)

Can capture video at 720p too, which is pretty nifty.

EDIT: D'oh, op has bought a camera.