Pentax K200D (with 18-55mm lens)

Summary: The Pentax K200D is a well priced, entry level DSLR for those stepping up to a new, more advanced camera who also want some advanced features. Aside from body only, one can purchase a kit with an included lens, ready to shoot out of the box (providing of course one has a memory card to store any photos taken with the camera)

The camera itself feels sturdy, the body well constructed and solid in my hands which aren't so small. The buttons respond very well.

After reading the review for this camera, and looking for a good, less expensive DSLR I found this one (initially I was going with the Canon or Nikon offerings of similar price range that most people tend to purchase.) And while the sensor on the Canon is great and the lenses for Nikon are just the same, I couldn't imagine shelling out almost $100 more for a similar camera, with less advanced features (Canon doesn't have spot metering on the lower end cameras) or specific, newer lenses (from what I understand neither Canon nor Nikon support certain lenses on their newer DSLRs).

Pentax has both. Spot metering and support through a hardware mount (hey, nothing is ready out of the box these days) that supports legacy K lenses.

I think the really smart move by Pentax was including the weather sealing that their more expensive, advanced cameras have which from what I understand is not available on any other, lower priced DSLR. Or one in the same price range, for that matter.

Those points coupled with a low price tag and some rechargeable AAs were more than enough to convince me that Pentax was the way to go.

Also: I read from the reviewer the colors weren't accurate. This is not true, I have no issues with the colors from the camera and if you really do, go out and get a filter. A polarizer's good and that would be enough to enhance the color, though you could do that in-camera as well.