Which Way Should I Go

[WannaBe]

So, I am wanting to get back into photography and I have no desire to spend a huge amount of money - I have set a budget of around $750 TOPS.

I have a Sony 16.1mp point and shoot which is ok for normal day to day things.(Well actually I dont know this as I had it replace my Sony 12.2mp on Monday).

But I want to get something that has more functions and I can do more with manually.

I am not sure if I really need/should spend the money on a DSLR....

I had one before I took a break from photography and sold it as I didnt want it going to waste.
(It was a Canon something) And I had a Fujifilm non DSLR before that.

I know you can get some fancy cameras that arent DSLR within my budget and I know that you can get DSLR's in my budget too.

A nationwide big chain store has a Pentax K-x 12 megapixel with the 18mm - 200mm Sigma lens with a bag and a 8gb SDHC Ultracard for $675....

I don't know much about Pentax as I have just heard alot about Canon.

So I guess I am asking for suggestions please. And whether this Pentax camera is ok or too much for my needs....

(I hope I have posted this in the right area).

cheers and thanks in advance.

[Kym]

Any of the major brands will be good.

In Pentax skip the K-x and get the K-r - it's newer and has a couple of extra features that I think are really needed.

http://www.shopbot.com.au/m/?m=pentax+k-r

Remember, you need a memory card as well.

[crf529]

I second the Pentax K-r option. It's probably the best entry level DSLR on offer at this time, and being on a budget you can make use of all the old K mount lenses which can be had quite cheaply. I think JB have them retailing about the same price as the K-x you mentioned.

[Tannin]

1: a DSLR - any DSLR - will give much better results than any P&S can produce.

2: Pentax, Canon, Nikon - doesn't matter. For your purposes, any of these three will be just fine. They are all good. I don't try to follow prices at this end of the market, but if people here say that the Pentax K-r is the best value around, I see no reason to doubt them.

Do it!

[Evil_Robot_Santa]

I love my Pentax K200D
I still can use the old lens that you can pick up cheap!