D100 is a metal body, but for the most part is almost the same camera.Go ahead blow the money...least you get something for it. The only thing about getting DSLR is it is kind of like fishing....you get the rod...then better reels then flies then more stuff and more...Gets addicting. Where as a fixed lens consumer camera....there is not that much to buy after. Good thing about them too is you dont have to wait for 3 minutes waiting for the camera to finally come on and lose a shot. The batteries last 10 times longer.You can fire off more shots per second. You get to hear the shutter click again...View through the lens for more in focus shots. Better manual settings....the list goes on...

"The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions."