I think another big consideration is your computer. If you have a pretty new and powerful computer, Poser 5 might be ok. I have an older computer, and Poser 5 pretty much bogs down on my computer. Poser 4 runs very nicely, and it is much easier to learn. I've been fiddling with Poser a few years now, and much of Poser 5 still eludes me.