Thisd is to me a better vaue than the nikon or canon ( even thoug I have owne 4 canon slrs at one time and over 7 lenses) due to two main things
1.) image stabilisation is a function of the camera not the lens so all compatable lenses enjoy image stabilisation.
2.) Lots of old minolta and maxim/minolta lense out there fit this camera.
Like anything new it takes a little bit of time to grok all the features but it is time well spent. As to 8 vs 10 vs 12 or more megs for the sensor it becomes a bit pointless after a while. Most shots are never printed to a scale that wil ever tax the capability of this camera's image renderdering capacity.
Sony - 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit, Alpha is recommended by kendall19
For superior DSLR images, step up to Sony. With Sony, anyone can shoot like a pro. The Alpha DSLR-A100 SLR camera combines 10 megapixel performance, high-sensitivity shooting, Super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization, a Dynamic Range Optimizer ( DRO ) to recapture detail and the Eye-Start for faster response. The camera also features precision Sony and Carl Zeiss lens systems and Minolta A-mount lens compatibility. Compatible with Sony SAL-75300 telephoto zoom lens (Sears item 41436) - see optional items tab.