Wanting a new camera, need some advice!

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

My current full time camera is a Panasonic DMC-FZ3, it's older but it's served us well. But the buttons are starting to stick and it's driving me crazy. I also have a Panasonic DMC-LZ3 that I keep in my purse for random stuff.

I'm wanting something more options, I'd like to keep it around $400 or under.

 

[Master Mason]

what types of shots are you looking to be able to get ie low light, sports, bright sunny day?

Are you willing to learn about apeture, ISO, and shutter speed, or are you just looking for scene modes?

Are you willing to change lenses if need be?

Are you willing to carry around a camera, or do you want to be able to stick it in your pocket?

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

what types of shots are you looking to be able to get ie low light, sports, bright sunny day?

Mostly I take pictures of the kids, indoors and outdoors, some sports, lots of action.

Are you willing to learn about apeture, ISO, and shutter speed, or are you just looking for scene modes?

I'm willing to learn, I took photography classes a million years ago, I can do it again. Some scene modes would be nice though!

Are you willing to change lenses if need be?

Changing lenses doesn't bother me, I do it with the 35mm all the time.

Are you willing to carry around a camera, or do you want to be able to stick it in your pocket?

I keep the bigger Panasonic in a camera bag that comes with me all the time, so carrying around the camera isnt a big deal. I have a pocket/purse camera already.

 

[Master Mason]

Changing lenses doesn't bother me, I do it with the 35mm all the time.

What type of 35mm SLR were you using. In most cases, the lenses, filters, flashes etc will be able to be used with a dSLR of that brand...

And regardless of the answer to that question, the cameras I would suggest looking at are

Canon XT or XTi
Nikon d40 or d40x
Pentax K100D super
Sony Alpha 100
Olympus E410 or E510

Those are the major players entry level dSLR's Each has its pro's and con's. After you have looked at them ane preferably played with them in a store, then we can answer more specific questions you might have about each that you liked.