Can I get a DSLR and use old lenses, or should I stick to a point-and-shoot?

[bucketofroses]

Here's the very sketchy outline of my story.
I used to have a Panasonic FZ20, which I loved in everything but low-light situations. It was lifted from my bag on an airline (I idiotically trusted them because I could not carry it on-- another long story), the TSA-approved lock lovingly replaced. I planned on replacing it quickly, but it's my senior year of high school and I had neither the funds nor the time. Now I'm off on a cruise to the Caribbean in a few weeks, and I think my soul might wither and die without a camera.

My art teacher has a Canon Rebel XTi, which I've drooled over on more than one occasion. However, the cost of lenses sent the DSLR thing WAY out my price range. However, my dad has some equipment left over from college (film stuff). He's offered it to me, so I have a couple of filters, a Pentax A 1:1.7 50mm, a Soligar 28mm f2.8 c/D auto lens and a Sunpak auto 30 DX THYRISTOR External flash. Honestly, I don't even have a way to find out if they remain functional.

Are these attachable to modern bodies? At all?

If not, I need other help with the new camera. I was thinking to wait for the new Fujifilm s100, but that's no longer an option because of the cruise.

So, here it is:

Budget

I can really only spend up to $700 right now.

Size

Does not matter too much, but I'd like to be able to haul everything I need for an average day in one bag without dislocating my shoulder.

Features
Megapixels
Not fussed-- about 6

* What optical zoom will you need?
As big as possible; ultrazoom at the least.

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10) 9-10!

Do you care for manual controls? Yes, please!

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for?
nature and artistic photos mostly, but a few "family shots" as well-- I have a new baby cousin among other things. Not much in the line of sports.

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
Yes- but rarely above 11 x14

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
Some

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
Again, some, but not many.

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate?
I was generally pleased with the Panasonic, and I've never been a Kodak lover.
Are there particular models you already have in mind?
The old Canon Rebel, and the Fujifilm S6000

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)

IS would be VERY nice


Thanks so much!

[KCook]

A $700 budget puts you out beyond the typical point-and-shoot category. I can see 2 different game plans:

Plan A - Forget the ultrazoom requirement and you can pick up a VERY nice P&S for under $300. Use the $400 left over to start saving toward a future killer DSLR.

Plan B - Forget the ultrazoom requirement and shoot the $700 on an entry level DSLR with modest glass. Promise yourself you will upgrade to fancy glass off in the future.

Kelly Cook

[erichlund]

The lenses should probably work on a pentax camera. Take them to the store with you to be sure. Ask them to help you determine if your pentax mount lenses will fit on the current dSLRs. A Pentax person here can tell you what cameras would fit your budget, but I believe there are a couple of choices.

As for the flash, I would recommend you ask a someone in the know, but it may be too old. Not that it will not work, but that it might have too high a trigger voltage, in which case it could damage your new camera. We don't want that.

[DonSchap]

You can get a SONY A100 (built-in-the-body IS) with a kit lens to get yourself started for around $600, from B&H Photo Video. It'll offer you a solid start for your budget.

SONY A100K (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/438940-REG/Sony_DSLRA100K_Alpha_DSLR_A100_Digital_Camera.html ) <- click here

[bucketofroses]

Is there any value to 'prosumer' cameras, or is it worth the cost to bump up to an DSLR in my case?
And if I go with a DSLR, I was thinking of the Sony DonSchap mentioned, and still looking at the Rebel, and the Olympus E-510.

Which of these does anyone prefer? Should I buy the kit lens too? I've read before that you can get a better walking-around lens for the same money . . .

[DonSchap]

Kit lens are literally around $100 or less, when packed as a kit. That's tough to beat.

[erichlund]

If you get the Sony, you will have to get at least the kit lens. Your current lenses will not work on the Sony, only on a Pentax.