You do right to look around, get one that you feel comfortable with, that's why I picked my Nikon. Also look for availability of third party accessories (e.g. Sigma, Tamron, Tokina etc). I was used to SLR before going digital, I like to see what I am taking through viewfinder rather than LCD screen (which can be hopeless in bright sunlight) and also the quality of pictures taken. I am in no doubt that lenses/sensors for DSLR are better than those for Compacts. I started off with a 18-55 and 55-200 lens, then got a tamron 70-300, my next lens will be either a tamron 10-24 or sigma 10-20.