Diana: You might want to at least look into the features of a Minolta DiMage 7i or later model. I, in my searching, settled on this based on combinations of price and features. It can be treated as a fully automatic camera or fully manual with a true mechanical manual focus adjustment if desired. The macro is good but probably not as good as the Nikon. On the other hand, this can probably also easily fixed with inexpensive macro rings. It has a hot shoe for flash attachment if you don't want to use built in. At least 5 Megapixel. You probably only need about 3 if you don't ever intend to use for print publishing. 5MP will do a passable, publishable 8x10 for print, 3 MP will not. The viewfinder is actually digitized, but views through the lens (SLR). You can do just about anything with it. Best just to go find a website with specs to see all features. The first model, model 7, was praised for features but considered very slow with autofocus. The 7i made significant improvements, although, I'm not happy with autofocus in situations requiring a quick shudder release. The 7hi???, I think it is, is supposed to be further refined. Finally, I like that it feels like a regular 35mm in my hands, and the most needed manual controls are easy to access. Most of the images I have shown in my Gallery were taken with my 7i, so that might be a reference for trueness to color, but I don't think that is a big issue with any of the 3+ MP cameras built in the last year. If you are looking for contest quality print publishable images, you would probably have to go to a very high end digital camera for several thousand dollars, and, if you spoke to a professional photographer, s/he would probably still say you can't get the quality possible with 35mm. If you are like me and want to have the capability to go as demanding as 8x10 publishable, you can probably find something (5 MP) very good for between $750-3000 (sometimes the same camera at a different vendor). For your information, if I had had the money, I might have looked harder at the Olympus E-10 two years ago. Very high quality in every way camera for very good price. It's of course been replaced by new generation(s). You should visit, http://dpreview.com/reviews/default.asp/…, in my opinion, to get more detailed answers and for making a choice based on features most important to you. I believe, in the past year, too many really good 5 MP cameras have entered the market to offer more advice than to direct you to good review sources, so you can pick the camera that offers the best combination of features you, in particular, are interested in. -- Mr. Kelly M. Irvin The Bulbmeister 4407 Town Vu Road Bentonville, AR 72712 479-366-4968 USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 6b E-mail: mailto:bulbmeister@bulbmeister.com Website: http://www.bulbmeister.com/ Forum: http://www.bulbmeister.com/forum/