Let the hive mind of Engadget get that for you.
"I'm pretty much a complete noob when it comes to camera stuff. My wife loves to take pictures, though. So much so that she literally wore out her first point and shoot camera, and the Kodak Z712 I bought for her less than two years ago is starting to act up as well. To compound the matter, we are expecting our first born sometime next year. I fear the Kodak just isn't going to cut it any longer. What would be the best starter DSLR to get? She hates missing photo opportunities due to camera 'lag' so speed would definitely be at the top of the list. Photo quality and features would be next. Price should be no more than $800. I'm not interested in video capabilities."
@ Julian Bond:
Compairing communism to socialism is one of the WORST compairsions I've ever seen. Just what is inherately wrong with Socialism. It's sad that it's courrupted so and has such a bad image when really if you study the economy it's slowly but surely creating the ideal conditions for socialism in our country. Why don't you go hear and read the facts http://home.vicnet.net.au/~dmcm/Articles/Prospects2.htm