The Digital SLRs from Canon and Nikon are among the very best cameras out there, and their picture quality (8x11 prints) far exceeds anything I ever got from my Canon/Minolta film SLR days.

But the current crop of SLR-wannabee's (look and act like SLRs, but with electronic viewfinders and non-interchangeable zooms) are so close and yet so far in many respects.

Of the bunch, I have used a couple, and the Minolta A2 is a real standout. I would absolutely *love* to have that camera in my kit! It works well, has great optics and very sensible ergonomics, and even has features that my 6mp digital SLR could really use (Canon D60, two generations old now, and still better than anything out there except the latest Canon and Nikon SLRs).

I especially like the Minolta's "live" histogram, built-in sensor "anti-shake" thingie, and the auto-switching on the viewfinder/back-LCD. A truly great camera!

Cheers