Originally posted by mee What about a little compact camera that has advanced modes (Aperture priority, Shutter priority, etc) ? Does it need to be a DSLR?
The kid's uncle and mother are both Pentaxians, so it makes sense for him to stay in the system and be able to borrow their lenses. And frankly, there comes a point beyond which P&S just cannot go - or grow. Chances are he's been hankering after his mother's camera for a while now, and he might as well get in with a ground-level DSLR that will still give him vast growth potential. Even without being able to use SDM/DC-only lenses, he's in an extremely good situation for glass. In any case, the issue appears resolved - I believe the OP says he's got an *istDL coming with a 35-80 zoom on it.