Best thing you can do is : Have a budget (cost of a good pair of shoes), stick to a quality brand, find a good camera store with a non pushy sales person and think about what you will photograph the most. I use high end Canon gear daily but carry around a small Ixus v5 as a last back-up or when in stealth mode (looking like tourist).

Good luck and enjoy your photography.

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Shoot First, Ask Questions Later!