Can someone recommend a really decent camera for not-entirely-clueless/enthusiastic beginner? Should I get an SLR?

Digital SLRs are costly, especially when compared to point-and-shoot models. If you're a beginner, there's nothing wrong with finding a decent point and shoot so that you can learn the basics of photography. (Or, rather, practice them if you already know.) If you decide that you really like taking photos, and if you stick with it, you can always save up your money for a good SLR while you continue using the lesser camera.

That way, you avoid investing, oh, more than a grand in the Canon Digital Rebel and lenses + other accessories, only to discover that you're interested only in basic photography that's easily done well with a much-cheaper camera. The $120 point-and-shoot that I use right now is fantastic for pictures of my family, my pets, and most of the scenery that I find interesting enough to shoot. However, it sucks out loud for action shots, and the macro mode is, well, garbage.

It would NEVER work if I wanted to shoot a basketball game, for example. However, if you really want to invest the money, the Canon Digital Rebel is an excellent, lower-priced digital SLR. They tend to have very-good processors, and can handle things like action shots and macro mode with ease.

Unfortunately, it's expensive - the last time I priced one, it was about 900 bucks for the body alone. Prices have since changed, but not by that much. You're still looking at more than a grand just to get started (lenses, memory cards, et cetera).

Regardless of what you decide to purchase first (the point and shoot or the digital SLR), I'd take a serious look at the Digital Rebel. Canon's been in the business of making great cameras for a lot longer than I've even been alive, and their expansion into the digital market didn't change their reputation for quality and ease of use one bit as far as my experiences go.

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