Hi Steve! Welcome to the forum!.... I'm one of those who has the Minolta...the older version.. I've been using my D7 since November of 2001. I know many people here have newer versions of it and I always recommend it to anyone who asks me. My reasons for choosing it were numerous and I also looked at many cameras before choosing, the Sony was among them. I'll list them: 1. Price 2. 5 MP 3. Is consider High-End Consumer/Prosumer Level camera 4. Has manual focus capabilities, a must if you are a serious photographer 5. Has manual everything else too 6. Handles and feels like a real SLR camera 7. The lens 28-200 mm give you plenty of options... and it is a good lens! I played around with the Sony in the store and I must say it was awkward, with it's twisty lens and I just didn't like the way it looked or felt in my hands. If and when I'm in the market for a new digi, it's another Dimage or an extremely expensive DSLR for me..... Good luck making your purchase....maybe some others will have something to say.

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