Greetings all! This is my first post in the forum, though I've stopped by a few times to have a look.

So... I'm eager to make the plunge to digital. Been wanting to for a few years, actually, but held back because the price for "good" equipment comparable to the SLR I'm used to was prohibitive. I've waited and waited, watching the technology improve and the prices drop, and I think I'm ready...

I've read lots of reviews and paid attention to the cameras used here and on Photosig. Now I'd like opinions from the people I've come to know and trust, namely: all of you.

I'm torn between something REALLY nice like the Nikon D100 or Canon EOS10D, and something less nice like the Minolta Dimage 7hi or Sony DSC F717. I'm not interested in anything less than 5 megapixels.

The Nikon and Canon get rave reviews, seem incredibly flexible and feel familiar, like my current Nikon. They also look (and, it is said, are) solid and sturdy. But they are, compared to the other cameras, almost twice the price, and require purchase of expensive lenses. Still, it seems they are so nice, and produce such quality images, that I could happily use one of them for years.

On the other hand, the Minolta and Sony are MUCH cheaper and I've seen plenty of beautiful images from them. The Sony, in particular, is way down in price and that Carl Zeiss lens gets consistently great reviews. The photos I've seen taken with it look particulary sharp and clean.

It seems, though, that most folks here have chosen the Minolta, and I'm wondering why. I've fiddled a bit in stores with both the Minolta and the Sony. The Sony seems initially awkward to handle, and it looks sort of odd. The Minolta feels more familiar and looks cool. But is the lens on the Minolta as good as the Sony? And will either of these cameras hold up over the long-term? They just feel a little, I don't know... flimsy.

Well, that's a lot of rambling, so I'll shut up for now... any reactions, suggestions, thoughts greatly appreciated. Why did you choose your camera? Are you happy with your choice? Why? I know these question have probably come up zillions of times before. If so and there are posts still available for me to check out, just point the way and I'll take a look.

Many, many thanks!!

Steve aka funkandjazz