Howdy and welcome back. It's always nice to see someone bitten with the photography bug. As for your quest...  Fuji has a newer FinePix model out and it's still under 500 bucks too (barely). Haven't really heard any reviews of it though. 500 dollars is really close to the entry DSLR level. I'd be tempted to hold out and save save save to go that route. Good luck!