I went through a few bridge cameras then a Canon is-s5 before I finally purchased a DSL-R.
I wasted rather a lot of money which didn't end there because I then purchased a Nikon D60 sold that got a D90 sold that now happy with the D7000.
I went to the 2009 Singapore F1 and then sailing around the British Virgin Islands and over that period of 3 weeks took somewhere in the region of 4000 photos and very quickly identified the D60's weaknesses.
Anyway my humble advice is to seriously think about a decent mid range SLR but it will always be down to where you think you'll use it and how much.
If I had just gone straight to mid range would have saved some pound notes.
Hope this helps.
Tone
