i dun think theres a need to invest into a DSLR with a $1200 budget with considerations of adding lens and flash. maybe i can give a personal recommendation of f717 or f828.. both have manual settings also... AND it starts below $1k for 2nd hand and onwards... good for beginners !! haha.. lens can add.. like telephotos and wides, flash also can... f717 uses MS while 828 uses CF/ms... so a $1200 may get him a full set of camera, flash and lenses and some filters~ :bsmilie: