DP got a Canon EOS 400D with IS lense kit for his birthday/fatherday/christamas for the next 2 years present - he LOVES it!

He also loves setting up shots and using all the functions blah blah blah. As you can tell I am more the point and click type and (provided he leaves the camera for me on the auto setting) I can even take some great shots.

We chose this camera as the EOS 450D had just come onto the market and hence the 400D dropped to a more affordable price. It has everything and more that DP would use. We added one of those big flash things, a remote shoot and tripod when we went o/s and got it duty free but apart from that just the basics.

Oh and if you do get one DP will highly recommend a Crumpler bag and camera strap to carry it in. It doesn't come with a particularly comfortable neck strap.