Thanks so much for your comments here peeps! Recently, I've been chatting about cameras with my friends Rizal, Shemah and Mariuca on Twitter. Ralph also did some in depth research on the internet, went to the stores that carried DSLR cameras and tested them out. Lo and behold, I've finally bought a brand new big-ass camera yesterday!
Canon EOS 550D (including EF-S 18-55mm IS kit lens)and,
the Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD macro lens.Here's a list of some of the features:
• 18 megapixels APS-C sized CMOS sensor for high resolution images of superb quality and details.
• DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor’s 14-bit A/D conversion gives rapid processing speeds while maintaining fine detail and accurate colour reproduction.
• Auto Lighting Optimizer function with 4 settings (Standard, low, strong and disable) - Analyzes the brightness of the photographic subject, and automatically corrects the dark parts to make them brighter.
• Lens Peripheral Illumination Correction setting to automatically even the brightness across the image.
• Full HD Video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution with flexible frame rates (30p, 25p &24p) for up to 4GB per clip with HDMI output (CEC compliant) for HD viewing of stills and video.
• External microphone terminal provided for recording sound via an external microphone.
• SD quality (640 x 480) movie recording equivalent of about 7x magnification of regular movie shooting.
• 3.7fps continuous shooting speed, up to a maximum burst of 34 shots.
• Fast 0.1sec. startup time (CIPA specification standard).
• Shooting from the LCD monitor allows easy verification of focus, composition and exposure.
• Enhanced live view focusing methods, including Quick mode, Live mode and Face detection mode.
• Wide, 3.0-inch (3:2) Clear View LCD (1, 040,000 dots) with multiple coatings for improved viewing and smudge-resistant protection.
• Precision 9-point auto-focus (AF) system provides high degree of focusing accuracy.
• Flexible setting of ISO speed to adjust camera’s sensitivity to light for best exposure (ISO 100 – 36400, ISO expandable to 12800).
• 8 White Balance settings to fine-tune white balance as desired: - Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light, Flash, Custom.
• Includes Self Cleaning Sensor Unit and Dust Delete Function.
Camera accessories that we bought:
Memory Card - 8GB Class 10
LCD Protector
Ultra (UV) filters - 58mm and 62mm
CPL filters - 58mm and 62mm
Cleaning Kit
Total damage: RM(Ouch!), but well worth it.

With all that enthusiasm and excitement almost blasting through the roof, here's the beginning of my journey as a photo hobbyist!

