Ready to step it up

So Ive been using ether a Cannon a590 or for a time an Olympus waterproof point and shoot.

I love taking these little point and shoots, however i'm ready to start hauling around a bigger camera and have been starting into the software side of things as well.

My question is with a 400-600 budget should i be looking at a used dslr or ??? The menu on my cannon always seems to make sense to me when i'm scrolling though..

I'm a dirtbag bicycle mechanic and mostly am using my camera outdoors in auction shots or landscapes..

Damn, Dave - I just wrote a fat reply and then lost it. Sonofa..!

I'm not gonna rewrite everything I wrote. Sorry. To get started, I think you should take a look at the Olympus E-PL1. It has digital SLR image quality in a body that's about the same size as a Canon G-Series camera.

Olympus E-PL1 Hands-On Video Preview >>

The E-PL1 sells for $599, which fits your budget. A digital SLR will be faster and have a TTL (through the lens), optical viewfinder. Digital SLRs are much better if you're shooting a lot of action. But the E-PL1 will be a lot more camera than you've ever had in a forma factor and with controls that will be relatively familiar to you.

Thanks John its on the list... and Good Video!

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Originally Posted by slowerthensnot

Thanks John its on the list... and Good Video!

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Glad you like the video :)

What else is on the list?

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Originally Posted by Photo-John

Glad you like the video :)

What else is on the list?

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There's a cool package deal at costco for a d5000 with a few lens ect that would require some more saving but thats on there also see if my folks well let me cash in part of my birthday early ;)

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...atchallpartial

and then the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150

But still debating the whole dslr vs something a bit smaller

I really like the D5000. It's one of my favorite entry-level digital SLRs at the moment. Here's my pro review:

Nikon D5000 Pro Review >>

The main benefits over a Micro Four Thirds camera are better auto focus, TTL viewfinder, better low light image quality. But even though it's a small digital SLR, it's still much larger and heavier than the Olympus E-PL1.

So why would you want a digital SLR over a Micro Four Thirds camera? What is it you think the Micro Four Thirds won't do?