One other thing I forgot to mention is that I also want a camera that shoots well at night time (both photography and video). I want to take pics at night of the Downtown Skyline as well as general use.

Thanks for the post. Along with getting a DSLR Camera, I am looking to get an even smaller (i.e. thinner) Pocket Camera just to carry and have on me cause you never know when you're gonna need it. My FujiFilm FinePix crapped on me about a year ago. I've been using a Kodak EasyShare since then. Even though it's compact, it's not small enough to want to carry it around in my pocket. Definitely "bulky" by comparison to what is out there today.

Have not dealt with import on cameras. Be cautious sounds about right.

Have you tried deal news.com. I think they have amazing deals on 'refurbished'. Not sure how you view that.

Thanks for the link. I did a search for Nikon D5200, but no hits. Does this site sell new or is it like Craigslist? Never heard of it before. And yes, I have decided that the 5200 is exactly the camera I want and need. Now it comes down to finding the absolute best price for a New camera.

Anyone have any hands on experience with Quibids? Just saw a commercial for it where they hype that you can get Factory New items for up to 90% off.  Gonna read into it but would like to know if you guys have stories, good and bad about the site.

Just got my Nikon D5200 delivered to me today. Still have to go through learning all the buttons and whatnot and then take some test photos and see if everything is on the up and up. I got this off eBay and if it turns out to be a solid, working and Brand New Camera (which at the moment it appears to be), then I scored a hell of a deal at the price I got it for. More to come.....

UPDATE:

Getting a dSLR isn't something that you're just gonna pick up, especially if you don't have a complete understanding of what Photography is all about. It doesn't help if you're coming straight from do-it-all point and shoot cameras like myself. There are plenty of videos you can find on YouTube that will talk about theory, camera operation and whatnot and they are informative...some more than others. But I have found that a lot of what's online is junk and is more about branding themselves as "teachers" and trying to sell you something. That's all good and somewhat expected. I'd do the same thing if I posted videos on YouTube if I had the time.

With that said, I've had to hit the Library and check out some books to get a bit more knowledge of what it takes to be a photographer that can take good pics. I'm currently reading The Digital Photography Books by Scott Kelby. The books themselves really don't need a review because they are more of what kind of settings, shutter speed, f-Stops you should be shooting in for the shot it's talking about. This doesn't offer any kind of theory. It's more of a paint by numbers kind of walk through and something I will get a lot of mileage out of. Currently reading Understanding Exposure which is more theory and THE book that most photographers online recommend. So, that's where I am at currently in my new hobby. I have taken a series of test shots, learning the ins and outs of my camera. Once I get through the book, I will start doing photo projects and seeing what kind of results I get. Stay tuned....