Thank you so much for your replies thus far! In truth, I had the same inclination to look into the DSLRs as a generally better investment, but...a decent lens seems to cost about the same as the body of the camera itself! Even if I could afford that (+ memory card + tripod + carrying bag + extra battery, etc.), I would be terrified to actually go anywhere with that kind of expensive equipment.

Purple fringing seems to be fairly inevitable with most cameras. I'm getting better at compensating with Photoshop. --Is it not an issue at all with SLRs? (There seems to be a debate as to what causes the purple fringing to begin with.)

I'll keep reading and studying and comparing...and taking in everybody's advice. It's really invaluable and I can't thank you enough. I will definitely make a point to read up on the Nikon D50.... the Nikon Coolpix 8800 looks fairly interesting as well. It's such a blooming market!

Thank you again. :)

Message edited on: 04/02/2006 04:54