The Nikon D80 is a great camera for people who feel limited by the point and shoot cameras out there today.  I think having some photography experience is helpful, but even if not you can just set the camera on the automatic settings and get some great shots!  I love mine!  Get a decent zoom if you can, not neccessarily a Nikor brand since they're so expensive, I got a Sigma for mine, and your camera will be even more versatile.  I originally bought this because I had a Nikon 35mm SLR already, and I wanted to use my other Nikon lenses with it, but since getting the Sigma 18-200 zoom lens I...