Attached Link: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscf717/page2.asp

Here is a good review of your camera and a probley better than what came with it. Save it to your hard drive for future reference. Out side of that its kind of simular to what i have but not close enough were it counts. Only real way to learn is to do it. Theres lots of good books to buy /read . It depends upon what kind of photography your interested in . Your camera has the 800 iso and mine doesnt so you can shoot in lower light thatn i can . You also get less blur than mine will. I looked at your camera before and liked it but my only thing is its to darn small for me .