Want one last set of opinions please...

[Nyreth]

I think I know what I should get, but I would really appreciate any input as I am totally new to photography and SLR's. I'm a fine arts painting and printmaking major in my senior year. I've been using a little Nikon Coolpix L6, and it has served me well for the last few years. However, I need a better camera to use both for photographing my work for submissions for shows, as well as for shooting pics for future projects.
Originally I was going to get something like a Canon SX10 IS, Nikon P90 or an Olympus SP-565UZ. But after quite a bit of urging from my friends and contemporaries I started looking at entry level DSLRs. I am considering getting a Canon Rebel XT or XTi body. I found a couple used ones for about $300 and $350 respectively. They both come with a 90 day warranty. My mom in law has a couple EF-S lenses I can borrow until I decide what I need/want. Her lenses are the main reason I ruled out the Nikon D40, D40x, and Olympus E-520. Although I like the idea of the IS system being in the camera body on the Olympus.
So before I plunk down a few hundred on possibly more camera than I need, I would really welcome any input or thoughts you all might have. Do I really need an SLR? I will probably only be using this thing every couple weeks, but when I do pull it out the picture quality is everything. I know I am going to need to study and practice before I get the results that I want. I don't mind that a bit. Lastly, I really don't want to spend more than about $400-$450; obviously if I can get away with less that would be great.
Thanks!

[Nyreth]

I just realized I posted this in the wrong place. How do I delete it?

[flyinion]

I don't have as much experience as a lot of the people around here, but I do know that if you need max image quality, SLR is the way to go. You could always buy one of the others like the SX10 from a place that you can return it though and do some shots to see if it will work for your needs or not.

[Greg McCary]

I think that with the prices of DSLR's now that would be the way to go. As far as which one it really depends on what bells and whistles you prefer. There really is not a bad choice to be made. In body IS is a great tool. I use it all of the time, great for low light. Read reviews here and there are also great tips for shooting right here at PR. Post pictures, ask questions and you will learn quick.

[Nyreth]

Thanks very much ya'll. I am really torn on which camera. I have an Olympus OM-1 MD that my uncle gave me when I was a little kid. I haven't used it a much, but it has made me somewhat predisposed to the brand. I used a friend's D40 once and and was really impressed with it. But having access to those two Canon lenses makes the Rebels really tempting.
How much difference does having the IS make? I ask this because I do have a slight tremor in my right hand. It's not bad, but it's enough that taking pictures using an LCD can be a bit of a challenge at times. I will primarly be taking pictures where a tripod or a monopod is either impractical or unusable.

[jetrim]

My father, now in his mid 70s has problems with hand tremors and has found the IS systems to be a huge help as he had gotten to the point where EVERY shot required at least a monopod, now he's out shooting much more than he has in years, so the systems do work as advertised. If you go with an "in body" system like Olympus, the lenses will be cheaper, if you don't then the IS/VR lenses will be expensive but the body will run less - either way you're going to pay for it somewhere.

[Nyreth]

But if you just pay extra just once with the body and lenses are cheaper, then overall that is probably the less expensive way to go? I'm hoping I won't need more than 2 or 3 different lenses, but that is just a guess.

[freygr]

I would say, go to a camera store and try each camera, making sure you check out the menus and functions of each camera. If you find a camera you feel that doesn't fit you hand, or the menu you feel needs the manual each time you use it, those cameras you don't wish to buy.

[Nyreth]

Thanks! That's a good suggestion and one that I have been kind of overlooking since I am leaning towards the Olympus or possibly just saving a little more money for the Panasonic G1 (the size of it makes it so appealing). I'm just having a little bit of trouble tracking down a local store that has the Olympus Evolt series as well as the Panasonic. Do manufacturers stay fairly consistent with their menus between camera models and generations? I'm wondering if I could look at a slightly different model and at least get a feel for the menus that way.

[freygr]

I have found that the menu in my Nikon D-70 and the Old Olympus C-3030 were very straight forward, but most of the current PS cameras I've seen have been lacking in options and manual controls.