Poser and Daz Studio are very similar. Both are basically file management systems that allow the user to load pre-made 3D content, pose it, set the lighting, shading, etc., and render it to either a still image or animation. Poser has some features that are currently not available in Daz Studio.

As for creating 3D content, you would need a 3D modeling program such as Carrara Studio, Hexagon, Maya, Cinema4D, etc. Poser can be used to rig a 3D model for use in Poser, but it isn't capable of creating or modeling the content.

For a noob, I'd highly recommend sticking to Daz Studio for now — mostly because the price can't be beat and it can utilize just about all of the same content that Poser can. I have both and prefer Daz Studio over Poser for several reasons. For me, I feel Daz Studio is much quicker and easier to use and is more responsive than Poser. Since I heavily post-work most of my renders in Photoshop, I don't need the higher-end bells and whistles that Poser has. I also think that the 3Dream render engine in Daz Studio is a little better than Firefly in Poser... but that's a personal preference.

After working in Daz Studio for a while until you are comfortable with everything and understand how things work, then you could consider purchasing Poser if you still want to. Who knows, you might not find the need and may stick with Daz Studio.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Dave Frohmader (Nagus)

DAZ Studio for Beginners Tutorials