I am a beginner in almost every sense of the word having only taken photography some 8 years ago with just a normal point ans shoot camera. Despite the review here, I must say that I thoroughly enjoy the camera. I feel that it is very easy to use (if you can read the manual which comes with it) and it takes amazingly clear pictures. Maybe I am saying this in total naivety because I am truly a beginner. However, this camera (with a 35-80mm lens, a 75-300mm)lens, is leaps and bounds above my point and shoot camera. Photography has become a hobby for me and at this time I feel no need to spend thousands of dollars on lenses. Maybe in the future I need to eat my words