I have a Canon Rebel XTi.. It set me back about $800 innitially but when you figure i was dumping at least $100 everytime I had pro pics done of my kids it has long since paid for itself. I have taken approx 3000 pics with it since I got it a year ago. It was a gift to myself after tax season (i bought it early off Dell) I know they do offer payment plans which helped me until my tax return came in. If you look at my website you can see how my photos have gradually gotten better with time. Again I have had this camera for one year but have been practicing with photography since middle school. All my photos are done on manual settings... The pics my camera takes on Auto are horrible... seriously horrible. I would highly suggest you read your manual again and again, learning how the camera actually works, ISO speed, White balance, Shutter speed, exc will make a drastic difference in your photos. While having an expensive camera helps it isnt the camera doing all the work.. if the person doesnt know how to work it properly pics will come out horrible, my first thousand photos are evidence of that. Good luck with your camera and enjoy it! My first digital was a kodak easyshare