Confused at which to buy? Looking for Versatility!

I would like to invest in a digital camera that I can get great shots with, but that my husband can point and shoot. I want the versatility of different lenses. I want to be able to get my kids running as well as the detail of the pollen on the flowers outside. I was trying to decide what the pros to the DSLR 50/70 were over the 8400/8800 Camera. I think I just need to be pointed in the direction of what I need. I want a camera that rates well with users and is going to give me the ability to make 8x10 prints or larger.

Can someone help? I have done regular photography with 35mm film and different lenses, and this is my first dive into digital. I don't think my 1mp camera counts.

Thanks for your Help!
Southern Peach aka Rebecca

Hey it is rare...normally it is the guy who is supposed to be the photographer...

The D50/70/70s respond much faster than the 8400/8800 (8400 should be a bit faster than the 8800, which does not have hybrid AF), when you shoot things that moves, speed matters. The lowest ISO is 200 but even then the noise for long exposure is much lower than 8400/8800...the D50/70 have an APS size sensor while the 8400/8800 make do with a 2/3"!

The dSLRs do not have articulated LCD and there is no live preview so you have to frame your pictures using the optical view finder...it gets really difficult when you are doing those very low angle or high angle shots--in this case, I love my 8400 and my previous 5400. For consumers, not being able to use the LCD for framing is ridiculous for them.

Now that the 8400 has gone back to $799 from $399 again, I would say getting the D50 is a very easy choice...only that the D50 is made of plastic...and made in Thailand (no discrimination here but I favour "made in Japan" more).

I do not think you can fine-tune the pre-set white balance (+ -3) in the D50 like the 8400/8800/D70, the kit lens is also a little narrower(18 X 1.5 = 27 mm?) than the 24 mm that the 8400 has.

D50 uses SD card while D70 and 8400/8800 use CF card.

There is a fool-proof mode in both the D50 and D70 (Auto)...ought to be good enough for point and shoot but honestly it is a waste to use this mode in a camera like this--I hate using it in my 8400 too.

I have used the 8400 for 2 weeks, if you wish to know what it can do at night, try seeing my album at:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/[email protected]/album?.dir=a142&.src=ph

Keep in mind that I only do this as a hobby and I am a consumer after all...