Pentax K100d

This camera is fabulous. I chose it because I am upgrading from compact fixed lens digital camera to SLR. I love everything about it. It feels absolutely perfect in the hands, it's slightly heavier than some but it has mouldings that help keep it stable and comfy. It looks much classier than it's counterpart Nikon D50 and Cannon 350 - less 'plasticy'. (Even basic things like the camera strap and bag are much higher quality than most of the big names!). The screen is huge, cristal clear, all the menu settings are very easy to learn and remember where they are. The various buttons are really straightforward to learn and in just the right place to reach easily. I have done masses of research on the K100d and it has more functionality than it's counterparts e.g. able to use twice the ISO, has black & white, the anti-shake of course etc, etc. The batteries are triple A which is really handy should you forget to keep the main ones re-charged.

The only thing that has stuck in my throat a little though is that I had the opportunity to compare it side-by-side with the Nikon D50. Physically, the Nikon D50 is a complete disappointment in terms of how it looks, feels and handles compared with the K100d. It's much less intuitive and so trickier to get used to. But the fact stuck in my throat is that, it truth, the Nikon D50 produces betters pictures in every one of my tests. (That is me, a new SLR user using all the camera's settings, not my own). So, if picture quality is paramount, get the Nikon. If fantastic pictures and the best actual camera in terms of physical quality and ease of use etc is what you're after, get the Pentax K100d. You will fall in love with it and it is unlikely that you will have Nikon pictures to hand to nit-pick against!