Aaarrrggghhhh!!! **update and question

[Pea-n-Me]

I have an Olympus E-510.

Don't go by what "everyone" says. (Most people, including camera salespeople, aren't familiar with Olympus.) Go by your own research and what reviewers and users have to say about it. Yes, some of the lenses are expensive. But they're also considered some of the best. The kit lenses are excellent (definitely get the two) and Sigma makes 4/3 primes.

If I were buying today I'd pick up the E-520 for the shadow and face detection technologies and a few other features that the 510 doesn't have. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

quite a few users talk about problems in lower light that their point-and-shoot would have been fine with.

I've even seen it suggested that my high-end (though older) point-and-shoot might be better than some of these entry dSLRs.

Just to respond to these.

#2 I doubt it.

#1 My experience? There is no magic bullet to a dSLR. Chances are if you get one, you'll be like the rest of us newbies posting pictures asking for help in what you'd done wrong, why you're still blurry, dark, whatever. (I think we just had this discussion the other day.) It behooves you to learn to use it, but there's a pretty steep learning curve (unless you've used one before, and even then, it can be tough). People are quick to chalk it up to "the camera". When in fact, it's more likely "the user". In other words, getting the best shots out of the camera requires some skill and perserverence, regardless of what brand you buy.

When I bought mine, I knew it was capable of taking awesome shots because I'd seen them. My getting them can sometimes be another matter. But I'm convinced it's mainly me. Using it is getting better, but I'm still not at 100% when it comes to knowing what settings to pick and how to tweak things, etc. So it's a process, and that process happens no matter what you buy, at least from what others here have told me.

BTW, stick with reputable companies for your purchase.