Why do you guys prefer this Pentax over the other brands? Will I get good pics INSIDE (i.e., low-light situations)? Should I just do a web search for the best prices, packages, etc.
I'll reply to this and also comment on YEKCIM's comment... which (while perhaps unintentional) can be read as that the sole "plus" of the Pentax is the low cost.
I feel that cost is really not important, it's the
value that's important.
If we're talking about entry-level DSLRs, we're basically, at this point, talking about the Pentax K110D/K100D, Nikon D40 (as the D50 is quickly becoming very difficult to find), and the Canon Rebel XT and
maybe the XTi (although it's relatively expensive, the same reason why I wouldn't count the D40x, which I think is very overpriced.) Sony doesn't have a "cheap" DSLR and the Olympus is kind of an odd duck, with a smaller and different aspect ratio sensor and some unusual features, but overall, I wouldn't consider it unless you
had to have a "live view" LCD and that's all you cared about... or you had a big investment in Olympus lenses already.
There's a few categories we can compare...
Ergonomics... this one is the most subjective, but generally most people seem to prefer the feel of the Nikon and the Pentax over the Canon, which is a little smaller.
Build quality... again, the Canon is frequently singled out for feeling "cheap", I think this is intentional and part of Canon's strategy to encourage you to upgrade to their high models.
Image quality... the Nikon and the Pentax have the same sensor, so in raw mode, you should get identical results (depending on the lens, of course). The Pentax does offer ISO 3200, but you can probably get similar results on the D40 shooting at ISO 1600 and "pushing" it during RAW processing. High-ISO performance is virtually identical between the different cameras, you need to do real pixel-peeping to really notice any.
Features... the Pentax K100D is the only one to offer in-body image stabilization, whereas with C/N, you have to pay for it on a lens-by-lens basis, and of course, most lenses don't have it as an option. (Like a 50mm prime, for example.) The Pentax is the only one with a large 2.5" LCD
and a top-mounted status LCD. The Pentax is the only one with DoF preview and spot metering. However, the Pentax also has the smallest buffer, so can take the fewest photos in a row when continuous shooting. To sum up, the IS is the big differentiator, but even forgetting that, it can generally hold up quite well on a feature-by-feature comparison.
Lens quality... well, the Pentax kit lens, quite not an incredible performer, is pretty consistently rated as the best of the kit lenses, and is the only one with a metal mount, a true focus ring, and a non-rotating front element, which allows you to use circular polarizers and other filters that you don't want rotating on their own. Canon's cheaper lenses are often OK but not stellar (again, I think this is part of their plan to encourage buying expensive "L" lenses). Pentax generally has very nice lens quality, including several that can go head-to-head or beat the absolute best from anyone else, but they don't have quite as many available as the competition. Generally, you can find whatever you're looking for, though... but if you have some specific lenses in mind, you may want to double-check.
Legacy lenses... the Pentax will work with any Pentax-mount lens ever, with full functionality. The Canon will also work with older lenses but not their whole catalog and there are occasional stories of certain lenses that just don't work, or need to be "chipped", or whatnot. The Nikon D40 can't focus any lenses that don't have internal focus motors, which is a huge handicip IMHO. I think good legacy lens functionalty is a very nice feature as there have been a lot of stellar lenses made in the past that you can get for reasonable prices, some of which are better than the comparable ones that you can buy new.
Price... obviously this is where the Pentax really shines. The good news is that you'll continue to save money as you won't have to buy lenses that have image stabilization in them. This will also likely make the lenses more reliable. The D40 is pretty cheap but is kind of stripped of features compared to the D50 that it replaced. The Canons are a little pricier and justify it with more megapixels.
Ultimately, though... the
big difference is the difference between a PnS and a proper DSLR. The image quality difference between the DSLRs is very slight; generally, you can't tell a good Pentax picture from a Nikon one or a Canon one or a Sony one. I am certainly not here to knock the quality of the other systems, but for sheer
value, I don't think the others can touch the value of a K100D w/kit lens and 50-200mm for around $575.
) I had it shipped to their house because I was afraid it wouldn't get to me before I left for NY. Of course it's been sitting in my parent's house for a week and a half while I finish up final projects and whatnot.
and then I realize that I don't have a SD card 
. I knew I had to go to the store tomorrow to get one but I thought it might come with a very small one to start me off with. Of course my Dad's camera only takes some weird XD card. So I attached the lens, put the batteries in, turn it on and off, and attached the strap. I can't shoot a picture till I run to staples tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
