[grimm]

I'd go the xt route personally. I had a g5 and it was cool, good size, easy to use...but it wasn't enough. And just because you get a dslr doesn't mean you need to invest thousands into it at one time just to take a nice picture. The auto features work well for the novice and it gives you full expansion for when you grow. Just get a decent zoom lens and be done with it. It has a built in flash, you don't need filters (the s5 won't have any?) you'll need a camera bag and possibly a tripod with any camera. Look at it like this. you can get the body and a decent lens, then a few years down the road, instead of upgrading your camera, just buy a new lens. Whamo... you got a new camera. The pro-sumer point and shoots are just a tease... and i think you might be regretting buying one after a few months.