Considering a 'proper' camera.

[Sewfun]

As was mentioned, the Understanding Exposure book is a very good place to start. My DH is going thru the learning curve right now and of everything he's looked at so far he has felt he got the most out of that book.

All of the top five brands mentioned build very capable entry level DSLR's. One good thing to do is to look at all of them, hold them and see what feels comfortable. That can be important for doing lots of shooting and may be a large deciding factor in what one you select.

I'll comment on Sony since that's what I shoot. They have released some new entry level's that are meant to be very user friendly to people moving from P&S camera's to DSLR's. There is quite a bit of on screen help telling you what the setting you've chosen is meant to do. From a quick look I also was very impressed with the photo's they take. They are on the small side for DSLR's which could be a plus or minus to you simply depending on the comfort of holding them and if you'd like a smaller camera.

I also shoot with a Sony and what sold me on it was the feel. I had tried a Canon xsi before I bought my camera and I just didn't like the way it felt. I have small hands, so my Sony just felt much better and was easier for me to operate. I also got a book written specifically for my camera and that has really helped too. Make sure you hold and try each camera you are considering so that you get an idea of how it feels in your hands. I will admit the other feature that sold me was the live view and flip screen on the Sony. I had a bridge Sony previously and fell in love with that flip screen. I was able to use the screen flipped and in live view mode while taking pictures of the night parade last June. I got some pretty decent shots too!!

Good luck in your decision making. I am sure you will love the camera no matter which one you get. I am taking far more pictures now and actually plan outings so I can get out and take pictures. I love this camera!!

 

[ukcatfan]

Some other consumer level brands I can think of are Panasonic, which use the same lens system as Olympus (4/3 or Micro 4/3); Fuji, which is a Nikon mount but there are no new models; Sigma, which is their own mount; and Samsung, which is currently a Pentax mount. Samsung will continue to make Pentax mount cameras, but are also introducing a new small DSLR mount to compete with the Micro 4/3. These will likely not have viewfinders, so are not technically DSLRs, but have changeable lenses and large sensors which are the main reasons people go to a DSLR anyway.