it appears Bryce 7 will have some new features and improvements for sure. There is beta going on now.

I just purchased Poser 8 and like it a lot. The lighting is really good now. I doubt you could go wrong in purchasing it. There are a lot figures that come with it and a lot of other props, etc. A real cool feature is the inclusion of Philc's Wardrobe Wizard which allows you to convert clothes for one figure to work on another. Saves a lot of cash :)

Joints...i think that goes with the figure more than the actual program. still problems but the figures overall are much improved. You will note the textures look much more realistic now, if realism is your focus.

I've tried Daz Studio a bit, and really need to learn it, but always found Poser easier to use. Of course this is where the arguments start coming on, as a lot of people like the way Daz Studio works. I've always like the Bryce , Poser, Carrara --the Kai developed interfaces.

Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together.
All things connect......Chief Seattle, 1854