LostPatrol is correct. Canon makes a great camera and great lense. (yeah, me a Nikon addict said that) However you do have the added expense of lenses. I am not sure about canon lenses but I know the lenses I want for my Nikon easily top $2500 (3 different lenses totaling 2500). I had a Sony 707 and I loved it. The camera itself is still going strong even though I sold it to a friend. The Sony was a great camera for me. The only problem is that I out grew it too quickly for my budget. Now I need my budget to catch up to my addiction to glass! Magick Michael