Ohh, the dilema i am facing.

Every day of my life at the moment is being devoted to look at pages upon pages of information on camera's, and what a choice out their there is for me ! After all this time i still can make up my mind, i cant even bring it down to a short list, allthough the Canon ESO300 D is most attractive at the moment.
I was wondering weather anyone out there could help me on my choice of digital camera - for a not too seriouse use, but i want to be able to get some pretty decent shots at the same time. I was thinkin - should i spend a little more and go for the above mentiond, brand new cannon digital SLR, or should i go for a slightly less cheep camera. The problem i can see is that, if i get the SLR, and i get no special lenses for it, it would be the same as geting a compact camera, so then i might have wasted money ?
Plz could anyone with a little knowlage out there save my day and give me some advise on what to buy in this terrible complex field.

Thanks

I say this of course, as i want to take some better pictures, using the creativity i know i have inside me, and displaying it here, and for my own pleasure
(apologies for any spelling mistakes ; D )

I have a Minolta Dimage 7hi, which I bought last year. If I hadn't, the Rebel would be the camera I'd buy today. You might check out Raynox lenses for additional options. Good luck and enjoy.

Get the SLR! You can't go wrong with it because if you ever change your mind in the future you won't be limited to something you can't upgrade. I speak from bad experience, as my picture taking expands I find the automatic camera is limiting what I am trying to achieve. I can't even look at the Canon SLR because there aren't any in Canada and they have sold out with Canon not being able to produce them fast enough to keep up with consumers. Bottom line, if you think you will keep exploring photography don't limit your options! Hope I made a difference, good luck:-)

I have just been through the same dilemma. After using a 35 mm slr for many years.

I found the decision very difficult. I was torn between the Sony F828 and the Canon 300D. The Sony offered a quality lens that covers the entire range that took 3 lenses on my old Pentax. It also has 8 megapixels. After weeks of torment I decided to go with Canon for 4 reasons. It has a much better viewfinder. I can add lenses (or borrow them) in the future so I won’t grow out of it as quickly. Thirdly I downloaded heaps of big test pix to compare the two and came to the conclusion that there the Canon with 6 megapixels loses little or nothing to the Sony’s 8 megapixels. The last reason was that a lot of Sony owners seem to be complaining while most Canon owners are raving about their camera’s.

Right or wrong I put my money down and bought a Canon 300D with standard lens and a 90 – 300 mm lens. I hope this helps in some way. Good luck.

Thank you all for your imput, it is much appretiated. After reading this, it has rather swayed my decision to get the Canon 300D . I'll keep you posted on what i get ; )

I have a sony DSC-F505 and it has full manual control, as well as full auto and the zies lens just tops it off, fantastic camera!

I have asked my friend, Will(who is travelling in the wonderful south east) to pick up a Canon EOS 300D. it looks the biz....i will be salivating by the doorstep till its arrival : D