Which Digital camera for a first?

[terrafirmanada]

I have been contemplating getting a digital camera, and wanted to get some opinions from folks here. Three cameras have caught my eye: the Ricoh GRD, Panasonic LC1 and the Epson RD1. The GRD seems simple,well built and easy to use (also great in size). The Panasonic loooks familiar and seems to take good puctures. The Epson uses lenses I already have, but the qc issues make me nervious.
Should I be looking at other models for a first experience? Being simple to use and producing geat images are my highest priorities. Any experiences and suggestions would be appreciated. Of course, I am also open to staying with film, but it might be useful to have a digital at work for architecture shots.

 

[Nick R.]

They all seem like very different cameras, but here goes. For a P&S like the GRD, you should do a search for one of the many threads that have been started here on the subject lately.
I'm not sure how you compare the LC1 and the Epson. For the price of used LC1, there are a lot of other cameras out there that do more for less. The Olympus E-330 comes to mind.
The RD1 makes a lot of sense if you want a digital RF and don't want to pay for an M8. When they work, they seem to take great pics.

 

[TimBonzi]

You may want to check out the Canon G7. You will find mixed reviews, but for me it works great.

 

[Diggin99]

I suggest a trip to something like Bestbuy to fondle a wide range of whats out there, that is the P&S and the DLSR stuff, before making the jump into something like the RD1. For a first DLSR I chose the Nikon D50 and its a great camera, but if I was to get another one now it would be something like the Olympus E500, back when I was researching this sort of thing a few years ago I remember being impressed by the "Oly colors", and as Nick says, the price.

Nancy