the canon powershot sx10 is an amazing camera! if you were looking for a cheaper version of a slr then i think you should go with this. when i first got the camera, i had no clue how to use all the functions because there are so many. after awhile, i kept playin with the functions and figured it out pretty easily. the manual function allows you to take photographs and have them come out the way you want! there is also a function to select your own shutter speed and different modes such as taking pictures during fast paced activities, beach setting, snow setting, color swapping, night mode, portraits,...