Pentax K200D (with 18-55mm lens)

Pros: Solid build, above average kit lens, easy to use, in-body stabilization

Cons: A bit heavy (but solid), no live view

Summary: I can't believe no one has written a review on cnet about this camera yet. I've had it for about a month and I'm loving the thing. I take it everywhere with me...I think my wife might be sorry she bought it for me. It is my first DSLR and it has been easy to learn and there is plenty of room to grow with full manual controls. You can shoot in full automatic mode or shoot in full manual as you get more comfortable. I love to shoot in Apeture priority and open up the f stop as much as possible to get those great blurred out backgrounds.

One of the main reasons I bought this camera over a Canon or Nikon is that it has in-body stabilization instead lens based stabilization. One bonus to this is that you can use Pentax lenses that date back to the sixties and still have them stabilized. You cannot use all of them in full automode but, it's fun to play with old glass and manually focus. Another reason for the purchase is that it is built like a tank. It is solid feeling in your hand and it has a ton of weather seals that add to the quality feel. The Nikon D60 and the Canon XTI just felt a little more plasticky and were not as comfortable in my hand. The Pentax just has great ergonomics (at least for my hands which are medium to large sized).

My biggest concern was that it didn't have live view. I know a lot of DSLR's don't have this option but, it is becoming more common. This has not been a problem once I started looking through the viewfinder again and not at the lcd screen. You can take a preview picture by turning the on-off knob in the opposite direction of off. You can then see the effects that different filters and white balances would have on your shot.

Then menu systems are very straight forward and anyone familiar with a point and shoot will be comfortable right away. This camera can be as advanced as you want (unless your a professional) or as easy as you want. I was able to pick it up and start shooting all the modes with reading the manual. I have since gone back and read it to learn some of the fine details but, you can just pick it up and start shooting.

Overall, I couldn't be happier with my decision to go with this camera. As everyone says on cnet, "after months of research...", I don't have any regrets with this purchase.