Yeah, I wouldn’t confuse a digital point-and-shoot with a dSLR. Point-and-shoots are designed so that you basically have no direct control over anything (and I find my pocket cam incredibly frustrating for that reason). dSLRs give you the same kind of creative control as film SLRs do. When I transitioned from my Nikon N65 (film) to my Nikon D80 (digital), the only real adjustment I had to make was that the buttons and dials were in slightly different places. All of the same controls are still there, however.
I really only use my pocket cam if it’s really necessary for me to be traveling light and carrying a camera that can fit in my pocket. I know I’ll get okay photos (and maybe some really nice snapshot-style pics), but I’m not going to have much control over how they turn out, and I’m not going to be getting amazing art photos.
Both of the Canon DSLRs we have are used exclusively in manual mode. Pick it up, choose a lens, set the shutter speed, aperture, iso — focus and shoot. All the controls are exactly where you expect them to be.
I just bought a Pentax K-x for 715 bucks. Came with an 18-55 and a 55-300 lens. If price is an issue, consider that. Plus its compatible with any Pentax lens ever made.
Concur. I have the Canon equivalent, 50mm prime @ f1.8, and it was about $80 (!). Awesome lens, I love doing indoor available light stuff with it, since I hate hate flash. I’ve gotten priceless snaps with this lens.
For a photography course, a nifty 50 is probably the best sort of lens. You’ll learn to compose shots correctly, and not just zoom in on things. Later on you learn the way to use a zoom lens.