If you are just starting out I would recommend you stay away from the prime lenses as you will probabbly want a little bit of zoom and also prime lenses are expensive (other than the 50mm) You can get a D40 with a kit lens (18-55) for around $400 new. The point and shoot pocket cameras you linked to have their uses but if you are wanting to persue photography as a hobby and art then I would not go with the pocket cameras since it really limits you on how much control you have over the camera. The higher end point and shoots like the cannon s5 will give you more control over things like aperture and shutter speed but they are not as portable as a pocket camera so it is a greater hassel to carry it around with you. For full control and maximum room for growth get a DSLR. I would recommend the DSLR because it is only slightly more than a good point and shoot camera and when you get more into it you can just get better lenses instead of having to get a new body. Of course eventually you will upgrade camera bodies as well but the D40 body will last you a while. And if you stick with the same brand then you can use the lenses that you bought for the entry level DSLR on your future SLR's.
__________________
Rex K
The view from my "office" doesn't suck. 
|