Camera for A-Level

[adam06]

Hey;) ,
Im doing photography for A-Level
I need a new camera ( im currently using a Sony Cyber Shot DSC P-8) its getting a bit old and I would like a professional one.
Could anyone recomend me one which include:

*Must be over 4 mega pixels, 8 would be nice
*Must be more than 4x zoom
*OIS
*Professional
*Cheap
*Easy to handle

Can any one recomend?
Thanks alot:)

[coldrain]

What do you mean with professional? The most professional is a DSLR (digital single lens reflex camera) where you can exchange lenses.
Good entry level models include the Canon EOS 350D?digital rebel XT, Nikon D50, Olympus E-500 or E-330, Pentax *ist DS/DS2.
You do not need OIS since these cameras give you high ISO possibilities that already minimize camera shake when light is less than ideal. If you do want OIS, you can get a Konica Minolta 5D which has IS (they move the chip instead of the lens (the O). But since Konica Minolta has quit business. sevice for the cameras is non existent for the moment, and that may be a problem.

Both Nikon and Canon offer lenses with optical stabilization, Nikon calls them "VR", Canon "IS".

If you are looking for less "professional" cameras, the old Panasonic FZ20 may still be available, also interesting are the Canon S2 IS (being followed up by the even better S3 IS, which will do better in high ISO), the Sony H1, and its follow-up H2 (also will do better in high ISO).

[Rhys]

Now that Pentax is coming out with the next generation of dSLR, it looks as though the *istD wasn't just a flash in the pan. I'd get a Pentax *istD.