Simple SLR Stephanie –You want an SLR to have the quality sensor and the perhaps the professional feel. You like the manual functions available, but you are not likely to invest money in upgrading lenses (other than maybe an inexpensive telephoto zoom).

Best Buy: Nikon D40  - $415 Check it out HERE

Discussion: This is a perfect option if you are looking for an SLR, but won't want to upgrade lenses. The D40 doesn't have a autofocus drive motor, so autofocus only works with newer lenses that have a built in drive motor. This is bad because it greatly limits you options for upgrading (eliminating some great Sigma, Tamron, and even most older Nikon lenses), but if you don't care about taking it to the next level, you get the benefits of a very small package, with a very good build, good optical quality and a very good price. And please don't look down on the D40 because it has a 6MP sensor. Sensors on Digital SLRs are physically larger so each pixel has more area to catch light. This means that a 6MP sensor in a DSLR performs much better than a 6MP sensor in a compact point and shoot. I would pick a 6MP SLR over a 14MP Comact camera any day of the week.

Another issue with this camera is that the top LCD has been removed. Not likely to bother you if you really are a Simple SLR Stephanie, but if you are say an Advanced Amateur Adam, this might really be a pain.