Like everyone else I was too late getting to this ...
I would highly recommend for anything less than semi-pro use what I bought as the cheapest digital SLR I could find :
http://www.camerahouse.com.au/produc...1%20Megapixels
6.1 MP is fine unless you want poster prints, has shake reduction, full manual mode, etc, etc ...
AND FULLY COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR EXISTING LENSES
The only digital SLR which will use ANY lens from the film range of the same manufacturer.
PS: I did the camera stores over and no-one had Pentax. I bought mine at Big W of all places. The Camera stores wanted to sell whatever they had in stock, whether that had the features I wanted or not (e.g. I wanted a "user interface" similar to a Canon film SLR)
Downsides on newer designs: weighs more, "only" 6.1 MP
Pluses for anyone: price esp for features
Pluses for you: lens compatibility.

