If you're serious about this then don't blow your money on those above cameras. You'll like them at first but you'll grow out of them and be annoyed by their limitations, IE shutter lag, being stuck with one lens, no raw mode, etc quickly. I've learned the hard way. You really need to get a Digital SLR. You can pick up the Canon Digital Rebel at Amazon for $899 with the basic lens. Here's a site with links to tons of reviews and other stuff on this camera. Also there is hacked firmware which will basically add the features of the 10D which is $500 more.. This camera is awesome. Over 100+ lens you can use with it.
http://www.ultimateslr.com/digital-rebel.html
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/EDR/EDRA1A.HTM
6.5-megapixel, 22.7 x 15.1mm, 12-bit RGB CMOS sensor delivering 3,072 x 2,048-pixel images. Effective count of 6.3-megapixels and 3:2 aspect ratio.
Single-lens reflex digital camera with interchangeable lenses (supports all Canon EOS series lenses). Focal length multiplier of 1.6x as compared to a 35mm camera.
Canon EF-S 18-55mm, f/3.5-5.6 lens included in camera kit, specifically designed for the EOS 300D Rebel.
Variable ISO (100, 200, 400, 800, and 1,600 settings).
TTL optical viewfinder with detailed information display, diopter adjustment, and depth-of-field preview.
1.8-inch, low-temperature TFT LCD with 118,000 pixels.
Automatic, Program AE, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Depth-of-Field AE, and Manual exposure modes, plus Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, and Flash Off programmed modes.
Operates in "shooting priority mode," meaning there's no separate "playback" mode to view pictures. Pictures can be viewed in between shots, and even if camera is showing a picture or in a menu, pressing the Shutter button causes the camera to take a photo immediately.
Continuous Shooting mode capturing as many as four images as fast as 2.5 frames per second (with shutter speeds of 1/250 second or faster.)
Variable white balance with Auto, six manual presets, and a Custom setting (reads from a neutral gray or white card).
TTL autofocus with seven focusing points, manually or automatically selectable. One shot AF, AI Servo AF , AI Focus AF, and manual focus with AF assist beam, depending on exposure mode selected. Working range of EV 0.5 to 18 at ISO 100.
Built-in E-TTL retractable-type flash with red-eye reduction. Guide Number is 13/43 at ISO 100, m/ft, flash angle covers the field of an 18mm lens. Topside hot shoe for external flash connection of EX Speedlite flashes.
Flash exposure lock function. (FEL)
External hot shoe supports E-TTL metering, FEL, and FP (high speed sync) flash with Canon 550EX speedlight.
Redeye Reduction via built-in illuminator.
TTL maximum-aperture metering with a 35-zone silicon photocell. 35-zone Evaluative metering linked to all focusing points, Center weighted average metering, or nine percent central-area spot metering. Metering range of EV 1 to 20 (at normal temperatures, EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, ISO 100).
Adjustable exposure compensation from -2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV increments in all exposure modes.
Auto exposure bracketing (AEB) from -2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV increments in all autoexposure modes.
White balance bracketing. (JPEG file format only)
Shutter speeds from 1/4,000 to 30 seconds, and a Bulb setting for longer exposures.
Electronic self-timer with a fixed duration of 10 seconds.
Optional external hand grip/battery pack adds secondary shutter release and control wheel, as well as AE lock and focus point buttons for vertical-format shooting.
Image storage on CompactFlash Type I or II, compatible with IBM MicroDrives
USB connectivity with TWAIN driver for PC and Adobe Photoshop plugin for Macintosh. NTSC/PAL selectable video out connectivity. E3 remote control socket and IR remote control window.
24-bit JPEG and 36-bit RAW data file formats. Available resolution settings are: 3,072 x 2,048; 2,048 x 1,360; and 1,536 x 1,024.
Backlit LCD data readout, for easier operation in the dark.
DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) and DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) compliant.
Direct Print capability to selected Canon photo printers.
The EOS 300D comes with the following items in the box:
Neck strap.
Eye cup.
BP-511 battery pack and charger.
CR2025 lithium battery.
Video cable.
USB cable.
Two software CDs.
Instruction manuals and registration information.
If you purchase the Digital Rebel Kit, the camera also comes with the EF-S 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 lens.
